Vol. 2, No. 1 Jan. 10. 1964
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J.Yes, You Can i Farewell Letter Church i NewDedicated
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My Testimony
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‘ ‘ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7.
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Chuma Finds a Baby (Children’s Story) 6
‘‘Create in me a new heart, 0 God; and renew a right spirit with in me.” Psalm 51:10.
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AND TH^^PIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME. AND LET HIM THAT IS ATHIRST CO51E. AND WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM FAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.” REV 22:17
EDIT
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A CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW YEAR
Yes, You Can As one drives up picturesque Williams Canyon on the way to the Cave of the Winds near Colorado Springs, there looms ahead a pass so narrow that at first glance one feels sure a car cannot squeeze through. This is the Narrows. The trav eller is encouraged by a sign which says, “Yes, you can. A million others have.” And sure enough, as one approache.s the narrow place, it seems to widen out, and your highly polished car passes through without a scratch. There are many situations which require that encourage ment. We are inclined to think that the difficulties which we face are unique to us It is good to know that millions of others have met the same difficulties and have conquered. An Old English poet wrote a poem with this refrain follow ing each stanza:
“That was o’erpassed; This will pass also.”
He refers to various sorrows and difficulties which came and passed on. And so he was encouraged to believe that his own sorrows would find the same solution. One old man said that the most comforting thing in the Bible for him was: “And it came to pass.” He probably misunderstood the phrase, but he was close to precious truth when he saw that difficulties come only to go away again. We need this counsel of encouragment. There are thou sands of difficulties which face us personally and as a church group. We live in a difficult age. There are problems that seem almost unsolvable. There are threats that seem surely mortal. There are people who tell us that we cannot keep up the expanded program of church work which the Lord has called us into. There are others who tell us that we can keep it up but that it will sap the spiritual life out of us, and bring us into a cold churchianity. There are plenty of warning voices, all of which speak some truth. There are plenty of raven voices prophesying fail ure. But as Christians we are called, not to a fearful spirit, but to a courageous faith. True Christianity thrives on diffi culty. Times of perplexity and persecution and oppression have made the faith shine out. What God calls us to do. He surely enables us to do. And so as you approach your Nar rows, take comfort, not only in the fact that a million others have, but still more in the fact that God is with us and com mands us forward. (A Guest Editorial by Paul Erb) • * • THREE BOOKS
From South Carolina comes the story of a Negro preacher who walked into the newspaper office and said: “Misto Edito’, they is fowty-three of my congregation which subscribe fo’ yo’ paper. Do that entitle me to have a church notice in yo’ Sadday issue?”
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The editor, giving him pencil and paper, said, “Sit down and write.” “Mount Moriah Baptist Church, the Rev. John Jones, pas tor,” wrote the preacher. “Preaching morning and evening. In the promulgation of the gospel, three books is necesasry: the Bible ,the hymnbook, and the pocketbook. Come, bring all three.” Much of the church’s trouble comes from the fact that it’s gotten the three books out of balance. There are groups which call themselves Bible churches—somehow leaving the impression of a superior devotedness to the Bible. There are on the one hand the singing and shouting churches; on the other, those whose music has gone “sophisticated”. Then there are those where money talk.s louder than the preacher. The Negro minister showed great insight. All three books are needed—in proper balance—with the Bible heading the list.
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Mil .he EDITOR
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Caixa 221, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, Nov. 27, ’63 Greetings in Jesus wonderful name! I would like to advise you of my change of address as I’ll be going home on furlough next month. Lord willing. I’ve enjoyed reading the “Messenger” so would appreciate it at Box 12, Kleefeld, Manitoba, if one isn’t going there already. Thank you. Before returning to Brazil again I would like to have the address changed as it is incorrect and I’m afraid I didn’t get all the issues. I’m looking forward to seeing you all again before too long. In Him,
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Elizabeth Koop
Paul Erb is the former editor of the Gospel Herald, The editorial on this page is reprinted from his book “Don’t Park Here”, Herald Press. Laura Siemens, page 7, is the wife of Elmer Siemens, Kola, Man.
