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A moment of decision for Steinbach Beginning on Tuesday, February 27, according to re ports the town of Steinbach will be canvassed for sig natures which will decide whether a liquor referendum will be held this fall or not. For many there will be no question on how they will respond. It will be an unequi vocal NO. Some will be on the border line. Some will vacillate. To those who are wavering between yes and no I would like to address the following lines. And this with the assumption that more people will have the op portunity and temptation to drink and begin drinking if additional outlets are provided. This is stated to be a fact. As a result, with simple mathematics, this will also increase abuse. Manitoba Attorney General Al Mackling terms al cohol abuse as the "Number One social problem” and has urged the federal - provincial ministerial confer ence a co-ordinated program to combat alcohol abuse. Mr Mackling is to be commended on his concern yet I'm afraid it is a cry in the night as far as results go as long as he is a part of the system which makes the stuff available to the public.
However the Government is very generous and pro vision is made for those who have had "too much”. De
toxification and therapy services are available within the newly-organized Health Science Center complex and at the alcoholic center on Stradbrook Avenue in Winnipeg FUNDED THROUGH THE MANITOBA HEALTH SERVICES COMMISSION, no less! This in no way infers that we can be callous to the plight of the alcoholic once he has reached that stage. But what would you think of a store which realized huge profits from distributing contaminated goods and then took a percentage of that profit to provide a “de toxification centre” for the smitten? To stretch our imagination a little further, how many people with this knowledge would continue to patronize that store? And yet is this not what happens in the liquor industry? Alcoholism is still the major addiction problem in Canada today, probably costing about $500 million an nually in indirect costs, such as hospital care, absen teeism, and other social costs, says the president of the Canadian Foundation on Alcohol and Drug Depen dencies. Dr. H.S. Jamieson said that "drugs still get all the headlines” but that alcoholism is on the in crease while drug use is probably decreasing. (Wpg. Tribune - Dec. 2,1972). What may happen when people are impaired or have
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a blood alcohol content above .08? Here are some examples:
Dateline WINNIPEG, July 15, 1971: Teenage passenger on motorcycle is killed. A 60 year old woman is charged with driving dangerously while impaired and driving with an al cohol content of above .08 in her blood. Dateline WINNIPEG: Two youths attempt to drag a 13year-old girl into their car. One of the youths pleaded guil ty to having liquor in a place other than stipulated by the liquor control act. The youth told the magistrate, "We had been drinking. I don't know how it happened. It just happen ed that's all." Dateline MONTREAL, September 21, 1972: Thirty-seven people die in a fire in Montreal's Blue Bird night club. JeanMarc Boutin, 24 and James O'Brien, 23 were sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to non-capitol murder. Reports state that both had been "drinking heavily the night of Sept. 19. Dateline SALTILLO, Mexico, Oct. 9. 1972: Mexico's sec ond worst rail disaster puts the number of confirmed dead at 204 and injured at 1,098. "The train's engineer. Melchor San chez Echeverria, and at least one other member of his crew face charges of homicide. Officials said blood tests showed they had been drinking before eight of the 24 cars hurtled off a downhill curve at more than 70 miles an hour... " Dateline WINNIPEG, Oct. 27. 1972 i Tribune Entertain ment editor Gene Telpner): "An alcoholic who doesn’t seek help and continues to drink only has two options — insanity or death." Discussing the terrible toll of alcoholism with a number of vital members of the community, all members of A.A., Mr Telpner continues and quotes some of them, say ing he heard “tragic stories of shattered marriages, lost jobs, suicides and the other unhappy results of drinking from people who have been through the mill. " He comments. "It is the true horror story of our age. " Lest you say "That will never happen to me” cold, stark facts show that somewhere between one in ten and one in 20 drinkers become alcoholics (U.S. of 95 million drinkers, nearly 9,000,000 are victims of alcohol ism I. One of Mr Telpner's luncheon guests estimated that there were one million alcoholics in Canada, and that for every alcoholic nine other people, husbands, wives, family, parents, etc. are effected. This comes to the staggering total of almost half the population of Canada! Again, lest you accuse me of crying “wolf, wolf” read The Curse of Alcoholism by an editor friend, John Drescher (Gospel Herald) and The Disease Concept of Alcoholism by Leon W. Hawley following. — D.S.
THE MESSENGER
THE CURSE OF ALCOHOLISM
Drinking of alcohol has emerged as socially acceptable. With drinking moving from the old saloon to the private clubs and home parties it is now an expected thing in entertaining, personal celebrations, and business promotion. Promotion of alcohol says it’s the “in " thing. So even chil dren try to prove selfhood and try to identify with peers and parents by drinking parties. Alcohol is a major factor in the growing number of broken homes and work relationships. Weary executives, fighting for position, frequently become addicted. All kinds of levels of persons, in an effort to cover up fear, fill their idle hours by drinking, hoping to wash away worries. Even some Christians who have need for ego props and a craving for social acceptance fall under this demon which destroys and offers nothing good. Skilled advertisements and clever commercials picture drinking as the stairway to stardom and success. Personal fulfillment is determined by the noonday Martini, the happy hour highball, and the bedtime nightcap. Simple honesty would demand a visit to the skid rows in every city, to the hos pitals, courts, and treatment centers to visualize the misery, conflict, and suffering caused by alcohol. Alcoholism is the third largest health problem in America. America spends three times as much for alcohol as for educa tion. In addition excessive drinking costs America $30 million a year in medical services, $30 million a year in jail mainten ance, $100 million in accidents, $500 million in income losses, and $2 million a year in absenteeism. And this says nothing about the waste of human life and the amount of human suf fering which includes more than 28,000 traffic deaths a year caused by drinking drivers. Forty per cent of the deaths are innocent victims. Alcohol is a depressant which acts as an anesthetic to the nervous system. Being a liquid it is quickly absorbed in the stomach and disseminated by the blood to all parts of the body. It depresses the higher functions of the brain including good judgment and self-control. Brain cells are destroyed with each drink and the motor functions of the body are usually recessed. At least twenty million Americans are seriously affected by drinking. Approximately seven million are classified as alco holics. According to Howard J. Clinebell, Jr„ in Understand ing and Counseling the