Published: November 09, 2009 10:18 pm      

Amish provide example that some good values still exist

“The Amish are coming”. When I did my usual Sunday morning greeting to John Helmstetter at SS. Peter and Paul Church and asked him how the barn was going, that’s what he said with a long absent smile on his face. “The Amish are coming.”

As most folks know, the very picturesque barn on the Helmstetter farm along the Scenic Railroad in Cash Valley burned to the ground on July 9, with the loss of cattle, John’s dog and farm equipment. John was also injured during the tragedy.

John Helmstetter could have sat down in the ruins of his barn and waited for the government to help him as is the fashion these days. That is not his style. He continued to work his land, take care of his animals, bring in the corn and hay. But, the barn, the barn was the key to everything.

Over the past several months, John, his family, friends and volunteers and contractors, as affordable, have been preparing and rebuilding the foundation. And now The Amish are coming to raise the barn.

How refreshing to know that these values still exist in America. Family and friends sticking together, perfect strangers volunteering their time, talents and money to help someone in need. No government aid, no stimulus money, just doing it the good old fashioned way.

It just occurred to me while I was standing in the back of my church this morning how fitting that the final touch of this great community effort will be the arrival of The Amish to raise the barn. It almost sounds like a movie. But, it is all true. A refreshing reminder of the values that still exist.

Bill Zapf

Cumberland