The Messenger October 24, 1980 by The Messenger

The Messenger EVANGELICAL EVANGELICAL MENNONITE MENNONITE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE

VOL. 22 V^OCT VOL. 18 18 NO. NO. 22 OCT 24/80 24/80

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• The Urgency of the Task • Church Profile: Calgary

The Urgency of the Task

Abe C. Van Der Puy.

by Abe Van Der Puy

here is an imaginary story about a group of demons who were called together to devise new strategies to deceive mankind. One demon suggested, “Let’s tell them there is no God.” The other demons shook their heads. That wasn’t good enough. Another said, “I know how to deceive men. Tell them that there is no heaven and hell. There is nothing to gain and nothing to lose.” That idea met with equal disapproval. After further discussion a demon said, “I know what we should do. Let’s tell them there is a God, a heaven and a hell. But we’ll also tell them that there’s no need to worry, because there is plenty of time.” This time there was a unanimous vote. And the strategy seems to work. Believers are also often led astray by thinking that there is plenty of time. They hurry to care for things that aren’t really important, and they neglect matters that are fundamental and vital. Their attitude might be illustrated by the announcement a pilot made to his passengers in an airplaine: “We’re lost, but we’re making good time.” Ephesians 5:16 says, “Making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (NASB). Believers need to recognize the urgency of the task of world evangelism. The time is now. The Bible states some very important reasons for urgency. First, a ripe harvest is waiting. The PAGE 2

Lord Jesus talked one day with an in dividual, a woman of Samaria. He was so interested in her need that He forgot about food. When His disciples returned. He said, “They (the fields) are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). On another occasion. His rest was in terrupted by the need of a multitude of people. In Matthew 9:37, the Lord declared, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.” Both statements were made as the Lord talked with people who were in need. The illustration is clear. A ripe harvest will be lost unless it is gathered in. People would laugh at a farmer who prepared the soil, sowed the seed, watered the plants, pulled the weeds and then, when the crop was ready for harvest, went away for a vacation. Surely the harvest will be lost if the urgency of the task isn’t realized. There are many places in the world where the harvest is ready. Think of sec tions of the Far East, large areas of South America and parts of Africa where there is openness and a desire for the gospel. For many years the Indians of the high Andes were closed to the gospel. They would not receive the messengers who came with the truth of God. Today the field is open, and a great harvest is being gathered in, not only by dozens and by hundreds, but by thousands. “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are

few.” “The fields are white already to harvest.” A paraphrase of this statement is, “Vast fields of human souls are ripen ing all around us and are ready now for reaping.” The time is now. Second, there is an urgency about the task because life and death are at stake. The Lord gives importance to this idea when He says, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). The per son who needs the gospel today may not live until tomorrow. For a number of years in Ecuador we lived next door to some brickmakers. We often watched them carry on in their religious feasts. We heard the band and the firecrackers. We saw people get dead drunk.

One day I saw them preparing again for a feast. I said to my wife, “I must go talk with them about the gospel.” I did. That night they had their celebration. The musicians played loudly. The drinking continued most of the night. Then a fight began. Someone hit our neighbor over the head with a liquor bottle. He fell backward, landed on a rock and received a fractured skull. He died almost im mediately. I took the body to the morgue. When I returned home, I said to my wife, “If I had only known he would die last night, I might have been more urgent in presen ting the gospel to him.” THE MESSENGER

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Another time I went with HCJB’s gospel sound truck to a town called Pelileo. We presented the gospel of Jesus Christ. Later my family and I went on furlough. While we were away, there was a bad earthquake in Ecuador. In that earthquake almost all of the town of Pelileo was swallowed up. Seven thou sand people perished. When I heard about that, I said, “I believe there would have been much more urgency in my presentation if I had known that those people would never again have opportunity to hear the gospel.” There are many towns without Christ. There are many tribes without Bibles. For many people, it will be too little and too late. Life and death are at stake. Third, there is urgency about the task because the Lord Jesus has given the ex ample. He said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day” (John 9:4). There are other examples in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul said that he “ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:31). How busy he was! We’ve often heard the prayer, “0 God, keep me from the barrenness of a busy life.” I’d like to change that to, “0 God, keep me from the barrenness of a life that is busy with things that do not count.” Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. There was urgency in their service because they knew that important matters of eternity were at stake. They have given us an ex ample, and we should follow. Fourth, there is an urgency about the task of world evangelization because believers’ own lives are very short. James 4:14 says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” A person has only one life. That life is not only short, it is uncertain. On our Ecuador field in the last few years several young people have been called from mis sionary service into the presence of the Lord Jesus. A young lady, 27 years of age, was killed by an automobile. A young man died with cancer at the age of 27. Another cancer victim died at 37. A 41-

never before; the darkness is deepening. God has given believers the responsibility of keeping the lights along the shore. Our life, witness and service are needed more now than ever before. The Word of God Many believers complain about how teaches that, in the midst of a bad the world is. The Word of God teaches that, in the midst of a degenerate degenerate society, God’s people society, God’s people should be urgent should be urgent about their about their service, presenting the gospel service, presenting the gospel of of Jesus Christ. Someone has said that the great thing Jesus Christ. about the believers in the early church was that they didn’t complain about what the world was coming to, but they rejoic ed constantly in the One who had come to the world. They spread that story to all the world. Believers need to give their time, their gifts, their resources, their in year-old missionary died of a heart at tercession, themselves to the Lord. They tack. cannot afford to be casual; they must be Whatever one does must be done now. concerned. As God speaks to believers about in One of the five young men who died in tercession for world evangelism, about Ecuador trying to reach the Auca Indians giving to missions, about responding to in 1956 declared, “Lord, I’d rather die now His call and going personally with the than live a life of ease in so sick a world.” gospel, it is well to remember that Another of these young men wrote, “0 tomorrow may be too late. God, keep me from asbestos Christianity; A fifth reason for urgency is that the make me ignitable.” Lord is coming again. He said, “Watch Nate Saint, the missionary pilot who therefore: for ye know not what hour was killed by the Aucas in 1956, wrote a your Lord doth come” (Matt. 24:42). few days before going to them, “If God Believers will look forward to His return would grant us the vision, the word with gladness if they are busy in His ‘sacrifice’ would disappear from our lips work. The coming of the Lord calls and thoughts. We would hate the things Christians to purity, to unworldliness and that now seem so dear to us. We would to urgency. despise time-robbing distractions and If you knew without any doubt that charge the enemy with all of our energies Jesus would come during the next month, in the name of Christ.” would it make a difference in the way you The task is urgent. As one considers live? Would it change your investment of that, he should ask, “What does God want money and time? If we would be in me to do? What does He want me to be? earnest about the business of Jesus What gift should I give? What is the call Christ, the announcement of His coming to intercession? Am I called to go to the wouldn’t require a change in our ends of the earth with the message of priorities. When He comes we would be Jesus Christ?” Believers need a sense of urgency. It’s a occupied in His tasks. The Bible says, “In such an hour as ye think not, the Son of small world, but a big task. The only time Man cometh.” they have is now. Vast fields of human Sixth, there is urgency about our task souls are ripening all around them and “because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). are ready for reaping. God calls them. I That statement of scripture is true today. trust that they will answer, “Yes, Lord, Wickedness is engulfing the world as here am I, ready for service.” ■

THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to wha. is going on in the Conference: instruct in Godliness and victorious living: inspire to earnestly contend lor the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg. Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and poetry are welcomed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $2.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0.

