I grew up in an extremely conservative, strange, and cult-like church. It took me a long time to figure out that there wasn’t something wrong with me, that the problem was the church.
When I was in elementary school, the music minister’s wife, Patty Jo, disappeared. We learned years later that her husband had killed her after years of abuse. Quiet Moments
Members of Rick and PJ’s church were huddled around the front of the church as if forming a human shield….The church members watched us warily, even stared, and were reluctant to talk with us… The unfriendly atmosphere made me feel creepy…
The River of Life Church was located in a private community called Sonshine Farm. It was surrounded by houses owned by members of the church, most of whom lived within walking distance. The women of the church wore little or no makeup and simple clothes, were as unfriendly as the men, and seemed to be comfortable that their husbands were in charge. Their lack of friendliness made me feel put off. Unlike those women, PJ was a friendly, gracious person, always the perfect hostess. But like them, her domestic talents of sewing, crafting, and painting and her dedication to her husband indicated to me that, for reasons I didn’t fully understand, she fit in pretty well….
Some of the men had long beards, which isn’t strange. What was strange was that they always wore dark glasses and neither they nor the women ever made eye contact with us. There was a hippie type of look and a seemingly strong nonconformity to everything. They clearly didn’t like to welcome anyone who didn’t fit the mold of their ways, and they seemed wary that we might find out something that they knew.
Patty Jo was very gentle and kind and I cared for her as a child. I remember being so upset and confused when she disappeared. I don’t remember Patty Jo’s family, but I was there that day. It’s fascinating to read how someone else saw those same events and vindicating to see how apparent the wrongness of the church was to an outsider.