Alcoholic, “a person is an alcoholic if one or more of his major adjustments in living — health, vocational, social, or marital — is periodically or continuous ly hampered by drinking.” Summing up the many, many def initions of what alcoholism is, one might say that one is an al coholic when he is consistently unable to refrain from drink ing. Improved interest in treating and restoring the alcoholic to day is to be appreciated. However, to accept alcoholism merely as a disease can easily run the risk of relaxed toler ance and do away with the matter of the will and proper con trols. What can be done? We need to do a better job of teaching the truth about alcoholism. Parents should discuss the truth about drinking with children. The church should structure teaching regarding alcohol into its program since it is a ma jor issue of the day. This will mean more than an occasional temperance lesson. We need a clearer understanding of what leads people to drink. Certainly the tremendous advertising program does have its effect. The media needs to be confronted on this as on tobacco. It will be difficult since revenues from liquor in state and federal taxes amount to nearly six billion dollars a year. This is the second largest source of federal revenue. February 23,1973
And the lobbying power of the liquor industry is one of the strongest. People are led to drink not only for social acceptance but also for escape. Alcohol is a retreat from reality. People need meaning in life. Here is where the Christian should have a special contribution. Christians must take greater initiative in not only expos ing the curse of alcoholism but also in providing programs and all kinds of help to minister to and restore the alcoholic. One who yields to drink is already basically a broken per son. As Christians we are called to a concern for the broken hearted and broken in spirit and body. —John Drescher THE DISEASE CONCEPT OF ALCOHOLISM by Leon W. Hawley, Executive Director, Alcohol Problems Assn, of Washington ‘•Those who speak of alcoholism as a disease are aware that they do not use the word in its ordinary medical sense. They know that when the alcoholic is not drinking, in his so ber intervals no one would ever take him for a mentally - un balanced, queer, or off-base person," states E.J. McGoldrick Jr., Director of Bridge House, an agency of New York City for the rehabilitation of alcoholics. An ex-alcoholic himself, McGoldrick's views should carry some weight. The alcoholic, when sober, is usually an industrious, con scientious person, and an able worker. When sober no one would suggest that he needs a doctor, a pill or a hospital. He has no fever. He eats well and sleeps well. Examine his blood, urine, and sputum under a microecope, and you will find no disease germs; no indications of a virus. But suddenly he drinks. And according to the new experts he thereby becomes a “sick” person. Mr McGoldrick believes that the excessive drinking of the alcoholic is no more a disease than stealing cars, bad temper, resentment, jealousy, drug addiction, selfishness, prejudice, or a host of other irresponsible habits and patterns of reaction. Perhaps to say that he is an ill person when under the in fluence of alcohol would be better terminology than to say he is diseased. However, again his illness is a direct result of the intake of alcohol. Some alcoholics are happy to have alcohol ism called a disease, for now they are off the hook of respon sibility. The brilliant radio speaker. Monseigneur Fulton J. Sheen, has said that if “alcoholism is a disease, it is the only disease which is induced by an act of the will.” It is true that you de cide whether or not you are going to drink, but it is not neces sarily true that you decide whether or not you will become an alcoholic. No man ever planned to become an alcoholic. Yet by an act of the will one out of ten who starts drinking be comes an alcoholic. Millions of others who are never classi fied as alcholic get into problems with drink, such as automo bile accidents, accidents in industry, divorces, and other fam ily troubles, and oftentimes an empty pocketbook. Nationally, alcoholism is now rated as the fourth health problem in the na tion. If one per cent of our society was as adversely affected by anything else, all available knowledge of doctors, public health personnel, and scientists would be enlisted to locate the cause of the disease and stamp out the virus. Call it a di sease, illness, or uncontrolled habit, it all adds up to the fact that we have in American over 25,000,000 who are disturbed by the use of alcohol. At least ten million are medically diag nosed “alcoholic”. Other millions of lives are adversely af fected by a drinking spouse or parent. Only when a concerned citizenry reacts to alcoholism in as responsible a manner as they do to other public health prob lems will there be a turning of the tide in our mounting tragedv due to man's use of alcohol.
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QUESTION “TRAGIC DEATH * ITEM
I feel that I must comment on a news item in "The Messenger" dated Febru ary 9, 1973, page 11 headed "Tragic Death”. I am referring to the report of Sergei Kourdakov’s death. That report may well have been prepared by com munist propaganda agents. From the in formation I have received from Under ground Evangelism, it would appear so. Haralan Popov's writings also strongly bear out such tactics. I would ask that you investigate this further and if you feel that this possibil ity is credible, that you make a further comment on it in "The Messenger ". The March issue of Underground Evangelism will give a more detailed report. Concerned for the cause of Christ, John Friesen 51-7th Street, N,E, Portage la Prairie, Man,
FROM WAY DOWN SOUTH
Thank you for making it possible for us to read the Messenger. We are living in a small trailer at the present time at the Rio Grande Bible Institute and are enjoying the summer and that which goes with it, in the winter months. I have often been thinking of the verses we find in John 7:38,39a "He that believeth on me. as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. In I Peter 3:15 we read that we shall be ready with an answer if people ask about our hope and that with meekness and fear. Are we always ready? I've often found myself lacking. How much can we be occupied with material things and still be ready with spiritual answers? What Jesus says seems to go farther, flowing rivers - not just handing out when asked. How does a river act if somebody tries to stop it and builds a dam across it? Doesn't it build up and break out at several places? Jesus says “rivers", so it could water a greater area than at first. This would be in line with what we
read in Acts 8:1-8, especially verse 4, We say we are not persecuted. Why are we not? There can be several reasons. Many non-Christians and also our Gov ernment have accepted quite a few Christ ian standards. What then is our duty? Acts 19:1-8 gives us a good example — Talking friendly with people and finding out if they have all that is required to be a Christian. Some may say, "I haven't got the gift of explaining." I agree, I find talking a lot harder now, than at the time when my hearing was good, I wish and pray for all of us that we would still let the spirit work in us like a river, that if we can't run in our nor mal track, we will open in another area and serve wherever we can.
