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whole message.
How Can These Things Be? By John Toews ary’s question addressed to the angel, and used as the title for this arti cle, revealed the struggle Mary had with the angel’s message. She knew her own condition. It was impossible for her to become a mother under present cir cumstances. Things sounded strange and incomprehensible. How can these things be? The same question concerning the birth of our Lord is often repeated. What is the answer?
THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION - Matt. 1, Luke 1 When Joseph discovered that his wife to-be was already pregnant he reacted by taking the course open to him and per mitted by the law. He was going to divorce her. But God intervened. An angel sent by God appeared to him in a dream and revealed to him that Mary had conceived through the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit. The child was destined to be the Saviour of man from his sins. He would be the Son of God: God with us. Joseph took her as his wife and kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a son. Some see Joseph’s response and self-control as an im possibility. They compare his action with their own righteousness. But Joseph, be ing a righteou.s man, accepted the angel’s message and moved on in faith. One can hardly imagine the extent of Mary’s shock at the angel’s message. The Scriptural record is that Mary’s response was, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
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be it done to me according to your word.” She submitted to God’s will. Many who ponder these revelations of Scripture come to the conclusion that they just can’t be. How can a virgin con ceive by the Holy Spirit? How can a man keep his wife a virgin during several months of cohabitation? How can God lower Himself to become human and be subject to His own creation as in His crucifixion? How can one man save another from receiving just damnation for the sins he has committed? How can these things be? Since deeper spiritual understanding is needed, but lacking, the facts are rejected. But Joseph and Mary did not reject these revelations because they understood by faith one thing very clearly: For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37). With this understanding they went on to experience the fulfillment of God’s revelation for their lives. To the natural man spiritual truths are meaningless. Spiritual truths need spiritual understanding (1 Cor. 2:14). The power and miraculous workings of God are grasped and understood and ex perienced by faith. Human understanding cannot fathom the mighty deeds of God. Hence the basic truth of Christ’s birth escapes them. An important truth to remember is that truths relating to the birth of Christ are not to be taken in isolation. Other truths must be taken in conjunction with them. It is the whole story that brings the
THE SEARCH - Matthew 2 Wise men followed for a long distance a star in the sky (Matt.2). It ultimately led them to the place where the Christ child lived. It is a unique story indeed. Some explanations of what kind of star this might have been can be expected. For some the explanation is that a super natural light, resembling a star, appeared and it conveyed to men, who were versed in the study of celestial phenomena, an impulse to travel to Jerusalem to find a newborn king. Others explain it as an or dinary astronomical phenomenon of a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn. For still others it was a comet whose tail happened to be pointing at the right place. Whatever the interpretation, none seem to argue the point that the star’s focus was on Christ. How can these things be? It is clear that once again God is at work revealing Himself in ways that are not easily understood. To some they are just strange phenomena. As in the an nouncement of the miracle conception, so in the revelation of the birth of a King, God’s way to lead wise men to the Christ Child was a miracle. Both draw attention to the fact that this must be a very unusual child. Can one understand the story of a miracle star? Is it essential that one must understand it to believe it? The star in the east guided the wise men (magi) to a very specific destination. It had its focu.s of announcement recorded in Micah 5:2. It seems clear that no ex planation of human understanding is quite adequate to decipher the existence, movements, appearances and disap pearances or the exact position of the star. It led and directed the magi to the Christ Child. The magi rejoiced as they neared the destination, worshipped the child as a king when they arrived and left precious gifts as an indication of their reverence. It is a safe guess that the magi left for home with at least as much joy as they experienced when they saw the star over Bethlehem near the end of their journey. Quite likely few of us would have end ed up following a star like the magi did. But many of us see and follow other stars: wealth, fame, security, health, hap piness. They shine brightly and seem within reach and when they are reached the joy which the magi experienced somehow seems lacking. Scripture refers to Jesus as the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). Prophetic ut terance claimed that He would be a light to guide the feet of those who sit in darkness into the way of peace (Luke 1:78,79). We see the darkness as a great ignorance, but the light, the Messiah, and
THE MESSENGER
the Truth teachings He gave enlighten the human heart and now the traveler knows clearly the path to peace. Whereas these travelers formerly sat in the shadow of death (sinful, wretched, wandering, and without hope), they are now following a star which sheds rays of eternal light and life, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. King Herod also searched for the Christ Child, but for a very different reason than that which inspired the magi. When he heard of a Hebrew king born in Bethlehem he was troubled. Who is this Christ? This Hebrew king? Is it really as foretold by the prophet Micah? Who is this one born to be a king? He doesn’t even belong to the royal family! How can these things be? The “slaughter of the in nocents” showed his reaction and the acknowledgement he gave of believing the magi’s story. It is interesting to note how this episode in history supports the story of the magi and their vision of a star leading them to the Christ Child. The message that we get from this story, aside from basic facts, is that the prospect of another taking over rulership in our place is not easily accepted. For Christ to rule in my life means surrender for me. We really don’t want anyone else to rule in our lives. We want to be free and independent people. The struggle be tween freedom and control is endless. People realize that to accept Christ as Savior means for them to relinquish the right to rule in their own lives. We cannot have it both ways. Our ways lead to eter nal spiritual death and His ways lead to life eternal. The rich young ruler had to make a choice (Matt. 19:16-21) He could have only “this” or “that.” But to surrender to Christ does not mean that we only relinquish control of our lives. It means that we relinquish control so that Christ can assume the responsibilities that are His in the role of a king: to give leadership, give guidance, protect, care, counsel (Col. 1:14) Jesus asked His disciples to pray that His kingdom might come to this earth. There is a dimension of that prayer that is frequently overlooked. It is surrender. We need to pray, “Thy kingdom come to my life.” His kingdom starts in the hearts and lives of those who receive Christ (John 1:12). It is those who truly surrender who show God’s great miracle of change.
