In this episode of "Our People: Holdeman Mennonite Stories," Teran Rinehart shares the story of her life, focusing on her challenging experiences growing up in the Carson City, Michigan congregation of Church of God in Christ Mennonite and its school. Teran begins by recounting the remarkable story of her grandmother, who was born into a wealthy family in Santiago, Chile, but left it all behind to become a mail-order bride in Michigan. Yolanda's journey into the Mennonite community had a lasting impact on her family, including Teran. As Teran reflects on her upbringing, she opens up about the hardships she faced in the Holdeman church school. Teran describes how she was not well-liked and often felt miserable, struggling to make friends. The school environment was particularly difficult for her as a queer, autistic child, and she endured frequent bullying. Despite her intelligence, Teran found herself in a classroom where she was the oldest and often felt smarter than both her classmates and her teachers. She candidly discusses the inadequacies of the Mennonite teachers, many of whom only had an eighth-grade education and were more focused on finding a husband than on teaching. Teran's experiences were further compounded by the lack of support from the school staff, who failed to address the bullying she faced. She shares a particularly painful memory of a teacher dismissing her after she reported being physically abused at home, illustrating the broader issue of Mennonite teachers not complying with their legal obligations as mandatory reporters. The constant bullying and lack of support left Teran feeling like the laughingstock of the school, and these experiences had a lasting impact on her. Despite these challenges, Teran found solace in teaching Bible school, which became one of her biggest passions. She reflects on her attempts to be a "good Mennonite," actively participating in Sunday school and trying her best to fit in, even as she struggled with the rigid expectations of the church. This episode offers an honest and poignant look at the difficulties of growing up in the Holdeman Mennonite church, particularly within its educational system. Teran’s story sheds light on the emotional toll of being a child in an environment where conformity was prized over individuality, and where support was often lacking. Her experiences provide a valuable perspective on the challenges faced by those who didn’t fit the mold in a strict religious community, making this episode a powerful and eye-opening listen. Follow us on Facebook: https://rb.gy/cj55td Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KwYkbtbIswUN3z6JSrqz5?si=0913b1c334724490 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurPeoplePodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-people-holdeman-mennonite-stories/id1740613045