John L. Penner Box 840, RGBI Edinburg, Texas ARRIVE IN ASUNCION
“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name." Psalm 96:8. Truly the Lord deserves all the praise and honour we can ascribe. We rejoice in His guidance over the past ten days especially. Our flight from Winnipeg to Asuncion took a mere 21 hours. That was the interval be tween saying "farewell" to home, loved ones, country, and winter and saying “hello” to more loved ones, a strange people, a new way of life, and the heat of summer. Needless to say, much was strange, but when we began to sing out of the “Gesangbuch” in our service, we felt at home. We deeply appreciate the love shown to us here in helping us set up house. We deeply admire the many folks we have met here who have faced the dangers and struggles of life. Truly we can say “my God is the rock of my refuge.” To our many Canadian friends, we say a “thank you” for your prayers. Please continue since we are a needy people. Some prayer needs we feel now at the outset are: wisdom in the kind and amount of work to undertake, love and compas sion for those who need Christ, ability to communicate the message of God's love. Please note our new address. In Christion love, Walter, Margaret and Brendan Reimer c.d.c. 166, (Tobati) Asuncion, Paraguay, S.A,
CONCERNED OVER TITLES Greetings in Jesus Name: Our loving brother, the editor, has en couraged us members to write in, even if we don't all see eye to eye. I liked these words from him that it touched my will power to take the pen and write some thing where probably many will not see eye to eye with me. It is concerning to be called or named "Reverend ", which I never see by the editor's name in the Messenger. My ques tion is, is it Biblical to be referred to by this title? I find Paul speaking in Ephesians 4:11 of the gifts God has and is distributing, but nothing is mentioned of “Reverend". I also understand in Matthew 23 that we are not to be called by any name of authority, and it sounds like the diction ary explains that this is what the name Reverend means. Personally I think that it is still tagging along from the religion where Martin Luther stems from. The limited insight I have of our bless ed Saviour, (I hunger for more), is that He is so righteous, pure and holy, that no body can compare with Him so that all reverence belongs to Him, and that all men can be honoured by being referred to as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pas tors and teachers. Now brethren I want you all to know that I stand open for correction because I want to walk close to Him always, and not afar off like Peter when the betrayal took place. This is also my prayer for all of you, and may His grace abound. John Goertzen (Arabella) Norquay, Sask.
Calendar March 8-9 Ministers Seminar at the Stein bach Institute. March 23-25 Christian Workers Confer ence at the Portage Avenue M.B. Church, Winnipeg. April 2-7 Basic Youth Conflicts seminar, St. Paul, Minnesota. April 12 Deferred Giving Seminar at the Steinbach Bible Institute with Menno Dirks. May 11 S.B.I. Clean-a-thon (Watch for further details.)
The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire. In form as to what is going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All conespondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schelleliberg. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished letters are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay fJirough their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. 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
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AVI SS IONS Paper route opens doors for the world Mrs Edmar Fast After teaching Good News Club here in El Rase for six years, Ruth and I found our attendance dropping quite a bit. Many of our regular children were getting older and stop ped coming. The question was: should we drop the class and go where we could get more children?
Two years ago we invited children, two streets up the hill, but got no results. We decided we would go in viting another time. So one evening, I went ringing doorbells and I had quite a few surprises waiting for me. At the first house I introduced myself as Mrs Fast from Memphis and mentioned that I was the moth er of their paper boy. They just open ed the door and invited me in as though I was a real good friend. Sev-
eral of the people told me how they enjoyed the new paper boy and ex pressed the confidence they had al ready gained. One lady who had been very distant on a previous contact was now willing to send her girls. They have come ever since. Another lady said “I need this for my children and think it is very important.” Even some fathers seemed quite im pressed. To my surprise the class was doubled the next week and is trippling now as more new contacts are made. Our living room is quite full, accommodating close to 30 children. As seen in this faithfully executed paper route, it is important to do lit tle insignificant jobs well. Even these can open greater doors for the Lord s work.
Happenings at Griswold Reserve Let us bring to your attention the “1972 Highlights” from the Reserve Fellowship Chapel at Griswold. First of all. greetings in the Name of our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, from the fellow-believ ers here. God bless you all, in this New Year. May we all keep fighting for the right in the strength that our risen Lord supplies. Brethren pray for us, the battle is on and we need your assistance. In April, a car-load of people left Grisworld to attend the closing Con ference and Graduation at the Mokahum Bible Institute at Cass Lake, Minnesota, USA. This school is an all Indian Bible School and is run by the Christian Missionary Alliance Church. We are encouraging our young folk to attend and study the Word of God in this Institute. We February 23,1973
have attended previous Conferences and are thankful to God for a place like this. One of the girls that went along in spring is now back there studying the Word, this winter. During the past year quite a bit of face-lifting has been done on the Chapel building. The wood frame steps were replaced with concrete
ones, including iron rails. Thanks to one of the native Christians who do nated the money for this project. Af ter changing around the doors, etc. a new coat of paint was applied both to the inside and outside. The grounds had been under cultivation and so lawn grass was sown. We’ve seen the grass come and it is growing favorably. Because of vandalism, heavy screens were put over the win dows. Last of all an indoor and out door carpet was laid in the entrance, babyroom, and one Sunday School class room. Together we’ve worked and given and the Lord has blessed. This all has added to the health and happiness of our worship times. Bible Camp is another highlight each year. Two long weekends were spent at the Tribes Forest Bible Camp in Kola. Families came bring ing their own food. This is later pooled and the ladies than plan and cook the meals. Through the day we have morning chapel, afternoon hikes, swimming, berry picking, etc. concluding, in the evening with a service. Once the children are tuck ed away to bed, the adults found themselves discussing the Bible around a cup of tea in the kitchen. Much was learned in these informal discussions. Some accepted the Lord during camp this summer and have continued walking with Him. Praise God! In late October, we enjoyed a week of meetings with Rev. Gladwin Plett from Portage la Prairie. Many homes were visited and we personal ly enjoyed the fellowship very much. We would welcome a visit from any one of you. In Christ, Frank and Mary Braun Griswold, Man.
