“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
The prison chaplain walked to Barrett Winston’s cell. “Winston, is there anything I can do for you today?” the caring man asked.
“Na...there ain’t nothin’ you can do to help me.” Barrett sat on the side of the small bed with his head down.
“Well, I can pray with you. Would you allow me to do that?” The chaplain peered through the steel bars.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt none,” Barrett consented.
The guard opened Barrett’s cell and let the chaplain inside. He took a seat on the small mattress beside Barrett. “What would you like me to pray with you about?”
Barrett shrugged his shoulders.
“Didn’t you just get out of the hole?” the chaplain asked.
Barrett nodded in affirmation. “Yep, third time this month.”
“What for this time?”
“Same old thing. I supposedly started a fight,” Barrett grumbled. “You know, it’s funny that I’m the only one that gets pounded. The other prisoners just get away with beating on me and I’m the one that ends up in solitary. Not one scratch on the other guys. Life just ain’t fair.”
“I’m afraid that inmates don’t look too favorably upon someone with your criminal background. Neither do the guards. Have you ever thought about a lifestyle change – with God’s help?”
Barrett hung his head down low again. “I don’t know how I can make it in here for twenty years. Honestly, I’m at the end of my rope. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
The chaplain handed Barrett a Bible. “Start here,” he said, and then bowed his head to pray.
Barrett prayed silently, God, if you’re really there and you care about me, give me a sign.
<><><>
Gideon Fisher arrived at the bishop’s house just prior to three o’clock. Bishop Hostettler lived about two miles from the Fisher residence, just past Miller’s Bridge. The Bishop and his wife lived in the main house alongside their son, who constructed Amish buggies. Nathan Hostettler and his young wife resided in the small dawdi haus. The last time Gideon had been out to the Hostettlers’ place was when he put in the order for Isaac’s courting buggy. But today, he was not there to talk business. He would be discussing matters of faith with the bishop, and he could only pray that it would go well.
“Good afternoon, Gid. I hope everything is okay.” Oftentimes, many of the People only visited the bishop when there was something wrong.
Gideon reassured Bishop Hostettler. “There are no problems, Judah. On the contrary, we’re doing great.”
“How is Isaac’s leg?” the bishop asked.
“It’s healing. Isaac is a little frustrated that he can’t do more...especially since his courtin’ buggy is damaged. Do ya think Nathan can repair it?”
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem,” he answered. “And how is Joanna doing?”
“My dochder appears to be doing okay, although I can tell that she is still bothered at times. I think the job that she’s taken with Naomi Fast is helping her a lot.”
“One does not get over an incident like that easily. It will take some time.” Judah tugged on his beard.
“Judah, the reason I’ve come is to discuss something that’s been on my mind.” Gideon forged ahead.
“Let us go inside and sit down. I will have Lydia prepare some iced tea for us,” the bishop said, leading the way into the house. They sat down in a small room off the side of the living area, which Gideon supposed was the bishop’s counseling office. “Now, what would you like to discuss with me, Gid?”
“Do you have an English Bible in here?” Gideon asked, glancing at the bookshelf behind the bishop’s desk.
“Yes, I do. Would you like me to get it out?” His eyes peered over his reading glasses.
“Jah, but not for me. I brought my own. There are some things that I have been reading.” Gideon stopped talking when he heard a knock on the door.
“Kumm in, Lydia.” The bishop’s wife set two glasses of iced tea on the desk. “Denki, Fraa,” Judah remarked, as Lydia quietly exited the room.
Gideon opened his Bible and the bishop pulled his from off the shelf. “Judah, I read something the other day with my family and I wanted to hear your thoughts on it. It says here in Ephesians chapter two, verses eight and nine: ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’“
The bishop nodded his head. “Jah, that is true.”
“But it says that we can be saved. And that salvation is a gift. And that there are no works involved. Am I correct in my understanding?” Gideon questioned, wondering what the bishop’s reaction would be.
