When we lived in rural Ohio we used to see Amish buggies like this riding down our street. But, rest assured, I didn't take this photo. The Amish don't like to have their pictures taken so we would not have disrespected them this way. We also used to watch the Amish children walking to school. It was like living in a different world watching these quiet and humble people, so separated from today's society. Read more about Amish below. DebbieFrom: Donor Power Blog
Posted: 02 Oct 2007 10:20 AM CDT
If you have any doubts about the deep and abiding power of charitable giving, check out this story: Amish donate money to widow of schoolhouse gunman.
You've heard about the Amish community in Nickel Mines, PA, because that's where a gunman attacked a school and killed five girls and injured five more before taking his own life a year ago today. That same community is making a donation to the killer's widow, who has three children.
A statement about this nearly inexplicable move said:
Many from Nickel Mines have pointed out that forgiveness is a journey, that you need help from your community of faith and from God ... to make and hold on to a decision not to become a hostage to hostility.
Many from Nickel Mines have pointed out that forgiveness is a journey, that you need help from your community of faith and from God ... to make and hold on to a decision not to become a hostage to hostility.
That's an extreme example, but it shows us what giving can mean. It connects givers to something deeper, stronger, and better than they might be otherwise. It can heal people and communities. Imagine what kind of world we'd live in of more people gave -- and gave the way Nickel Mines is giving.
Those of us working in nonprofit ministry can tend to think about fundraising as a necessary evil. We all need to view fundraising and giving as a "necessary blessing". Acts 20:35
