Today I went on a drive to Lead Mine, Missouri --otherwise known as Amish Country. I had to lovely girls from the youth group at Faith Baptist Church with me....Hannah and Cassie!
We departed Lebanon, Missouri around 1:45pm and arrived in the Lead Mine area around 2:15pm. (Take 64 from Lebanon and go past Bennett Springs and turn left on Hwy T...about 23 miles from Lebanon...continue on Hwy T for approximately 8 miles and turn to the left on Hwy E?? to go to the first of many Amish stores...the store off of Hwy E?? has a map for the community...I recommend stopping here to get one first!)
During our 2 hour visit to the Amish community, we stopped to scope out the Bulk Foods Store where I was able to pick up a few of the famous Silver Handled Knives for my mother--who loves them! They also have several bulk food items at a much lower price compared to our local grocery stores. For example salt comes a large clear bag in 2 lbs for around $1.20. Great for making large quantity meals...or for just stocking up! As we neared our adventure at this store, Hannah noticed they had a few lights attached to the ceiling, which I can only guess are solar powered, seeing how the Amish do not believe in using electrical items.
So we journeyed on to get a few items from the famous bakery, which to our dismay was closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday...darn I will have to return soon for some fresh bread and pastries.
As we traveled down a gravel road on a search for fresh vegetables and fruits, we were able to see several Amish men and boys out in the fields cutting hay...we made mention of Brock doing the same thing today, but in a much different way. Brock's family farm is much more modern than the Amish, they have a tractor with A/C and a computer...wow!
After several trips down gravel roads to search for fresh foods at different Amish homes, we decided to head back to good old Lebanon and relax in the comfort of the A/C at home.
I was so sure it would be a great trip for the girls to realize how the Amish live, and their way of life. We made mention of the dresses all of the women were wearing and several of them had no shoes on because they were working in their gardens. God works in several ways...it is so amazing to see Him at work in the lives of the Amish men and women.
If you get a chance to visit an Amish Community, I would encourage you to do so...it is truly amazing how they can survive on what they have, and most of us are lost without our cell phones and electricity in a storm.