EMC missionaries active in Nicaragua emergency Eight hundred forty Nicaraguan child iately after the December earthquake. ren were fed breakfasts of cereal and milk, Jan. 22. when the first child feeding center sponsored by the Evangelical Committee for helping Earthquake Victims (CEPAD) was opened. In its program of relief and reconstruction in Nicaragua, Mennonite Central Committee has been working close ly with CEPAD, a local interdenomina tional church organization formed immed
MCC is channeling $5,000 through CEPAD for emergency food supplies. CEPAD plans to set up 15-20 child feed ing stations to operate for a period of six months. Three to four hundred children under nine years of age as well as expect ant mothers and mothers with infants will be fed at each center. Some communities will need more than one center to handle Pages
needy quake victims. In order to encourage community action members of the community will help with food preparation. CEPAD is hiring a dietician to train local committees in preparing and serving the food. Community development is an integral part of CEPAD reconstruction aid. The child feeding program will serve as an initial contact with communities who might later benefit from other ministries such as health and child care. Paul Shirk. Leon Miller, and Dan King from the Conservative Mennonite Mission Board, are paired with Nicaraguans to serve as community promoters in districts of Managua where CEPAD is setting up child-feeding and public health pro grams. MCC plans to send two additional community promoters to Nicaragua in the next few months. In addition to the child feeding centers opened in Nicaragua, February 16, 1973 CEPAD has distributed government's supplies of beans, corn, rice, sugar, salt, coffee and canned meats to 12,000 earth quake victims. The organization was res ponsible for food distribution in San Judas, a community of 23.000 lower working class people. CEPAD concentrated on assisting people missed by Government distribution and those not getting adequate amounts of food. Galen Helmuth helped with food distribution in San Judas. Glen Bender and Henry Derkson worked at the food warehouse. CEPAD hopes to replace free food distribution with food-for-work programs by March 1. In La Paz, a town of 2.000 whose population grew by 600 following the quake, Lester Olfert, an Evangelical Mennonite missionary, is designing a pilot project which will include road repair and installation of potable water. The work projects will provide employment for men in the community for which they will receive food for their families. They will also have worked together to improve their community. Most of the food for the projects is sup plied by the Government of Nicaragua. For some time CEPAD was uncertain whether the 50-80 tons of non-fat powdered milk needed for the child feeding centers would be available, since the Government did riot have milk in stock. Arthur Driedger, former MCC Nicaragua director, explored the possibility of air lifting enough milk from Canada for the initial needs. Dr. Parajon, president of CEPAD also arranged a meeting with Mrs Samosa, wife of Nicaragua's president and president of the National Medical and Social Associa tion Program to discuss the feeding pro gram. Shortly before the meeting 85.000 pounds of milk were found in the Govern ment warehouse. Page 6
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Mission-Grams
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BRAZIL
The Indian leaders have been very good in dealing with sin as it comes up, but there are problems that are difficult for them to know what to do because of some promises they made way back. Pray for them that they will deal with those things as God would have them do. They have their church services every weekend and sometimes during the week. They have complete charge of the meetings which is a real blessing. When we're there they usually ask us to teach something. We are thinking of really pushing literacy these coming days, so pray for wisdom. There probably will be more women and children than men as they will be working with Brazil nuts. Most of the women here know very little or nothing and they need to learn too. — Miss Elizabeth Koop. Caixa 35. Guajara Mirim, Terr. Fed. de Rondonia. Brazil. ZAIRE We have moved in with paxman Glenn Troyer, and are making out just fine. There is nothing we need urgently. We ll have all we need till furlough time in the beginning of June. Helen has been helping along considerably in translation work. We've got to really keep our noses to the grindstone to attain the goals we've set. Please continue to pray that we ll first of all clearly understand the Word, and then put into good readable Chokwe. Besides translation work, I teach seven hours of English in our high school (actually grades 7-9) and have one French chapel service a week. Am very happy for this contact with the young people. Helen is busy trying to get our nurses thoroughly prepared to be able to car ry on the work alone when we leave. — Ben and Helen Eidse. Zaire TRINIDAD Greetings from sunny Trinidad. . . We cannot write much about the work so far because we have just barely seen the work ourselves. The work here is plen tiful and our prayer is that we might fit in here so that God's name might be glorified. — Joe Reimer. Box 777, Port of Spain. Trinidad
MEXICO (Wycliff Jungle Camp)
We praise the Lord for many miles of protection, for good health for the whole family. . . Our little mud, grass thatched hut is even welcome after a night in the bush in a jungle hammock. Pray for us that we might learn to give thanks in and for everything. . . We are excited about the great and precious promises of II Peter 1:3-5. — Ken Loewen
“At the meeting I suggested to Mrs expected shipment from Canada which Samosa that if she could help us get some will guarantee milk for the remaining of the 85,000 pounds of milk for the first weeks in the six-month program. •'Her action was tremendous,” Driedger eight weeks of the child feeding program the Canadian milk could then come said. “It was a pleasant highlight for through regular shipping channels and the last day of my Nicaraguan assignment." Roman Gingerich. Goshen, IN, is suc save air lift costs," reported Driedger. “She said, 'How much milk you need?' ceeding Driedger as MCC Nicaragua dir My response was ‘24,000 pounds.' To our ector. Three Mennonite Disaster Service surprise Mrs Samosa took her pen and builders, Frank Kroeker, Rosenort, Man,, a note pad and ordered 24,000 pounds of missionary on furlough from Paraguay, milk to be pulled out of the general food Stephen Schrock, Middlebury, IN, and supply and earmarked for our child-lunch Harold Delagrange, Fort Wayne, IN, are presently in Nicaragua for church and program!" Mrs Samosa also made a requisition home reconstruction. One more MDS for an additional 40 tons of milk from the builder will be enroute by February 17.
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Henry Unrau, Briercrest Bible Insti tute, Caronport, Sask, was one of the speakers at the recent SBI Missions conference.
Participating on the panel on “The Role of the Woman on the Mission Field” were left to right; Mrs Leona Reimer, Winnipeg; Mrs Joyce Friesen, Greece: and Miss Evelyn Sawatzky, candidate to Japan.
Spring Missionary Conference at the S.B.I.
that of the two the fruits are always first. “Gifts are important,” he said, “God gave gifts, but not to seek glory for self,” A three member panel of ladies answered questions on the role of the woman on the mission field. The three were, Mrs Leona Reimer, Mrs Joyce Friesen and Miss Evelyn Sa watzky. Among the questions were matters concerning Priorities, Pop ularity and Children. H.P. Dyck chaired the session. Illustrated reports were given on Greece, (Friesen), Israel and Ger many (Priscilla Reimer), Jordan (MCC), Paraguay (Kroeker) and Union Gospel Mission, Winnipeg.
The 1973 Spring missionary confer ence at the Steinbach Bible Institute was held February 6-8 with all ses sions at the school. Conference participants this year were: Henry Unrau, Briercrest Bible Inst.; Mr and Mrs John Friesen, Greece; Henry Klassen, Home; Ev elyn Sawatzky, candidate to Japan; Frank Kroeker, Paraguay: J,K, Reimer, EMC Board of Missions; Priscilia Reimer, Germany; Mennonite Central Committee; Ed Stoesz, EMMC; Ben Friesen, EMC; Gor
not a special blessing. It is a normal life”, said Mr Unrau. “But so few Christians are living the Christian life that it is almost abnormal.” Only one fifth of one per cent of the population of Greece could be called evangelical according to John Friesen, missionary on furlough from that country. Gospel activity is also very restricted. -In ■his message -Mr Friesen spoke on the topic of Fruits and Gifts (of the Spirit). The speaker emphasized
don Koop, Wycliffe and H.P. Dyck, SBI.