THE HEAVENLY ANTHEM - Luke 2 There is no story of the birth of Christ that quite stirs the heart like the one in Luke 2. It is one of those familiar passages that can be reread many times and be cherished all the more. The pro clamation of Christ’s birth to the shepherds is another one of those unique ways God used to announce the birth of His Son, this time to a different group of
DECEMBER 16, 1983
The shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard and spread the news around. his people. The message of the angel was personal: I bring you good news. There has been born for you a Savior; this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby ... It was also all inclusive: good news of a great joy which shall be for all people. How can these things be? And they went in haste to find it “just as they had been told.” To many who read the story the events may seem distant and unrealistic, touching though they may be. How can these things be? What significance can they have for me? If what we read in Luke 2 of the birth of Christ was the only knowledge we had of Christ’s birth and life it might indeed have little significance. But we have four Gospels and numerous epistles that go on to give much more detail (revelation) about the purpose of Christ’s birth and life. They go on to explain that Jesus’ birth fulfilled the prophecy of the an cients (Matt. 1:22, 23; Luke 1:78, 79; 2:29-32) and that He had come into this world for a specific purpose - to become a sacrifice for the sins of mankind so that God could forgive them (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Indeed, John the Apostle wrote his gospel with the express purpose of persuading his readers that Jesus was in deed the Christ, or Messiah, the Son of God; and that by faith in His name eter nal life was a possession of reality (John 20:30, 31). The shepherds, I believe, had grasped this much larger truth of Christ’s coming and with rejoicing spread the news. THE NEW TEACHING - John 3 Jesus said to Nicodemus that when people were born again they could see the kingdom of God. That means that a change had taken place. They could now see (comprehend, grasp, understand) what was formerly hidden from them (John 3:3). Things of the kingdom were no longer a mystery, at least not in the same way. Paul described this change as becoming a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Not only that, he understood that this change was from God (v. 18). Jesus explained to Nicodemus that this change was a work of the Holy Spirit. This working is like the wind. You can
hear the wind and you can see what it does, but still can’t see the wind. The evidence is, nevertheless, there. And so we have a record of a Peter, a Paul, an Augustine, a Menno Simons, to name just a few whose lives were changed. They had become a new creation. They had been born again. How can these things be? Nicodemus wanted to know. That is a question many others ask also. Jesus went on to explain that it was the miracle work of God bas ed on a person’s faith in Christ. Until such time as a person acts out of faith to receive Christ as Savior, God’s miracle, the new birth, or new creation, as Paul put it, is halted. When faith is set in mo tion, God can begin His miracle work of regeneration. Jeremiah, as the mouthpiece of God, said, “You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart” (29:13). That is still true today. The magi are the Christmas example. The new birth or new creation is as much a part of the total message of Christmas as any other part. It was given to Joseph and Mary and the shepherds first of all. Jesus Himself gave greater clarification of the Christmas message when He spoke to Nicodemus’ question. THE COMPLETE STORY I understand that when a person becomes well trained in music he is able to read the whole score of music at one time. He hears the harmony of every row of notes. He has progressed from reading just one line of notes. He has a com prehension of the whole. So also we need to read the Christmas story. This article has referred to separate episodes, but actually we should see them in a continuous flow of events fulfilling the redemption plan. The prophecies of old and the Gospels elaborating on the life and death of Jesus belong, as it were, as a part of the whole score. They speak to the question, “How can these things be?”
THE ANSWER “All these things can be” because they fill the specific purpose, plan, and design of a miracle-working God. Every event in the Christmas story, the conception, the response of Joseph and Mary, the bright shining star and the magi’s search, the heavenly birth announcement to the shepherds, the new birth, all involve the miraculous. They are beyond human plan or device. Being true to Himself, we see God’s ways as past finding out - unsearch able and unfathomable - but possible. For those who have experienced the miracle of the new birth or new creation, the rest of the miracles are not only a possibility, but of the same reality. ■
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Missions BAHAMAS
The Film Ministry
Tiring but Rewarding On the first weekend of every month we go to different settlements on the island to show a film. The film we showed this month was “The Cross and the Switchblade.” On Friday evening we go to Governor’s Harbour to show the film. The small chapel is usually nearly full. The film is enjoyed by adults and children. On Saturday afternoon we head south to show the film at Bannerman Town, picking up some children on the way. Some 50 children, about 90% from the settlement, attend. At Deep Creek, about 15 miles northeast, we have about 30-50 children coming. After another showing, at Wmyas Bight, we head for home. Our next showing is at the school for our students. Then on Monday night we go out for the last showing, at Savannah Sound, where we have a mixed audience of about 50. This is a tiring but rewarding ministry. Pray that the films might reach souls and that the funds migh keep coming in to pay for the rental. Harvey Plett
CONTRIBUTORS: John Toews is the pastor of the Swift Cur rent, Sask. E.M. Church. Harvey Plett (Blumenort) is serving in the Bahamas under the Gospel Missionary Union. He is involv ed in maintenance, bookkeeping, Bible cor respondence courses, and Sunday School. Mary Ann Loewen (Pleasant Valley) lives in Paraguay where her husband Ernie is the manager of Radio Station ZP-30. Clint Toews lives at 195 Ethelbert St., Winnipeg, Man. R3G 1V8. Words and music copyright 1983. Edwin Friesen is the E.M. Conference Pastor. He lives in Kleefeld and works out of the Steinbach office.
COVER: This is our first full colour cover. We would like to give credit to “Manitoba Moods,” a Manitoba Government publica tion, for supplying the color separation.
Mission Crams FROM the diary of prison chaplain Dick Friesen: “Spent the day at the Public Safety Building. I counselled with eight inmates. Talked with one twice and he prayed the sinner’s prayer.” “Had the new inmates in the chapel and informed them on what the chapel pro grams are all about, the help they may receive through counselling, through reading books, through coming to the services, etc.” “I visited two guys in isolation. One asked for a New Testament. I had a great opportunity to present Christ.” India Arley Loewen, who serves with Operation Mobilization in India and Pakistan, was happy and excited to have his parents visit him in November. Much of his ministry is with Afghan refugees. Following are some of the projects he plans to be involved in: Language Learning - Ministry, as well as learning to communicate. Teaching English - Setting up a systematic program. Teaching Hospitality and Visitation - We hope this will be a major part of our work. Films - We have the film Jesus in Farsi. Discipleship - Friends at different stages of understanding. Christmas Programs - We want to present Jesus as the hope and light of the world.
Mexico News has come to the Missions Office that Randall and Faith Krahn both have contacted infectious hepatitis and will need a lengthy bed rest. Pray for their quick and total recovery. Workers Accepted Ron and Rosanne Poffenroth of the Calgary EMC were accepted for missionary service with GMU in Austria. Pray for them as they will be receiving orientation and preparing to leave for Austria.
Reappointments •Verna Doerksen (Blumenort) to Peru with Wycliffe Bible Translators. •Flo Friesen (Kleefeld) to Ecuador with World Radio Missionary Fellowship. •Alvira Friesen (Rosenort) to Panama with Gospel Missionary Union. •Linda Penner (Blumenort) to Paraguay with EMC.
