The Messenger March 24, 1972 by The Messenger

‘'...I am the resurrection, and the life: he that helieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."John11:25.

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EDIX.@’RIAL HOW BIG IS OUR FAITH Coming to my desk recently was a News Service item from another Mennonite Church where their Mis sion Board was announcing a Strat egy Study Conference. Some four to five days were set aside to define an over-^1 purpose, and among other things establish program prior ities for the next ten years. Now we all know that a business which does not plan and set goals, etc. may not exhibit much growth at the end of the year. But is it scrip tural for the church to plan, set goals and objectives. Shouldn’t we just all work at living the Christian life and witnessing and leave it at that? Yes, I believe one should do all that, but also that one should do more. Why I say this is that it ap pears that God Himself, Jesus Christ and Paul all planned and set goals and objectives. And if they did it, shouldn’t we also? Read Genesis 1-3 and see the de tailed planning that God did, even to promising a Redeemer. (Gen. 3:15). In Genesis 6 He planned, through Noah, who was a man who “did unto all that the Lord command ed him,” and preserved life on earth. He had a grand plan with Abram who became the father of the faithful. And we could go on and on. Jesus Christ practised planning procedures. For instance he was going to visit certain cities. Be fore He did this. He sent His discip les to these places in preparation for His coming. When He sent out the 12 and the 70, He gave them de tailed information on what to do, where to go, what to eat and what to say. He had a plan. When the time of His death drew near. He fol lowed the plan again and set His face towards Jerusalem. To the Romans Paul says, “often times I purposed to come unto you,

that I might have some fruit among you also.....” He was working on a schedule. And towards the end of the book he reveals that it had been his desire for years to come to them (Rom. 15:23). I believe that goals, to a large ex tent, determine results. Goals and faith are closely linked together. God challenges us to achieve cer tain goals and we by faith seek to attain the objective. Recently two friends and myself were travelling and we would from time to time set certain goals for ourselves. In this city we would go our three different ways and seek to witness to three persons. One would go and fill up the car with gas, the other would go into a store and buy a small article, and the third person would seek some other open door. In this way we could contact three people; the man at the pumps and maybe two sales clerks. It is quite possible that our witness in that city would have been consid erably less, had we not set a goal for ourselves. As it was, we were each able to make one contact. You may have heard of Key ’73. This is a mammoth undertaking to seek to confront every person in North America more fully and more forcefully with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many churches are participating. This is a movement of which we will hear more as the year progresses. We should be in on it, and I hope we will. They have five objectives in all which basically are geared to seek ing to reach men with the message of Christ. We should pray for this venture. To me it seems that underlying our failure to set goals and objec tives in the work of the kingdom of God is a lack of faith. Jesus said to the two blind men, “according to your faith be it unto you.” (Matt. 9:29). How big is our faith? As we set goals and objectives there is another very important point evaluation to remember. From time to time we must have an ac counting, a measuring for progress. Without this it is pointless to set goals.

I forget who it was that said, “At tempt great things for God; expect great things from God,” but this would be a motto worth following. May He help us. — D. S.

ILoaX cXb/K:) PSS MY EXPERIENCE OF REVIVAL Have I been revived? The other day I shook hands with a fellow-minister. His first question was, “Well, has revival hit your church yet? ” I sort of stuttered. Really now, what should I say? Oh, I could have shared a whole list of conversions, re-dedications, various miracles and all sorts of spiritual blessings, but would they be spec tacular enough? Would I have the words to paint the picture glorious enough? At any rate, most of these hadn’t happened during this par ticular “Revival” time so they might not count. And so I didn’t know. I have been revived though, and I know it. Many, many a time my tired mind, my weary body, my brok en spirit would have fainted be neath the load, had it not been for that wonderful, strengthening, healing revival sent straight from the Lord! Wonderful Lord! A fine young man was sharing his frustration! “My friends all talk of revival. The churches all talk of revival. I want revival. I have re-dedicated myself to the Lord, and confessed and straightened out my old sins, but I can’t seem to find it. What shall I do? How can I be revived? ” Poor guy! Who can help him? There are many like him. What is revival? Is it not being in love with the Lord and delight ing in fellowship with Him and His children? Is it not that something which gives you the sparkle in the eye, and the courage to say “Praise the Lord”, and mean it, even when the storm winds blow? Is it not that extra strength that lifts you almost roughly when you stumble or fall, and other times keeps you

THE MESSENGER. Published every other week by Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mail, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address.

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THE MESSENGER

going strong when you ought to A report was being given of the be fainting? East Africa revival. It sounded so Paul seems to have had a lot of glamorous and new. Someone dared revival in his life. The daily kind. to question, “And when did it start? " — “I die daily”. — “For me to live Surely it must be very recent. But is Christ.” the answer came pointed and clear. Must revival be spectacular? “That revival started thirty years Praise the Lord, sometimes it is; ago and IT IS STILL GOING but brothers, it needn’t be! I’ve STRONG.” seen this dozens of times, seven days And so I pray, “Lord, thank you a week, in everyday things, little for reviving me. Sometimes in big things, big things, anywhere! Oh ways. Sometimes in little things. the miracle of revival is a wonderful But you keep doing it and I’m glad. thing! And please, Lord, don’t ever give

up with me. I stumble easily and fall often, but I’m counting on you to see me through. I want to be revived — today, tomorrow, next week again, and Lord, please let it be, if you tarry so long, that this revival may still be going, strong, 30 years from now. This is my prayer, for me and my loved ones, and for my church as well. Please Lord....Amen”.

Leonard Barkman Pansy, Man.

