This past summer the hubby and I stopped in a little Amish community in Texas.
It is just a few hours from our house.
We really didn’t know who we were looking for or what we were looking for.
But, God did.
I have been wanting to write this story since we went but never have made the time.
Let me back up just a bit.
We had dropped off all our kids at my parent’s house and we were going to the island for a week.
So, we were alone with just our dog, Brighton.
On our way home, we had to stop at the Tractor Supply store to buy food for our chickens.
We inquired about an Amish community we knew had moved into the area.
The teenage boy told us – where they were and that they come into the store every Saturday.
I was a little excited.
I knew they made a pie – I’ve been wanting to try.
Shoofly pie.
We never did get to taste that pie.
We drove to empty corn and cotton fields till we thought we were surely lost.
We knew we were close to the Amish because we kept seeing wagon tracks on the Hot Texas back roads.
I made my hubby turn on Country music.
It just seemed like we should, since we were in “high cotton”.
We finally came upon some houses.
But, they didn’t look Amish.
They had antennas on top of the roofs.
We finally saw a Saddle Shop and we chose that one to ask directions.
We parked our car and left the windows open. Our dog was in the car and we knew we wouldn’t be long.
Plus, we weren’t real worried about someone taking it.
The “high cotton” and all just makes me feel safe.
We walked in the shop and realized it wasn’t air conditioned.
Their was a previous customer who was finishing up his order with a man who wore no shoes.
It smelled like leather. So good.
A teenage girl was in the corner, making holes in leather for a new saddle.
I would think that this was an Amish shop except there were computers everywhere.
Then I saw young kids running around, again with no shoes. They also wore plain clothes.
The customer, who looked like a real cowboy, left.
And then the man looked at us.
We weren’t interested in saddles and he probably knew that immediately.
We introduced ourselves and told him we were wondering about the Amish and hoped they would have “shoofly pie.”
He said “You have a sweet tooth, do ya?”
We laughed and answered “yes.”
He then thought for a moment and I thought maybe we had offended him somehow.
Then he said “They are up the road aways.”
Then he paused.
It seemed forever.
Then he spoke “I used to be Amish.”
Then he shared his testimony of how the Lord became real to him.
He had to leave because the Amish faith – because the Lord had other plans for him.
We stayed and were ministered to for over three hours.
We got to go into his home and meet his family.
It was surreal.
Our dog even fell in love with this family.
They also had tons of chickens.
We learned some of their ways.
They probably thought we were aliens – all the questions we asked.
They didn’t mind.
We felt like we were at home.
They gave us a banana tree and a fig tree.
I want to plant them this Fall, when it gets a little cooler.
They will always be special to me. My Amish Trees!
Isn’t it sweet when God gives you those moments of kindred spirits?
I’m so glad we decided to stop and truly be led of the Holy Spirit down a road of “high cotton.”
Blessings to you! You are loved!
Oh wow! I know that God directs our steps but still find it awesome when He opens our eyes to notice!
http://www.maplesprings.com/shooflyrecipe.html I also thought I’d pass this link along to you. We use this same recipe when we make Shoofly Pie, this is the official “family recipe” that we have always been told has Amish/Mennonite origin (my husband’s grandparents down were all Mennonite living in community with Amish). Anyway, I found the very same recipe on this website, so I linked it to you. The King Syrup that it calls for makes the best tasting pie, but in a pinch you can substitute molasses. I have had this baked in the pie shell, or doubled in a 9 x 13 pan with no pie crust and it is good either way. It may not be made by Amish hands, but it definitely tastes like it!
We live in northern PA and there is a good-sized community of Amish people in our area. We have made special friends with several of the Amish families and have had many discussions about Christ with them. They find it very intriguing to meet Englishers, as they call us, who are passionate about their relationship with God and have even chosen to live differently (we homeschool and have 7 kids) because of our faith. We earnestly pray that someday they will come to true faith as your new friend, Ezra, and his family have done. Reading your story really encourages me not to give up praying and hoping!
I loved when you told me this story in person and now getting new bits of the story. It’s very sweet. I am glad you took the time to find new friends. Lisa~
No, Kim – I never did get that Shoofly Pie.
Later, when we were telling my Mom the story – she told me I had had it years ago and I didn’t like it. But, I’m sure my taste buds have changed. 🙂
Melinda – Yes, his name is Ezra. How funny! I can’t wait to visit him and his wonderful family again. They were such a blessing!
What a wonderful experience. I just wanted to BE there with you … 🙂
We were in Amish-land in PA a few years ago, on our ‘once in a lifetime’ family holiday, and I’ve prayed much for them all since then… actually before then too, and that’s why we spent some time there.
Such a special meeting for you. Simply wonderful x
I just got goose bumps reading this! I’m wondering if you stumbled into our old neighbor’s leather shop?! He and his family lived just north of us while they were still Amish. They moved to Texas and came to know the Lord. What sweet fellowship we share with them now – even over the miles! His name is Ezra…
OMGosh, i have goosebumps all over … what a wonderful experience.
God moments … love those!
Wow!Don’t you just love it when those God moments happen? Loved this my friend. But did you ever get your shoo fly pie? Just curious. LOL!
HUGS
Kim