“Anil tl|e angel aaib untn them. 3fear nut: fnr. heljnlii. 3 bring gnu gnnb tibingn nf great ing. uil|icli aljaU be tn all gengle. 3Fnr untn gnu is burn tljin bag in tl|e citg nf iiauib a ^auinur, iul|iclj in (Eiirist tlje IJnrb” (Luke 2:10,11).
THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for 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 $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER is published every otner 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 mailed to the above address.
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THE MESSENGER
Messenger News growth is not greater. The report continued with the statement, “One of the mandates the Board of Missions has is to plant churches in Canada. For various reasons, not all have worked out and six have been either phased out or amalgamated with other Conferences. Fif teen are presently autonomous. Two have been started but are not yet organized. The others are under some support or connected with the Board of Missions on an advisory basis.” There are presently some 23 Canadian workers under the Board of Missions. With all but four of these the Board has financial obligations. Workers are needed in two of these areas, one for June 1984 and another one immediately.
Milton Fast reported on the Canadian Field at the December Conference Council Meeting.
EMC CONFERENCE COUNCIL FALL MEETING
Proposed 1984 Budget to be Decreased by 4% In the Evangelical Mennonite Conference there are two Council (delegates) meetings a year, July and December. The July meeting consists basically of reports and elections. The December meeting features budget estimates for the following year plus committee projections. This year’s December Council meeting took place on December 3 at the Ridgewood E.M. Church. The forenoon was basically spent with a report by the Board of Missions. Reporting were Henry Klassen (executive secretary) and Milton Fast (associate secretary). Both Mr. Klassen and Mr. Andrew Dueck reported on Edmar Fast was also present at the December Conference Council Meeting. He was here due to his son’s surgery.
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a recent field visit to Nicaragua and Paraguay. The Nicaragua church is wrestling with reaching out. They also want to effectively be the church in Nicaragua. One of the issues they have had to face concerns that of being an Anabaptist church. In East Paraguay one of the current pro blems is flooding, due to dam construction. More personnel are needed. The delegates were challenged with the need for workers. The question period brought a number of queries on different issues. One question latched on to the matter of taking an Anabaptist stance in that country. It seems they have wrestled quite thoroughly with this. They are also willing to do alter native service. Are we receiving money from CIDA? The answer was no. What about the news that Christians have been killed for their faith in Nicaragua? Lester Olfert says that religious persecution is minimal. Are we sending more workers to Nicaragua? Two couples have been process ed. One is open to Latin America. Milton Fast gave a report on the Canadian field. His report opened with an overview of Canadian expansion. There were five chur ches in 1949 and 46 in 1983, plus two others not yet organized. Conference growth in the past five years has been 14.6%. He named seven E.M. churches with a growth rate of over 50% in five years and added that there is concern that the overall
Lester Olfert, Nicaragua, addressed himself to the Central America issue at the December Conference Council Meeting.
General goals consist of the following: 1) establish clusters of churches, 2) start new churches in urban areas, 3) work closely with “Regions” in church planting (is presently happening in one area), 4) encourage in dividual churches to start daughter churches, 5) appoint church-planting teams, 6) start at least one new church each year. The report closed by stating that another goal is to “teach and encourage the respon sibility we have to evangelize Canada . . . This will mean leaving secure places for many, to settle in other com munities to become a part of a church planting team . . .” One of the overall budget increases in the Board of Missions concerns a deeper involve ment with Africa Inter Mennonite Mission. A good sum is for Canadian expansion. A
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bookstore has been opened in Mexico. The national church in Mexico is planning to build a conference center. Another item is a recommendation to the Conference Council regarding medical coverage for missionaries. The Board of Mis sions recommended that the present plan be retained but that we join the Mennonite Ma jor Medical Pool for coverage of major medical bills. A review and an evaluation is also being conducted on involvement with Associate Missions. A presentation is to be made at the 1984 Conference Council meeting. The question period had several respondents. A question concerned the Mexico Con ference Center. It is to be used for youth con ferences, camps, short-term Bible school, etc. Long-term plans also include a technical school. A report was also given on a recent medical case (Randall Krahns) and the cur rent monies received for this. With a new medical plan, missionaries would also be required to pay premiums. How would this affect their salaries? Two opinions were expressed on premiums: 1) The Board of Missions should pay. 2) The worker should pay. It was felt that it would be advisable for the worker to also contribute. The motion to accept the proposed new plan carried. After this, Lester Olfert, missionary on furlough, reported on the Central America situation, particularly on Nicaragua. Il literacy has been brought down in the coun try. The EMC had five clinics; the govern ment has now taken over three of these. The government also has done agrarian reform and encourages better wages for labourers and better living conditions. Mr. Olfert said that the church has matured. The government is aware of their beliefs regarding church and State. He en couraged the delegates to remember the Nicaraguan church in prayer. A prayer time closed off the forenoon ses sion. Mr. Harvey Plett, chairman of the Board of Missions, drew attention to three requests: 1) Pray for needed personnel. 2) Pray for the Nicaraguan church. 3) Pray that we might be Christian. There were reports by the following: 1) Steinbach Bible College, 2) Youth Commit tee, 3) Board of Education and Publication, 4) Social Concerns Committee, 5) Nominating Committee, 6) Ministerial Ex amination and Placement Committee, 7) General Board. The budget review took a little over an hour. A question which was raised on the Board of Missions’ budget was the increase in administration. This includes a plannedfor office secretary for the Board of Mis sions. One questioner asked for an explana tion on the big increase in the Canadian field figures. This is for personnel already in place
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John Doerksen (center) and wife (not shown) both gave reports on the Haiti trip. On right is Dave Loewen, chairman of the EMC Missions Auxiliary.
