Dear Chroniclers,this is the last in the series of "Adventures across the Pond". It will be the shortest too, for the actions of the people will speak for themselves.
Helicopters overhead
When we first came into Lancaster on our tour charabanc we saw helicopters flying overhead. We thought nothing of it until we switched on the TV that night in our hotel room.
Preparations
A local milk-truck driver called Charles Carl Roberts IV had pulled up his truck outside an inconspicuous Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines three hours before we arrived. It was one of his regular deliveries.
Roberts had prepared his visit meticulously for at least six days beforehand, ticking off a list of items he would take into the schoolroom with him. These included:
- three guns;
- a stun gun
- a bag with 600 rounds of ammunition;
- a piece of wood pierced with ten eyebolts spaced ten inches apart; and
- a set of plastic bindings.
There were other things he took into the schoolroom with him.
The heart of evil
Roberts did not emerge alive. Instead, he tied up ten Amish schoolgirls by the blackboard, shot them at close range then put the gun to his own head.
Five of the girls were killed outright, three left in a critical condition and the remaining two seriously injured. They ranged in age from six to thirteen.
The heart of good
The Amish buried their lost girls quietly and as a community. They invited the family of the killer to the funerals, believing they too were victims. They will be sharing the money raised in the wake of the tragedy with the family.
Our last day
On our last full day in Pennsylvania we went into the heart of the Amish community. Here are three memories we carried home with us:
- the Amish grandmother who greeted us, full of joy, to her quilt-shop. She had three grand-daughters who attended the schoolhouse - one escaped, another was in hospital, her shoulder shattered, the last had just been buried. She harboured no hatred.
- the ninety-six year old Amish man who showed us around his simple workshop where he still makes the most beautiful furniture.
- the faces of the straw-haired Amish children who ran out to welcome our charabanc as it pulled up outside the farmhouse where we ate our penultimate meal in Pennsylvania. They greeted us with smiles and waves - the road, just a stone's throw from the schoolhouse, has just been re-opened by the police.
There are tears in my eyes as I type these last words and close the book on our visit. It is the meaning of the grace of God that we saw first-hand in the Amish who carried this message so very faithfully.
The last words are from Him ...
"We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
8 comments:
It is amazing how these people refused to late hatred in so soon after suffering something so terrible. There are no real words that could describe my respect for them.
dear eddyphilia and samsarajade,
both mrs electrofried and I felt we were meant to be in Pennsylvania at that time. As you will have gathered, we're still reflecting on what we saw and heard.
There is nothing you can add or take away from the incredible response of the Amish - only reflect, then think how we can best respond to the challenges of life.
Thank you so much for calling by and reading the last of the "Adventures from across the Pond". If there was just one pasting on this desperately meandering blog I would really like folks to read it would be this one.
yours as ever,
electrofried (mr)
dear panama,
I could not agree with you more. The Amish said everything by their actions, not their words.
best regards
electrofried (mr)
This kind of incident is so depressing.
Ps. My sentiments have already been echoed by previous posters.
dear wolf,
whilst the incident itself was indeed depressing there is still good to come from it. The response of the Amish would appear to have caused many in America, and beyond, to re-assess their own values, if only for a fleeting moment.
On a happier note I'm delighted to report that following a Transatlantic call, mrs electrofried has learned that at least one of the girls injured in the shootings is making a good recovery.
best regards
electrofried (mr)
I realise that some peoples reactions to the killings may have been positive, but these sort of pointless slayings still depress the hell out of me.
I feel this is a modern malaise. Things were better when I were a lad. Half day closing of a Wednesday never did me any harm.
dear wolf,
I fear the fate of the world is to get worse and worse ...
I wonder if all we can do is seek to bring a little light into that part of the world we are privileged to inhabit during our brief stay here.
Thank you for calling by and I do hope the stories from across the pond did not depress you too much.
best regards
electrofried (mr)
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