Seen at recent SBI Missionary Conference is D. K. Friesen, business manager at the Institute with Mark and Donna Friesen and Mr Roman Kohut. (Mrs Kohut is a
Mr Unrau, who had three mes- student at the school,) sages, spoke on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, “By Grace are ye filled” and “The Results of the Spirit Filled Life” were two of his topics. “There are no super-saints,” said the speaker, “Apart from the grace of God we are all a bunch of no-goods . . . The claim to supernatural gifts, maintained Mr Unrau sometimes di vides Christians into “haves and have nots". This is divisive and the Spirit of God is never divisive, he said. He further stated that we should be warned when someone always exalts the Holy Spirit. “To be a spirit-filled Christian is
February 23,1973
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Mews Prom the Churches NORTHERN FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL The ‘Key '73' Kick Off sponsored by the Flin Flon ministerial was held on January 7th at the community hall. An estimated 100 people attended the service. The speaker was the Rev. E. Bartrum from Brandon. Rev. Bartrum is the chairman of Key ’73 for southwestern Manitoba. Our task he said was to call our continent to Christ and this task could be accomplished if we became more committed to Christ, by much prayer and by turning away from known sin. January 19 - 21 we had a series of ser vices on “The Home" with Rev. James Nikkei from The Pas as our guest speaker. On Friday night he spoke on “The Dynamics of the Home." Our home he stated should be built on four pillars, namely entrance, permanence, comfort and management. As we ask Christ into our lives so should we also ask Christ into our homes. We should ask Him into our homes permanently. Then, we should see to it that Christ is comfort able with us in the things that we do, say and have. Then most important of all, we should offer Christ the management of our home. On Saturday Rev. Nikkei spoke on “Lei sure Time in the Home" and on Sunday he spoke on “The Duties of the Father. Mother and Children in the Home ’ The father Rev. Nikkei said, has a leading role because he is directly responsible to God. The wife is responsible to God through her husband. The wife supports her husband and helps him in his respon sibilities towards God. The father isn't the boss, neither is the mother, the Lord is the boss. So, the husband and wife seek the Lord together and only in this way can the Christian home be a success. The role of the children is to obey the
parents. If a child disobeys his parents he displeases the Lord. The parents must take time out to talk with the children and do things with them. Following the series of meetings, we had a week of prayer. The week of prayer was termed a spiritual success. The attendance at the meetings also was fairly good. About twenty kids turned out for Jun ior Young Peoples' on February 1st when John Newransky gave a report on the Beaver Lake Bible Camp. We are very pleased to hear that Ernie Dion is back at work after his back surgery. His wife, Valerie is pres ently taking a stenographers course at the Keewatin College in the Pas. Mr and Mrs Cornie Loewen and daughter Mildred from Riverton were up to see their new grandson and nephew during the second week in January. The C.F. Duecks and daughter Jeannette from Kamsack. Saskatchewan were up at the end of January to see their new grand daughter and neice. We, Stan and Delores Plett would like to thank all those people who have been praying for our little baby. We praise God for the miracle that he per formed in Heidi. She is well and gaining weight steadily though it will possibly be another month and a half before we will be able to take her home with us. For the Sunday Morning Service on February 11th we had two specials. The girls from the Senior Young Peoples' sang several songs and Rev. Arnold Fast from Steinbach was our guest speaker. Rev. Fast also served us with a message at the Communion Service in the evening.
at the morning service on January 21'. Rev. Henry P. Dyck served with a stirring On December 26, Brian Loewen, son of message. P.A. Loewens of Meade. Kansas, gave his Syd Reimer gave a pictorial report on testimony and a brief insight of the work the disaster at Rapid City last summer. he is doing among drug addicts and del- Mrs Reimer and their two daughters inquints at a place called The Vineyard in served with two lovely numbers in song. Pennsylvania, USA. He also had two I In February: Arthur Driedger, an MCC numbers in song accompanied by his representative showed slides and reported guitar. of the Nicaragua disaster where he spent A group from Beausejour presented some time helping out with food disa musical program at the January 14 tribution, organizing, etc. Young Peoples meeting. Miss Anne Col~ • A grocery and linen shower was held lins, missionary in Africa gave an illus- for Mrs Fred Friesen at our February 6 trated report. Ladies Fellowship. Doris gave us a vivid of that fateful night of the earthWe enjoyed the good singing of a mixed account oi group from the Steinbach Bible Institute quake. Fred, who is still out there, will ROSENORT
Page 8
be returning in March. Another special guest was Miss Margaret Unger from Winkler, who shared some precious thoughts on trusting and relying completely in the Lord. We all have so much to learn in this area. She looks after two retarded girls and one mental patient, and also takes care of her aged and ailing father. Rev. Frank P. Kroeker left on Sunday to spend about two months in Nicaragua helping out as the needs will be. Mr Kroek er and his son, Garry, have both taken a course in “Ham " radio operating and have been communicating quite clearly with each other since Mr Kroeker went to Nic aragua. The Kroekers have an operating set in their home. The musical Goertzens presented a very good program at the February 11 Young Peoples meeting. Mr George B. Kornelsen, one of our older members, left by plane for British Honduras to visit friends and relatives there.
TREESBANK “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto they name, 0 most High. " Psalm 92:1. Again the Lord has allowed us to enter into a New Year, and He alone knows what this year has in store for us. Since our last report, five young souls have been baptized and received as members into the church. Johnny. son of Levi K. Reimers: Willie, son of Levi Pletts: Rodney, son of Frank Thiessens: Sharon, daughter of Ed Wiebes: and Ruth daughter of Peter D. Friesens. We thank and praise the Lord that there are always some new “soldiers of the cross. " Rev. Fred Klassen and Rev. Art Neufeld have recently been our guest speakers, and Rev. Neufeld also served at our Communion Service. Julia Friesen has taken up employ ment at a Senior Citizen's Home ta Brandon. Helene Thiessen has graduated as Licensed Practical Nurse and plans to take up a job in one of the neighbouring hospRals. f' Mr and' Mrs Levi Reimer and family ^vere gone three weeks enjoying the balmyj weather of Florida. They just missed the cold spell we had in the beginning of January. Myrna Dueck left this week to join the staff at “Youth for Christ”, at Vancouver, b.C. She plans to do secretary work, also counsel delinquent youth. r Rev. Ben Hoeppner :from the Steinbach Bible Institute, was with us one weekend
THE MESSENGER
1
giving us four sessions of sound instruc tion in Sunday School work. On Sunday morning he taught the Sunday School lesson, also taught in the workshop service. The Sunshine Sewing Sisters had a fellowship supper where some of our neighbours were present. Rev. and Mrs Harvey Plett, from Steinbach were pres ent too. It was a very worthwhile evening with Mr Plett sharing his different exper iences with us. A question and answer per iod followed which was well made use of.
