A Test of Faith: Pastor Dean and the Amish Friend

Pastor Dean had been looking forward to his visit with Jacob Schwartz, an old friend who lived in the Amish community just outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Jacob and Dean had met years ago at a farmer’s market, where Jacob sold fresh produce and handmade furniture, and Dean was visiting with members of his congregation. They struck up a conversation about faith and the challenges of modern life, and despite their different lifestyles, a deep bond had formed between them. Dean admired the simplicity and devotion of the Amish, and Jacob appreciated Dean’s steadfast faith and his willingness to listen and learn.

On a crisp autumn morning, Pastor Dean set out from Union City, Indiana, and made the long drive to Jacob’s farm. The rolling hills and golden fields of Pennsylvania were beautiful this time of year, with the leaves turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. As he pulled up to the Schwartz family farm, Dean was greeted by the familiar sight of Jacob’s two sturdy draft horses, Samson and Duke, standing in their paddock. Jacob had often spoken proudly of his horses, which were essential to his work on the farm.

“Pastor Dean!” Jacob called out, his voice warm and welcoming as he stepped off the porch. He was dressed in the simple, traditional attire of the Amish: a broad-brimmed black hat, suspenders, and a plain shirt. His long beard framed a face that was both kind and weathered from years of working the land.

“Jacob, it’s good to see you,” Dean replied, smiling as he shook Jacob’s hand. “It’s been too long.”

“It has,” Jacob agreed, leading Dean into the farmhouse where the scent of freshly baked bread and wood smoke filled the air. They spent the morning catching up over coffee and apple pie, discussing everything from family to faith. Jacob’s wife, Mary, and their children joined them, and the farmhouse buzzed with laughter and the gentle sounds of a family at peace.

After their meal, Jacob offered to take Dean on a tour of the farm. They hitched Samson and Duke to a wagon, and Jacob took the reins as they set off through the fields. Dean enjoyed the slow, rhythmic clop of the horses’ hooves and the way the sun cast long shadows over the land. It was a perfect day, and Dean felt a deep sense of contentment as they rode.

But as they approached the edge of the property, something changed. The air grew heavy, and an unnatural stillness settled over the farm. Dean noticed that Samson and Duke, normally calm and obedient, began to fidget and toss their heads. Their eyes, usually clear and steady, were now wide and filled with a strange, unsettling light.

“Jacob, do you see that?” Dean asked, his voice tinged with concern. Jacob nodded, his expression serious.

“Something’s not right,” Jacob muttered, pulling on the reins to slow the horses, but they did not respond. Instead, they began to pick up speed, their movements jerky and uncoordinated. Jacob pulled harder, but it was as if the horses could no longer hear him. They broke into a full gallop, the wagon bouncing wildly over the uneven ground.

“Whoa, Samson! Whoa, Duke!” Jacob shouted, but the horses were out of control, driven by a force that neither man could see. Pastor Dean clutched the side of the wagon, trying to keep his balance as they hurtled towards a large manure pit that Jacob used for fertilizer.

“Jacob, we have to stop them!” Dean yelled, but it was too late. The horses, overtaken by the evil spirit, charged straight into the pit. The wagon hit the edge and tipped violently, throwing Jacob and Dean into the muck. Dean scrambled to his feet, mud and manure clinging to his clothes, but his heart sank as he saw Samson and Duke struggling in the pit.

Jacob rushed to the edge, shouting and waving his arms, trying desperately to coax the horses back to solid ground. But the spirit held them fast, dragging them deeper into the muck. Their desperate whinnies filled the air, but the more they struggled, the deeper they sank.

“Dear God, no!” Jacob cried out, tears streaming down his face. Pastor Dean rushed to his side, pulling Jacob back as the horses disappeared beneath the surface. The pit stilled, and the air grew silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the two men standing on its edge.

Pastor Dean fell to his knees, his heart heavy with grief. Jacob’s horses were not just animals; they were his partners, his lifeline, and in an instant, they were gone. Dean reached out, placing a comforting hand on Jacob’s shoulder, but words failed him. They could only stand there, mourning the loss together.

“We must pray,” Dean finally said, his voice hoarse. Jacob nodded, his shoulders trembling as they knelt together in the muck. Dean prayed aloud, asking for God’s mercy and protection, not just for them but for all who might be afflicted by such evil.

As they prayed, the air around them seemed to lighten. The heaviness lifted, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves. Dean felt a warmth in his chest, a quiet assurance that they were not alone. Jacob looked up, his eyes red and swollen, but there was a glimmer of hope in his gaze.

“Thank you, Pastor,” Jacob whispered. “For being here. For praying.”

Dean nodded, squeezing Jacob’s shoulder. “God is with us, Jacob. Even in this. We must have faith.”

They spent the rest of the day in silence, working together to clean the mess and tend to the other animals on the farm. It was a somber task, but as they worked, they found a rhythm, a way to keep moving forward even in the face of loss.

That evening, as the sun set over the farm, Dean and Jacob sat on the porch, watching the stars begin to twinkle in the darkening sky. Mary brought out hot tea, and they sipped in quiet companionship, the events of the day still weighing heavily on their hearts.

“We’ll get through this,” Jacob said finally, his voice steady. “With God’s help, we’ll rebuild.”

Dean nodded, his heart full of respect for his friend’s resilience. “Yes, we will. And I’ll be here, whenever you need me.”

They sat in silence for a while longer, the bonds of friendship and faith stronger than ever. Though they had faced darkness that day, they knew that light would always find a way to shine through. For Pastor Dean and Jacob Schwartz, the journey ahead would not be easy, but they would walk it together, guided by their unwavering belief in a God who never abandoned His people, even in the darkest of times.