Community Chat

[151949]

Yesterday we went to Holmes County Ohio to early shop for Christmas gifts. My BIL and IL went with us. On the way we were talking and laughing about the TV show Amish mafia - which of course is a huge fake but we were saying it is just about the funniest thing on TV these days. So anyway, we are in Berlin and my SIL wants to take a picture of a horse and buggy to show her grandkids so she goes up to an amish man in a buggy to ask if she can. he says sure and outs his hat over his face and she takes the picture.Then she got into a conversation with this nice man and she is telling him about the TV show. He explained to her that the Amish community do pay a monthly amount to the church that is called protection - it helps them if they are ill to pay their bills - it supports widows and families when they can't support themselves or if their is a fire or other disaster it helps the family rebuild.They call it protection but it is , in fact, just a way that the community supports itself through unusual circumstances. Much like we do with insurance. he assured her there was no mafia and he actually got huge laugh when she was explaining it to him. We had a great time and got some nice Christmas gifts.