Source: popoetmax blog-

or look at complete article posted here on our website

text translated by Rosemary Cruzado

Published December 22, 2012

We did some woofing in a “community” . After a warm welcome by the charismatic leader, we gradually realized that it was a real cult. All people have Hebrew names, beard (for men!) A scarf (for women) and a diadem on their heads.

The first days were rich in emotions and many fits of laughter. We were surrounded by illuminated who believe that their community, protected from the outside world which is in full decadence, was the most marvellous place on earth and that they would succeed in convincing us to stay.

Photographing was prohibited during the ceremonies , so we will not be able to share these great moments: when illuminated traditionally dance on Hebrew songs, everyone thanked “our father Joshua (Jesus in Hebrew),” for having left that “disaster” (the outside world), and for sharing moments lived with their brothers and sisters (the other members of the community). After everyone raise their hands to the heavens and shouts “Thank you Joshua”. We cried because it was so hilarious (indeed they were not too happy about it).

The schedule was very strict: getting up at 5 am, the ceremony preparation (shower getting ready), ceremony at 6 am, breakfast at 7 am, work in the garden from 8am to 12am, lunch at 12am, dishes and help cooking until 4 pm, 4 to 5pm work in the garden, 5 pm: preparation for the ceremony, ceremony, still a little gardening, dinner, sleep … (shower again!). and once more !

No time to think, no time to read … Besides the only book present in the community was the Bible.

We asked them many questions : why you do not read other books? why don’t you ever go out? don’t you feel that you are lacking freedom? etc ….

And everytime the answers revolved around God, their happiness in the community and the complete rejection of everything that comes from the outside world.

In the end, we thought that these people are happy and good for them because before entering the sect most of them were poor, and / or on drugs, etc … At least they found a very healthy lifestyle ( organic food, no drugs, no alcohol …).

However the education of children didn’t seem right.  The schooling is organized by the women of the community, children work in the garden, cooking, and playing football on Sunday for the boys, they participate in all ceremonies and quote the Bible by heart ….

We had trouble accepting the lack of freedom, the illuminated were constantly after us all day because we had to hide to read, or just to have a private quiet conversation and then we tried to miss the ceremonies …which proved impossible as they came to get us.

Source: Wander for life

June 16-18. Stonybrook Organic Farm, Hillsboro, VA.
I needed a vacation from my vacation–a few days off the trail where I could eat healthy food, do something different, but not spend a fortune. On my ‘Bucket List’ is working for stay on an organic farm, something you can do all over the world. It’s usually called WOOFing. This opportunity was available just off the trail and they would even come pick me up!

The group that runs the farm is the Twelve Tribes, a non-mainstream religious group. I’ve talked to other hikers and hostel workers about the community, which operates this and about 50 other communities around the world. Most are variety, organic farms with livestock (beef and dairy cows, goats, sheep and chickens) and a garden. Most also have a deli and/or market where they sell their produce and bakery items and have contact with the public. I had talked to several of the members during Trail Days and read their literature.

So I had some idea what to expect. I knew it was a commune and the community was based on religion. I suspected it to be a cult (depending on your definition, of course). That may sound scary, but I felt I would be safe, though I might have to listen to their pitch each day. Also, I know something about farm work and knew I could be helpful–which only seems fair since I’m working for stay. Basically, in exchange for work, you are fed three meals a day, shower, laundry and given a place to sleep. I will say that I worked well over the standard five-six hours per day typically suggested in the WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). guidelines, but I wasn’t forced to do so. The work was menial. I weeded in the garden and the greenhouse. I helped with several meals and cleanup. I helped make pies in the bakery. I did laundry.

To be clear, I did not feel oppressed nor did I have any resistance when I said I needed to leave. They did not take my backpack from me nor make me surrender my iPhone. But most of the time I was paired with someone from the community who was always asking questions. I felt they were looking for the hole in my life. Oh, no family/husband/children?  We can fix that here. You don’t have to worry about taxes/food/shelter because we provide that. Feeling lonely? Need direction? We can do that.

I also attended the twice daily community gatherings (6a and 6p, just before meals) which was NOT required. Each gathering starts with music then goes into an open sharing which lasts an hour. It was here that the place took on the character of a cult for me. The women all wear scarves on their heads and all adults wear a woven headband. I only saw these items during gathering. They consider themselves separate from ‘The World.’ They call themselves The Body. They have their own vocabulary and music and each take Hebrew names (which are strange to me and I can’t seem to remember them). They spend a lot of time quoting scripture and saying that they don’t depend on their own reason (I can’t agree with that). I have concerns about whether the children (all home schooled) are getting a decent education (though I worry about that in public school as well). And, of course, the women are subject to the ‘wisdom’ and authority of the men. Women can only have authority over other women and children, not men.
In the group’s defense, it is a peaceful place. They are kind to each other, which is more than I can say about most people. I have yet to hear anyone talk badly about someone or overheard a single argument. They seem happy, clean and better fed with high quality, fresh food than almost anyone (who wasn’t raised on the farm I grew up on). They consume few sweets or simple carbohydrates. Everyone seems to work, and to do so without complaining, cheerfully even! The homes are clean, everyone is washed, the animals are well tended. It’s an organized community and people seem to stay here willingly. They adore their children and spend much more time with them than most parents.

It’s still not a place I’d live permanently, and I can’t agree with their religious views, but it has a lot going for it, cult or not.
They talk openly about their struggles and plans. They hope to have a thousand communities like this one in fifty years, grown by raising children within the community and welcoming converts. There are two potential converts here now, Rose, who has been here about a week, and Chris who has been here a bit longer. Both are about 20. Both say they plan to stay here ‘forever.’ Each is estranged from family and is attracted to belonging (IMHO). Later Chris said he had changed his mind and would not stay.