Afraid of the world by John Drescher

“Fear not.” “Be not afraid”. These words the things we fear will let us alone. from Christ are His constant call. He Another result when we fear the knows our human nature. He knows that world is that we are threatened by all we are fearful creatures — fearful until the world does and says. Every blatant we learn to put our faith in something evil and every approach of the world and Someone bigger than ourselves. contrary to the gospel is upsetting. We The object of many of our fears is the forget that the world does not know world. By the world I mean persons God and by nature does not do His will. who are different and a society which In forgetting this we are disturbed and has goals, purposes, ambitions, and val disquieted whenever the evil of the ues different from ours. The world is world comes to light to the extent that that formidable foe which opposes the our own peace is shattered and we way of Christ and His followers. The fear for ourselves. Rather than seeing world is that which we meet on the high the world as in need of our witness we way of life because we are going a dif become fearful that the world will in ferent direction. fluence us, make its inroads on us. Rather One of the great hindrances is fear — than having a faith which takes the of fear of the world. Of all people we, as fensive, fear makes us feeble. Too often Christians, ought not fear what the we go about complaining how the world world does, says, or how it threatens. is invading the church instead of how Christ was not afraid of the world. He we can invade the world for Christ. came to save the world and that meant An old saying puts it this way: “If love, taking the offensive, and looking one doesn’t know to which port he is the world in the eye. sailing, every wind that blows is an illThe early church was fearless before wind.” We often get upset because a fearsome and furious world. Its pulse of the way the wind is blowing — the remained steady in spite of whatever way the world is going — when we for happened. Its hope was higher than hu get that God never promised that the man happenings. Its aim was beyond world would be good or have any in what man could reach or tear down. clination to protect our position or us Its future was so sure that life or death personally. We should not expect the drew no inner or outward fear. The world to be friendly. early church was not afraid of the world. Fear of the world takes love out of our Today it seems we are afraid of the lives while love casts out fear. Those world. Whenever we take our eyes off who get all excited about changing fads the One who is Lord of all we become and fashions, who hate the hippies and fearful. blast the morality of our day are us What happens when we fear? ually living in fear. To point out the sin One result of fear is that we withdraw of the world is one thing, of course, from what we fear. So if we fear the and needs to be done. But much of the world we withdraw and seek to live in denunciation of today is not out of com isolation as much as possible hoping passion or love. It rather arises from March 24,1972

fear. It is rather a condemnation which Jesus said He Himself did not come to do. "I am come,” Jesus said, “Not to condemn the world but that the world might have life." The more need a person had the more Jesus loved. How much we need to learn of Him. "Perfect love casts out fear.” “Fear has torment.” Fear takes away creativity. Nothing so deadens a church program or per sonal living as quickly as fear. No church will develop new programs or new ideas of worship, praise, or witness if such is running scared of the world. Fear frustrates. It binds so that ac tion is impossible. It blinds so that pos sibilities cannot be seen. Fear stifles the imagination so that Christian aspir ations through God and His Spirit never surface. Only when fear is cast out by love can we minister as God’s people to the world. Only when our faith in Christ is stronger than the storms which threa ten are we free from fear to do Christ’s will in the world. So it is that fear makes us suspicious while love helps us see possibilities in Christ. Fear blinds while love enlarg es and clears the vision. Fear withdraws while love reaches out the helping hand. Fear frustrates while love frees to serve and praise. Fear makes the nerves and mind tense while love provides sweet release. Fear threatens every relation ship while love builds and blesses every relationship. Cover photo: Courtesy Alberta Government Department of Industry and Tourism.

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missions TIME FOR ENGLISH BIBLE CLASS

"These Bible studies just thrill my heart...’’ Oh great, it’s Tuesday morning again! And what’s so special about that? Well, that means it’s time for another English Bible class. At 9 a.m. my friends and I drive down the Pan-American highway to Charlotte Murphy’s lovely home. (Charlotte’s husband works with the U.S. government). She greets us warmly and invites us in. With a cup of coffee in our hands we sit down to chat. By the time we are ready to start the Bible study about fifteen ladies are present. There’s a wonderful sense of unity and love among us despite the different social levels, church denominations and nation alities. Mrs Evelyn Spencer, the one who leads the study, radiates the love of Christ. After prayer we turned to Acts 3 and read the story of how Peter and John heal the beggar at the temple in the name of Jesus. How clear and fresh the Word seems to us this morning! Everybody feels free to share what’s in their hearts as we discuss. The general feeling of the group is that Jesus’ power has not changed; He’s just as great today as He was in those days and wants to manifest His power — if only we lay hold on it by faith. Mrs Spencer said she would not be sitting there alive if it were not for the power of God. A number of years ago she lay dying, the doctors had given up

hope, but God touched her and raised her up through the faithful prayers of some dear friends. Then she went on to tell us also how her daughter Starlene was de livered when she went on an awful LSD trip when they were in the States. (This story came out in the “Power” leaflet). Some one put drugs into Starlene’s drink at school and Starlene was drugged so badly that she had four nightmarish weeks of insanity. Then, one day, when she was almost well, she got a very bad relapse and was writhing in pain, groaning and wringing her hands. Mr and Mrs Spencer felt they should lay hands on her and pray for her in the name of Jesus. Instantly the attack vanished and she was com pletely liberated from Satan’s pow er. Yes, there’s power in the blood TODAY. Praise His name! After the study we spent some time in prayer, praying especially for re vival in Nicaragua. When we were finished praying one of the ladies remarked, “I believe the revival has come”. We could sense the Holy Spirit’s presence. By this time it was 12 noon so we had to break up. On the way home one of my friends said, “These Bible studies just thrill my heart — it’s just what I need ”. We all agreed heartily. Mrs Doris Friesen - Nicaragua