THE MESSENGER is published every other week by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Stein bach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mail ed to the above address.

OCTOBER 24, 1980

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The Calgary church meets Sunday morning in the Forest Lawn High School.

Church Profile: Calgary

City Catches His Imagination

Dave and Merna Thiessen and their children, Donita, Randall, and Gareth.

by Dave Schellenberg The city of Calgary, Alberta has a popula tion of some 560,000 and according to one source expects to reach 1 million by the year 2000 A.D. Observing the building boom, one could well believe that. Not only are they building outwards on the periphery but also upward, skyward. “New Shadow to Fall Over Calgary Tower” read the Calgary Herald on September 11, 1980. By 1984 the Calgary Tower will have another challenger, said the paper “to its topof-the-town status,” in the form of a 51 storey skyscraper to become headquarters for Petro-Canada, In the making also is a Light Rail Transit System (LRT) which will funnel in people from the city's edge to downtown. The southwest leg of LRT is scheduled to open next May. I had come to Calgary to observe what the EMC church was doing and on my first day there Pastor Dave Thiessen decided I should first see a part of the city. After observing building activities in the downtown area I could well understand the quip that the crane is Calgary’s national “bird”! There were some seven within about

Attendance at meetings was small. A breakthrough came when they showed the two blocks working on new projects. film “Thief in the Night” and 70 people came According to a report in the Calgary out. Two came for salvation. A home Bible Herald while I was there, Albertans also had study developed out of this and a good the highest average income of all Canadians number of these people came to the services in 1979. regularly. “Some people hate the city,” observed Sunday school and worship services were Pastor Thiessen, “but I’m intrigued by it — held on Sundays. During the week there were catches my imagination.” After spending home Bible study groups as well as young three days there and visiting numerous people’s meetings. Services were also conhomes, I could vouch for this. ducted at a nursing home and later a senior The first EMC effort in Calgary was made citizens lodge. in 1971 with the coming of the Abe On September 19, 1974 the work was Giesbrechts, formerly of Pelly, Sask. Later organized as the Forest Lawn Evangelical they served the Valley Stream church in Mennonite Church with 12 chartered Manitoba as self-supported workers. members. Dave Dueck was officially installIn 1972 the Dave Duecks, EMC Board of ed as pastor. Missions workers, were sent to Calgary, Four baptismal services were held during working with the Giesbrechts until 1973. At the Dueck’s tenure with a total of 18 bapthis time the Giesbrechts began a work with tized. Sixteen were accepted by transfer for a another church and the Duecks continued, total of 34. Attendance was around 60-70 moving from the Pembrook Meadows before they left. School to the Ukrainian Hall with their The Duecks left Calgary in April 1979 meetings. and Mr. Cecil Nelson was asked to take over Of this time Bro. Dueck writes, “Our aim the pastorate. The Nelsons had come to was to work more with families to build the Calgary in 1977 and the brother was orchurch.” This meant trying to get into the dained into the ministry of the church in homes for Bible study. 1978 as assistant pastor.

An adult Sunday school class in Calgary, Dennis Plett teaching.

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Mothers' and babies' class at the Calgary church, Lynn Dueck teaching. THE MESSENGER

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A new housing site in Calgary. The pastor is seen chatting with a workman on the

Since a number of couples from Manitoba had started fellowshipping here recently I sometimes posed a question concerning the Terry Smith. newcomers. I liked his answer. “We like them,” he said. “We try and make them feel at home.” Although the church now has fairly adeIn the fall of 1979 (Sept. 1) the Dave Thiessen family moved to Calgary to take up quate and comfortable facilities in the Forest the work. Brother Thiessen had formerly Lawn High School, Jack felt that a building pastored the Aberdeen EMC Church in Win- of their own would help to settle them down, nipeg and now came from a period of studies As he said, “Since 1975 we have moved three times.” at Regent College in Vancouver. Pastor Thiessen is not one for much Looking at Calgary, Bro. Thiessen feels that the EMC is “here at the right time.” protocol I found out as I visited Clare and There is a big need to minister to the Lynn Dueck. “Everbody calls him Dave!” I brugeoning population, many of whom are was informed at this home. The Duecks are fortunate to own their uprooted. “They come all the way from Nova Scotia!" own home. An average house may run from I had the privilege of being invited into the $80,(X) to S90.(X)0. Clare works in the oil homes of a number of the congregation and fields and is away from home quite a bit. Lynn spoke well of their Ladies’ Aid thus was able to get additional insights into the Calgary EMC. Jack and Elaine Ram- group. “We’ve had a lot of baby showers and welcomes.” Her remark also partly jeeawan’s was one such home. Jack had first been attracted to the church suggested people who had been moving in of by the quality of the fellowship. “This is late. Helen Friesen remembered the first time what brought us to that church,” he stated. He also appreciates The Messenger. I liked they had been at morning worship service. his remark about the paper becoming to him Besides them and the Duecks there had been like a family and then, “I read news about just one other person there! They had been the family.” He still speaks fondly about the attending a different church but when the Duecks. “Our growth started with them.” subject of baptism by immersion came up they thought maybe it was time to look for a Mennonite church. They also feel that having their own lack Ramjeeawan is a plumber by church building would give more of a feeling trade. of permanence. The matter is also com plicated with membership meetings when they have to rent different facilities. Peter Thiessen had a job in Calgary before they moved here from Manitoba. How does he feel about the Calgary EMC? “We feel right at home here in this church,” he remarked. In Winnipeg he had been un employed all winter. Here there were jobs. The EMC presence in Calgary was a

deciding factor in their move. “Makes it easy to move if we have a church here.” He sees a good potential for growth. A church retreat which took place shortly after they moved to Calgary did a lot to ac quaint Peter and Susan with the congrega tion. They spoke highly of this form of gettgethers, as did others. “They’re great for knitting church families together.” One couple I missed. The Peter Holukoffs, who were closely associated with the work, had just moved to B.C. Peter was the church board chairman. The Harold Duecks came in March. Harold sub-contracts basements. “It didn’t take us long to get to know people here,” said Harold, speaking well again of a good church fellowship. I liked his attitude of cau tion in taking on church positions which others had been holding.

Calgary's "national bird". PAGE 5

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Forest Lawn High School, site of Calgary EMC Sunday worship.

