It was a cool rainy day in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania. The morning air was crisp, and rain drizzled as we purchased tickets to ride the horse drawn buggies in Amish country. My wife Lisa has ridden on dozens of these trips, and she was excited to have my brother and sister-in-law along for their maiden ride.
A vehicle from Maryland parked. A father from Hawaii was
visiting his son who was in the Air Force stationed in Maryland. It was their maiden
voyage also. We waited, along with five others, for the buggy driver’s arrival.
We loaded into the buggy and Ben, the Amish driver,
introduced himself and asked if anyone wanted to sit in the front with him. My
sister-in-law jumped on it “Quicker than a chicken on a June bug.” That is an
Alabama expression for being quick. Then Ben asked where from where we came.
There was a newlywed couple from Israel celebrating their
honeymoon. They spoke very good English, but I think they had trouble
understanding our Alabama southern drawl. Across from them was the father and
son from Hawaii. To their left were three members of a family, grandparents,
and grandson, from upstate Pennsylvania. My brother, my wife Lisa, and I sat
across from them. I had the pleasure of sitting next to the newlyweds.
As the journey back in time began, Ben began to
explain the Amish way of life. It is always fascinating as we slowly passed the
large dairy farms, cornfields, alfalfa fields, and apple orchards. The trip was
worth the price just to watch the expressions of the first timer travelers.
Each traveler told a little bit about themselves. The
newlyweds planned to visit Washington D.C. The Hawaii father and son we amazed
with the Amish culture. My brother and sister-in-law are big farmers in South Alabama,
and they loved seeing new farms and gaining new ideals.
The grandparents told us that it was their grandson
Joey’s twentieth birthday. I lead the travelers in singing happy birthday to
Joey. Granddad was retired Airforce and he and the young Airforce officer from
Hawaii shared common interests. Granddad said that he and his wife had placed
to travel and explore, but they inherited Joey.
Even though he was twenty, Joey was autistic and
non-verbal. He was well mannered and obedient. Sitting direct in from of me,
Joey seemed fascinated with me. He would touch me from time to time and his
granddad would admonish him. I told the grandad that it was okay.
One time he saw a knot on the pull string of my jacket,
and he quickly touched it. He would look me in the eye, and I would smile. One
of the reasons he watched me was that the week before I had taken a nasty fall
and scraped my face from my hairline on my forehead to the tip of my nose. I
had an ugly scab and a hole on the bridge of my nose and used a long staff to
help me walk. I told Joey that I was wearing my Halloween mask a little early.
After a stop at a farm, Joey returned to the buggy
with a large cream cookie. As the tour continued the curiosity of Joey got the
best of him. Quick as the proverbial chicken on the June bug, Joey reached over
to me and stuck his right index finger on the scabby hole on the bridge of my
nose. I admit that it hurt but I tried not to show pain and smiled. His
granddad scolded him. I assured him that it was okay. My dad taught me that we
were to lookout for those that could not take care of themselves. It was a heavenly
moment realizing that Joey felt safe in touching me. I assured his grandparents
that children and animals were attracted to me even wearing a scabby face and
sporting a walking stick.
That night as Lisa and I talked before retiring for
the night we discussed Joey and the hundreds of children being raised by their
grandparents. We are thankful for those that will put their lives on hold to
care for those that cannot care for themselves.
I am sure that the raining buggy ride of the serendipity
of travelers will share Joey’s story around the world. I know it will if you
read this article. The Bible commands believers to care for those that cannot
take care of themselves.
Lo, children
are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3 KJV
But when Jesus
saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children
to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14 KJV
It were better
for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea,
than that he should offend one of these little ones Luke 17:2 KJV
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