Where Love Grows (32 page)

T
hree hours later, Bishop Henry was still preaching the closing sermon. Steve glanced over at the clock on the living room wall. A few more minutes and the bishop would surely wrap up his thoughts. Robbie shifted again beside him on the hard bench; obviously trying for a more comfortable spot after sitting longer than he was used to. Robby could get over his discomfort on his own, Steve decided. Steve had been stealing glances at Susan and keeping track for the entire service. Not once had Susan looked their way from where she was seated in the unmarried girls section.

Was something wrong? Was Susan ashamed of letting him know she knew Robby? Susan didn't normally look his way during the church services. Though with Robby beside him, surely her eyes would have strayed over once or twice if she knew the
Englisha
man? If Robby meant anything to her, that is. Since Susan hadn't looked, did that mean Robby hadn't been her boyfriend in that
Englisha
past of hers? He really was being a jealous old coot, Steve told himself. He hadn't even asked Susan home yet. He had no right to stake a claim on her. Yet he couldn't stop the questions. Perhaps Susan only knew Robby as a friend? There certainly was no devious air around the
Englisha
boy. And would he have come to church if he planned to lure Susan out into the world again? Not likely.

Steve's eyes had followed Susan when she came down the stairs after the instruction class. She cut quite a striking figure, as she always did, but today even more so in her new, dark-blue dress, no doubt made especially for the occasion. The new dress meant the baptismal class had not been something Susan decided overnight. She planned to stay in the community. And if all that was true, perhaps
Da Hah
could bring about feelings between them that could grow into something serious. If this Robby didn't make trouble anyway.

Steve forced himself to look away from Susan as Bishop Henry wrapped up his thoughts. Minutes later the bishop asked for testimony from two men before taking his seat.

Deacon Ray cleared his throat and spoke first. “I can say that all we have heard here today was from the Word of God and is the Word of God for us. The many warnings given today against the world have pierced our hearts again, reminding us that we are only pilgrims and strangers on this earth. Let us remember this in the days and weeks ahead as we seek to walk in the fear of
Da Hah
.” He paused and then continued, “I want to mention our baptismal class that began today. I know that those in the class no doubt wrestled long and hard with this decision. And yet they have made the choice to forsake the world with all its lusts and join the church that dwells on this earth.”

Deacon Ray stopped to pull his handkerchief out of his pocket and blow his nose. Why was the deacon so emotional? But, of course, Steve knew. How had he forgotten? Today was not only the first day of the new baptismal class, but also the day of Menno and Anna's restoration. He had been so busy thinking about Susan, he hadn't remembered this. He ought to be ashamed of himself. No wonder Deacon Ray was in tears. Today was a day of new beginnings in more ways than one. Susan had chosen to begin the instruction class the day her
mamm
and
daett
would be taken back into fellowship.

“We are not a perfect people,” Deacon Ray continued. “We all know that, and yet we believe
Da Hah
sanctifies the hearts of those who believe. I wish to welcome the class and to hope for the best as they continue down the path toward baptism. I also hope that any bitterness in our hearts caused by the discipline sanctioned by the church may not allow the devil an open door to torment us.

“I know that suffering of this kind is not pleasant but necessary at times. Old Bishop Mullet used to tell us the story when we were growing up of the shepherd who had a young lamb. This lamb often strayed from the shepherd. No fence was high enough or gate strong enough to keep the lamb inside. One day when the young lamb was again lost on the mountains, the shepherd found him just in time. That day the shepherd broke the leg of the lamb and carried him home on his shoulders.

“We might think what a cruel thing this was, and yet as the shepherd carried the young sheep with him for the weeks it took the leg to heal, a bond of love formed between the two of them. When the time came for the young lamb to run again, he no longer strayed because he had learned to love.

“I pray from the bottom of my heart that we also may have learned of love during these weeks of suffering. I hope the bond between
Da Hah
and us has been made stronger by this injury. More than that, I cannot wish for. So may
Da Hah
bless this day and the rest of what is said.”

Abe Troyer, in whose house the services were being held, coughed. He gathered himself together and spoke. “I too can say that all I have seen and heard today was from the Word of God. I am blessed to be part of such a privilege—that of being ministered to by heaven. I confess that I'm but a pilgrim and a stranger on this earth, though often my eyes are drawn away toward the world. I ask that you pray for me in the hour of my temptations, so that together we may arrive safely at home on the other side. Beyond that, I have nothing more to say. May
Da Hah
continue to give His blessings.”

Bishop Henry stood up, waiting a few moments before speaking. “I am thankful that the preaching of
Da Hah
's Word has been testified to as having been done under His grace. Now at this time, as many of you know, it lays upon our hearts to receive brother Menno and sister Anna back into our fellowship as they have not been a part of us these past six weeks.

“It has grieved our hearts greatly to see this happen, and yet we as a ministry couldn't see any other way to keep the purity of the church without taking this measure. So now will brother Menno and sister Anna please come forward and kneel before the congregation?”

Menno got up first and moved out of his aisle. His back was bowed as he waited for Anna to join him from the women's section. Together they approached Bishop Henry and knelt at his feet.