I agree with him that there should be a concern to get other than construction peo ple into the church, in case something happens to the building industry. They favoured a building of their own, also for reasons of facilitating mid-week meetings and having a baby room. He felt the EMC should look at high growth areas (as Calgary surely is). “There’s so much potential in a city like Calgary,” he remarked. “We’ve gotten to know a lot of people.” Terry Smith is in the EMC minister-intraining program. He came to Calgary in May. He is a member of the Steinbach E. M. Church. His comment on newcomers was encouraging. “People moving in are willing to get involved.” Terry and I both found ourselves at the Leroy Pletts for Sunday dinner. Originally I had planned to take Terry out for lunch. Then when I found out that I was invited to a different place, 1 got Terry invited too. In fact, all this turned out for the good because another couple, Mr. and Mrs. Plett,

were also there for dinner and 1 could capi talize on getting a maximum of information with a minimum of time. Terry labelled the Calgary EMC con gregation as a young married working class church. Terry makes himself busy visiting, making new contacts and also is engaged in mid week Bible studies. He also preaches. His ministry is appreciated here. The pastor of the Calgary EMC believes in putting people to work. He feels that there is a need for developing leaders in the church and tries to make that his goal. He sees himself as a facilitator and believes that 1) good Bible teaching, 2) fellowship, and 3) worship will also result in evangelism. As a church he feels they have to work on the assumption that there is a vacuum in people’s lives; there is loneliness and alienation. He also believes that the people of a city church have a need of meeting informally. The aforementioned retreat was one attempt at this and it fulfilled expectations with some

60 present. (A ballgame scheduled for the Saturday I was there was rained out.) Although they are in real need of a building of their own, he is gratified to see that people realize that they can actually grow also without a building. They also have a potential building on tap. The purchase price seems huge. But as Dave put it, “We’re simply dealing in larger figures of money these days.” (A bungalow is around $80,000!) They have established their own building fund in the church. Both Sunday school and worship service show good growth during the last year. The influx of people moving in, no doubt, con tributed to a large part of this. The Sunday I was present there were some 73 in Sunday school. Some 24 of these were in two adult classes with Harold Dueck and Dennis Plett teaching. Terry Kroeker had the young people while Helen Cameron and Margaret Rose Krueger had the nursery class with some 11 pupils. Ellie Olson had four in the grade 1-3 class while Sandra Krahn had three Kindergarteners. Janette Fehr had six three- and four-year-olds and Lynn Dueck had the mothers’ and babies’ class with six mothers and five babies. Roseanne Wieler had four grade 4’s and 5’s while Susan Thiessen taught the grade 6-8 class. Merna Thiessen is assistant Sunday school superintendent. Helen Friesen is secretary. Trades people, rather than professional people, make up the Calgary church. Among the trades I suppose construction would predominate. We counted some 12 who were engaged in this. Some of the others were related to building such as plumbing, heating, roofing, etc. Other job categories were cook, long distance trucker, secretary clerk, and managerial, to name some. There are seven Mennonite churches in Calgary: two Mennonite Brethren, three Conference of Mennonites in Canada, one Evangelical Mennonite Brethren and the EMC.

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Harold Dueck taught an adult class at Calgary EMC. PAGE 6

Roseanne Wieler teaching a Sunday School class in the Calgary church. THE MESSENGER

From the Editor Unsolicited Mail

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We’ve heard it before and I heard it again just recently - the amount of un solicited mail requests, either for goods or donations! It comes to the point where one almost hesitates to send a one-time donation to a legitimate cause because of getting on a mailing list and con tinuing to get expensive mailings after that. This is what had happened to a per son who sent a donation for a book advertised. Then the mail started com ing! Finally the person wrote a letter to inform them that this had only been a donation for that one book. What is even more serious and, to me, unethical, is these mailing lists be ing traded or sold on the market. This to me is a breach of confidence. I had an almost amusing experience with this recently when I got two different mailings from two organizations, one in Canada and one in the U.S.A. In both cases the name was wrong but the address was cor rect. Identical! A dead giveaway that someone had procured a mailing list and also started mailing on this wrong address. Names should not be exchanged on the free market. It is not fair and it is costly. (Check the trash can in the post office!) And I don’t believe it’s ethical. This does not cast a shadow on the good work that these organizations do. It is the duplication and cost. For instance, I have been subscrib ing to a certain cherished and reputable magazine for years. But, lo and behold, they get (That’s the only conclusion I can come to.) another mailing list somewhere where maybe my name or address is a little different. Or they might have an old outdated list of people who have cancelled their subscription at one time or another. I got a letter from the same organization which offered a free book if I would subscribe. They even enclosed a word from Billy Graham extolling this particular magazine to which I already subscribe! But beware, if you spell your name Dave once, David another time or merely D.K., you may be in for extra mail! It might be in place to go even one step further while we are on the topic. We are sometimes afraid that some of this giving is at the expense of our own church and Conference budgets. OCTOBER 24, 1980

The EMC this fall has its largest budget deficit in history. We seem to be in a recession and, with others, are feeling the pinch. When you give to the many different organizations which reach for your donations you are not always aware where or for what it is going. A good slice may go for fancy literature and travel, etc. All this adds to the overhead and decreases your mission dollar. We believe that our EMC churches, as well as the Conference, run their af fairs very economically with a lot of volunteer help. All this, I believe, makes for the very minimum of overhead so that maybe 90<p of every dollar goes directly for missions, etc. And if we have questions we can go directly to our church or Conference and look at the financial statement. Furthermore, we have a say as to where our contributions go through our voice and our elected represen tatives when we give to our own church. I believe some of our churches were not a little surprised to get a recent letter from our Finance Board on the reality of the financial crisis in the Conference budget this fall, and right ly so. May it also move us to reconsider our giving pattern. D.S.

Newlyweds and the Messenger It encourages me when young peo ple, who maybe have just established their home, ask how they can receive the Messenger. This I like. This happened again the other day and I asked the person when he had been married. I guess he wondered what this had to do with it. Well, for one thing, he now has left home where he may have had access to his parents’ paper. Another reason why I asked this is that ideally, the minister who performs the ceremony should submit the names of the newlyweds for the mailing list. He now has his own mailing address and would like to have the Conference paper. My secretary also tells me that if the complete address of the young married couple appears on the wedding an nouncement they are also put on the mailing list. 'These wedding an nouncements are mailed in by church

reporters periodically. If none of the above works there is, of course, another easy way. Just phone or write our office. This should get prompt attention. We are also in the process of conduc ting a Messenger readership survey. Certain ones of you are going to get a survey form which we hope you will conscientiously fill in and return. This will be another means of know ing what is being read and what is useful to the reader. The end result, hopefully, will be a better, more balanced paper. Another thing in the planning stages is a section for youth. We are happy for all youth who read the Messenger and hope this will inspire even more. D. S.

Gospel Music and Survival Food Two items of interest in the Regina Leader Post caught my attention recently. One concerned a radio station that planned to play gospel music but was denied broadcasting because 37.5 hours of religious music a week con stituted too much religious content. The other item was headlined “Sur vival food business booming, residents fear world’s end near.” It went on to say that “fear and uncertainty born of the volatile world situation has created booming sales for merchants selling dehydrated foods.” It seems to me there is a contradic tion here. To air more gospel music, rather than less, might just put people on the right track and release them of fear of the world’s end. And anyway, who needs survival food after the world’s end? CONTRIBUTORS: Abe Van Der Puy is the speaker on the “Voice of Missions,” Back to the Bible Broadcast. The article is reprinted from the Good News Broad caster. Marie Enns lives at La Crete, Alberta. She and her husband and family attend the EMC La Crete Christian Fellowship. Gladwin and Jean Plea (Portage la Prairie) have just begun a term of service with the EMC Board of Missions in Ger many. Maria Koop (Blumenort) is serving in Mexico. She is involved in children’s and ladies’ work. Evelyn Plell (Prairie Rose) is serving in Spain with the Bible Club Movement. Evelyn Barkman (Prairie Rose) is working at a Girls’ School in Mali, under the Gospel Missionary Union. COVER: City of Calgary. Courtesy Alberta Travel.

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Sing time on a Sunday morning at camp.

