An Amish Awakening: a tenderhearted sojourn to Heaven and back

In the book An Amish Awakening, the recounting of Mark Paul Troyer's going to Heaven experience is the centerpiece of this captivating true story.

Yet his life prior to this event is correspondingly as fascinating. Including his first-person insights into growing up Amish, facing family tragedy, and his inner turmoil regarding the meaning of being Amish. Along with his time of rebellion. While the aftermath of his journey to Heaven courses unpredictably amid victory and lament. With plot twists, unequaled even in works of fiction.

Mark was born Amish. As an adult working in a factory one day, as he puts it, "It was just like a whirlwind caught me up, whirling me away from where I was." And then he continues, "Just as quickly, I came out of this sensation of being in a whirlwind. And the first thing I saw in the distance was Jesus Christ, coming towards me."

Churches filled up. Crowds gathered when they found out Mark would be speaking at an Amish person's barn, a simple workshop, or at a widow's home. And countless people dropped by his home unannounced. They wanted to hear his story.

This is the true story of Mark Paul Troyer. Yes, it's the story everyone wanted to hear. And the book: An Amish Awakening, is Mark's life-his remarkable life-story. An Amish story like no other. A story like no other

Rick Leland writes from his home in South Haven, MI.

With over a decade of professional writing experience and hundreds of published works, Jesus at Walmart was his first trilogy. And his latest book is the true story An Amish Awakening.

He holds a degree in Christian Ministry through Indiana Christian University and trained for two years with Christian Writers Guild.

When not writing, Rick can often be found building things. And when he's not doing that, spending time with his grandchildren and playing the mandolin are two activities which give him great pleasure.

And sometimes he gets to do both at the same time. When playing in a band he affectionately calls the Sammy Schrock Band (named after his great grandfather). The band is comprised of his granddaughter Magaly, Nancy-his wife, and himself. He says, "We're kind of entry level-like eighth graders. Still it's a blast. And you have to start somewhere." The Sammy Schrock Band performs mainly original worship songs, but they do have a nice version of No Longer Slaves (I Am a Child of God) in their rotation.

Rick attends to his fitness by running on the beach or trails and participating in an occasional mud run.

While all of these activities are eclipsed by going for a walk on the shores of Lake Michigan with his wife of nearly 35 years--Nancy. He says, "God has blessed us to be able to live five-blocks from the beach in South Haven, Michigan."

He shares more at: rickleland.com