The Adventure

The other day, two of my granddaughters, Rebekah and Rachel, along with another friend, decided to take a hike to explore their parent’s land. Actually their land only consists of about 7 ½ acres. That certainly is not a very large tract, but it is separated by a long pond with a lot of brush that impedes being able to see very far on the other side of the pond where the bulk of the land is located. So, when Rebekah (aged 9) and Rachel (aged 6) with their friend (also aged 9) embarked on their outing (I might add they “embarked” without informing their parents), they naturally proceeded to the far part of the land where it was impossible to see them from the house. Now the kids had snacks and drinks with them for a picnic, and in their quest for discovery, never gave a thought that Debbie (my daughter)would become worried when they were not playing around the house, as had always been their routine. Needless to say, when Debbie called them for lunch, and the girls were nowhere to be found, panic ensued. After about an hour of looking and calling (screaming would be more precise)for them, the girls were finally located. They were returning from their quest, oblivious that their parents were on the verge of calling the police and initiating a search party. So, when they returned, the girls could not imagine what all the fuss was about. There was a collective sigh from all involved, and life returned to its normal chaotic state.

The incident with my granddaughters reminded me of the time when a group of my class-mates and myself embarked on a similar adventure. There were, perhaps, around 20 students that decided to take a holiday from classes and find a more enjoyable way to spend the day. In Reality, we were wanting to play an April Fools Day joke on our teacher, Joerg. So, not unlike my grandkids, just up and left school without letting any adult know what we were going to do or where we were going. But unlike the 7 ½ acres, the Paraguayan trek was in an area that covered many miles. It was also rife with countless dangers, such as snakes, insects, and wild animals. Another difference was that of attitude. The attitude of the three girls, was one of innocence, while the attitude of us in the jungle was actually rebelliousness.

The decision to take a “holiday” was not meant to be vicious in defiance, but merely an act of innocent mischievousness. We were all in the same class room which, actually, was comprised of three grades, sixth, seventh and eighth. Our act was spontaneous and was not a conspiracy. We were all at our desks waiting for our teacher, who on that day, was late for class. Naturally, his tardiness, opened the door for a bright, though naughty, bunch of kids (that were wanting to sow some “wild oats”), to react to such an obvious invitation for a creative April Fools Day prank to be pursued.

Of course, it did not take long before our parents became worried about the missing students. And the search began! We had left school around eight A.M. and were located by Josua (a cowboy)about nine hours later. During that time we wandered the area from the school house through the orchards, through the woods and into the jungle. After about an hour of meandering, Francisco stumbled into a nest of yellow-jackets, and was attacked. He was stung several times. That incident, caused us to consider going back, but harder heads prevailed. We continued our wanderings, each one daring the other to persevere and to keep going. After a while we came upon a "rosada", or clearing, so we built a fire, and when the fire burned down to embers, we roasted "Mandioka" that we had gathered while "escaping" through the fields and orchards. "Mandioka" is a root vegetable similar to potatoes, and they tasted delicious having been roasted over the live coals, especially for a bunch of hungry teen-agers. Later while we were still in the middle of the jungle, we came upon a huge tree. We decided that we should all carve our names in it and the date of our adventure, April 1, 1957.

Except for the stings that Francisco had to endure and the fact that we were playing mass hooky, there were no noticeable injuries or misdemeanors. In spite of those facts, when Josua informed us that our parents were worried sick, and were searching all over for us, The fear of what was sure to be ahead of us prompted all of us to begin our exodus back to Ibate’ ( Ibate’ was where our school was). I guess I should point out that our return was executed with a great deal more haste than our venture into the wilderness. We ran! I must tell you, I did not think that we could cover so much ground in so short a time. Twenty minutes is about all the time it took for the return trip.

All in all, the adventure was exciting and, perhaps one of the most memorable times that I can remember in the “Brudehof“. But when we had to face the Brudeschaft, the embarrassment and shame that was going to be inflicted on us eclipsed all our excitement with fear. The Brudeschaft was the gathering of the brotherhood in times of important matters, or in our instance, an “inquisition” and scolding assemblage. One by one we marched into the room and were made to stand before all the parents and authorities while we were scolded and made to feel very ashamed. When my time came, I was very scared, and did not know what was going to be done to me. Danny M. ,who was a cowboy, told everyone present that I and a few others were “mitlaeufer”. When he said that, I was terrified! I was, in fact, one of the younger children and was only in the sixth grade. I was convinced that I was in serious trouble and was being singled out as a ring-leader of the “gang”. Their “inquisition” had put the “fear of the Lord” in all of us, but especially into me because of what Danny had said about me. It was one of the most abasing and emotionally charged incidents that I have ever faced in my life. Of course, if I would have known that Danny was actually defending me, and that “mitlaeufer” means follower and not ring-leader, I could have left the “Brudeschaft” in better spirits. Properly brought to task for my deed, and allowed to reenter the fellowship of the Bruderhof a humbler but wiser teen-ager. But, alas, it was only some time later that I discovered the meaning of that “condemning” word. I must admit, though, I was a more obedient child….for awhile anyway.