One of the Bible classes under the trees at camp.

now there is a small group of new believers who need to be nurtured and es tablished in the Word. There are also a lot Good Attendance at Camps of contacts to follow up. A single CAM A very busy and good summer of International missionary has been left in camps has come to a close and we praise charge of the work there, and the church the Lord for having provided a complete in Segovia, being the nearest, has been and dedicated staff for all of them. asked to back up the work by helping in Immediately following five weeks of whatever way they can. Camila, children’s camps we had a one-week fami Elisabeth and I have been asked to teach ly camp with a program for all ages - a children’s and ladies’ Bible class as well children’s classes, ad.ult conferences, and as do some visitation work. Do pray much a teens class. Afternoons were spent in for this new work in Avila. A number outings or group games and in the who come to the meetings regularly are evenings we enjoyed a time of singing and not saved. Just a few weeks ago we got more help sharing all together. After family camp we had a few days’ break followed by a here at Bethel Bible Centre, though only camp for young teens and a brief teacher on a temporary basis. Wen and Jean training course. We trust that the daily Otteson, B.C.M. missionaries who have teaching of the Word during the summer been working in Nova Scotia for 22 years, months will result in spiritual growth in have come to do some major repair jobs those that attended. Through the whole as well as help with some smaller ones on summer we had about 235 in attendance. the grounds for the next couple of A three-week evangelistic campaign months. We thank God for this provision. through films, street witnessing, door-to- A cement sidewalk and steps have door visitation and follow up, was held in already been put in in front of the new the city of Avila, some 60 kilometers from building. This will be such a help in keep here. Camila was one of a good sized ing things cleaner during wet weather group of voluntary workers in this out when groups come for retreats, etc. The reach, led by John Blake who is with the next big job is to fix the floor beams and Billy Graham Association in Spain. God replace the stairway in the old staff worked in the lives of a good number of building. Pray for wisdom in knowing people in that hard traditional city and just how this should be done and for SPAIN

The new camp and conference building at the Bethel Bible Centre.

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God’s provision in all that will be needed. Fernando, a young man from the church in Segovia, who has just finished military service, has been helping out with the maintenance work in his spare time since spring. He is willing to con tinue as his time permits after working hours, for he has a real desire to serve the Lord. Pray for God’s leading in his life. Continue to pray also for full-time maintenance staff, for this continues to be a need here. The Lord has led Elisabeth Buchmann to stay on staff here, for which I am very thankful, but just recently she got the news that her mother was very ill and the family is calling her home to Switzerland to look after her. She will be leaving at the end of October and we do not know when she will be back. Her mother is not expected to get well. Pray that Elisabeth will be a real blessing and witness in her home as she ministers there. Though we do not yet have a complete program set up for the winter months, we do have several retreats and conferences booked, and as the Lord gives opportunity I will also be involved in the teaching as well as the distribution of Footsteps of Faith teaching materials. Your faithful support and continued prayers for the work here are much ap preciated. God bless you. Evelyn Plett

Handcraft at Kindergarten camp.

GERMANY

Acculturation - a Vital Need Our First Five Weeks in Seesen The phone rings ... at Nettebergstr. 1 in Herrhausen. Someone asks for either Frau Reimer or Onkel Lee. Very quickly Jean and I realize that the Reimers ministry has had a far-flung effect throughout their years in Germany. We praise the Lord for the many souls they have ministered to. To be sure, it was with a great deal of apprehension that we agreed to come to Seesen, to pick up the work in their absence. Jean and I further praise the Lord for all the friends who through their faithful stewardship have provided us with a very serviceable VW. It’s a yellow, four-door, Passat model, with 56,000 kilometers and a price tag of $5,500.00. Further you have also assisted with the purchase of fur niture and a washing machine. Thank you all sincerely. A special thanks too to the staff and members of the Mission Board for choosing and sending us to Germany. We live in Herrhausen on Nettebergstr. 1. Herrhausen is one of many villages that belong to the Seesen community. It is three kilometers from Seesen. Our cor rect address, regardless of what we have said or written to date, is Neetebergstr. 1, 3370 Seesen-Herrhausen, Germany. Our postal address is identical to our residence. The mail is delivered six days a week, Monday-Saturday. A letter coming to us needs six to eight days of travel. Well, thanks for all the letters you intend to write! If you choose to phone, dial Ger many and then these numbers, 053818152, and we’ll answer, “Guten Tag Plett,” but remember we are seven hours ahead of you. When we pray God’s bless ing upon you and your work in the mor ning, you are still very much asleep, and when you have breakfast, we are about ready for afternoon tea or coffee. The scenery is “different” from what we have been used to in Canada, and beautiful in its own way. From our home we can observe the farmers at work, grain fields, pasture and milk cows, sugar beets, all on a smaller scale though than the mighty Canadians. The crop in Ger many is the best in memory. A soccer field lies to the west, downhill, and a sneakingly silent train slips past the backyard to the east. Always the rolling hills, farms and forest meet the traveller’s eyes. The curving country roads and the super fast Autobahn call forth the best in driving skills. Our exposure to the German culture has been very positive. The very accom modating attitude of the Christians most certainly had a strong influence. For three weeks we were dependent on them OCTOBER 24, 1980

for most everything that needed transportation - from shopping groceries, collecting delayed baggage, making visitations, going to church services, etc., to shopping for a car. To be sure, our colleague, Erna Plett, was our helpful partner so often. It all started on August 26 at the Han nover Airport. We were slow in clearing customs because of missing baggage. (The two couples who had come for us must have been fearful that no missionary had come after all!) Suddenly our names were called on the speaker system, and then there they were, a little placard in hand, just in case we’d bypass each other, not knowing one another. It read EMC Seesen ® .Is

Gruesst Mr. and Mrs. Plett. Prom there on we felt at home, in spite of our halting German. The lettering on the wall in our residence spelled Herzlich Willkommen (Welcome) surrounded by valentines. After five weeks of orientation (The Germans call it “eingelebt.”) our convic tions are strengthened in the awareness that the Lord has a ministry for us here in Seesen. The John Peters have invited us and the Lothar Hillers over for the first weekend of October for the second field council meeting in which the work and its priorities will be discussed and guidelines formulated for the future. Acculturation and language deficien cies still are vital needs. We also need to learn to understand the German philosophy of church attendance, and to seek ways of improvement. This will take time, prayer, teaching and much wisdom, but in the grace of the One who said He would build His church, we shall over come. Gladwin and Jean Plett

lot VK"O» o lO'

Maria Koop with her "graduating" class in Colonia Francisco Villa with their Bi ble verses which they received on their last day of classes.

MEXICO

Memories Some pleasant, some not so pleasant The summer is ended and so is the DVBS program for this year. What is left now are the memories, some pleasant and others not so pleasant. I remember quite vividly the ex periences we had the first week of DVBS. The Mexican field council had made the arrangements for these classes in an area where we had never taught before; therefore we had no idea what to expect. They asked for two teachers and so two went to Ejido Benito Juarez. Evangeline Friesen and I were the teachers.

