Mennonite Disaster Service

The Felicia Rushing Home Project

January 25, 2006

	This home is located on highway 190 west of Newton just before the Jasper County line. What makes this project a bit more interesting than most is that a group of Old Order Amish did the work. The Old Order Amish are under the overarching umbrella of the Anabaptist movement as are the Mennonites. That umbrella contains many different and diverse groups or churches. However, they all share a common understanding that Jesus meant what he said when he told his disciples to love others and to serve. They all serve mightily in the name of Christ. The Old Order Amish are more conservative in dress, and they are astounding workers. I visited them at the site and had a very interesting conversation with one of the young men. At the same time, I could tell that they were all getting anxious because I was slowing down their progress. When the Amish work, they work hard. I have heard it said that an Amish worker can accomplish what 3 ordinary workers can, and they do it better. I think that there is some truth in that statement.
	This is probably my favorite picture out of all the ones I have taken. This gentleman was literally running from the stack of wood to the roof, and the pictures is slightly blurred. In this particular order, the married men wear beards without moustaches, and the unmarried men are clean shaven. They do not wear moustaches because the Amish are pacifists, and the military has worn moustaches off and on for many centuries.