Posted on 10/13/2006 6:13:27 PM PDT by Kaslin
The Amish in Nickel Mines have been deluged with contributions. Here's how they're handling the money.
Since the Oct. 2 shooting of 10 Amish schoolgirls, sympathetic people have responded with an outpouring of donations to help the community in Nickel Mines, Pa., pay hospital bills and for a new school. Since last week, three Mennonite groups with close ties to the Amish have been receiving those donations. Now the Nickel Mines Accountability Committee has been organized to administer the money. Herman Bontrager, normally the CEO of Goodville Mutual Insurance Company, is a volunteer spokesman for the committee. He talked to NEWSWEEK's Susannah Meadows from his office in New Holland, Pa.
NEWSWEEK: How much money has been donated so far? Herman Bontrager: Over $1 million already. But we don’t really know how many funds might be out there.
Many of the hospitals caring for the girls have offered now to waive their bills. One hospital contacted one of the [Amish] leaders saying that they would not be charging for services rendered. Other hospitals followed suit.
What is the response of the community?
The Amish response was, “We don’t expect you to do that.” But the hospital said, “We need to do this for ourselves.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Exceptional. Inspiring, truly. Thank you for posting.
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This is truly heartwarming.
Ping. Continued prayers for this community.
The Amish pay all medical bills in cash. That means that they also pay top dollar for all of their medical treatment, since cash payers don't get discounts given to Medicaid, Medicare, BCBS, etc.
However, since don't sue for malpractice, some care givers give deep discounts to the Amish.
It still was a nice thing to do, saving the Amish from medical bills that would've wiped out the cash from every Amish family in the area (if not beyond).
I do pray that the local "Englishmen" (non-Amish) rebuild that school, preferably Amish-style, which is to say, they get together and build it by hand. Like the story says, it's not for the Amish, but for us.
You are very welcome
Indeed we can learn a lot from these people
"Looks like we can learn a lot from the quiet, simple, dignified Christianity of the Amish & Mennonites."
I grew up with the Amish, and lived with Mennonites later on. Like any other group, they are not perfect by any means.
However, I do admire their devotion to their beliefs, even if I don't agree with them. When I compare the current crop of anti-war activists to these true pacifists.... let's just say, one group I admire and the other I don't.
I think that the power behind the Amish was that they lived up to their beliefs even when it meant death to their children. Their children went to their deaths asking to be killed first. They forgive the killer, and the community of "Englishmen" that he belonged to. This all stands in stark contrast to those who abandon their beliefs when people look at them funny, when we fear death and refuse to explain it to our children, and we hold grudges for generations (or hundreds of years in some cases).
Absolutely. No news is being offered due to their privacy beliefs, but I will continue to pray. I believe prayers have helped Rosanna and all the surviving girls.
Our country has very many problems, but one of its glories is that it still finds a corner for people like the Amish to freely practice their faith.
According to Bill Clinton, it because of people like these that "we're in real trouble."
Don't you believe that.
If you're paying cash, almost any hospital will be more than happy to negotiate.
L
Good for them.
This story just keeps on giving to those willing to both give and accept gifts.
What greater tragedy can one endure than to have your innocent child murdered senselessy? And yet these people of faith, walk the walk and move on without bitterness. We so many who are consumed by misfortunes much much less than this. It is a lesson to us all, with faith anything can be endured and overcome.
When you consider that these folks live a scant 100 miles from some of the worst graft, corruption, double-dipping, pay-for-play, insurance fraud, malpractice fraud, disability fraud filth in the entire country (Philadephia & Harrisburg), the contrast is simply startling.
That's what I was just thinking. I think the Amish ARE a gift. It makes you happy just knowing you share the earth with them.
God bless the Amish.
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