BURNS LAKE The holidays are over, and all the young people have returned to Bible School so the church again has a gap in it. With all of our students at home the church seemed to be much more alive, we’re still alive, but not quite so vibrant. The week of January 28 to February 4 was Pioneer Girl's week. On Sunday, Feb ruary 4 the Pioneer Girls of our church took over part of the evening service. Mrs Nellie Knelsen, chairwoman of the Pion eer Girls committee, introduced the work. This was followed by a candlelight ceremony where the girls, and guides told of what Pioneer Girls meant to them individually. The girls also sang two songs “How Great Thou Art and their theme song. Our ■“ John Knelsen dedicated deacon, Mr the girls and the work to the Lord in prayer. After the service the congregation was invited to join the girls in the basement of the church for a time of fellowship. The girls had prepared refreshments and these were greatly enjoyed by all. Prayer and Praise Items Doreen Wiebe, three year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Peter G. Wiebe was badly burned when her pyjamas caught fire three weeks ago. She is now in Prince George Hospital undergoing skin grafting. Doctors say she will be allowed to come home within a week. We praise the Lord for her speedy recovery. Ben Klassen and Betty Currie have announced their engagement. An April wedding is planned. Pray for them as they plan a future together. We still need a pastor. Pray with us that the Lord’s will be done in this matter, FISHER BRANCH
On December 29, young and old gathered in the lower auditorium of our church for family night. We trust that the supper as well as ,the program, presented by the young people and male choir, will have been a blessing to all who were present. January 16 was a red letter day for Elvin Reimers when their five year old son Lionel went in for open heart surgery. The Lord
February 23,1973
The Prophetic Bible and Missionary conference sponsored by the American As sociation for Jewish Evangelism came to a close on Sunday night February 18. Seen on left in photo is one of the main speakers Dr. Herman Hoyt of Grace Theo logical seminary, Winona Lake with Rev. Henry Schroeder (EMMC Steinbach) chair man of the meetings and Rev. Harry Flumbaum from Winnipeg. The latter is direc-
^or of t|.^g Canadian branch of this Association. Sessions were held in the SBI gym.
has marvelously undertaken and Lionel busy month with our annual elections and ■ ■home now and.... is we believe, on the road to reorganizing. Let’s all be faithful to carry out our responsibilities for we recovery. Mrs Esther Fast was hostess at a shower are doing it to promote the work of God. January also meant back to school. inhonorof little Karen Ruth on February 1st. We Leaving for Bible School again was Phyl’ have been challenged „ and encouraged „ by some visiting groups these last days. First lis Penner to Nipawin, Sask., Katherine the Mennville choir; next an SBI team, headei Penner to Waukesha, Wisconsin, and by Rev. Harvey Plett. On February 4, Tina Grace Friesen to Port Moody, B.C. Barkman shared some Paraguay experiences January 25 was the day of departure with us. Rev. Ed Plett of Landmark and for Edna Penner. She left for Paraguay the Fred Klassens of Blumenort also have to work in the La Esperanza clinic on a. recently served us. A hearty thank you to two-year term. She will be working toone and all. gether with Verna Doerksen. Let us re Going out for the ministerial at Ridge- member to pray for her as she will have wood on February 3, were Rev. Menno to adjust to a different culture and cliKroeker and Mr Isaac Reimer. mate. A number of brethern gathered at church, A “Homebuilders Club” was started one Saturday in January, for some interior this winter. A different committee of repair and finish work. This has been ap- several couples is in charge of each pro predated by all. gram. On January 5, we had a delicious Get well wishes go out to Donnie Kroeker supper followed by a crokinole tournawho has been sick for over a week now. ment. Later Rev. Henry Kornelsen had a short talk. The Young Peoples started the year with a social night. A film was shown RIDGEWOOD called “Troubled Waters.” There were “Brethren, I count not myself to have also special numbers in song, etc. and comprehended; but this one thing I do, popcorn and hot chocolate for our appe forgetting those things which are be- tites. On January 15, the Lord took from our hind, and reaching forth unto those midst a sister Mrs Peter F. Janzen. things which are before. I press toward She had been sick and hospitalized many the mark for the prize of the high calling times and is now released of pain. Our of God in Christ Jesus.” sympathies go out to the family. May this also be our aim as we’ve started out on this new year. January has been a Page 9
SWIFT CURRENT
The weather for January has been very unusual, with the snow all gone, and the temperatures in the forties. The flue bug has been busy making it's rounds. The ladies aid Annual Meeting was held on January 2. The new enrollment is now 36. We give the praise to Jesus. The kitchen in our church has been fixed up now with new cupboards and a fridge installed. The new pews, which arrived just before Christmas, give the finishing touch to our new church. Our New 'Year's Eve "Watch Night " service turned out to be an inspiring night with sharing and some remarks by Rev. Milton Fast. A lunch of New Years cookies and sweets were also enjoyed. The organization meeting of our church was held on January 8, with new officers taking on different jobs. On Wednesday, January 3, we were Ministering at the Steinbach EM Church on February 18 was the Taetz-Ford team pleased ;o ha.e Re.^ Jake Hoeppner, ef fho Woctorn Tract I rfiz»r Mission, IVIicpi/An ~ the Western from Saska er (left) and Truitt Ford, soloist. toon, present the work of the tract mis sion via report and slides. going on in Nicaragua now after the ported on the work at Calgary and shared from God's Word. He spoke The choir has also commenced it’s earthquake. Rev. Don Hoover, from the Japan earnestly saying we should die to self important ministry, with Abe Leiding Evangelical Mission, was with us on deal with sin and do away with all known as leader, after Christmas. On January 13, the Eugene Martens the morning of the 21st. He had been a sin in our lives. That is the only way to family had a sad experience. Rev. Martens pastor in the States for eight years, real happiness he concluded. BIRTHS was on his way home from the ranch to but the Lord called Him to Three Hills, the city, when a truck, due to icy highway, Alberta where he is serving as deputaTo Mr and Mrs Paul Friesen. Ridge hit his car, and killed him instantly. We tion secretary in the home office. know he will be missed by many, but praise The Christian Endeavor Committee wood, a son, Cameron, on October 10. To Mr and Mrs Ben Thiessen. Ridge the Lord. Rev. Martens was a dedicated made up a program for the evening man. He lived his life for Jesus whom he of the 21st which was enjoyed by all. wood, a daughter, Frances Rae, on No loved. Rev. Milton Fast chose to speak to us vember 20. To Mr and Mrs Melvin Penner, Ridge We had a full day, but a very inspir- from Jeremiah 6:16. He asked us "What ing day on January 14. Our assistant is your choice?" He encouraged us to wood, a son, Marcel John