First Americans in area Although the rainy season is sup posed to have started, we have had a week of beautiful sunny weather, which seems far fetched from the cold weather and snow we hear about from home. We have been in Feijo 6 months and already have had to move one Page 4

time. The house we rented for the first while was to be sold so as soon as we could find another house to rent, we moved. Feijo is a small, isolated town of a little over 2000 Brazilians. It reminds us of a wild west town as it has only a few streets of hand laid brick, and

the houses are simple wooden struc tures. Traffic noise is at a minimum as Feijo boasts only 3 trucks and no cars, one tractor and about 10 small motorcycles. The only transportation linking us with the outside world is a slow river boat, or when the wea ther is good, a D.C. 3 makes weekly flights through here. As yet there are no roads connecting Feijo to other towns. We are getting used to the culture and primitive circumstances, and the townspeople are getting used to us. Being the first Americans to move into this area, the people greeted us with apprehension. The first few months it was rumored that we were spies. There were stor ies about us owning machine guns, a barrel full of ammunition, and a trunk full of money! Also, we were supposed to have a radio to send our spy reports back to headquar ters. By now it seems as though those rumors are no longer circulat ing, and we have made many good friends. For the time being we are living in town and commuting to the In dian village by our small dugout canoe. It takes us Va hour to paddle to the village. Our time in the vil lage is spent in learning their cul ture and language. In many ways the 80 Indians who live in this vil lage are quite civilized, as they have lived near this town for 11 years. However, it is very obvious that in many areas they have not yielded to the Brazilian culture. Though they are quite conversant in Portuguese, which is the lang uage of Brazil, they use their native tongue at home and in public among themselves. Many of their living habits have not changed since they came out of the jungle. Though not obvious to the casual observer, witch craft is very prominent in their daily lives. Although they have access to medical treatment, they depend largely on concoctions they make from leaves found in the jungle, both to cure and to curse. Recently a man we were treating for T.B. died. His death was not a surprise, as the Indians had told us our treatments would do him no good for he had been cursed and would die. It was amazing to us to see how quickly he worsened and died. Since

THE MESSENGER

we don’t speak the Indian language yet, we attempted to give him the Gospel in Portuguese. He either couldn’t or didn’t want to understand. Their minds are further darkened by Catholicism which has influenced them for a long time. It is evident that they have no knowledge of the One true God we love and serve. Your heart would have gone out to these people if you had witnessed with us their wailing, chanting and chasing away of the evil spirits when the man died. We would ask that you continue

to pray for us as we attempt to learn the Indian language so we can tell these folks about Christ in the tongue that is meaningful to them. Our En emy has been putting obstacles in our way, but we are confident that as you stand with us in prayer we will see victory and fruit for His glory. We thank you for your prayers and monthly financial support. We are assured that eternity will evidence the fruit of it.

Your Co-laborers, Dave and Laura Sharp

Christian Service at Rio Grande Bible Institute by Roberta Brumbaugh

a large courtyard, separated by hanging sheets and blankets. The students go from prisoner to prison er distributing tracts and inviting them to a particular corner of the courtyard to hear the Gospel of Christ. It has been a real joy to them to see many of these come to know the Savior. A medical doctor who had killed his wife, found the Lord through this ministry. Two brothers, close to 70 years old, have spent 5 years in prison. One of them killed another man, while the other looked on, and both were sentenced. Now they are also brothers in Christ. A boy eleven years old was put into the prison with all these older men for stealing. He gave his life to the Lord. Another man is very glad to be there, because it is where he found the Lord. He has a very out standing testimony, and has won his wife and other inmates of the prison to the Lord. Because of his trustworthiness he has been given authority over other inmates in the prison, and the Lord is using him greatly.

It has been pointed out that in our bassadors of the Lord, the students effort to present to you, our praying have been permitted to enter free friends and supporters, what the ly without search. An unsaved offi Lord is doing here in the life of cial once asked the group to pray for RGBI students and staff, and the plans an unruly situation in the prison. and progress of the enlarging of our Conditions there are very poor, plant facilities, we fail to bring out and the prisoners are fed only twice more of the spiritual service of the a day, and that a meager portion of RGBI family “off campus”. beans and tortillas. They do not As we mentioned in a recent ar have the conventional ‘jaU cell’ sit ticle under RGBI Staff Spotlight, Rev. uation, but the inmates are all in Isaac Friesen heads our Christian Service program. This semester he has 110 students to send out each week to about 20 different services in the valley and across the border. Mr A Sunday in Japan Friesen reports the following results Another thing has been added to 2:30 p.m. I have to be in Fujisawa since the beginning of the fall term in September through February. my schedule, and that is a Sunday (one hour’s drive by car) at the Personal Contacts - 3170, Tracts Dis morning adult service or Bible Study. church where I teach English till My Sundays are busy days. They 9:00 p.m. I arrive home by 10:00 p.m. tributed - 26419, Preaching Services - 379, Sunday Schools - 609, Children’s usually start at 7:00 a.m. As soon This is my Sunday schedule. I also teach English on Tuesdays Classes - 522, Professions of Faith - as the nice weather comes again, my landlady (I call her Grannie) and Fridays at the Fujisawa church. 381. As you pray for the students and now 80 years old, wants me to take I praise the Lord for the open hearts their studies, remember also their her to the top of the mountain among the students. Pray for them. around 7:15 a.m. on Sundays. I There are about 40 students. spiritual service for the Lord. I do praise the Lord for the believ One place of particular interest and usually return home around 8 of joyful service is the State Pen o’clock, then at 9 o’clock I go to ers in Menamikawa. Mrs Ozawa pray itentiary in Reynosa, Mexico, where pick up the Sunday School chil ed (aloud) for the first time last Mr Friesen and RGBI students held dren who are waiting for me at the Sunday. She really keeps the people services in the men’s and women’s roadside. And usually Mrs Ozawa in her village well informed about the wards every Sunday afternoon. RGBI also waits at the roadside. Most of Sunday meetings. Some folk have students have served in this needy these homes are located some dis come to the services through her tes place for 20 years and have in this tance up the mountains from the timony. Hidega-san, a grade six girl, time earned the confidence and main road. Sunday School starts who will soon be entering Junior trust of the officials of the prison. at 9:30 and lasts till 10:30; then I High (in April), has a wonderful tes Anyone entering the institution must take the children home again. At timony in her home. Pray for her empty their pockets and be search 11:00 a.m. the adult meeting or parents. They seem very open to ed. After seeing the change in the service starts and lasts till noon. the Gospel. lives of the prisoners through the The believers very often have ques Mary Koop Japan preaching of the Gospel by the am- tions after the meeting. Then by March 24.1972 Pages

Seen here is Nelson Kaufman, on left, main conference speaker, and pastor at Albany, Oregon. On right is Amos Zehr from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who represented Child Care Foundation.