I thought we would have maybe around 20 pupils each. So that is what I prepared for and took some extra books along, just in case more came. How many came? We enrolled 165 children! The material such as books, crayons and pencils were not even enough for half that number of children. To make matters worse half of my pencils and crayons vanished into some unknown pockets the first day and never reappeared, causing some very frustrating times when we worked with the workbooks. Another frustrating thing was the classes. The first day we divided the number of children more or less even ly between the two of us but, nevertheless, the classes were much too big, making it almost impossible to get PAGE 9

the children’s attention for the lesson. Seventy in one class is not the ideal for teaching. Later on, more smaller ones came than bigger ones so the classes were unbalanced after all. The third day a national Christian senorita helped us. This was a real answer to prayer and we thanked the Lord for her. For a farewell gift we usually give the children a big Bible verse glued on stiff paper and painted. We can only get verses printed in black on white paper so we have to paint them and glue them on heavy paper so that they can be hung up. The Christians like these very much for their homes. It was quite a job painting 165 of these in our spare time. We didn’t w’ant any child to go away without one and so we enlisted all the help we could get. In the evenings, because of a shortage of electricity due to the drought, the hydro was usually cut off so we couldn’t do any of the work in the evenings. Well, we got enough made and even a few extra. Via the grapevine we heard that the op posing party was calling the evangelicals Satan’s co-workers. Such news is not very encouraging. Actually this should cheer up a person. It is written in Matthew 10:25, “It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the member of His household!” Since Christ, the Master, was called Beelzebub we should not be surprised if we get the same name. It just proves that we belong to Christ’s household, and we need not be gloomy about it. The following week Catherine and I went to another village where the ex periences, classwise, were just the op posite. Instead of having many children out for DVBS we had only a few. Almost everybody was out in the fields getting the seeding done. Even the little ones went out to help with sowing the beans. So just a few came to classes which we had in the late afternoon, hoping that some would be free at that time and home from the fields. This schedule did not help since most of them came home when it was already getting dark. With no elec tricity, we could not have the classes later than we did. Teaching a lesson to empty benches is not much of a challenge but we made the best of it. We had lots of time to fellowship with the sister with whom we stayed and to visit in other homes. Get ting enough Bible verses painted was no problem that week. Yes, we also have pleasant memories for which we can praise the Lord: — the fellowship with the national Christians in their homes — the times spent with the Christians in the prayer meetings and sharing with them in their trials — the way the Christians opened their homes for us to stay with them and the PAGE 10

Mission Grams Mexico

• Olga Myers is working at the office in El Paso two forenoons per week on a voluntary basis. • Dora Friesen, together with Gloria Trevizo, is setting up a curriculum for a Sunday school teacher’s training program. They plan to go to the various national churches in Chihuahua State and give this training to them. • Kilometro 5 is planning a baptism for November 2. Felipe and Cindy Cruz are expected to officiate at this baptismal service. • The Felipe Cruzes have been going to Lodegil for services every other week resulting in 14 converts. The national council is asking them now to spend more time in nurturing these converts and establishing a church there. Nicaragua

• The clinic vehicle, a 4x4 diesel jeep, has arrived and Doris can again ride with confidence to visit her clinic stations. • Fifty communicants were present at the Lord’s Supper at La Paz recently. • A number of young people have recommitted their lives and are gaining greater victory in their Christian lives. • In Colama a number of people have made commitments to Christ recently. Brazil

Abe and Dee Koop write about their visit in Guajara: “Our main objective was to spend time with our msisionaries at the three Pacaas Novos posts up river. What a warm welcome we received from them and the Indian Christians. The same afternoon we arrived we attended a special program which the Pacaas Novos school children prepared. How proud they were as they recited their parts and sang for us. Saturday we joined them in church, and on Sunday seven girls were baptized and later we all had the Lord’s Supper together. What a joy to join in prayer together to remember the Lord’s death! Two of the churches had suffered because of sin in the group, but the leaders were dealing with the situation. Pray much for the churches.” Japan

Pat Kroeker writes, “We are well into the school year at CAJ. I am again teaching third grade and have a small class of only twelve children, just the right size to give lots of individual attention. This year I am also involved with the high school kids as I work with them on the school yearbook. These are special opportunities to minister to the children of missionaries here in Japan.”

Canada A quote from the “Thiessen Tabloid” (Paul and Lois Thiessen at Kamsack, Sask.): Praise God with us because: — He has helped us complete three years of Bible school, plus a semester at Summer Institute of Linguistics. — We have a good start in getting to know the Saulteaux people. — We are expecting our first baby in February. Pray about these things: — We will need our own place to live in a few months. — The Reid family - the father is in the hospital with terminal cancer, while the mother and daughter struggle with emotional problems. — Committed Christian Indian men are needed to take leadership of our tiny new church which has four members, none of which are Indian men. — Lois and 1 need God’s guidance regarding our interest in Bible translation as we look ahead of the coming year. We need you. Your prayers are as much a part of this work as is our ministry. We’d love to hear from you too. delicious meals they served us — the opportunities of presenting the Word to a lost world — the Bible verses that went into the homes of the non-Christians and the Christians alike (These can serve for future blessings as they continue to speak to people.) — those who made decisions for the

Lord — the rains that finally came, giving the people hope again for another harvest and for the hope the Lord gives us for a spiritual harvest also, “the crop for eter nal life” (John 4:36, NIV). — the way the Lord protected us in our travels and gave us safe trips. Maria Koop

THE MESSENGER

Messenger News Uranium refineiiry plans cancelled cance for Mennonilite community Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. has shelved its plans to build a $100 million uranium refinery in this largely Mennonite communi ty at Warman, Sask., it was revealed in late September.

MCC (Manitoba) Relief Sale held at Landmark, Manitoba.

Landmark MCC Auction Sale Two oversized rabbits donated by Johnny Neufeld, used cars, puppies, skilfully crafted quilts, furniture, cattle, and pumpkins — only some of the items auctioned off in the Land mark arena Saturday, October 4. Organized by local residents (headed by Tim Kroeker, Waldo Neufeld and Alvin Plett) proceeds of the sale were designated for development and relief projects of Mennonite Central Com mittee in Somalia, Upper Volta and Nicaragua. A sparse audience was present at the official opening at 9:00 a.m., when Rev. Peter Sawatsky of Grace Mennonite Church, Steinbach, had the invocation; he and his wife just returned from a one-year assign ment in Botswana. But by the time the auc tioneer began what was to be a seven-hour call to buy, a lively crowd had gathered, an estimated 1,500 at its peak, with perhaps another 1,000 coming for varying lengths of time. In addition to the auction, booths sell ing locally handicrafted items, baked goods, and traditional Ukrainian-Mennonite food were kept busy. Featured were two displays of MCC volunteer-engineered products used in third world countries. Kept busy explaining their “inventions” were George Klassen of Bangladesh with his rower pump, used in labour intensive irrigation, and Eric Rempel with the tool bar carrier, developed in Botswana to maximize efficiency of animal traction in transport and tillage. One of the booths, the Farmers’ Market, was manned by John Reimer, in civilian life principal of Landmark Collegiate but now the good-natured dispenser of turkeys, pumpkins and assortment of donated goods; the Market brought in $2,500. Close behind were the food booths that netted about $2,400, while the handicraft displays con-

OCTOBER 24, 1980

tributed $3,300. The auction itself brought in about $30,500 by the time the last carrot had been put on the block; found later were two boxes of cabbage that escaped the auctioneer’s gavel. Together with donations and other displays, about $45,000 were raised, which will go in their entirety to overseas projects. The auction was an example of community interaction. Three Landmark area congregations gave primary support, aided by contributions and volunteer help from Niverville and Steinbach, with some help from Ville further afield. Mordyck^ Auctions donated the services of their -----staff. -------The evening saw the arena hastily cleared and a stage erected, while over 200 young people listened to musical groups and talks on ^resent ’service opportunities in the church. And the rabbits found a good home.