on November pastor. Rev, Abe Leiding, started his become involved to a total commit 28. message by asking the question, "How ment to Christ, to ask God for His choices To Mr and Mrs Jake Plett, Ridgewood, a son, Jason Earl on November 30, big is your God. " He continued by say- to become ours. ing that the name "Saul" means "big Our church was responsible for a proTo Mr and Mrs Donald Thiessen, one" (big in his own eyes). "Paul" gram at the Herbert Senior Citizen Home Ridgewood, a daughter, Yvonne Marie, means ""small one. " When we become on January 23 and on the 26th at the on December 4. To Mr and Mrs Milston Reimer, Ridge ""small " in our own eyes, God becomes Swift Current Palacer Hospital. ""big. " It is then, that He can do the Rev, Milton Fast had morning medita- wood, a son. Marcelin Dollair. work He wants to do through us. May tions over CKSW radio January 22-27 and To Mr and Mrs Elden Penner, Ridge we be faithful, and let God work. on the 28th our morning worship service wood, a daughter, Rachelle Annette. To Mr and Mrs Abe Friesen. Creigh For the evening service we were was broadcasted. pleased to have Rev. Henry Kornelsen A surprise birthday party was held for ton, a son, Kenten Lyle, on January 5. To Mr and Mrs Danny Reimer, Fisher (moderator of the Conference) and the Mr Pete Penner, on the 28th of January, quartette. The Living Letters, from The whole family camehome. We wish Branch, a chosen daughter. Karen Ruth, on January 7. Ridgewood, Manitoba, in our midst, you God"s richest blessingsand many To Mr and Mrs Stan Plett, Creighton, songs more years. The quartette sang thirteen On February 4, Rev. Dave Froese was a daughter, Heidi Monica, on January and shared what the Lord has done for with us, challenging us not to worry. 15. them. To Mr and Mrs Stan Klassen, Creigh Rev. Kornelsen spoke about the res- but to commit all to the One who cares ton, a daughter, Karen Cheryl Anne, on ponsibility of a Christian which is a great even for the sparrows. privilege. He challenged us to be faithful On Monday, February 5, the ladies January 25. To Mr and Mrs Quintin Dueck, Swift to our Maker, to demonstrate the life of had their monthly meeting and at Christ, May the Lord continue to work this time Christmas rolls for MCC were Current, a daughter, Dannette Lynn on February 5. through us. made. To Mr and Mrs John Carlson, Swife At nine o"clock of the same evening. We were pleased to have Rev. and Mr Corny Olfert played a tape from the Mrs Dave Dueck with us on Sunday, Current, a son, Olaf Steven Paul on Lester Olferts. They related what is the 11th of February. Rev. Dueck re- February 5. THE MESSENGER Page 10
A rii IIII il Second Festival of the Holy Spirit A second Festival of the Holy Spirit has been scheduled for Goshen College campus and is to be held May 11-13 this year. The theme this year will be, “Led by the Spirit. " One topic area will likely be the dom inion of the Spirit. A second topic is dis cernment of the spirit of the times. Other discussions are to center in (1) the Spirit leading believers in ethical decision making (2) the Spirit leading congregations in discerning gifts (3) the leading of the Spirit for ones life-style, and (4) the power of the Spirit in personal witness. New E.M.B. Congregation Dedication services for the Evangelical Bible Church (EMB) new sanctuary Omaha Nebraska are to be held February 25, 1973. This church which began some 12 years ago and was known as the Florence Bible church, has since then already given birth to a second congregation in the city known as the Community Bible Church.
SD; Corning and Elmira, NY; Wilkes Barre and Harrisburg, PA. This was the year of the floods resulting in great loss of life and property at all of these major sites of disasters. The shovel and the bucket competed with the hammer and saw as symbols of ministry. Budget Up The 1973 budget of the Conference of Mennonites to Canada (GO calls for a 9 percent increase over what was received last year bringing the amount to $391 according to reports released by that church body. Further decisions by the Council of Boards at their regular meeting in Jan uary in Winnipeg were to send a wire to Prime Minister Trudeau and External Affairs Minister Sharp expressing the council's sentiments concerning the truce in Vietnam; look at expansion plans for the Canadian Mennonite Bible College; extend Mennonite Pioneer Mission's min istry to the Hollow Water Indian Reserve. They also gave their approval to the ini tiation of a multiphased “Christian wholistic approach to education" study con ference which will be held this summer.
E. Stanley Jones Dead E. Stanley Jones, well known Methodist missionary in India is dead at the age of Many Radio Listeners: Soviet Union 89. Among other things Jones was noted In Christianity Today we read that. for his establishment of Christian Ash rams (religious retreats) in India. He “Communist-sphere response to evan gelical radio programming in the last few is the author of Christ of the Indian Road. years has been phenominal.” The article goes on to say that, “In the Soviet Union One Vietnam Missionary Death Confirmed The Christian and Missionary Alliance the number of short-wave receiving sets has through the Indo-China war years is thought to be more than 30 million. suffered the loss of a number of their work Some estimates place the number of Rus ers. Some have given their lives others sians won to Christ through gospel broad have disappeared. The U.S. Department casting at one million, twice the number of State has now confirmed the death of of evangelicals acknowledged by Russian one of those missing, Betty Olson, who is authorities.” said to have died in September 1968. 2,600 Profess Faith in Christ There was however so far no word on the Three Indonesian Bible School students fate of Rev. Archie Mitchell, Dr. Ardel Viette or MCC Pax worker Dan Gerber, each with only a years training evangel ized thirty eight villages in a Christian captured in 1962. and Missionary Alliance field and in thirty-six of these, 2,600 people put their faith in Christ. Among the notable conver MDS Officers Relive Experiences at sions were a shaman (spirit man), an 80 Annual Meeting year old Muslim and a man who had been More than 150 regional and unit officers jailed three times for murder. The three from 20 states and five provinces gathered students were on a five month school as at the First Mennonite Church, Morton, signment of evangelizing and discipIL. on February 9 and 10 for the Annual ling. All-Unit Meeting of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). Manitoba’s 1st marriage Commissioner These officers with their wives and Appointed other interested persons came to share and The appointment of Manitoba's first to hear reports from locations whose marriage commissioner has been annames Ihave already • ■ •become parU of- MDS, ' pounced by Health and Social Develophistory - - Buffalo Creek, WY; .R^pid; City, - ment^Minister Rene E. Toupin? February 23,1973 *'“ *