Seen at the 1972

Pictured above is Leo Thiessen, who to gether with his wife, is engaged in an Indian ministry in the city of Winni peg. They are with the Alliance church.

EMC MISSIONS an PCTaj.'iii'n

5^4

Left to right here are S.B.I. students, Ben Schlamp, Swift Current, Sask., Beijny Friesen, Morris, Man., and Frank Goertzen, Landmark, Man. at the E.M.C. Board of Missions display at the missionary conference.

S.B.I. Missionary Conference

Pointing is Harvey K. Plett, E.M.C. Christian Service worker in the Bahamas. On left is Bernie Brandt, Blumenort, and on right is Art Koop, Blumenort, both students at the Institute.

These two smiling ladies are Judy Kroeker, (left) Paraguay, (parents are mis sionaries Frank Kroekers), and Mari anne Loewen, Morris, Man.

THE MESSENGER

soon after their arrival. On Sunday, March 5, we had the privilege of having Rev. and Mrs Henry Kornelsen and the "Living Letters' Quartet" from Ridgewood, in our morning worship service. Actually, they came for Saturday night’s Young Peoples, then stayed to serve us on Sunday morning. Thank you, and come again.

with the churches I 1.

ROSENORT

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people might rejoice in thee?” Psalm 85:6. This has been the prayer of many of us, for quite sometime and we praise the Lord He has answered in a marvelous way. For three consecutive Sundays (February 27, March 5 and March 12) our morning worship services have been something en tirely different from what we’re used to having. No “sermons” have been preached. The time was taken up with various Chris tians sharing how the Holy Spirit has been operative in their lives, bringing new joy and peace, as revival touched their hearts. It has been wonderful to see the spontaneous response to the altar call at the close of the service. "This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23. This has also been the case at our mid week prayer meetings. We have appreciated very much, the groups from Kleefeld, in cluding Rev. Milton Fast, who have been out several times. As they shared, the Holy Spirit touched many a heart. It is our prayer that the revival we are experiencing is only the beginning. A series of meetings with Rev. Arnold Fast are planned for the last week in March. On March 1, our pastor. Rev. P. L. Friesen, celebrated his 60th birthday. In appreciation for his service in the church, a few minutes were taken, before the Bible study, to wish him well. Levi Dueck, on behalf of the local congregation, then presented him with a gift certificate of $20.00 towards the purchasing of a Bible or other books of his choice. On January 30, we were privileged to have an illustrated report, by the Henry Klassens, of their work in British Honduras. Agnes Friesen and her co-worker, Freda Johnson, reported and showed pictures of the children’s work they are doing at Amaranth and Swan Lake, at our February 1 ladies’ meeting. Also Luella Loewen and Linda Dueck told of some of the heartbreak ing experiences, but also the rewards in the field of nursing. Lunch was served at the close of the meeting. On February 3, the funeral for Miss Annie Rempel of the Eventide Home took place. The funeral for Mr Jacob K. Duck was held on February 6. Deepest sympathy is ex tended to the bereaved families. Our church was host to the Mission Board and Ministerial Meeting on February 4 and 5. The annual Eventine Home meeting was held on February 14 with Jake Suderman, manager of the Lions Manor in Win-

March 24,1972

nipeg, as guest speaker. Lunch was served after the meeting. The deacon ordination service for Mr and Mrs Abe Bartel was held on Sunday after noon, February 20. Rev. Milton Fast, who was the guest speaker, spoke words of en couragement. A mixed group sang two ap propriate songs. The young people enjoyed a skating party on February 20, in the evening. Later they had some Bible games, testimonies and a sing-song. Refreshments were served. On February 27, Rev. John K. Reimer showed slides and related of his exper iences during his recent trip to Paraguay, Nicaragua, Mexico, etc. The youth choir presented the program “Behold He Cometh” at the Aberdeen Church on March 5. A number of our members took part in the drama "Seedtime and Harvest" which was presented in Steinbach and in Morris. We enjoyed the wonderful singing and music of the Steinbach Bible Institute Chor ale and “Campus Echoes” on March 12. Rev. Ben Hoeppner brought the message of the evening. Lunch was served by the young people. Congratulations to Judy Kroeker and David Shmidt on their recent engagement. Judy is attending the S.B.I. and David the M.B.B.C. in Winnipeg. Parents of both are missionaries in Paraguay. The ladies fellowship sponsored a sale of new and used items at the Rosenort ele mentary school. The proceeds were good and will go towards missions and MCC.