EMC Missions Auxiliary Hears Reports and Decides on New Projects By Dave Schellenberg Some 59 people, including about 17 ladies, were present at the annual meeting of the EMC Missions Auxiliary (MA) at the Braeside church on December 5 in the evening. Harry Fast, local deacon, welcomed the guests by saying, “We’re very pleased that all of you have come out.’’ Peter Kroeker led in the singing of the hymn, “Rise up, O Men of God.” John Stoesz, local pastor, led in the devotional. He emphasized that we should speak more of the Lord (Luke 2:38). Doug Doerksen, by way of slides, show ed us the Indians’ way of life in East Paraguay. MA has an interest in the Indian work because the Indians have been settled on land previously purchased by them (MA). He explained the purpose of this purchase: 1) to make land available to landless Indians and 2) to establish a church on this property. Mr. Dave Loewen, chairman of the even ing, went on to explain that they have been looking for projects where young people could be involved. Such an undertaking presented itself when help was needed to
build a school in Haiti. About a month ago five young men from Blumenort and Land mark, together with John and Agnes Doerksen, went to Haiti to work on this pro ject. All are now back and related to the MA of their mission. Mr. Doerksen outlined what they had done. Two school buildings were built. One was built from the ground up; the other already had a start. They worked hard, star ting around 5:00 in the morning and work ing till about 5:30 at night. The temperature was around 80°. The five fellows divided their report into five parts: The Land, History, People, Economy and Religion. This proved very informative. The project wa.s under the auspices of Mis sion Possible. From here we went on to hear an update on the new proposed radio station ZP-50 in Paraguay, which was less encouraging. Mr. C. P. Loewen had to report that, due to cir cumstances, the project is at this time not beCont’d. next page
(Saskatoon and Edmonton). What will the men do if a secretary is hired? They will be more active in other work. Questions fielded to the Board of Educa tion and Publication included the proposed new structure to support the ministers’ and students’ study assistance. Why is the Stu dent Aid estimate almost double of the Minister’s Study Fund? Why should not stu dent aid also be repaid? Will they get aid every year for the three years? One sugges tion was that student aid should be accor ding to means. Looming high on the agenda was the 16% increase of the budget over 1983. Delegates are hard put to make the decision, com mented someone. Maybe the committees and
boards should re-evaluate it. Several brethren reported on the message they got at their home churches. One church felt we should try and come down to a 10-12*^6 increase. Another church felt they could not vote for this percentage increase. Others were positive. Home administration costs also came in for questioning. The budget review was brought to a close with the motion that we cut the budget by 4% and let the boards and committees, together with the Board of Finance, decide on the priorities. This carried.
“Shall we go forward in the name of Christ” were the moderator’s closing words.
THE MESSENGER
Reporting at the December M.A. meeting were five young fellows who participated in the Haiti project. Left to right: Reynold Brandt, Darren Plett, Cliff Peters, Amy Plett, John Reimer. F
ing actively pursued anymore. If things change, it could again become viable. New Projects: New projects totalling some $53,400 were then presented. The first one concerns the printing of Bi ble study material for Nicaragua. Approved for this was $5,000.00. The second project, “Cattle Project for La Esperanza,” would develop a cattle project to benefit the Indians. 1) It would provide work and 2) it would provide meat. It was decided to give $6,000.00 towards this. The next three items concern the Africa Inter Mennonite Mission field in Africa. Here there was an appropriation of $42,400. for 1) expansion of Tshikapa Bible Institute, 2) printing Bible teaching material for Lesotho and 3) Upper Volta Bookstore. Arnold Reimer’s term in the Auxiliary was up and he was re-elected for another threeyear term. Opportunity was given for members to pay their yearly membership fee. The evening culminated with refreshments. The EMC Missions Auxiliary is a membership organized for the purpose of propagating the gospel through expertise in feasibility evaluation, financial assistance, project development management or other needs that may arise with priority preference to the mission program of the E.M. Conference. Money for projects comes from a yearly $200.00 membership fee and also from dona-
tions when special projects are undertaken or from undesignated contributions. Bequests, annuities or legacies may also be made to the MA. Any communication to MA may be addressed to: EMC Missions Auxiliary, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0.
Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society Holds Seminar Steinbach, Man.: Mennonite publishing. Mennonite businesses and Mennonite settlement were the three main themes of the allday fall seminar of the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, held October 29, 1983 in Steinbach, Manitoba. The group of 45 pre sent were both humored and sobered when made to consider questions of acculturation, economics, faith, migration and the literary art. Editor Abe Warkentin started off the morning by focussing in on the internationally known Mennonitische Post which serves as one of the religious newspapers for the Mennonites in Canada (population totalling 88,500), Mexico (45,000), Paraguay (20,000), Belize (6,000), and Bolivia (15,000). Subscriptions run at 5,200 but there are perhaps 25,000 readers. Abe Warkentin commented that the
history of the Mennonitische Post can not be fully understood unless one traces history back “to 1913 when Jacob S. Friesen started printing the Volksbote which evolved into the Steinbach Post a few years later.” These comments were picked up by Eugene Derksen, publisher and owner of Derksen Printers, who told of his father’s involve ment with the Steinbach Post. It was in 1932 when Arnold Dyck, the editor at that time, drove up onto his father’s yard to renew an old Russian acquaintance. Four years later, in 1936, Gerhard Derksen bought the paper from Dyck and continued editing it until his death in 1957. The Derksen family sold the paper in 1965 to a publisher in the States “where it promptly died of malnutrition.” By this time in the morning the audience was historically well-tuned to hear Professor Al Reimer talk about the writer and editor Arnold Dyck. Reimer first told of how Dyck, coming from'Russia in the 1920s, bought the Steinbach Post in 1923 and how by 1932, out of a literary restlessness, created and in troduced the characters of Koop and Bua to the paper. These two persons gave Arnold Dyck a vehicle to communicate to the world the many sides of human life, albeit Men nonite life. The last item of the morning included a panel in which moderator Roy Vogt asked the question of how Mennonites have managed to move from the profession of far ming to one of business. A.D. Penner, former mayor, and businessman, told of how his father wondered how he could sell cars and still tell the truth. Truthfulness became A.D. Penner’s motto despite times when money was of short supply. Businessman George Loewen, of C.T. Loewen, spoke of how his father already had been in business in 1905. Pastor Arden Thiessen then sum marized several paradoxes between the rela tionship of the Mennonite faith and business practises. At noon the cooks at the Steinbach Bible College provided the group with a wonder ful meal of sausages, buns, and cake, and by one o’clock the group was ready for a tour of Steinbach and surrounding area.
Arnold Reimer (sitting) collecting membership dues at the recent M.A. meeting at the Braeside church in Winnipeg. M.A. has around 100 members. Dues are $200 per year.
Baptismal service at the Crestview Fellowship on October 30. Back row (left to right): Garry Muir, Vernon Klassen, Lome Esau. Front row: Rhonda Kornelsen, Mrs. Helen Neufeld (pastor’s wife), Mr. Abe Neufeld (pastor).