“Are you implying that there is salvation outside the Amish church?” His forehead creased.
“The Scriptures imply – no, they proclaim that salvation and eternal life are gifts. Gifts free for the taking upon faith in Christ. Romans chapter six and verse twenty-three states this also. There is no mention of being a church member or of being a good person,” Gideon spoke passionately. “Salvation is available to all…Amish and Englisch alike.”
“I do agree with what you are saying, Gideon. However, I don’t think it would be wise to share your feelings with everyone. This teaching can divide our community, and I’m afraid that we already have an alarming number leaving our fold. It is our traditions that keep us strong and unified,” the bishop asserted.
Gideon couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “But Judah, we’re talking about eternal life! The difference between Heaven and Hell. To simply believe in God is one thing, but to trust Jesus Christ alone for salvation is another. The Bible says there is no other way to be saved. Don’t you want that for our People? Shouldn’t the Truth be paramount to any man-made traditions, including the Ordnung?”
The bishop seemed to be contemplating Gideon’s words. “I don’t want to make any hasty decisions. Let me pray about this, and then I will get back to you on this matter.” He paused for a moment, weighing his words. “Gideon, you do realize where this could lead if it’s not accepted by the elders. We are gut friends, I would hate to see you and your family under the Bann.” The concern in his eyes was evident.
“Likewise, I would hate for our People to be deprived of the Truth. Good day, Judah.” He gave a brief nod, and then stepped out.
Gideon left the Hostettlers’ feeling disappointed. But he wasn’t totally dejected – there was still hope for their community. However, if they rejected the Scriptures, there could be dire consequences for not only the community, but for the Fisher family as well. Surely the bishop would not impose the shunning on them, would he? Standing for Truth hadn’t been easy for their Anabaptist ancestors. As a matter of fact, it had cost them their very lives. If the Fishers had to face the Bann for taking the right stance, then so be it.
<><><>
Joanna sat at the small corner desk in her room with pen and paper in hand. She sighed. Dear Gott, please help me to do this. Give me the courage that I need. She picked up the paper that Naomi had given her. It read: Barrett C. Winston 95648-073, FDC Philadelphia, Federal Detention Center, P.O. Box 562, Philadelphia, PA 19105. Naomi had been kind to find the information for her. Now, she’d have to figure out just what to write. She began the letter...
Barrett C. Winston,
I wanted to let you know that I have forgiven you. God loves you and He wants you to be saved. Please read John 3:16 from the Bible.
From,
The girl you kidnapped
Joanna folded the letter and placed it into an envelope. She addressed it to the man but kept the return address blank, not wanting him to find out who she was or where she lived. She would take the letter to Naomi, who would mail it for her when she went into Lancaster later in the week.
<><><>
Isaac took a deep breath. “Rachel, you know that we’ve been good friends since we were kinner. I have loved you for as long as I can remember. I oftentimes find myself daydreaming about you, and wondering if you love me the same way I love you. I have been giving it great thought, and I would be honored if you would consent to be my wife.”
Isaac glanced into the mirror and then looked at his reflection which frowned back at him. “No, that will never do. I have to think of something else...” He paused a moment. “Hmm…Okay, now I know.” Clearing his throat he began again. “Rachel, I love you very much and I know it’s a lot to ask, but will you at least consider becoming my wife? Please say yes, Rachel. You will make me the happiest man alive–”
A high-pitched voice echoed from behind him. “Oh Isaac, you’re so wonderful. I would love to marry you.” Startled, Isaac looked into the mirror and saw Jonathan batting his eyelashes behind him. Isaac’s face turned beet red with embarrassment, and then anger. Jonathan giggled at his brother’s foolishness.
“Jonathan Fisher...just wait until I get my hands on you!” Isaac grabbed his crutches and dashed out the door, hobbling down the stairs after Jonathan, who had already safely made it outside.