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Photo Credits: Page 1, Department of Industry and Commerce Page 4 and 5, Deluxe Printing
The Messenger Official organ, in the English language, of the EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE. Published bi-weekly under the aus pices of the E.M.C. BOARD OP PUBLICATIONS AND EDUCATION. Editor. David K. Schellcnberg, 502 Fifth Ave. N.W., Portage la Prairie, Man. All new subscriptions should be sent to Mr. Abe Klassen. Box 1447, Steinbach, Man. Authorized as second class mall. Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash.
THE MESSENGER
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MISSI HIGHLIGHTS FROM ENDEAVOUR, SASK.
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Briefly a report of praise from “The Fellowship Chapel” for God’s guiding and blessing in 1963 . . . The sustained prayer interest of many ‘Messenger readers’ is evident, because of the sustained and developing support of the work locally. To all who have prayed for us at Endeavour, we thank you heartily, and in reciprocation pray that God will bless you for your ministry on behalf of His work. Our record attendance in Sunday School this year (1963) so far, is 104, with an average attendance in the seven ties. Our church attendance is just as high, oftentimes a few more come in for the service. The second floor of the building (used for church purposes) has been all util ized, so that we have our chapel audi torium, a baby room, three classrooms all on this floor. While much has to be done to finish the job, never the less we rejoice at the labours of the con gregation here . Souls Saved Souls have been reached, and deci sions made throughout the year, the latest being just last Monday afternoon (December 16th). This middle aged man has come regularly since the work start ed, and now rejoices at having that unspeakable gift, ‘the Lord Jesus.’ Missionary Conference We have had a variety of Missions presented throughout the year, and good support has been the result. But the highlight of all Missions efforts was our first annual Missionary Conference from Dec. 1st to Dec. 4th. At this con ference we were privileged to have Miss Agatha Fast, Miss Margaret Neufeld, of our own conference, and Rev. C. T. Paulson of the China Inland Mission. The ministry of these servants of the Lord will long be remembered by all those who attended. The average at tendance for these meetings was in the eighties. One of Rev. Paulson’s many mottoes, which adorned the walls of the chapel, being a quotation of David Livingstone, became our desire as a congregation: “I will go anywhere as long, as it is forward.” January 10, 1964
Miss Dianne Hoffer whose testimony appeared in the Messenger earlier, is now attending Bible School. She is in the vanguard of what we hope and pray will be a good number of young people, who yield to the Lord for His service from the Fellowship Chapel. For these highlights, for the deep valleys days when only God’s assurance of His divine presence kept us going for Him, and for “ALL THINGS” we give Him thanks, for all things are for our good because we love Him, and we know we are called to serve Him here at Endeavour. Edwin and Violet Wright Endeavour, Sask. • * * STEINBACH E.M.C. MISSIONARY CONFERENCE The Steinbach Missionary Conference was held from Dec. 29 - Jan. 1. Rev. Corny Loewen, in his opening message on Sunday night made it clear that re vival is necessary for a successful mis sionary conference. The messages from the Word of God by Rev. Don Shidler were also directed toward revival. We were urged to become more concerned about the sin and unrighteousness around us. He also emphasized the importance of purity and virtuous character in the Christian’s life. Pictures of extension work were shown by Rev. B. D. Reimer. Reports were brought by Miss Elda Kroeker and Agatha Fast about their respective work in the city of Winnipeg. Susan Giesbrecht, who is going to the West Indies, gave her testimony. Other speak ers at the conference were Rev. Henry Loewen, Rev. John K. Reimer, Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg, and Ed. Friesen. On Jan. 1st at 2:30 p.m. a ladies ses sion was held. (See separate report). During the last service of the Con ference on Jan. 1, 1964 a number of Christian workers from various areas were given opportunity to say a few The group that was re ceived into membership at t h e recent organizational meeting at the Felly Fel lowship Chapel (EMC). Back row: Mr. Clifton Abbrahamson, Mrs. Clifton Ab rahamson (baptized), Lewis Anifnson (baptized', Mr. Al vin Shostal. Front row: Mr. and Mrs. Abe Giesbrecht (missionar ies), Mrs. Lewis Anfinson (baptized), Mrs. Alvin Shos tal.