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Eight Young People Baptized
Kola, Man.: December 4 was a special Sunday when eight young people were bap tized and accepted as members of our congregation. Rita, daughter of Elmer P. Siemens, Darcie, daughter of Dayton Reimers, and Valerie, daughter of Bernie Brandts, are all taking their grade 11 at the Elkhorn High School. Keith, son of Elmer C. Siemens, is in his final year at the Virden Collegiate. Jackie, daughter of Ray Doerksens, is in grade 11, and Michelle, daughter of Erna Klassen, is in grade 10, both at the Virden Collegiate. Jacquie, daughter of Leo Pen ners, is taking her grade 11 at the Steinbach Bible College. Abe, son of Elmer P. Siemens, is employed at the Kola Feed Mill. We covet your prayers for these young people; they all expressed a concern to be the witness that God wants them to be.
important and needed. The third evening the topic was “Ye are the Salt of the Earth.” With the use of the overhead projector, Mr. Peters showed us the downward steps of Peter, losing his ef fectiveness, and the steps back to saltiness. We were challenged to be the salt in our com munity, and to retain our savour. Sunday morning our thoughts centered on prayer, the declaration of our dependence on God. From Psalm 90 we observed how David included praise, penitence and petition in his prayer. At the last service Mr. Peters had a chalk talk with us. We enjoyed the art work, lighting, music and Scripture reading includ ed in the presentation. Jesus commended Peter to feed His lambs. We are to be Christ’s witnesses today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we will be His witnesses.
Report From Camp Arnes Heard
Roseisle, Man.: Four of our young people continue their studies in various schools: Don Harms (Winnipeg Bible College), Marilyn Siemens, (Millar Memorial Bible Institute, Pambrun, Sask.), Peggy Dueck (Caronport High School), and Brian Penner (Universi ty of Winnipeg). A belated but warm welcome goes out to Wes and Brenda Klassen who moved into our midst from Carman. John Klassen had knee surgery on November 9. He had an artificial knee put in. He is home from the hospital and is improving. In November we had some missionaries on furlough reporting in our church on their work on the mission field. On October 30 Mr. and Mrs. Dave Harms, Camp Arnes, gave us a report on what camp work is all about. They have worked there for a few years by now and really enjoy it. Congratulations to Darrell and Eleanor Friesen on their marriage. You are wished God’s richest blessings as you start your life together. A time of remembrance and a communion service took place in our church on Sunday, December 4. Spiritual Growth Experienced
Arden, Man.: November 24-27 we had a series of meetings with John Peters. It was a time of spiritual growth. Mr. Peters taught the Word and encouraged us to examine ourselves. In the first message he talked about the basis, bond and message of fellowship — the cross, the yoke, and God’s Word. Friday night’s message, “The Church,” showed us how we fit into the body of Christ. We saw that our work is to glorify God, build His kingdom, and do His will. How comforting to know that each one of us is
The Dalzells.
DOES IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?
Prairie Rose, Man.: “Does it make any difference to you. If a soul dies in sin, God has told you to win?” What a stirring theme song for a missionary conference! Really it applies very well to all that is going to be said in this article. Sunday morning, October 2, was the
beginning of a four-day missionary con ference in the Prairie Rose church. Rev. John Peters (Janz Team), the keynote speaker, spoke at each session on the theme “Com pelled by Love.” His messages were very ef fective, with the help of the overhead, and a breathtaking chalk talk, with a recording, on the concluding evening. Missionaries, too, were an important part of each session. Sunday afternoon was a new venture. Four display booths were set up downstairs by the following missionaries: Mrs. Ben Eidse (Zaire, Africa), Larry and Kathryn McNeill (Mali, Africa), Verna Doerksen (Peru, S.A.), and Doris Friesen (Nicaragua). The people were invited to see the displays and visit with the missionaries. After a delightful lunch, each of the “foreign ambassadors” was given an opportunity to speak to all the guests. It proved to be a real blessing. The people were willing cheerful givers. The missionary conference budget was more than met. It included three special projects above the usual disbursements of needs. The Paraguay field was to get funds for gospel films; Bible correspondence courses were needed for prison inmates; and missionary Evelyn Plett received abundant financial help to pay for her airfare to Canada from Spain and back. It was her privilege to be with her mother, Mrs. Cecil Nelson, in her time of suffering and homegoing. He was unknown to us, but not for long. He visited our people, he liked our borscht, he liked our young people, and the good at tendance every night, even the early Sunday morning service. He had a sense of humour, but more than that, he wept with us. Floyd Dalzell came to us from Thief River Falls, Minnesota for a series of evangelistic meetings, November 6-13. The messages were powerful, clear and simple. Brother Dalzell pleaded with the people, in tears, to get right with God. He visited the Landmark School, speaking to the junior and senior departments, and also addressing the ISCF group. Early Wednesday morning saw him speaking at the men’s prayer breakfast. Every plate was taken. Following this, he hurried home to get his wife Pearl and his young son Ross. Pearl, in a quiet loving man ner, accompanied him with an accordiorgan
Keynote speaker John Peters.
or mandolin in their musical packages. Floyd played three other instruments - the guitar, the harp (a “heavenly instrument”) and the saw. They truly did touch tender hearts when they asked the congregation to join them oc casionally in a German song, e.g. “Was Kann Es Schoenres Geben?” Yes, the Word of God was proclaimed. Did many respond? Sadly, far too many con tinue to go their own way, and joyfully, others go God’s way. How many, God knows.