To Perform Messiah • The CMBC Oratorio is preparing to perform two major works in the 1980-81 season. The fall performance, December 5, 8:00 p.m., at the Winnipeg Arena, will feature G.P. Handel’s Messiah. It will be performed as a mass production with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, the Mennonite Brethren Bible College Oratorio Choir, and various other well known Manitoba choirs. The massed choirs will be accompanied by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and dir ected by Boris Brott, conductor of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Orchestra.

On September 29 the company an nounced that it would not renew its options to purchase 1,440 acres of farmland just out side of Warman. The announcement came just two months after a federal environmen tal assessment review panel failed to endorse the proposed refinery. The panel approved the refinery on technical grounds but asked for more infor mation on the social impact of the refinery, especially on the Mennonites living near the site, and for more public hearings.

Eldorado vice-president Ron Dakers, quoted in a Canadian Press article, said the company could not negotiate “reasonable extensions” on land options for the proposed site. However, some farmers reported that Eldorado had not even approached them about renewing options on their land, Earlier, in mid-September, at least three farmers holding options announced that they did not wish to renew them for the two-year period that Eldorado was seeking, Dahers Dakers said that Eldorado spent $1 million on the Warman project, most of , ; 2 drain. 2212 1_ is 1. ^.h,ch would go 2 down the Eldorado interested in building a refinery in rSaskatchewan, ; ; he said, but probably at another site, Area Mennonites have opposed the refinery sinw Eldorado’s^ plans were un covered in 1976 (after the company had gained the land options through an agent). The opposition built to a peak at the public hearings held last January by the federal review panel.

At the hearings, over two hundred area residents voiced their concerns about nuclear weapons, pollution and the misuse of farmland. They were supported by many other groups, including the National Farmers Union, Catholic and United spokespersons and environmental groups. Allan Siebert — Meetinghouse

PAGE 11

Dedication Service You are invited to the dedication service of the Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel (EMC) on Sunday, November 9, 1980 at 2:30 p.m. The Chapel is located I’/a miles south and 1 mile west of the Husky Service Station (Deacon’s Corner), Highway No. 1 East. Robert Hull (right) is seen here with Gordon Dyck (Crestview) at the Univer sity of Winnipeg, on October 18.

From Air Force to C.O. Robert Hull is a former staff duty officer at a strategic air command base. While there he wrote out an application for discharge from the Air Force as a conscientious objec tor. He is now the secretary for Peace and Justice of the General Conference Mennonite Church. He believes that if we say that the peace message is bad for church growth we are los ing half the Bible. He agrees, as someone had put it, that the church in North America must recapture the vision that it is in exile. He is excited about the victims/offenders programs. He feels the Biblical mandate calls for reconciliation and restitution. “By doing that, hopefully we can keep people out of jail." He feels this is one way to begin caring. Hull's appearance in Winnipeg was spon sored by the Inter-Mennonite Campus Ministries (IMCM) and MCC. The EMC, together with other Mennonite churches, also takes part in IMCM.

YOUTH RETREAT WELL ATTENDED

Stratton, Ont,: Twenty-eight people attended a youth retreat at Sunnycove Camp, ten miles east of Fort Frances, on the weekend of September 19. Leonard Barkman was the camp speaker. The spirit was warm, but some artificial heat had to be supplied to keep warm at night as the weather was cool and cloudy. Phil and Justina Friesen took Wesley and Betty Friesen to Peace River Bible Institute, Sexsmith, Alberta. They left here on September 12. This is the second year at the school for Betty and Wesley. Recent outside speakers in our church have been Rev. Christian Fuhrer from Switzerland, a brother to Hans Fuhrer who moved here in May 1979; A. P. Unger from Landmark, Man. who also showed slides from the Holy Land; and Andrew Plett from Seminole Texas. Rev. Wolfgang Schmutz PAGE 12

Announcement You are invited to share in the celebration of dedication of the new Evangelical Mennonite Church building In Kleefeld, Manitoba on November 2, 1980 at 3:00 p.m. The speaker is Rev. Arnold Fast of Ab botsford, B. C.

This will be followed by an Open House, lunch, intermission events, and a Musical Celebration of Praise at 7:30 p.m. Services with Rev. Fast will con tinue nightly November 3 to 7, 1980. Come and praise the Lord with usi

from Germany has been in our services a few times this summer. He has bought several farms in our area. He comes from the Munich area in southern Germany. He is well acquainted with the John Peters who have helped them start up Sunday school in their church. Work is going ahead on the setting up of a 100,000 watt Christian FM Stereo Radio Station at International Falls, Minnesota. Dick Beals, president of Minnesota Christian Broadcasters, has promised to attend our Thanksgiving supper and program on Sun day, October 12, at the Stratton Hall. Ike and Ray Friesen are working in the bush east of Fort Frances. Ray and Inga have their home at R.R. 2, Devlin, but they also have a trailer in the bush, so they can stay in the bush during the week. Ike has rented an apartment at Little Bear Marina on Highway No. 11, east of Fort Frances. Paul Plett is staying with him. Elizabeth and Paul Plett are conducting Sunday school classes in Pinewood on Sun day afternoons. Edwin Reimer, our minister, is a very busy man. He supervises the construction of a hospital addition at Rainy River besides presenting lively messages and giving church guidance. Three of his workers on the job ex perienced sudden deaths in their families recently.

WORK OF THE CHURCH Arden, Man.: On September 28 we had the first Christian Endeavour program of the season. Something different was a skit by Margaret Plett, Betty Penner and Leona Rempel. They acted out the parable of the great supper. We also heard an instrumental number by Dwight and Heather Plett for the first time. James Neufeld had his first ex perience at being chairman. Rev. Murray Carter, Brandon, gave a very fitting message on “The Perfect Church.” Quite a number of ladies are getting in volved in the Friendship Bible Coffees, either as guides or hostesses. Margaret Plett is teaching Religious Education, for grades one and two, at the Arden School. Child Evangelism material is being used. Attendance is excellent. On October 2 the Ladies’ Aid went to visit Rick and Sue Malfait who had a baby girl on September 21. They were presented with a gift of $30. Our deacon and laymen have been getting more opportunities to fill the pulpit Sunday mornings. We who have listened think they have done a good job. All have been blessed by their efforts. God always supplies our needs. It's amazing what can be ac complished if we let the Holy Spirit do His work through us. APPLICATIONS TO MCC UP, BUT CRUCIAL POSITIONS UNFILLED Akron, Pa. — Mennonite Central Committee is benefiting from a surge in applications for service assignments. Yet even as it expects to place over 320 workers around the world in 1980, compared to 274 in 1979, and to bring the total number of workers to around 775, the highest ever, some key positions are proving very difficult to fill. More people from poutside MCC’s Mennonite and Brethren in Christ constituency churches are applying for service. MCC expects all its workers to share a specifically Christian statement of faith, including acceptance of the Anabaptist/biblical position on peace and nonviolence, and emphasis on church life. Consequently the percentage of applicants from other churches who actually enter service is smaller than the percentage from its constituent churches. Yet Christians from non constituent churches do account for the largest in crease in applicants and the number of nonMennonites in service has risen about 25 percent.

THE MESSENGER

Frank and Olga Reimer.

