What Real Christians Do
Despite the pain that they feel over the murders of five of their children, the Amish community of Nickel Mines, PA, has taken the family of murderer Charles Carl Roberts IV under their wing.
A statement released by the Mennonite Disaster Service from one elder asked “Who will take care of the family? It’s not right if we get $1,000 and they get $5. We must set something up for these children’s education.”
The Anabaptist Foundation, which is assisting with collections at several Pennsylvania banks, received $14,623 in two days. Yesterday’s collections had not yet been tallied by afternoon, when tellers were still wading through some 500 pieces of mail, said foundation director Rich Lauer.
“The Amish are not asking for the funds, but they know they can be used well, and that sending them is part of the healing of other people,” Mr. Lauer said.
The money will be used for expenses including medical care and the transportation of families to see children hospitalized in Philadelphia and Hershey.
The Amish are as grateful for the help as they are unaccustomed to it, according to Elmer Stoltzfus, an Amish bishop from another part of Lancaster County. “These are innocent victims. It’s not their fault, it’s not their doing and they’ll be going through some suffering and grieving,” Mr. Stoltzfus said.
“It’s been a lesson in receiving help graciously. It’s part of life and it’s a lesson we all need,” he said.
Could you ever expect to hear something like this coming out of the loud mouth of a Jerry Falwell or a Pat Robertson?
Me neither.