Births KOOP — to Marvin and Evelyn Koop of Win nipeg, Man., a son, Jonathan Charles, on March 31, 1983. NEUFELD — to Robert and Irmgard Neufeld of Winnipeg, Man., twin sons. Dale Robert and Gregory Ross, on May 3, 1983. CATTANI — to Doug and Pat Cattani of Win nipeg, Man., a daughter, Candace Lise, on August 25, 1983. REIMER — to Stan and Rhonda Reimer of Win nipeg, Man., a daughter, Angela Camille, on September 13, 1983. KOOP — to Bert and Kathy Koop of Vanderhoof, B.C., a son, Desmond Kevin, on September 30, 1983. DODD — to Reg and Edie Dodd of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Jennifer Anne, on August 29, 1983. LOEWEN — to Tim and Laurie Loewen of Mor ris, Man., a daughter, Brooke Allison, on November 4, 1983. REIMER — to Merv and Dorothy Reimer of Mor ris, Man., a son, Matthew Justin, on September 30, 1983. EIDSE — to Elwyn and Annette Eidse of Mor ris, Man., a daughter, Patricia Anne, on August 18, 1983. JANZEN — to Peter and Telita Janzen of La Crete, Alta., a son, Rudy James, on October 17, 1983. JANZEN — to Abe and Kathryn Janzen of San ta Cruz, Bolivia, a son, Ryan Peter, on October 11, 1983. McLEAN — to Gary and Marge McLean of Stein bach, Man., a daughter, Danica Leigh, on October 25, 1983. PLETT — to Don and Rose Plett of Kleefeld, Man., a daughter, Melissa Marie, on October 24, 1983. GIBSON — to Fraser and Lois Gibson of Stein bach, Man., a son, Steven James, on October 7, 1983. NICKEL — to Henry and Corinne Nickel of Stein bach, Man., a daughter. Crystal Jolene, on September 23, 1983. BERGEN — to Leonard and Arlene Bergen of Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Melissa Dawn, on June 15, 1983. FEHR — to Jake and Sharon Fehr of Steinbach, Man., a son, Jonathan Mark, on May 14, 1983. HOLMES — to Allan and Elvera Holmes of Grunthal, Man., a son, Nowell Richard, on August 9, 1983. SCHMIDT — to Rick and Terry Schmidt of Win nipeg, Man., a son, Brent Richard, on September 13, 1983. SAWATZKY — to Kurt and Faye Sawatsky of Steinbach, Man., a son, Shaun Kurtis, on November 18, 1983.
DECEMBER 16, 1983
KROEKER — to Vern and Anne Kroeker of Riverton, Man., a daughter, Monique Fiona Ananee, on October 14, 1983. DUECK — to Ray and Martha Dueck of River ton, Man., a son, Justin Charles Lee, on August 10, 1983. EIDSE — to Kerry and Joanne Eidse of Morris, Man., a daughter, Kristy Marie, on October 6, 1983. BRANDT — to Rudy and Joanne Brandt of Rosenort, Man., a son, Justin Kyle, on November 23, 1983. BRANDT — to Murray and Muriel Brandt of Rosenort, Man., a daughter, Jody Lynn, on November 23, 1983. DUECK — to Alfred and Marge Dueck of Rosenort, Man., a son, Tyler Brock, on November 28, 1983. BRANDT — to Cornie and Hanna Brandt of Blumenort, Man., a daughter, Leah Simone, on November 23, 1983.
Weddings VANDEMEER — HIEBERT: Peter Vandemeer and Margaret Hiebert, daughter of John and An nie Hiebert of Portage la Prairie, Man., were mar ried on August 6, 1983. The wedding took place at the Portage E.M. Church with Rev. Cecil Nelson of Portage la Prairie officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Portage la Prairie. KLASSEN — NEUFELD: Rodney, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Klassen of Kola, Man., was mar ried on October 8, 1983 to Linda, daughter of Mrs. Katherine Neufeld of Yarrow, B.C. The wedding took place in Yarrow, B.C. with Arnold Fast of Abbotsford, B.C. officiating. The couple is mak ing their home in Kola, Man. KLASSEN — KROEKER: Phil, son of Henry and Ramona Klassen of Steinbach, Man., and Lori, daughter of Jake and Margaret Kroeker of Win nipeg, Man., were married on June 25, 1983. The wedding took place at the North Kildonan M.B. Church with Rev. Neufeld of Winnipeg officiating. The couple is residing in Winnipeg. HIEBERT — WERNER: Randy, son of Peter and Martha Hiebert, and Sieglinde, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Werner, all of Steinbach, Man., were married on July 17, 1983 at the Steinbach Mennonite Church with Abe Neufeld of Steinbach officiating. The couple is residing in Steinbach. HEINRICHS — LEONARD: Ken, son of Toby and Alice Heinrichs of Steinbach, Man., and Cheryl, daughter of Ron and Marge Leonard, also of Steinbach, were married on May 7, 1983. The wedding took place at the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Steinbach with Jim Harms of Steinbach officiating. The couple is residing in Steinbach. KEHLER — KROEKER — Alec, son of Abram and Susanna Kehler of Randolph, Man., was mar ried to Vai, daughter of Richard and Esther Kroeker of Steinbach, Man. The wedding took place on April 29, 1983 at the Steinbach E.M. Church with Cornie J. Martens of Kleefeld, Man. officiating. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. FRIESEN — PENNER: Duayne, son of Edgar and Lottie Friesen of Steinbach, Man., and Bev, daughter of Dave and Betty Penner of Steinbach, were married at the EMB Church in Steinbach on June 25, 1983, with Don Pahl of Steinbach officiating.
GOERTZEN — BUHR: Gerald, son of Peter and Susan Goertzen, and Sandra, daughter of Albert and Kathy Buhr, all of Steinbach, Man., were mar ried on July 2, 1983. The wedding took place at the Steinbach E.M. Church with Jim Harms of Steinbach officiating. The couple is residing in Steinbach. GOERTZEN — SAWATZKY: Ken, son of Mrs. Peggy Goertzen of Steinbach, Man., was married Bev, daughter of Oskar and Helen Sawatzky of Dalmeny, Sask. The wedding took place on July 9, 1983 at the M.B. Church in Dalmeny with Jim Harms of Steinbach officiating. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. KLASSEN — KROEKER: Ross, son of Frank and Corinne Klassen of Steinbach, Man., and Barb, daughter of Clarence and Agnes Kroeker of Steinbach, were married on July 30, 1983 at the E.M. Church in Steinbach. Jim Harms of Stein bach officiated. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. KENT — REIMER: Perry, son of Fred and Mar tha Kent of Winnipeg, Man., and Jocelyn, daughter of Bennie and Helen Reimer of Stein bach, Man., were married on June 25, 1983. The wedding took place at the Harstone Memorial United Church with Rev. Joe Redpath of Win nipeg officiating. The couple is making their home in Winnipeg. WIENS — REIMER: Henry T. Wiens and Mrs. Margaret Reimer were married on October 22, 1983 at the Steinbach E.M, Church with Arden Thiessen officiating. The couple is residing in Steinbach. FRIESEN — BRANDT: Roger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Friesen of Riverton, Man., and Anita, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Brandt of River ton, Man., were married on October 22, 1983. The wedding took place at the Mennville E.M. Church with Andrew Dueck of Riverton officiating. The couple is making their home in Riverton. BARKMAN — FRIESEN: Arley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barkman of Riverton, Man., was mar ried on August 27, 1983 to Tina, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Friesen of Aylmer, Ont. The wed ding took place at the Aylmer EMMC Church with Ben Wiebe of Aylmer, Ont. officiating. The cou ple is residing in Aylmer, Ontario.