TREESBANK

“Oh that men would praise the Lord, for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” Psalm 107:15. The services in Brandon; with Pastor McLeod, are over, but thank God the Spirit doesn't stop working. He has, and will do great and mighty things, if given a chance. We are most thankful for what He has done, and for what He will do in the future. Praise His Name! Mr and Mrs Levi Reimer, together with Fred and Florence, have returned from a trip to California. On their way home, via B.C., they saw more snow than they had ever seen before. After receiving a phone call, of their mother being very sick, Mr and Mrs Levi Plett left for Mexico. Mrs Plett passed away

ENDEAVOUR

With warmer days, we can’t help but feel that spring is on its way. Some of our people were able to attend the counsellor classes in Preeceville to prepare for the film “For Pete's Sake". The classes were very bene ficial. The Young People enjoyed another slid ing party on January 28, with other activi ties, including a broom ball game. The Preeceville Young People were present too. We enjoyed the program they brought us. After the program we were served coffee and doughnuts and then they all enjoyed an informal sing-song around the piano. On March 10, the Young People had a run-along supper (however they used cars), which started at Bathams for soup and ended at Buhlers for dessert and a de votional time. They touched down at Wilkin sons and Yuikiws in between. Whether their appetites were satisfied we don't know, but they seemed to have enjoyed the evening. The programs they have taken to the hos pital at Preeceville have also been well re ceived. We are truly thankful for our active Young People. The Christian Endeavour program, on March 12, took the form of the film "Face the Music ". We also heard the recorded testimony of Betty Baker. Both were very worthwhile and thought provoking. CREIGHTON

Though the weather was cold without, warm fires were being stoked within hearts during the latter days of January, as Rev. Melvin Koop, of Steinbach, spoke of “de frosting our windshields," "taking the lower seat” and so forth. The messages were timely and well received. The Lord spoke earnestly to all of us during those eight days. Some thirty people gathered at the new home of the John Newranskys (CSSM mis sionaries residing at Denare Beach) in the evening of January 31, for a surprise “house warming ” party. They were presented with a quantity of gifts and groceries, followed by games and a devotional. Brother Henry Koop spent the first two weeks of February in the hospital, under going an operation on his knee, which had been causing him discomfort for some time. The operation proved successful and Henry seems to be doing very well now. Abe

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Friesen, though he has fully recovered from his accident, is still feeling the after effects, especially in his knee. We welcome Miss Margaret Reimer, of Blumenort, who is now employed as a nurse at the new hospital. We also welcome Miss Meria Galaway, of Melfort, Saskatchewan, who is a social worker. Meria plans to be here for several months and is staying with Mrs Cone. The film “Son-Worshippers" was shown recently at the local Salvation Army Citadel. It was a real challenge to all to see the Lord work among today’s teenagers. Subsequent ly, open doors were found at the local high school, and the junior high schools for many additional showings. The Lord only knows the entire results, but it was a joyous oc casion for us to see two teens make first time decisions. On February 20, we were favoured with an eye-opening tour of EMC missions as Rev. John K. Reimer reported to us of his last trip. On account of the weather, the Reimers were late for the morning service so that evening we had both the report and a message from God’s Word. Guests of the David Costinaks and Stan Pletts were Mr and Mrs John DeJager and family from Calgary, Alberta. Clinton Rempel was home for a short visit before returning to warmer Nelson, B.C. Mr Mervin VanNortwick and Mr Bill

Friesen, NCEM missionaries, spent some time at the Henry Rempel home enroute to Round Lake, Ontario, where Mr Friesen was to conduct a short term Bible School for native Christians. While here they shared experiences they were having with the In dian people. Large numbers are turning to the Lord. As is often the case, it had started with missionaries rededicating their lives, and then others followed. We heard of revival flames bursting out all around. Some of us right here in Flin Flon and Creighton are feeling and seeing the beginnings of revival, and are praying that it will become a reality for many. Each Wednesday morning, ladies prayer groups from various denominations are meeting in different homes. An interdenominational Women’s World Day of Prayer was held here at the NFC Chapel Friday evening, March 3. The theme was “All Joy Be Yours”. Leader was Mrs Merle Meachem. Mrs James Nickel, of The Pas, was guest speaker. Also on the program were testimonies and special numbers and a lunch. The ladies of the Mary-Martha Mission have taken on a project of supplying some clothing items for the Montreal Lake Child ren’s Home. Please continue to pray with us concern ing our need for a pastor.

FISHER BRANCH

Mr Peter Reimer came home on March 10 after again spending some time on a hos pital bed. May God continue to heal. How marvellous that God can meet our needs, even when we are sick! The John K. Reimers and P. N. Reimers of Winnipeg visited us on March 12. Rev. Reimer showed slides and reported of his Latin American trip. Thank-you for that challenging report. Here is wishing a happy and blessed Easter to all readers!

A February highlight for our group was, when convert instruction classes began, three young people attended. Glory to God! Our young people enjoyed an outdoor meeting in February. The Lord granted a wonderful evening and a wonderful time of fellowship! Guest speaker was Rev. Menno Penner. Speaking of young people, Mary Reimer, who is an R.N. employed at the St. Boniface Hospital, is also taking a course in sociology. Bertha Reimer had a change of occupa tion, when she started working at Scientific Feed Ltd. of Arborg. A week later her sister Betty also changed jobs. She was working at the Eventide Home and now is employed at the St. George Hospital. On February 20, Mrs Danny Reimer was admitted to the Victoria Hospital for an ap pendectomy. (This was just three days after her mother’s funeral.) Rev. M. Kroeker and Is. Reimer attended the Minister's Seminar in Steinbach on March 2 and 3. The Holy Spirit worked obviously among us on February 5, when we were visited by a Kleefeld group, who came testifying of recent revival experiences. Isn't it wonder ful to belong to God's family! Thank you, Kleefeld people, for coming. May the Lord continue to bless you! Pages

SWIFT CURRENT On January 30, it was our privilege to have Rev. Harvey Plett, of Steinbach, and Rev. Harold Dyck, of Winnipeg, in our midst. They spoke on topics such as non-resistance, jury service and swearing of oaths. A ques tion and answer period followed. It was helpful and interesting. A group, from Gouldtown, brought a pro gram in our church, on February 20. This program consisted of testimonies, musical selections and group singing. It was very challenging and interesting to see the var ious talents God has given these young people in this area of music. It was enjoyed by all. An M.C.C. clothes and bake sale was held on March 4 wherein three churches participated. All articles were donated, such as new and used clothing, household articles and baked goods. All proceeds went to M.C.C., which was a total of about $400. This was a very successful sale. The Child Evangelism Banquet was held, on March 10, in the Legion Hall. Guest speaker was Rev. Mel Johnson of Min neapolis, Minn. Pastor Dueck has gone to Burns Lake, B.C. to conduct a series of Deeper Life ser vices from March 12-19. Shall we remember to pray for him.

