Previous hopes?
Patti
I have been following this newsgroup for several months now, in the
attempt to find the truth (?) of the Bruderhof. I have been hopeful to
contact people that I knew when I stayed there several years ago.
Let me first explain who I am.
At the time (c. 1990) my name was Trisha Block. I came from Ransom
House, when they decided to join the 'hof. Because of several
(unimportant) reasons, I was the first to go, and went to Woodcrest. I
spent approximately 3 months there, and was content, at least for a
while.
When I was at Ransom House, we had regular Bible Studies, Worship
Services, and a true love for each other was extremely apparent. I went
to Woodcrest with many hopes.
When I got there, I expected a lot of worship (something that I am
extremely fond of, as many of you Christians are). But I got
discouraged very quickly.
There was no formal Bible studies, worship services, nothing that would
increase my relationship with Jesus Christ. (Let me add here, that Jeff
and Tammy Kipphut are the ones specifically responsible for my belief in
Jesus. Their faith was exhaustive and contagious!).
The existence that I lead at the 'hof was one of breakfast, laundry
work, lunch, kitchen work, dinner, and time. I became very bored, and
felt very lonely. I left because I had to.
I had continued to hold the Bruderhof in high esteem until just
recently. I felt that it just wasn't the lifestyle that I was looking
for, and that it was me, not them.
Since then, I had gotten an email address for Rick Burke. I sent an
email with great hopes of hearing how everyone was and excited to be in
contact with them.
I received ONE email from Rick's wife Nancy, and haven't heard anything
since. I feel hurt, betrayed, and neglected.
Now that I read some of these messages from young men who have recently
"graduated," left, whatever from the 'hof, I am disgusted. The hate in
those messages is something that Satan himself would be proud of.
The lack of response to my queries as to how people are is appalling.
I am glad that I didn't stay. I now worhip Jesus with a happy heart,
not an oppressed one. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, a
great career, and a very love-filled life.
I did not want my name associated with this newsgroup in the hopes that
I would still hear from someone from Ransom House. I am "coming out of
the closet" because I have come to the conclusion that the Bruderhof
does not deserve my respect, admiration, or concern anymore. I will
continue to pray for those that I have loved from Ransom House, but I
will no longer justify the behavior displayed from 'hof members.
I wish everyone in this newsgroup a loving, peaceful Easter. Let us
celebrate the greatest gift of love that God has given us, forgiveness.
Patti Gambier
aka Trisha Block
Purcell Family
Hi Patty,
How nice to hear from you "online." I am genuinely sorry you were unable to
reconnect with your friends - if you had, then things might have been better
than they are all around.
Mike LeBlanc always says the thing that irritates the Bruderhof the most is
to be able to succeed out in the real world - it sounds like you've found
your way. It's just so sad to have to leave basically nice people behind. At
least it's hard for some people.
Margot Purcell
Paul C Fox
Hi Patti!
I remember well when the Ransom House folk came to join the Bruderhof, and
how excited we all were.
Jeff and Tami in particular are such wonderful people -- we lived in New
Meadow Run with them for a number of years. It was so exciting when Tami,
after years of waiting and almost losing hope, finally conceived and gave
birth to a baby girl! We think of them often, and wonder how they are
doing. And we wonder how long they will last there. They seemed quite
happy with the life when we left, but if they remain the thinking Christians
we felt them to be, sooner or later they will run afoul of the leadership,
as we did, and the Chesleys, and so many others.
May the Lord give you joy in the season of His Resurrection!
Paul
Mike LeBlanc
Patti (or others),
Was Ransom the same group Chip Wilson came from?
I had quite a dialogue with CHip before he joined.
Despite all my warning, concerns, etc... he needed
the warm blanket of love the Bruderhof (tm) projects.
(Reality is QUITE different!).
-Mike
Patti
I remember hearing the name, but I never met Chip. I believe that he
was from Ransome House, yes.