In Memoriam DIEDRICH W. REMPEL 1892-1983
Mr. Diedrich W. Rempel was born September 4, 1892 near Winkler, Manitoba. In 1903, at the age of 11, he moved with his family to their homestead near Hague, Saskatchewan. He and Elizabeth Buhler were united in holy matrimony on July 7, 1918. From this union eleven children were born. This past summer the family and friends celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with them. Relatively good health was granted him until he was in his late eighties. At that time diabetes started to present increasing pro blems and it became necessary for him to move to a facility that could provide proper care. Under constant diet and medication control he enjoyed reasonably good health
PAGE 9
until the late summer of 1983. Deteriorating kidney function, diabetes, and an ailing liver rapidly attacked his aging body. He was ad mitted to hospital in early October for a short stay, after which he moved back to the Golden West Lodge for about three weeks. On November 2 he was again admitted to hospital and his condition continued to regress until, on November 26, 1983, at ap proximately 8:00 a.m., in the Grace General Hospital, having reached the age of 91 years, 2 months and 22 days, Diedrich Rempel was relieved of the suffering and the cares of this world to enter into the joy of eternal life. Left to cherish the memory of our caring and faithful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather are his beloved wife Elizabeth, eight children, Anna and son-inlaw Victor Lion of Winnipeg, Betty and sonin-law Peter Hildebrand of Brandon, Margaret and son-in-law Russel Maddess of Vancouver, Martha and son-in-law Alvin Plett of Brandon, Jake of Winnipeg, Bill and daughter-in-law Dorothy of Winnipeg, Henry and daughter-in-law Kathleen of Win nipeg, Edward and daughter-in-law Gwen of Lloydminster, Alta.; 16 grandchildren, John and Garry Lion, Carol (nee Lion) Ellis, Robert and Gerry Hildebrand, Bryan Rempel, Colleen (nee Rempel) Windsor, Jac queline Maddess, David Rempel, Dale (nee Rempel) Van Egmond, Myron, Keith, Leighton and Beth-Ann Plett, Jason and Lowell Rempel; eight great-grandchildren and one sister, Maria Fehr of Mexico. He was predeceased by his parents Wilhelm and Maria Rempel, three children, two sisters, and all six brothers. We who remain are privileged to have ex perienced his discipline, love and care. The Family
MRS. SUSAN WIEBE 1901-1983 Mrs. Susan Wiebe, beloved wife of Julius Wiebe, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 20, 1983 at the Personal Care Home of which she was a resident. She reached the age of 81 years, 11 months and 20 days.
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Mrs. Wiebe was born on December 1, 1901 to Peter and Agatha Loewen near Winkler, Manitoba. She was married to Julius Wiebe on October 20, 1921. They farmed in the Roland area until September 1934 at which time they moved with their family to Steinbach. In July 1972 Mr. and Mrs. Wiebe moved to the Personal Care Home where they have spent the past 11 ’/z years. Mrs. Wiebe is survived by her husband Julius Wiebe, three sons, Harold and Mary of Steinbach, Harvey and Mary of St. Boniface, Denver and Doris of Staplehurst, Nebraska: two daughters, Gertrude Peters of Vancouver, B.C., Laura and Bill Heckert of Steinbach; ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother and four sisters. Mrs. Wiebe was predeceased by her parents Peter and Agatha Loewen, three brothers, three sisters, and son-in-law Jake Peters. May she rest in peace. The Family KATHARINA UNGER PENNER 1903-1983
Katharina Unger Penner was born March 25, 1903 in Blumenhof. She was baptized after accepting Christ as her personal Saviour on September 27, 1927, with Rev. Henry R. Reimer officiating. Mother passed away peacefully October 29, 1983. She reached the age of eighty years, seven months and four days. Surviving her are her children, Clara (Ridgewood), Victor and Sara (Ridgewood), Bill and Anna (Wawanesa), and eight grandchildren, of whom two are married. Also left to mourn are her brothers and sisters, Justina (Mrs Cornelius Janzen), Abe, John, Klaas, Annie (Mrs. Jac. Penner), Cornie, Margaret (Mrs. Cornie Friesen). She was predeceased by her husband, Abraham Penner, in March 1981, three in " ’* fant children, her parents, Peter F. Lingers, her brothers Peter and Henry, and her sisters, Maria and Elizabeth. Mother loved people and enjoyed living for her Lord and Master. She grew up on a farm and then farmed in Ridgewood with
Katharina Unger Penner Dad until their retirement. She loved having friends in her home and welcomed visitors. Mother enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening. She also taught the mothers’ class in Sunday school for several years. Mother had a great love for her children and grandchildren and had a deep concern for their spiritual welfare. She was an unselfish person and even during her hospital stay she continued to demonstrate concern for others. Mother enjoyed reasonably good health all her life and entered the hospital in the latter part of August. She was informed that her iHness would be terminal. The Lord called her home eight weeks later. We agreed with her to pray that she would not have to suf fgr intensely and that the Lord would strengthen her spiritually even though her body would weaken. The Lord wonderfully answered our prayers and we praise Him for h. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). We wish to thank all those who have ex pressed their love to us in so many different, beautiful and practical ways at this time. The Family
Set Wide Your Doors
- et wide your doors, O little town of Bethlehem, The Lord of glory comes to bide with you today! What blessed Guest your humble walls will house Though other grander hostelries turned Him away!
For if the king of some great empire sought your door, Of your obsequious welcome there would be no doubt; Yet would you entertain this lesser lord of earth, And shut the King of all the universe out?