Will-111 Appointed is Alan H. Neelson, of Win nipeg, who is in charge of a half-way house for rehabilitation of ex-convicts at 739 McMillan Avenue. Mr Toupin said that under the Marriage Act the only persons permitted to per form marriages in the province are lic ensed clergymen who represent religious denominations; judges of the county court, or marriage commissioners. He said the act describes a marriage commissioner as any person more than 18 years of age who is approved and appointed by the government. “The category of marriage commission er has been designated to accommodate persons who have no particular re ligious affiliations, but the office in no way encroaches on the duties of estab lished and licensed clergymen,” the min ister said. Evangelizing in Paraguay Evangelization Concentrada, Spanish for Concentration Evangelism, is the next step following Evangelism in Depth in Paraguay. This is the decision the M.B. Conference (Spanish) in Paraguay made December 28, 1972. The three-year plan calls for evangelism concentration be tween Asuncion and Ita. This area will be thoroughly studied before the brethren Albert Enns and Hans Pankratz present them to the Board meeting in Hillsboro, February 19 - 22. REACHING INTO KINSHASA Rural Mennonites in the Republic of Zaire have been moving to the urban centers. Kinshasa Mennonite residents have been meeting in small groups and recently in the Salvation Army center. Sixteen Mennonite students are enrolled at the theological school (ETEK) in Kinshasa. Professors Peter Falk and Richard Steiner of AIMM teach at ETEK. Kinshasa Mennonites felt a real desire to get together. Recently General Secretary Kabangy Djeke Shapasa, Counselor Waldo Haraer, and new arrival, James Bertsche, eval uated the opportunity for gathering the Kinshasa Mennonites into a community for fellowship and outreach. Since they had already been meeting for several months, and initiative had been taken to obtain grounds for a church center, it was agreed to build a modest chapel for a beginning. Problem of funding confronted them. General Secretary Kabangy has appealed for financial assistance for the venture. Local people will assume the major re sponsibility. AIMM has allowed a modest grant of $3,000 toward the cause. Page 11
PAUL ABRAM GIESBRECHT 1954 -1972
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Rev. 14:13. It pleased our Heavenly Father to call our beloved son and brother Paul Abram home on December 28, 1972 at 12:30 p.m. through a tragic car accident. The accident occurred, when Paul together with two of his cousins were travelling south on number 2 highway, they were on their way to Crows Nest Pass Bible Camp, when they collided with a northbound vehicle, which was out of control. Paul was born on November 25, 1954 in Winnipeg. He was 18 years, one month and three days old at the time of the accident. Being a member of a missionary family, his brief life was spent in many different places. When he was two and a half years old his family moved to Weekes, Sask., where they lived until Paul was through grade 2. Then a move was made to Pelly, Sask., where Paul took his grades 3 to 7. From Pelly he moved to Steinbach, together with his family, where he completed grades 8 and 9. Although he suffered much from a ruptured appendix at the beginning of his ninth grade, he always referred to it as a highlight in his high school years. He liked the Steinbach Col legiate. Since his family had moved to Austin, Man., before he started his grade 10, he took his grades 10 and 11 at the Austin Collegiate. He was also active in the Youth for Christ program here. Moving from Austin to Calgary with his family in the summer of 1971, he completed his high school in the Forest Lawn Collegiate. He always showed interest and took active part in whatever Christian service his parents were involved in. He served as Camp Councillor for three summers at the Steep Rock Bay Bible Camp, and taught the Junior Sunday School class in Calgary. Paul was saved at the age of five and was baptized by his father on October 12,1972. Paul was not ashamed of his precious Saviour, his desire was to live in obedience to the word of God and to be led by the Holy Spirit. His aim was to witness to those of his own age. After graduation much of his time was spent back at the high school talking to the students about his Saviour. He fellowshipped with a group of teenage Christians, some of whom also came to the school. This group also went to an out-lying town to witness on the streets. The Lord blessed his witness and made him instrumental in winning many young people to his Saviour. He was also a real blessing in the home. Many wonderful hours of discussion were held between Page 12
THE MESSENGER
II SEMESTER STUDENT CLASSIFICATION AT THE S.B.I.
126 77 49 19 71 6 49
Church Affiliation Evangelical Mennonite.............. Evangelical Mennonite Mission. Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Mennonite Brethren.................. General Conference.................... Eglise du Christ au Congo......... Rhenish Church of Hong Kong.. Methodist Church, Hong Kong.. Baptist ....................................... Chortitzer Mennonite.. ’........... Sommerfelder Mennonite......... Word of Life Mission.................. Old Mennonite............................ Bergthaler .................................. None ...........................................
68 7 3 1 4 1 1 1 1 6 3 1 3 1 20
High School Department Bible School Department
52 74
Level Level I. Level U
IP 55
Majors Pastors .................. Missions ................ General Bible......... Sacred Music......... Christian Education
5 4 57 6 2
Classification - Class First Year.............. Second Year........... Grad" XII.............. Grade XI................ Grade X..................
47 27 19 14 19
him and his parents. He was always free and open to share his life and to point out where his parents were not living up to their teaching. His parents always loved him for this even though it was not always easy. They will however miss this kind exhortation. After completing his grade twelve in the summer of 1972 he worked at various jobs, till he found a more permanent job in the beginning of October of 1972, at the Holy Cross Hospital. The people for whom he worked testified to the fact that he was a cheerful, quiet and willing worker. The Principal from the Forest Lawn high school said that Paul had been much ap preciated as a student, and that he left a good impression on many of the students. Paul did not fear death, and talked about it quite frequently only about two weeks before the accident he discussed the type of burial he would like to have when he
Total Enrollment Female.............. Male .................. Average Age....... Dormitory........... Campus................ Off Campus.......
Geography Ontario ............ Manitoba........... Saskatchewan .. Alberta ............ British Columbia Foreign............
6 96 10 3
died. We have the full assurance that he is resting with Jesus and are longing for the time when we shall see him again in Glory. He leaves to mourn: his parents Abe and Loretta Giesbrecht, one brother Rawland, age 16: one sister Cheryl, age 13; three foster brothers Vernon, Scott and Chad; his paternal grandparents Mr and Mrs Isaac Giesbrecht of Austin, Manitoba: his mater nal grandparents Mr and Mrs Wilfred Jor don of Outlook, Sask.; and many uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. We greatly appreciate the love that is being shown to us during our bereave ment through prayers, cards, flowers, gifts, visits and help in general. Thank you for everything, and may the Lord be your reward is our prayer. Ever Remembered by his family
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