BIRTHS To Mr and Mrs Henry Bartel, Pleasant Valley, a son, Henry Luke, on February 1. To Mr and Mrs Walter Kruse, Kola, a girl, Krista Helene, February 12. Mr and Mrs Peter Friesen, Creighton, a son (foster). To Mr and Mrs Joel Brown, Creighton, a daughter, on February 24. To Rev. and Mrs Benny Friesen, Rosenort, a son, on March 11.

MATERIAL AID PROJECT: Health Kits - April 1972 Health kits have become an important part of the preventative medical program in Haiti. With these kits, nurses in the clinics and public health nurses are able to teach the Haitians fundamental, basic health education. The contents of the kit includes: a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, a nail file, nail clipper, comb, washcloth and a box of Bandaids. These items should be placed in a 12 x 12 inch denim or burlap drawstring bag. A simple embroidered design may be added to the side of the bag. An alternate suggestion would be to place the items in a sturdy plastic bag.

CASH PROJECT: Money for Teachers’Kits Teachers in Haiti are at a great disadvantage in their teaching because they lack the necessary items for the classroom. Mrs Elaine Stoltzfus recently wrote and sent a list of items needed by the teachers in Grande Rivere du Nord. Five hundred dollars are needed to purchase the following items for the schools: crayons, carbon paper, wrapping paper (brown), spiral notebooks, string, chalk (white and colored), scotch tape, compasses, staplers, staples, Tempra paints, paint brushes, yard sticks, magic markers and poster paper.

THE MESSENGER

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As the Garos are now returning to their homes in the villages around Birisiri, they are also finding relief supplies waiting for them from a shipment of Mennonite blankets and canned chicken being distributed through the Bangladesh Council of Churches. A few bales and cartons at a time are making their way over an extremely rough road from Mymensingh, across two ferries, and over broken bridges to the Garo Baptist Center. Hiten Areng (right), general secretary of the Garo Baptist Union, and Maynard Shelly, MCC representative in Bangladesh, examine a blanket donated by MCC.

After the terror of East Pakistan Hunger in Bangladesh by Maynard Shelly t

During April, 1971, a steady stream of re fugees from the south moved past the Garo church center in Birisiri, the last town on the road out of East Pakistan (now Bangla desh) into India. Running for their lives, these Bengali people, both Hindu and Muslim, pressed on toward the safety of India, telling the Garo tribesmen about the ferocity of the West Pakistan army which was moving out from Dacca into all the border regions. “Whomever the army meets,’’ these frightened refugees said, “they shoot down." As members of the largest remaining tribe of aborigines in Bangladesh, the Garo people, though they have adapted many of the ways of their Bengali neighbors, speak a Tibetan language and have a culture of their own. For example, un like the women of Bengal, the Garo wo men work in the fields with their men and carry their babies on their backs. A high proportion of the Garos are mem bers of the small Christian community in Bangladesh. Birisiri is the headquarters of the Garo Baptist Union with schools, a Bible

March 24,1972

institute, a print shop, dispensary, and small hospital, ail under their own leadership, ... The union’■s 103~ congregations are scattered along a 120-mile narrow belt of land that follows the northern border in the Mymensingh district. On the night of April 26, three jeeps drove into the town of Birisiri, their headlights turned off. Word spread that the Pakistan army was near. Men started to run; girls began to cry. Since the Garo leaders had given support to the Bengali resistance movement, they knew they could no longer stay. So they left quickly for India which was only a few short miles away. When the other Garo clans, both Christian and non-Christian, heard that the Baptist leaders, to whom they looked for guidance in all their affairs, had left, most of them followed. The Pakistan army moved into the church ■ the school buildings center compound, using and the houses of the teachers to quarter the troops, building bunkers to store food and ammunition, and denuding the countryside of its bamboo groves and fruit trees,

The deserted villages were destroyed both to punish the people who had left and to deny cover to the Bengali and Garo gueril las who filtered back into the country to harass the army. Not everyone in the path of the maraud ing troops could make it to the safety of India. Others moved from place to place seeking refuge in out-of-the-way places. A group of Hindu girls escaped from their burning village and started moving south toward the city of Mymensingh, 30 miles from Birisiri. They went from village to vil lage, seeking protection from whomever would offer them shelter for a few days. Each time they moved on; the house in which they had stayed was burned the following night. They dreaded the Pakistan army which rounded up women wherever they could be found to take to their military com pounds, only to be killed when they had been broken physically and mentally. When I visited the Garo church center early in February where a unit of the Pakistan army had been quartered for eight months, the long dark hair of a young girl fluttered from the limb of a tree near the entrance of a building in which the troops imprisoned the women they continually abused and dishonored. Numb with terror and virtually inco herent with fright, the Hindu girls stumbled into the compound of the Australian Bap tist Missionary Society in Mymensingh, where other Hindu refugees were being sheltered in and around the Baptist school buildings. Here, under the protection of for eigners, they were able to live until the Pak istan military force retreated toward Dacca in December as the Indian army advanced. While at Mymensingh, the Hindu girls each received a bright quilt from relief supplies sent into Bangladesh (then East p^istan) by the Mennonite Central Com mittee. And as the Garos are now returning to their homes in the villages around Birisiri, they are also finding similar relief supplies waiting for them from a shipment of Mennonite blankets and canned chicken being distributed through the Bangladesh Council of Churches. A few bales and cartons at a time are making their way over an extreme ly rough road from Mymensingh, across two ferries, and over broken bridges to the Garo Baptist center. The Garo people have come back to a ravaged land. They have lost their houses and the harvest from their unplanted rice fields. Another major loss has been the fruit trees that will take five years to grow to maturity. The bales of blankets and cartons of canned chicken in the storeroom of the church center — a small drop in an ocean of misery - will supply only a few of the neediest of these needy people. Page 9