It may be He will never come your way again, Set wide your doors, O heart of man, and let Him in. Or that you did not hear His knock upon your door. The glorious Lord would come to bide with you today — Quickly, before He passes, open wide your heart. A blessed, heavenly Guest you may forever house. That He may come and dwell with you forevermore! Shut Him not out, O heart, and turn Him not away. „ ,, —Martha Snell Nicholson By permission Moody Press
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THE MESSENGER
Adjusting When we arrived here in February 1983, after a three-month furlough in Canada, it was like coming home. Our whole family had friends to come to. We came to familiar sur roundings, though the dirt and dust again surprised us! Coping with heat again became a reality. 1 could not help comparing this with the time we first stepped onto Paraguayan soil in July 1980. We knew only one family - Frank Kroekers - when we first moved to Filadelfia. I went into severe culture shock. But, as is so often the case, 1 did not realize what was happening to me. I thought about our homeland, Canada, and mostly the good things were magnified in my mind. Wasn’t Manitoba the best place to live? Here, however, among scampering cockroaches, blowing sand, spider webs and
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millions of ants, I could not keep up with housekeeping demands. Added to this was the lack of energy due to the debilitating climate. I started hating myself for not be ing able to keep up with my work. Shopp ing was not a trip to the supermarket; nor could I shop in English. So, housekeeping demanded more than all of my time. 1 asked, didn’t we come here to serve the Lord? Can’t I cook, clean and bake in Manitoba as well as here? I didn’t under stand myself anymore. I was confused and lonely. “Needy” beggars streamed in and press ed their noses against our window screens at the most unexpected moments. These were Indians. I felt some Mennonites were also overly curious. They literally stood at our fence and gazed. A family new and strange had come from far away. I resented being public show. I wanted privacy such as we were used to. Now in town I felt so hemmed in. There were communication barriers to face. Though we lived in a Mennonite com munity, the culture was still very different. Their humour seemed “incomprehensible” at times. Their school system and their taste in music were different. We found it difficult to speak the “spiritual language” in Low German. When a person suddenly feels he can’t express himself adequately he feels like an oddball. Through all this, I have discovered that culture does strange things to a person. We become critical of individuals and of the “system” in general. We act immature and don’t really absorb what happens around us. We dwell in our own little world and become
Loving Each Other By Clint Toews
whiny and self-centered. The Lord helped me out of my culture struggles! That is another story. I know that the Holy Spirit spoke to me. God was very patient and loving, assuring me of His presence. He assured us that He had called us to this country. We are thankful that now we can com municate and share with less hesitation. From time to time it still hits us that we are not really “one of them.” Despite difficulties and adjustments, I have found that . . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (II Cor. 3:17b).
TWR BROADCASTING GOSPEL IN KAZAK & KIRGIS Chatham, NJ: In May, Trans World Radio began broadcasting the Gospel in Kazak and Kirgis in the “hidden” people of South Central Asia. Eighty million Turkrelated people, speaking eight different languages, have never heard the Gospel in their own language. Trans World Radio’s broadcast is the first presentation of the Gospel to these people. This is an exciting development in the history of Christian mis sions and a great cause for rejoicing for all Christians around the world. For several years, Trans World Radio’s Program Director in Monte Carlo, Tom Streeter, has felt a great burden for these people of South Central Asia. He attended many conferences on the ministry to the mideast and he always made a point of ask ing other missionary organizations if they knew of any Christians in the free world who spoke Kazak, Kirgis, Uzbek, Turkman, or any of the other four Turk-related languages.
1g
A Christmas when I was just five And beginning to grow, We took a family picture, we were all smiling, But today, looking back, it seems so long ago."
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I
ver the ocean A young babe lies dying. Her mother in hunger sits helplessly by. The night is alive with rockets and bombers. Her father stares beaten. Too saddened to cry.
You know that the rainbows you chase Have no gold. Your goods are just dust in the wind. Won't you reach out and touch All those people around you. Loving each other again?
What have they done With their might and their power? Where are the angels who sang way back then? All that they want Is a chance to be loving. Loving each other again.
Sitting alone in a shiny clean rest home. She watches the street from her one-window room. The children will come - at least they did last year The visit was short, the departure was soon. Once there were gardens and birds in the morning. Once there was romance and love, she is told. But she lost the children she once gave birth to. And her only mistake was that she just got old.
Down in the suburbs Of one of our cities A teenager sat down with pen in his hand. He wrote out a letter addressed to his parents. And these, if you read them. Are the words that he said, "Mother and Father, I remember
DECEMBER 16, 1983
Let's put the love back into Christmas this year, Think of the Saviour, and then Won't you reach out and touch All those people around you Loving each other again?
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PAGE 11
From the Editor Some withdrew slowly, casting longing glances at the light. They felt inexplicably drawn towards it, and at the same time were afraid of it. Others resolutely turned their backs and stepped quick ly into the reassuring darkness. Others ran back, stumbl ing, falling. Some mocked the light. In the darkness, all were alike. The people, the suffering, the filth, the frustration and the pretense of gaiety. A few people continue to move towards the light. They are happy to be able to discern the path, thus avoiding the pitfalls along the way. Others more hesitant ly, stopping every few steps as if each step takes special effort. As people moved closer to the light they began to see the dirt and filth on their bodies. For some the sight was overwhelming. They slunk back towards the covering cloak of darkness. Darkness was more comfortable. There everyone was filthy and no one cared. No one cared at all. Those who persisted in their walk towards the light felt increasingly drawn towards it. There seemed to be a sense of kinship between them and the light, as though the light had become their friend. As they moved towards the light they became increas ingly aware of their own filth but with it also came a cor responding desire to be clean. Their desire to retreat into the darkness diminished. The people they were walking with became persons with unique features and characteristics. Bonds of friendship began to develop. As they drew closer to the light they would gently re mind each other of dirt that had been missed by the per son himself. Some accepted this reminder graciously while others, instead of being cleansed, broke rank and slunk back towards the land of shadows and darkness where no one cared about the dirt. No one cared at all. Those who stepped into the presence of the light found their joy complete. There was no desire to return to the darkness. Their trek from darkness to light was now complete. They were in the light. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Light. Light streaming in. Unrestricted light. Why are you closing your drapes? ■
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GUEST EDITORIAL
From Darkness to Light Edwin Friesen
erie, foreboding, darkness. Shrieks, groans and chaos. There are people in that darkness. The darkness is crowded with people, groping and stumbling in the gloomy darkness. They can’t see where they are going. They fall, cursing as they slide around in the slime. They wander around aimlessly. No one seems to know where the path is. The area is treacherous with boulders, thorns and mud. The people stumble as they grope their way. They bump into each other, cursing and lashing out. Some break under the frustration and despair. They murder, venting their anger on the closest tangible object. Light! A dim light appears in the distance. The people chatter excitedly. Using the light as a point of reference, the people try to get their bearings. They can now distinguish between the winding path and the treacherous cliffs, rocks and swamps. The trail seems to lead towards the light. Shadowy figures silhouetted against the distant light begin to take on specific form. Facial features are discernable. Initially, when the light appeared, most of the people were attracted to it and cautiously began moving towards it. Then a strange phenomenon took place. Most of the people began to retreat, back into the gloomy darkness.
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