Magical moments in Ohio

Greetings friends, I am in Ohio where autumn leaves are awash in every possible color. For Albuquerqueans, this is a strange phenomenon, as the leaves turn brown and crispy in the high desert and fall off with barely a hint of color---except for the majestic cottonwoods. Above are pictures of ye old farmstead, where I grew up.

Time here has been about truly relaxing-----visiting with family and old friends, biking those back country roads where rarely a car is seen. Mainly Amish buggies and Amish children walking home from schools with their lunch pails. I was fortunate to have an interview with David Kline, the Amish Naturalist who lives down a few hills, in Holmes County, Ohio. David, a Bishop, author and farmer, spoke at the 2007 Quivera farming conference in Albuquerque, along with Wendell Berry. We talked about crop rotations, climate change, fireflies, oraganic farming and some of his famous friends, Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Pollan and Wendell, of course. He enjoys a wide range of reading, and said he remembers in Kathleen Norris' book, reading about the Benedictine monastery, where they see every guest as though they were entertaining Christ in their midst. Since I imagine that he gets lots of curious visitors, including people like myself, I was glad that he saw it this way, as I felt a bit voyeuristic, in spite of his generosity with his time.

Today at my parents church, Kidron Mennonite Church, was a big celebration. A worker who had been kidnapped at the end of August 2008, was freed a week ago. He and his wife told their parallel journeys of faith during the worship service. As the pastor Terry Shue said, this service will be like having Easter in October. After a harrowing 56 days in captivity in the Afghan mountains, blindfolded and bound, he was rescued by special military operations, 30 pounds lighter. The service included a healing service in which the pastor and family washed both Al and Gladys' hands as a sign of welcome (an Afghani welcome ritual) and then annointed them as they continue healing from the trauma of the past 2 months.

I have been here for 10 days and am ready to head back home via Michigan, Kansas and then to the Big A. November 5, I leave for a month language immersion in San Cristobal de las casas in Chiapas. Maybe I'll see Lynn Eby there! Though I didn't plan to be in the states on Nov. 4, I will be here to see how these national elections turn out. Pray for healing of the divisions in our country and in people's hearts, which the ugliness of this campaign have unearthed. Peace, Anita

Below see your power hitting pastor at play in Ohio...