REIMERS CELEBRATE 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Landmark, Man.: August 17, 1980 — What did the children do when the parents came back? They prepared a great celebration. Yes, and a silver one at that! Our former pastor and his wife. Rev. and Mrs. Frank D. Reimer, had served as Cana dian missionaries at Pelly, Saskatchewan and area for three years. A heaven-sent replacement had come to serve at Pelly and the move was back to Landmark. Twentyfive years of wedded bliss was reason enough for all the children to get together with friends and relatives for a time of thanksgiv ing. The whole family was there, even Mrs. Olga Reimer’s three sisters, and many old (and young) acquaintances from near and far. An informal open house was held at the Prairie Rose church, with coffee and all the goodies. Following this, son Frank chaired an interesting program. The male choir sang a number of choice songs in German and English. All the Reimer children and grandchildren (only one was missing) were introduced to the audience, after which they sang the song “Footsteps of Jesus’’ in memory of their childhood years. A com plete, vivid slide “review” with accompani ment and interviews, of the Reimer family and their many areas of ministry, was presented by son-in-law. Rev. Waldo Neufeld. Two well written poems about Frank and Olga were read, one in English by Alvin K. Plett and one in Low German by P. A. Plett. Son Rudolph gave a short message. All the kind words that were spoken no doubt will linger long, but the $650.00 given in honour of Rev. and Mrs. Reimer to the Gideons and MCC (divided evenly) will last forever. Knowing Bro. Reimer, though his pace may slow down a bit, he will be busy in the Lord’s vineyard, doing visitation in the com munity or in hospitals, or ministering behind the pulpit.

OCTOBER 24, 1980

Aylmer, Ont. Two couples and a single person were received into the Mount Salem E.M. Church this year. Pictured with Pastor Cornie Dueck (back, left) are Neil Wall (center) and Abe Klassen. Front row: Mrs. Helen Wall, Annie Wall, Mrs. Susan Klassen.

The smallest children with their teacher, Laura Heinrichs, at Sioux Valley DVBS. EXTENSION WORK REPORTS

Kola, Man.: We had a special Sunday mor ning service at Kola on September 14. Different people contributed in songs, reports, and testimonies about extension work. A service is held at the Elkhorn Lodge once a month. The friendly faces of the senior citizens show how much they enjoy the services. They love serving tea and dain ties after the service. Once a month a program is conducted at the Brandon Correctional Institute. There

are big men, small men, young men, older men, from different walks of life. They may crowd around the lady with the violin and ask her to demonstrate. Or they proudly relate how they keep the new floor so shiny as you sit together eating sandwiches and drinking coffee later. One of the men in charge remarked, “Never quit coming.” DVBS was held in three places - Elkhorn, Sioux Valley and Fleiming. Leo Reimer read Matthew 13:9 as an opening to the DVBS part of the program. Nettie Klassen reported on the Elkhorn work. DVBS was held at the United Church again. There were more than seventy children divided into eight classes. Nettie stressed that everyone in church can have a part in the DVBS program. Some can bring cookies. Some can pray. Every teacher had a prayer partner. There were specific answers to prayer. “Is it worth the energy? Yes,” Nettie answered her own question. A child said to her teacher in the Elkhorn class, “I was going to ask Jesus into my heart. I forgot.” This was dealt with later. Ed Thiessen told about his two weeks of teaching, one week in Elkhorn and one at Sioux Valley, and got double blessings as a result. He had a tremendous class of teenage girls at Elkhorn. At Sioux Valley the men picked up children in two little cars. Ed Thiessen mentioned the many children that piled out of the little cars. He hoped that the seeds planted would continue to grow. He was glad for the Kola people who came to the closing program. The Fleming staff sang “Why Complain?” Helen Martens reported about the Flem ing work. The old school had been cleaned

PAGE 13

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for the Saskatchewan holidays. The theme was “Jesus our Lord.” Thirtysix children were enrolled. One little boy remarked on the last day, “Tomorrow it’ll all be over.” Helen asked for prayer for one boy who made a decision for Jesus. She said it was an encouragement to get a phone call every day from a prayer partner. Faith Martens taught in Fleming. She ask ed for raised hands after the plan of salvation was presented. One boy said, “I did it the night before.” Laura Siemens had a talk about DVBS at Sioux Valley. Ernest Koop had the message. He told how we’d expected maybe 24 children at Sioux Valley and more than 30 came. He thanked people for the interest that was shown. Ernest Koop asked, “Where do we stand?” Are we ready to get involved? Are we willing to send money to mission fields or are we concerned with people around us? The hardest thing for a person to give is him self. The easiest thing is money. It was an exciting time we had at DVBS this summer. Thank you, everybody, for the help you were in praying, and supplying our needs — even a car. One gentleman pick ed up children for us on the reserve for every class. Thank you. Extension Committee, thank you for all the work you are doing all year to keep extension work moving smoothly along.

Rjii

gig:

I Several people have been accepted as members of the Rosenort E.M. Church by transfer of membership in the last few months. Left to right: Johnny Loewen (pastor), Mrs. Diane Eidse, Mrs. Cindy Loewen, Mrs. Mary Penner, Laverna and Tim Reimer.

The films shown by Mrs. Penner pictured the mission’s vital and often dramatic role in assisting other missions in those countries. Ironically, Bro. Penner could not be present, having been delayed in Edmonton by an air line controllers’ strike. Sister Mary Loewen is now a career mis sionary in Mexico, teaching German speaking children at Camp 67. A baptismal service was held on October 5 with two young people participating. Bap tized were Jocelyn Loewen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe C. Loewen, and Gerald Kornelsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Kornelsen. Also accepted into our

membership was Mrs. Robert Eidse. A young people’s Bible study session recently delved into the oft-neglected topic, “Personal Devotions.” Tim and Laverna Reimer made an eightday trip to Saskatchewan and Alberta, visiting friends and also our Bible school students in those provinces. Most crops in our area turned out a little better than had been expected, with a few very good yields being reported. Farmers will be happy for the chance to deliver wheat above quota to MCC’s Food Bank, but not as happy as the hungry Kenyans who will finally have bread to ease that gnawing, emp ty feeling. Friesen Seed Service (one mile west of our church) cleans and handles this wheat and sends it on its way. The entire church family was invited to a special Thanksgiving service. After a casserole and pie supper, we enjoyed a short program of song, testimony, and a film, “He Restoreth My Soul.” Merrill Womach’s acci dent and the impact it made on his life should also inspire us to a dedicated Chris tian life.

Births

Gerald Kornelsen and Jocelyn Loewen were baptized in the Rosenort E.M. Church on October 5. Pastor Johnny Loewen is on the left.

SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE HELD Rosenort, Man.: Our September Mission Nite featured Mrs. George Penner and girls presenting the work of Missions Aviation Fellowship in Honduras and Guatemala.

PAGE 14

Marge and Abe Van Der Puy. Steinbach

Mr. Abe C. Van Der Puy was the main speaker at the Steinbach E.M.C. missionary conference, October 11-14. Mrs. Van Der Puy also assisted. Mr. Van Der Puy is the “Voice of Missions” speaker on Back to the Bible Broadcast. They were also featured at the youth banquet on Saturday and the breakfast meeting on Monday morning.

