Next is Eli K. He gets in a car crash and is charged with a DUI. He now has to face his dad. His father gets him out of jail. Eli realizes his mistakes and joins the Church. Next is Gerald Y. He was mentioned in a past chapter. Gerald Y is addicted to cocaine. He wastes all his money of cocaine. He blames himself and goes on to describe his father as a great man. One of Gerald's brothers got charge with possession and Gerald has decided to quit. He is still unsure about joining the Church. It's one step at a time with him. Next is Tobias K. He grew up on a farm but doesn't want to be a farmer. He is in Rumspringa and likes being a builder. He has joined a gang and bought a car. Now years later, most of the gang members have married and joined the Church. Finally, his father sits him down and has a talk. His father needs help with the farm. He agrees because he wants to be his own boss. Tobias also joins the Church.
Then, the book goes on the talk about adolescence. Amish parents have it harder because of the task of controlling their kids during Rumspringa. Parents need to discipline the children at an early age. The parents need to warn the children about Rumspringa. The children who are not well warned leave the Church. Mrs. Ruth M is an activate member of the Amish community. She blames the kids for leaving the Church. She says it depends on the kid and who he or she is. She blames peer pressure.
Next is Kathryn L and a concerned mother in her forties. She is clinically depressed and has two kids in Rumspringa. Her son, who has Tourettes, parties with the kids at school who teased him. Her daughter is dating a guy who has lost touch with his Amish side.
Next is Dennis L. He is a grandfather, and he strongly believes in the ordnung. Then, the book goes on the talk about how ordnung are necessary for the survival of the Amish Church. Ordnung allows leeway.. The main purpose of ordnung "is to regulate the family lives of the Amish." Then, the book goes on to talk about how the family relationships affect Rumspringa. Too much and too little control can lead to a teen leaving the Church. Parents need to form healthy relationships with their children.
Next is Joann H. She is bitter toward her mom because her mom tries to be perfect. When she turned seventeen, her parents wanted her to join the Church, but she wants to party. Then, she gets offered a job at the Amish school. She decides to wait and moves out. She joins a Baptist Church and begins to believe in Jesus. Her parents try to get her to move back in, but she regrets the offer. Then three of the H kids are in Rumspringa. The parents have had enough and sit all three of the kids down and talk with them. Joann doesn't know what to do. Amish teens face a different kind of problem that most mainstream society will never understand.
I enjoyed this chapter. I am really enjoying how there are multiple point of views in each chapter. The book has picked up but is still a slow read.
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