“Will both of you confess before the church and before
Da Hah
?” Bishop Henry asked. “That you have failed and sinned greatly in this matter, and that you ask for forgiveness from the bottom of your heart?”

“
Yah.
” Menno's voice was low.

Anna's answer must have followed Menno's because Bishop Henry continued.

“Do you, brother Menno and sister Anna, commit yourself to forsaking once again the world, the devil, and the lust of your own hearts, and to give your minds and souls to the love of
Da Hah
and to the building of His church on this earth?”

“
Yah
, I do,” Menno said.

“
Yah.
” Anna spoke louder this time.

“Then I give you the right hand of fellowship.” Bishop Henry extended his hand. Menno took it, his knees trembling as he stood up. Bishop Henry kissed him on the cheek.

“And now to our sister Anna, I also give the right hand of fellowship.”

When Anna stood, Bishop Miller stepped aside, giving Anna's hand to his wife, Ruth, who had come up to stand beside him. She kissed Anna's cheek and tears ran down her face. Anna threw her hands around Ruth's neck and hugged her. The two women stood together weeping as Bishop Yoder waited. Around them the room became quiet, the clock ticking loudly on the living room wall.

After long moments, Bishop Henry cleared his throat. Anna let Ruth go. She turned to look up at Menno, who still had his head bowed. He reached over to take her hand in his. Together they walked back down the aisle, parting at the women's section.

When Menno was seated, someone shouted out the song number, and the last song began. When the number was completed, Bishop Henry spoke from his seat on the minister's bench. “And now may the blessing of
Da Hah
be on the rest of the day as we are dismissed.”

The younger boys moved for the door, grabbing their hats on the way. Outside in the yard, they ran for the barn like spring calves let out in the pasture after a long winter shut up in their pens.

Robby turned to Steve. “So that's an Amish church service.”

“
Yah
. And you even got to see a baptismal class and a man and wife received back into fellowship.”

“I saw Susan go upstairs. So that's what was going on. I'm glad to see she's settling down.”

Steve said nothing as he watched the older girls get to their feet and move toward the kitchen. They would be helping prepare dinner. Susan had been one of the first ones to go, as always, willing to help. She would be a jewel of a wife if her heart could be captured. That was the question, really. Would she allow him or any other man close to her again? But here he was, thinking about his own matters again when Menno and Anna had only been taken back into fellowship a few moments ago. His heart should be rejoicing for them. They certainly must be praising
Da Hah
for having preserved them during the short time of darkness.

Robby leaned over. “You mentioned being received back into fellowship. Was that about Susan's parents…when they were on their knees? If ever I wished I could understand the language, it was then. I guess it teaches one to pay attention in school during German class.”

Steve thought a moment before answering. “Menno and Anna had something to take care of with the church. That's how we do things in the community…when confessions have to be made and discipline given.”

“I see,” Robby said, although he clearly didn't.

Well, he would just have to wonder, Steve thought. He didn't feel like explaining how things worked in the Amish world to an
Englisha
man, even if he was a friend of Susan's. And there was no sense in embarrassing Menno and Anna by telling strangers about Menno's sin.

“I'm going out to the barn for a few moments,” Steve said. “You're welcome to come along or you can wait here. Lunch will be served soon.”

“I'll wait and talk with some of these older fellows,” Robby said. “I'll get some good, old-fashioned farm wisdom, I'm sure.”

Steve nodded and left Robby, who was already moving toward the benches full of older men. They greeted him with handshakes and broad smiles. Robby would get his ears full of wisdom, Steve decided. There was no doubt about that. All he would have to do is ask.

As he walked to the barn, Steve wondered how he was going to get a chance to speak with Susan. It was time he did. Especially since today had been such a day of new beginnings—even of miracles. He ticked them off in his mind. Menno and Anna were restored. Susan had joined the baptismal class.
Yah
, today he would also take the plunge. He could do no less. He would ask Susan home from the hymn singing. Officially and with intent.

He thought hard about how to go about this, but the solution didn't come to him until he was on the walk back from the barn. The way was to send one of the younger girls playing in the yard to ask Susan to come outside. He would speak a few words with her beside the washroom door, and whoever saw them could think what they wished. He was asking Susan home, and this was nothing to be ashamed of.

Steve approached the group and asked the tallest girl, “Will you go tell Susan Hostetler someone wants to speak with her? You don't have to tell her who it is.”

The girl looked at him, a wide smile spreading across her face. Several of the others covered their mouths and giggled. Steve felt the burning of his skin under his collar.

“Will you please?” he repeated.

The girl nodded and ran off. Steve left the snickering group of girls. He figured it wasn't every day that older boys provided live entertainment for their young funny bones. Well, Susan was worth the effort. Now if she would only say
yah
. But would she? The question made his neck burn even more. He should have thought of this much earlier. Maybe his
mamm
was right. He should have let her pick his girl.

The young girl came bursting out of the washroom door, grinning ear to ear, followed by a puzzled-looking Susan. The girl ran off with a quick glance over her shoulder.

“What do you want right this minute? We're at church.”