Hong Kong Amish: The Ranchers of Idaho

Viac o knihe

I am Solina Cheng, a protest leader against the Chinese crackdown in Hong Kong. The police sought to imprison me, forcing me to flee and seek refuge in the United States, sponsored by an Amish church. My only connection to the Amish was our shared status as refugees—one fleeing 1700s religious persecution in Europe, the other escaping modern-day oppression. I was baffled by the Amish lifestyle: no electricity, cars, or modern conveniences. I rolled my eyes at the idea that they had never left the past behind. Upon arriving, I was put on a bus, longing for the bright lights of cities like LA or San Francisco. Instead, I awoke to breathtaking mountains, their sharp edges and vibrant colors captivating me. I was transfixed, momentarily forgetting my luggage. Then, I spotted a striking dark brown horse and its buggy, and a man dressed in antiquated clothing—an Amish man, with a long black beard and wide-brimmed hat. Next to him stood an Amish woman in a long dress and black Kapp. The man greeted me warmly, introducing himself as Bishop Miller, alongside his wife. Their welcoming demeanor was overwhelming, and I doubted I could ever embrace their way of life, even after a year or until Christmas.