Three Children Are Victims

Fatal Attack by Morro Indians by Mrs Frieda Kaethler Filadelfia, Paraguay

We have come to think of the Morro In dians as harmless, but recently we were shocked by another fatal attack which oc curred near Bahia Negra in the far north of Paraguay. One of our Mennonite-born girls, Anna Fast, married a Paraguayan and they live at Bahia Negra. They had six children. Some Morro Indians had come to Bahia Negra and came to the house of the Leiva family repeatedly, asking for food. One day four Morros who had frequented the house came again asking for food. As Mrs Leiva went to get some manioc, a starchy root which we use as potatoes, she noticed that one of the Morros was grappling with her husband. She ran to the house to get a rifle, but was knocked down with a machete. The result was that three of the children were massa cred and the husband and wife badly in jured. Both survived, although when we visited at the hospital in Asuncion, the husband was still not clear mentally because

of the serious concussion which he suffered. At present, both of the Leivas had been dis missed from the hospital and are said to be improving. Another tragic incident occurred in Filadelifa at the Hotel Florida. The man ager, Jacob Penner, warned a Paraguayan client who had been making advances to the girls who work there. The offended Paraguyan returned at 10 p.m. with a pistol and shot down Penner as he was walking on the yard. The assailant fled while people were attending to the wounded man. The bullet went through Penner’s neck, injuring his spinal cord so that he is par alyzed from the waist down. He was taken to Asuncion by special plane and underwent surgery immediately, but there is little hope that he will regain use of his legs. Penner is about 38 years old, married and the father of two children. Police have been trying in vain to find his assailant. —Mennonite Weekly Review

Ockenga, Wilkerson among seven to address 30th NAE Convention WHEATON, Ill, — A member of the Can and Teen Challenge, New York City, Wilk adian Parliament, a famous author, and a founder and first president of the National Association of Evangelicals will be among seven distinguished evangelical leaders ad dressing NAE's 30th Anniversary Conven tion in St. Louis, Mo. April 11-13. The men are the Honorable Robert N. Thompson, the Reverend David Wilkerson and Dr. Harold J. Ockenga. Variations of the convention's theme, “Be My Spirit," will be the focus of the seven major addresses. Keynoting the con vention of an expected 1,500 delegates and visitors will be NAE’s president. Dr. Hudson T. Armerding. The president of Wheaton College, Dr. Armerding is one of America’s outstanding Christian educators. His ad dress on the theme of the meeting will out line some implications of the Holy Spirit’s work in this century. Tuesday evening's message on the Jesus Restoration Movement will be by Rev. Wilkerson, the author of the best seller. The Cross and the Switchblade. Founder of the David Wilkerson Crusade, Dallas, Texas, Page 10

erson has waged public war against drugs and crime, which has been publicized ex tensively through the press and his books. Dr. Clyde W. Taylor, newly elected inter national secretary of the World Evangelical Fellowship and general director of NAE, is slated for Wednesday morning’s assembly. "One in the Spirit" will be his topic. Tay lor began his career on the mission field in Peru. He is known as “Mr NAE," having served the three million member organiza tion since it was founded in 1942. Dr. Thompson, M.P., president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, will speak on "Service in the Mar ketplace" Wednesday evening. A member of Parliament since 1962, Dr. Thompson was chosen in 1972 as co-ordinator of his Pro gressive Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former leader of the Social Credit Party and a member of the Commonwealth Par liamentary Association. "Under Orders" will be the topic of a Thursday morning address by the Reverend Cecil B. Knight, assistant general overseer

of the Church of God of Qeveland, Tennes see. The denomination is one of 34 national church bodies affiliated with NAE. A 30th Anniversary Dinner will climax the convention Thursday night. Dr. Ockenga, president of Gordon College and GordonConwell Seminary, will challenge delegates and visitors with the subject, "Forward in the Spirit." One of the founders of NAE, Dr. Ockenga served as its first president (1942-44) and later as chairman of the In ternational Commission and president of the American Board of the World Evangel ical Fellowship. He was co-founder and president of Fuller Theological Seminary (1947-54 and 1960-63) and served as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He served as pastor of Boston’s historic Park Street Church for 33 years. A Bible study each afternoon will be dir ected by George Sweeting, newly elected president of Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Sweeting is a former pastor of Moody Mem orial Church, Chicago.

AH Glory to the Risen King! “He humbled himself, and became obed ient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:8, 9). All glory to the risen King, All glory and all praise! Let earth His exaltation sing In glad, triumphant days; For He who suffered in our stead Hath bruised the cruel serpent’s head, And lit the caverns of the dead With life’s eternal rays.

When from high heaven He came to bear Our grief, our guilt, our doom, A dying race hung with Him there In dark Golgotha’s gloom; And when they bore Him from the tree, Our cherished dream of victory— Our hope of immorality— Went with Him to the tomb. But, Io!—that tomb could not confine The Christ, whose light shall blaze With truth and love and life divine Through all the coming days! Then let a song of triumph ring. While angel choirs join in to sing: All glory to the risen King, All glory and all praise. —Robert Crumly

THE MESSENGER

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news /scope Mennonite Publishing Service, pub lisher of the newly founded Mennonite Reporter, will hold an organizational meeting on March 1 at Conrad Grebel College, Waterloo, Ontario. The guest speaker will be David Schroe der of Winnipeg. Frank H. Epp is the editor of this paper.