There have been government raids in some of the communities charging child abuse stemming from inadequate schooling and less than adequate medical care. The latest one was last year in Germany where all the underage children were put into the foster care system. The German family here with five children escaped the raid by days. I don’t have any information on their schooling, but it’s clear that though they prefer herbal medicines and natural methods of healing, they do send people to the doctor and allow surgery, if needed.

There doesn’t appear to be a central leader that I’ve detected. There are about 40-45 members here and 10 or so visitors, Hikers, potential members. Of these, about five men seem to have some authority, based on age and length of time with The Body. The focus of discussions at the gatherings (there is no preaching or preacher) seems to be on submission, being humble, leading a ‘surrendered’ life, submission and not letting your life be so precious to you that you aren’t willing to give it away. A couple times a day you hear how we should “lay down our life” for each other. And they constantly say what The Master wants and is teaching them. And they believe only they know what Yashua wants, that they are the new chosen people, promised to Abraham. They believe this completely.

People are moved between communities, depending on need. I’m under the impression that you can apply for openings and are not forced to move. Though if you were asked to go somewhere it would be nearly impossible to turn it down and still be seen as willing and submissive.
What I hear over and over is that The Body are “of one mind and one heart.” I can understand that they might pull together for common goals, even share common land and money. But I get the impression that they strive to think the same way, to want the same things. That’s not something that would ever be a goal for me. But it seems to work for them.

I’m grateful for a safe place to stay with good food, a daily shower and laundry. I’ve enjoyed the soft bed each night and everyone has been friendly. I’ve worked hard and believe I’ve earned my keep. They have said I’m welcome to stay as long as I’d like.
But it’s time to get back to hiking!

Publié le 22 Décembre 2012

Nous avons fait du woofing dans une “communauté”. Apres un accueil chaleureux par le leader charismatique, nous avons compris peu à peu qu’il s’agissait d’une vraie secte. Toutes les personnes ont des noms hebreu, de la barbe (pour les hommes ! ), un fichu (pour les femmes) et un diademe sur la tête.

Les premiers jours ont étés riches en émotions et les fous rires nombreux. Nous étions entourés d’illuminés persuadés que leur comunauté, à l’abris du monde exterieur en pleine décadence, était l’endroit le plus merveilleurx de la terre et qu’ils allaient nous convaincre d’y rester.

Les photos étants interdites pendant les cérémonies, nous ne pourrons pas vous faire partager ces grands moments : où les illuminés dansent traditionnellement sur des chants hébreus, chaque personne remercie “notre père Joshua (Jesus en hébreu)”, pour l’avoir sorti de ce “désastre” (le monde extérieur), et pour les moments de partage vécus avec leurs fréres et soeurs (les autres membres de la communauté). Après tout le monde lève les mains au ciel et crie “Merci Joshua” : on en a pleuré tellement c’était hilarant (d’ailleurs ils n’ont pas trop apprécié).

L’emploi du temps était très stricte : levée 5h, préparation à la cérémonie (douche + vêtements de cérémonie), cérémonie à 6h, petit déj à 7h, travaux dans le jardin de 8h à 12H, déjeuner à 12h, vaisselle et aide dans la cuisine jusqu’à 16h, de 16H à 17h travaux dans le jardin, 17h : préparation à la cérémonie (douche encore !), cérémonie, encore un peu de jardinage, repas du soir, dodo …. et rebelote !

Pas le temps de penser, pas le temps de lire … D’ailleurs l’unique livre présent dans la communauté et la Bible.

On leur a posé plein de questions : pourquoi vous ne lisez pas d’autres livres ? pourquoi vous ne sortez jamais ? vous n’avez pas l’impression de manquer de liberté ? etc ….

Et chaque fois les réponses font référence à dieu, à leur bonheur dans la communauté et le rejet complet de tout ce qui vient du monde extérieur.

Au final , on se dit que ces gens sont heureux et tant mieux pour eux parce qu’avant d’entrer dans la secte la plupart était pauvre, et/ou drogué etc… Au moins, ils ont trouvé un rythme de vie très sain (alimentation biologique, pas de drogues, pas d’alcool …).

Cependant l’éducation des enfants nous a posé problème : l’école est organisée par les femmes de la communauté, les enfants travaillent dans le jardin, la cuisine, et jouent au foot le dimanche pour les garçons, ils participent à toutes les cérémonies et citent la bible par coeur ….

On a eu du mal à accepter ce manque de liberté, les illuminés nous couraient après toute la journée car on se cachait pour lire, ou juste pour discuter tranquillement puis on essayait de louper les cérémonies… impossible on venait nous chercher.

La Lodge : lieu des cérémonie, assis en cercle.

Les vêtements de travail : pour les hommes ça va mais pour les femmes (pantalons larges, tee shirts larges manches 3/4), pratique quand il fait 30 degrés !

 

Notre seule sortie en ville autorisée le dimanche, en habits de travail ! On en profite pour s’enfiller quelques bières avec Marie au bar le plus proche.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ici les hommes ne doivent pas avoir de tentation … ça risque pas !

 

Les vêtements de cérémonie et surtout pas pour travailler ( sinon attention ils viennet te chercher pour t’obliger à te changer).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non Max il manque la barbe, les cheveux longs en queue de cheval et le diadème.

 

 

Monsieur Papa Noel

 

 

 

 

Et oui il ne faut pas oublier le pantalon sous la jupe (prévention d’un accident de jupe !), et Marie n’a pas suivi le protocole (rebelle).