PENNER — to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Penner of Landmark, Man., a daughter, Lindsay Joanelle, on August 23, 1980. BARKMAN — to Mr. and Mrs. Ken Barkman of Landmark, Man., a son, Kevin Lee, on August 26, 1980. PLETT — to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Plett of Land mark, Man., a daughter, Meghan Ruth, on July 20, 1980. SAYAPATH — to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Baun Sayapath of Landmark, Man., a daughter, Merinda, on September 18, 1980. CIESBRECHT — to Mr. and Mrs. James Giesbrecht of Landmark, Man., a chosen daughter, Erin Dawn, on juy 2, 1980. GIESBRECHT — to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Giesbrecht of Landmark, Man., a son, Paul Brian, on June 24, 1980. PLETT — to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Plett of Land mark, Man., a daughter, Deanne Tara, on July 24, 1980.

THE MESSENGER

Peter F. Dueck 1911-1980 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (II Tim. 4:7, 8).

Peter F. Dueck, my loving husband, our dear father, grandfather and great grandfather, was born on August 29, 1911, and went home to be with the Saviour he lov ed, on Tuesday, October 7, 1980 at the age of 69 years. He was born to John F. Duecks at Rosenort, Manitoba, where he also received his education. Father enjoyed school very much and was thankful that he could attend till the age of 16. He was baptized upon the confession of his faith on August 10, 1931 at the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. He was united in holy matrimony with Justina Kornelsen on July 11, 1937 by Bishop Jacob B. Kroeker. The Lord blessed the union of 43 years with nine children. Mother will always cherish the love and thoughtfulness expressed to her by Father. Father was a farmer by occupation but was also very talented in carpentry. In his later years he has fixed many a toy for his numerous grandchildren. Father also loved to serve his Lord through singing and was songleader for 26 years. Another of his in terests was writing poetry, and he penned these words for one of his children; “May God bless richly all of you Today and days to come. Let’s meet again, and meet you too. In that Eternal Home.” On September 16, 1948 we moved to Mexico where he began his career as a school teacher. He taught school for 10 years and then served a term as the school supervisor. He will long be remembered for his personal interest in each of his pupils. In 1965 we moved back to Fisher Branch, Manitoba, where we purchased a farm.

OCTOBER 24, 1980

Father enthusiastically worked the land and expressed gratitude in how our heavenly Father so bountifully blessed the labour of his hands with good crops. He freely shared these blessings with those in need. • In September of 1978 Dad and Mother moved to Seminole, Texas to help establish a mission school for the Old Colony Mennonites from Mexico. Father loved the work and part of his heart remained there when they returned the following spring. Father enjoyed very good health until May of 1979 when he noticed some problems with his nose. He underwent sur gery which confirmed the growth to be malignant. He had further surgery in June and again in August. The doctor was very pleased with the results at a check-up four months ago. On August 17 Father experienced severe chest pains which the doctor later verified as a heart attack. This resulted in a hospital stay of 10 days. On September 27 he had another heart attack. He was very reluctant to seek medical help. During his hospitaliza tion he suffered successive heart attacks, resulting in extensive heart damage. On Oc tober 6 he was transferred to Winnipeg by ambulance. The doctors immediately realiz ed that serious complications had set in and notified the family of Father’s serious condi tion. Elda, Peter and Trudy arrived in time to talk with Father for a few minutes. He was very weak, but his mind was clear to the end. He expressed gratitude that all the children were saved and that so many grandchildren had accepted Christ too. Father also shared that Satan was telling him that he was not good enough. He further added that he had received peace when he claimed the blood of Christ. His “end” came peacefully at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning. He will be sorrowfully missed by his wife Justina, five sons and four daughters, Rosella and John Plett, Fisher Branch; Net tie and Art Plett, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico; Cornie and Alvina, Arborg; Larry and Elaine, Grand Prairie, Alberta; Tina and Albert Barkman, Riverton; Levi and Clarice, Sex smith, Alberta; Elda, Steinbach; Elmer and Doris, Sexsmith, Alberta; Peter and Trudy, Steinbach; 36 grandchildren and one great grandchild. He will also be fondly remembered by seven sisters, four brothers, and many other friends and relatives. He was predeceased by two infant grand sons, his parents, one brother (John L. Dueck) and two brothers-in-law. We wish to express a special note of thanks to all the friends and relatives for their loving and prayerful support, and to the medical staff who did their best to help. Though parting from him is painful, we rejoice that he is with the Lord, and that he was spared a lengthy illness. His wife and family

3n Ifnurio DYCK — In loving memory of our dear mother and grandmother, Tina Dyck, who passed away October 26, 1976. We do not need a special day To bring you to our minds. The days we do not think of you Are hard to find. They say that time heals all sorrows And helps one to forget, But time has only shown us How much we miss you yet. But looking back at memories Upon the past we trod. We bless the years we shared with you And leave the rest to God.

Lovingly remembered by the family.

Book Review JO THE TEN commandments were for other people, not Tommy Ashcraft. He wrote his own rules about morals, marriage and alcohol. Neither marriage to lovely, black-haired Elizabeth nor the birth of children changed his bachelor patterns of self-gratification, writes Tommy, a business executive, in his autobiography. Prodigal Husband (Gift Publications, $3.95), with Max Call. Elizabeth protested in vain about his heavy drinking, other women and gambling. Why listen to her? Tommy asked himself. In a Christian home, the man is boss. Anyhow Elizabeth was a heathen who didn’t even own a Bible, so her opinions and objec tions didn’t count. He was a good Christian. After all, hadn’t he been baptized three times and didn’t his church have 120 elders. Then Elizabeth found a solution to her problem husband — Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. After she was born again, she tried to bring Tommy to a saving knowledge of Christ. He would have no part of it at that time. What happened to Tommy next is chilling. The suspense of the book mounts until the last paragraph. Today, Tommy Ashcraft is an effective marriage counselor, working to solve hus band and wife problems through Bible prin ciples. In Prodigal Husband he reveals how to save faltering marriages and how to make good marriages even better.

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Winds of Autumn

J- he cruel, cold, and gusty winds of autumn Are stripping the poplars of their golden garb; Relentlessly, devastatingly. What brilliant beauty they boasted For a brief season: Only to lose it And be left ugly and desolate Until the white and silver majesty of winter Clothes them in glittering, sparkling splendor.

Those cruel, cold, and gusty winds of autumn Arouse in me a bleak and gloomy feeling: Mournful, melancholy. For even so the winds of time are blowing My youth away. And leaving me To go on steadily aging: The smooth, firm brow now lined with deepening creases. Brown tresses streaked with tell-tale strands of silver, Vision threatening to diminish. Enthusiastic energy succumbing to despondent weariness. The Joyous exuberance of youth subdued by the cares of life, Noble, lofty aspirations slowly crumbled by disappointments. Dreamy sentiments dimmed by harsh reality Where is the "me" that used to be? Oh, to be always young! Why must autumn come? But those chilly autumn winds so boisterous, blowing. Cannot shake the sombre green of stalwart spruce, still standing Resolute, unchanging. So too, I have another life which winds of time and change Cannot affect; Eternal, everlasting’. The life of God He gave me through His Son Who died that I might have itl Even in old age He will not forsake me. And after death He will make me new And clothe me in the white array of Heavenl Here I am as the grass that withers and fades: There I shall never die. Nor even grow old. And never feel again the dolefulness Of autumn winds I L. Marie Enns

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THE MESSENGER

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