Gerhard Reimer, associate profes sor of German at Goshen College, son of the late Rev. David P. Reimer of R.R. 1, Giroux, Manitoba, will be unit leader in Costa Rica for three terms in the College’s Study-service Trimester program. J. B. Toews, president of the Men nonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, Fresno, California, has resigned from the position of president, effective July 1. He will, however, remain on the Seminary faculty and teaching staff. Mr Toews has served as presi dent of this institution since 1964. He has served three institutions of higher learning as president: Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask.; Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Winnipeg and the Mennonite Bre thren Biblical Seminary.

OVER 100 PASTORS and lay lead ers of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference from various parts of Canada and the United States gathered here Feb. 8 to 10 for the annual EMB Workshop session The various commissions of the conference met in daytime ses sions, and inspirational meetings were held in the evenings. The guest speaker was Rev. Henry Budd of Caronport, Sask., who gave mes sages on the theme, “Carnality of the End Time.” Vocal groups from this area and a band from Langham provided special music at the meetings, held at the Salem EMB Church. Sep arate women’s meetings were held during the day.

THE HEAD OF an international Christian humanitarian agency has expressed dismay at the atrocities reportedly committed against Christians in the southern part of Sudan. Dr. Stan Mooneyham, president of World Vision International, gave his first hand observation about the distress of Christians caused by the Sudan civil conflict after

March 24,1972

visiting refugee communities along the Ethiopia-Sudan border. “It is a vicious, one-sided war with racial, religious, cultural and political overtones,” Mooneyham said. The missionary leader notes the “strange silence” of public news media in reporting the strife that now has been going on for a decade and a half with hundreds of thou sands of casualties. It is commonly reported that at least 500,000 south Sudanese have been slaughtered, according to Mooneyham. Another 300,000 have sought safety in neighboring Uganda, Ethiopia, the Congo, and the Central Africa Republic. WHEATON, ILL. — Problems of society, evangelistic movements and Christian education will be the focus of attention during some of the 57 seminars at the 30th Anniversary Convention of the National Association of Evangel icals April 11-13 in St. Louis. These and other important issues will be considered when an expected 1,500 delegates and visitors con vene for the three-day event which marks NAE’s 30th year of service to America.

MILLARD FULLER, director of Koinonia Partners, a unique interracial ministry in Georgia, will speak in eight communities during a oneweek tour through western Canada in early April. His hosts and spon sors will be several Mennonite organ izations. The itinerary includes speeches in Winnipeg April 4, Gretna April 5, Rosthern and Saskatoon April 6, Swift Current April 7, and the Fras er Valley April 9-11. He will speak at fund-raising events for the Can adian Mennonite Publishing Associa tion, Mennonite Collegiate Institute, and Rosthern Junior College. Mr Fuller, whose boyhood goal of becoming a millionaire was ach ieved before he was 30, disposed of his entire fortune in 1965 to be come fully involved in Christian ser vice. He joined the late Clarence Jordan in 1968 to revitalize the ministry of Koinonia Farm, Amer icus, Georgia. Mr Fuller is now the director of Koinonia Partners, which is an ex citing effort to communicate the ideas of New Testament disciple ship, to train concerned Christians for this radical type-of life, and to implement their concerns in ac-

tual projects. One of their pro grams is the Fund for Humanity, which provides land and homes to needy families at cost and with out interest. ONLY THIRTEEN DAYS remain ed until the date of Thomas M. Shand’s execution when the fed eral cabinet in Ottawa commuted his sentence to life imprisonment on February 24. David Braun, Mennonite prison chaplain in Manitoba, and Pastor Ron Hunsicker, both of the Charleswood Mennonite Church in Win nipeg visited the thirty-two-yearold convicted man regularly and became his close friends. Through their efforts and those of other members of the congregation, a number of briefs, wires, and let ters went to Ottawa from individ uals, conferences, and other con cerned groups, pleading for Mr Shand’s life. The commutation decision came toward the end of the cabinet’s weekly meeting on February 24. Mr Shand had already resigned him self to death, although Canada has had no executions in the last ten years. The cabinet has the constitutional prerogative to com mute capital sentences, but it was under police and political press ure this time to let the sentence stand. Mr Shand, who as a child was broughy up in a series of foster homes and who completed only the eighth grade in school, was sentenced to hang for the murder of Ronald Houston, a Winnipeg policeman, in

1970. During the two days following the commutation, Mr Shand draft ed a letter of gratitude and ex hortation to the Charleswood Church. It was read to the con gregation as a central part of its worship service the following Sunday.

AKRON, PA — Mennonite Central Committee has approved immed iate action on several specific pro grams of rehabilitation in Bangla desh. This action came following a three week administrative visit to Bangladesh by John Wieler, as sociate executive secretary of MCC (Canada). Wieler, with Maynard Shelly, MCC representative in Bang ladesh and Vernon Reimer, MCC director in India, traveled exten sively and made many contacts with government officials and rep resentatives of other voluntary agencies now operating there.

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HOWTO BECOME A WARMLY-WINNING OTHERS” PEOPLE NOW By getting in on Probe '72, the all-Mennonite Consultation on Evangelism, Minneapolis, April 13-16, 1972. Probe '72, an exploration of where we are in evangelism, and where we should be going. We'll share insights with each other. Probe the Scriptures together. Listen to Mennonites and Brethren who have found a way to reach others for Christ. Amplify what is profitable. Discuss evangelistic values. Learn from each other. And take what we learn back to where we live and move and have our being. Now is the time to register. $30 indivicfual, $45 couple, $15 student/youth. Send your check to Probe '72, 938 Central Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

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