The year is 1872, and the place is Amish country in Pennsylvania. Isaac’s father is storming through the house after having spent time talking with and listening to his God. Isaac’s father, Abraham, is a church deacon who leads the people of his community in their worship and service to a loving God. Somehow, Abraham has allowed alcohol to confuse his thoughts, and he takes out that confusion on Isaac. No one knows about the beatings at night when his father returns from the shed. Isaac doesn’t understand them, but he knows the signs and he avoids his father when he can. On the night of the fire, Abraham has once again allowed the alcohol to stir up a violent rage, but this time his attack on Isaac ends in a disastrous fire and Abraham becomes a victim. No one knows how the fire started except Abraham and Isaac. Abraham is unable to speak of it, and Isaac is nowhere to be found.
On the night of the fire, Isaac slips quietly into the dark, knowing that his escape is his only chance for life. His journey leads him to kind hands that dress his burns and stay with him until he can care for himself. At home, everyone in the community searches the fields and streams for Isaac, but there is no sign of him. The neighbors are convinced that he is dead, but no body has been recovered. Isaac’s mother, Miriam, refuses to believe that her only son is dead, and that belief drives her to continually venture out, looking for him. Her journey is limited to the boundaries of the Amish community until her desperation leads her to step over those boundaries. Unknown to her, Isaac has also had the courage to step over the boundaries.
This is a story of imperfect people and their striving to be perfect. It shows us the loyalty of the Amish community, even when imperfections are clear. This is Isaac’s story of faith, fear and forgiveness. This is Miriam’s story of family, loyalty and forgiveness. This is Abraham’s story of redemption. The
book includes a six-page reader’s guide.