FTT

"My initials are FTT," old Fred said to me last week, during one of our many discussions about life and faith. Fred and I work together at Menno-hof, the Amish and Mennonite Historical Center located in Shipshewana, Indiana. As a traveling tour guide, Fred comes to Menno-hof for about 4 months out of the year before setting sail for warmer climates in the winter months.

I have been blessed to know Fred since April, over the last 4 months. Fred is the father of one daughter whose middle name is "Anne," as Fred shares, "with an 'e.'" Fred also enjoys two grandsons and a great-grandson.

I am honored to know Fred. He makes me laugh because he is so funny. He makes me smile because he is such a story teller. And he makes me cry because he seems lonely. But most importantly, Fred makes me feel humbled, because Fred is a man of God.

Fred has his priorities straight. He walks circumspectly, but not so circumspectly that he is beyond human. Fred enjoys travel, but he offers service to others in his travels. He shuns materialism, except that he loves horns: trumpets, cornets, and other minature horns. He rides his bike all over Shipshewana, saving on gas and tags for his old truck. He lives simply and frugally.

Fred is a KJV man. For those readers who may not know, that's the King James Version of the Holy Bible. I do declare that if it would have been appropriate to do so, Fred would have fist pumped with the Baptist preacher who came into Menno-hof and mentioned his commitment to the KJV. Fred and the Baptist minister had something in common. You know, it was like the ritual that men do when they find out another man is a fan of the Cleveland Browns. This was one time when Fred made me laugh. There have been many other times.

Fred is unapologetically from Kansas. I asked Fred one time if he did drugs in his younger days. "Are you kidding," he questioned. "I'm from Kansas. We don't do things like that there."

Oh. Okay. How was I to know?

Fred enjoys storytelling. He tells true stories with a Fred flare. My favorite story is the one about the Dalton brothers who attempted to rob a bank in Coffeyville, Kansas in the late 1800s. He's on the road alot and he tells stories about the restaurants into which he has ventured over the years. Fred should be near his grandchildren so they can get to know him. He is a character, and I would hate to see his grandchildren and great-grandchild miss out on knowing him. His stories make me smile, and I am sure they would be a lasting legacy for his family members.

Fred loves people. Fred needs people. He is the ambassador of friendliness at Menno-hof. But there is another side of Fred, a side he tries to hide and deny. Fred seems lonesome and a bit sad. Fred lost his wife a number of years ago, when he was much younger, and his life has been one of adjustment to this "tragedy." Fred's word. When he speaks of his wife, Fred's voice changes to one of even greater tenderness than what is typical for him. She must have been a wonderful woman to have been loved so deeply.

Fred will be leaving Menno-hof in a few weeks. Time to move on. Time to make a mark on the world. I can tell you that I am not easily impressed by people. I love people and care about people, but I don't always think people live up to their own values and beliefs.

Fred does. Fred knows what is important to him, and he gives his heart and soul to the world and people around him. I am humbled by his character, his faith, his devotion, and his will to persevere.

Fireworks for Freedom!

Do you recall a blog that I wrote this past January? If not, you can find it on January 10, 2009, as you click through "Older Posts" at the bottom of this page. I'd been caught in the midst of the midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve. It reminded me of God leading the nation of Israel through the wilderness on to Canaan, the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey. God led Israel through a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.

Well, today is July 4th -- another day for fireworks, another day to celebrate God's faithfulness, and goodness, but this time to a different nation -- the United States of America.

I've been trying to find similarities between Israel and the USA. Here are a few similaties I thought of, both good and bad.

1. Israel and the USA were both originally led by visionaries. God directed Moses, and God directed the USA forefathers. That's what the Bible and the Constitution say--for each country, respectively--and I believe that both documents are accurate.

By the way, where were the women of Israel and where were the USA's foremothers? I'm just asking.

2. Both nations had to bear the elements of their new frontiers. Israel was in the wilderness for 40 years, and early Americans had to forge a trail as they ventured westward.

3. Both nations have grown and expanded throughout their existence.

4. Both nations grumbled and continue to moan. Sorry, but it's true. Israel complained that they didn't like the food -- manna -- despite the fact that it was sent by God. My blogging friend, Hannah, also known as Mennogirl, likes the Christian music artist, Keith Green. When Keith was alive, he sung a song about manna, the wonderfully refreshing food that the LORD sent Israel every day while they were in the wilderness. But the people moaned about it.

I just came home from the grocery store. The person in front of me in the checkout complained loudly to the clerk about the cost of her groceries. She had plenty of food and plenty of money to pay for the food, but she was still moaning. I get it; food is expensive. But God provides.

If you'd like to hear Keith Green's song about manna, go to Hannah's blog, http://www.hannahshovel.blogspot.com/, scroll down on the right to a link "What Mennogirl Believes." Click there and find on her Keith Green playlist a song called "So You Wanna Go Back to Egypt." Give a listen. It's quite a funny song, and also a good message on complaining.

5. Both Israel and the USA had and have people that work with one another for the greater good. And both Israel and the USA had and have people who work against one another.

6. Similarly, both Israel and the USA obeyed and disobeyed God, regardless of the manner though which God showed and shows His ways to the people.

7. Both nations wanted a place they could call their own, and both nations took what they wanted from other people. Israel took Canaan at God's command; the USA took land from the Native Americans. At whose command is unclear. Oh, and in the taking of both nations, multitudes of people were slaughtered amidst tremendous bloodshed.

8. Both Israel and the USA longed for freedom.

And so I pose this question: Has either nation really found freedom? Are the descendants of Israel really, really free? Are the descendants of the USA's forefathers really, really free? I wonder how the lady in line at the grocery store would answer this question.

The 4th of July is a fun day. Enjoy your family and friends.