One Year Later: We Remember Nickle Mines
Elizabethtown, Pa. - ONE year ago today, a shooter entered a one-room Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pa., dismissed all but 10 girls, and fired at them execution-style, killing five before shooting himself,
Within hours, the Amish community forgave the killer and his family. News of the instant forgiveness stunned the outside world – almost as much as the incident itself did.
The snippet above is from a column written by Dr. Kraybill of Elizabethtown College, my alma mater. Today marks the one year anniversary of the Nickel Mines shooting, and as someone who was right down the road when this happened, I can say that it was horrifying to believe that someone could do something to these people.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, the Amish will help you. They are some of the kindest people in the whole world, perhaps second only to the Buddhist monks still living in monasteries in Asia. There have been all kinds of criticisms of the Amish over the years - their refusal to “join the 21st century”, their controversial shunning practices, their seclusion…but at the end of the day, if you are thirsty, they will give you something to drink and if you are hungry, they will give you something to eat. I’ve known a number of Amish people, and there’s not a single one I’ve met that wouldn’t rather give you the coat of his/her back and freeze to death than see you suffer in the cold. This religion is one of peace.
We remember, Nickel Mines families. Even if you can’t relate religiously, you perhaps have children or grandchildren of your own (or younger relatives). Can you imagine getting that news that your child was executed while at school? Schools are supposed to be a safe place for children.
This event was proof that forgiveness is a great healer. A while back, I challenged you to forgive someone who has wronged you. Today, I ask: Where are you with that goal. Have you forgiven that person, or are you working on it? We can’t always forgive as quickly as we’d like, but we can try.
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