For whatever reason it seems Amish buildings and communities are at high risk for fires. Maybe it’s the insufficient access to water supplies, technological impairments that hurt emergency response time, or just a statistical normality as a result of all that wood Amish sheds are made from. The sad truth is that, when a fire scorched an Amish barn to ashes in southern Maryland on Tuesday morning according to wbaltv.com, the owner of Amish Mike in New Jersey could relate all to well.
“A few year ago, our main supplier’s warehouse caught fire and they lost the entire warehouse and office, no one was hurt,” Mike said. “Losing all your material and 2/3 of your building was more then what most people could handle. I remember talking with the owner, my friend Sam, about two days later and asking if they needed anything. He asked for our prayers and to keep them in mind.”
The business has been around for over 35 years making authentic Amish sheds, barns, gazebos, and furniture. Virtually everything is 100% wood and 100% handmade in true Amish style. They started as a small family-owned hardware store that made furniture on the side and know exactly what it means to pull together in tough times.
The day after Sam asked him for prayers, the entire community answered them. Families, both Amish and English, came in droves to help. Women took care of the kids and supplied food and drinks, while the men started the clean up and removal of debris. Everyone worked tirelessly, and in just two days the frame for the new building was being put up. An homage of sorts to the traditional community barn raising which could see Amish barns built in 10 hours. It wasn’t until the following winter that it really sunk in for Mike though.
“I remember Sam breaking down in tears, telling us the story of how the lumber company replaced all the wood material that was lost, how the fastener company replaced all the nails and hardware needed, and just the overall support from the community,” he said. “His tears were for all the love and friendship that was displayed, not for what was lost. That was about three years ago. All the ash and debris are gone and forgotten, but how everyone reacted is something we all remember today and will never forget.”
While it isn’t entirely unique to the Amish, they do have an outstanding track record in terms of coming together when times are tough. Making Amish sheds and furniture is their business, but supporting each other and those in their communities is their lives.