The wagon, loaded with Tennessee tourists, rolls forward, pulled by a pair of horses named Champ and Nicholas, guided by a tour guide teamster named Susanna, who lectures us on the Amish life as we take a buggy ride through Lancaster County farmland, in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Tourist buggies, which are the size of covered wagons, are a common sight in the tourist areas of Lancaster County. I've seen them for years, and today, I'm taking a ride on one of these buggies for … [Read more...] about Tour Guide Teamster: My Friend Susanna’s Unusual Side Job
Book Review: The Myth of the Dying Church by Glenn T. Stanton
It's a book that seems too good to be true: Christianity isn't declining, in fact, authentic Christian faith is on the rise, both in the United States and globally. This is the message of The Myth of the Dying Church: How Christianity is Actually Thriving in America and the World (Worthy Publishing, 2019). The author, Glenn T. Stanton, is a researcher, columnist, lecturer, and debater, and directs the Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family. He makes his living doing research … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Myth of the Dying Church by Glenn T. Stanton
Irish Amish Cooking: Memories of the Emerald Isle IV
Frugality is a risky business for cooks. "Please don't ask me where these courgettes are from," I thought as we gathered around the table. "I don't want to jeopardize anything." It was springtime, and things were looking up for Comeragh Camp. Two social workers had come to visit, and they were friendly and relaxed and had agreed to stay for lunch. No youth were at the camp right now, so I had made lunch for the staff, plus our guests who were visiting as part of camp's efforts to get … [Read more...] about Irish Amish Cooking: Memories of the Emerald Isle IV
Anabaptist Financial, Global Impact, and Ken Ham
I love learning, and listening to great speakers is one of my favorite things to do. This week I'm taking a break from writing Ireland stories and instead writing about some recent seminars I attended— three conferences three days in row, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of last week. Wednesday: Anabaptist Financial Employee Seminar On Wednesday I got paid to listen to speakers! Every year, Anabaptist Financial Organization has a big conference focused on work, and happily my company … [Read more...] about Anabaptist Financial, Global Impact, and Ken Ham
Hedges & Highways: Memories of the Emerald Isle III
I saw the BMW too late. I was on an Irish country lane, hemmed in on both sides by towering hedges, driving my little white van too fast for the narrow road, and I had to make a quick decision. I yanked the van's steering wheel to the left and plunged into the hedge. After I came to a stop, van partly in the hedge, the BMW driver, a kindly older gentleman, got out of his car to check on me. "Are you okay?" he asked. I told him I was okay, even if the van wasn't. "I should have been going … [Read more...] about Hedges & Highways: Memories of the Emerald Isle III