words. Then followed a heart search ing message by Rev. Shidler. A number of people responded to the invitation for dedication to the Lord. —Submitted by Jack R. Klassen • * *
Farewell Letter Kola, Manitoba December 30, 1963 Dear fellow-labourers. These last days have been times of decision and redecision for us—that is concerning packing: what to take, what to sell, how to pack it, how to send it, when and how to travel, etc. However we have a consultant who never grows weary and discouraged; one who con tinually encourages and advises u s through His Word. “Do not be anxious about anything; but under all circum stances, by prayer and entreaty joined with thanksgiving, make your needs known to God.” Phil. 4:6 (20th C. N.T.). Certainly we have much to praise the Lord for—thinking of all the wonderful gifts that wou have given us in money or in form of clothing, etc. We wish to thank you again for your generosity and hos pitality. May the Lord reward you for it. Surely God is supplying all our needs “. . . according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Our leaving date was set for January 6, but at present, through difficulties involved, it is uncertain. However we trust it will be soon. These problems are a test of our pa tience and faith. Please pray that we will not be over-anxious in such times Pray also for the work in Paraguay, the needs of the people, the needs of the workers, and especially the language work. Pete and Olga Martens ED.: We have now been informed that the Martens did leave for Paraguay on Jan. 6.
Prairie Rose Dedicates New Church
The spacious new house of worship of the Prairie Rose con gregation. The new church replaces the one destroyed by fire last summer. '
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most grateful for the very good accom modation and S.S. facilities. In the evening of the same day the ordination of deacon Is. P. Reimer took place. Rev. P. P. Friesen pointed out some privileges and duties of a deacon in his message, followed by words of admon ition and courage by Rev. F. D. Reimer. The prayers of ordination were said by Rev. P. P. Friesen and F. D. Reimer in German and English respectively. We were truly blessed one and all. * * *
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PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR
A capacity crowd witnessed the ded ication of the Prairie Rose church Jan. 6, 1964, when Rev. A. P. Unger offered a dedicatory prayer in English and Rev. F. D. Reimer in German. “Lobe den Herm den Machtigen Koe nig” was heartily sung in the begin ning.. After a word of Salutation by Rev. F. D. Reimer. Rev. Guenther op ened the service with Psalm. 84. Bro. P. A. Plett referred to the build ing of the new church, reminiscing some poults of interest of the two former sanctuaries. We now have a beautiful new church 90x44 with the S.S. auditor ium 30x 14, 27 classrooms, 2 baby rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a pastor’s
study, choir loft and modem washrooms. The financial report by B. K. Plett was most favourable except it had cost more than estimated, and it wasn’t all laid for.
Rev. P. L. Friesen challenged the aud ience with II Cor. 5:17 urging us to con tinue in love, unity, self-sacrifice, car rying out the gospel more than ever. Dedication of self, of the church, and of the building were the points that Rev. P. D. Reimer spoke on emphatical ly from II Chron. 6 and 7. In closing Rev. Harvey Plett chal lenged the people of Prairie Rose with Josh. 1:7-9. The offering of ?255.00 went towards the building fund. We were favoured by a solo from Dick Hilde brandt, and two songs by a male quar tette. With our church completed, the whole S.S. has been completely organized again. Teachers, co-teachers, superin tendents and assistant superintendents have been elected to their respective du ties. 1. K. Plett was re-elected as super intendant. No doubt every teacher is
What shall I ask for the coming year? What shall my watchword be? What wouldest Thou do for me, dear Lord? What can I do for Thee? Lord, I would ask for a year of love, That I may love Thee best; Give me the love that faileth not, Beneath the hardest test. Lord, I would ask a year of prayer. Teach me to walk with Thee; Breathe in my heart Thy Spirit’s breath; Pray Thou Thy prayer in me.
Lord, I would ask for the dying world. Stretch forth Thy mighty hand; Thy truth proclaim. Thy power display. In this and every land. • * * “Bless the Lord O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Psalm 103:1
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Picture to left: Guests partaking of lunch being served in the lower auditorium. Picture to right: Prairie Rose ministerial. Back row left to right: Harvey Plett, Isaac Plett, Abe Unger, P. A. Plett, Peter Guenther, F. D. Reimer. (Missing from picture, Isaac Reimer, newly elected deacon.)
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THE MESSENGER
WORKER LEAVES FOR GERMANY
TRUTH for youth MY TESTIMONY
Loerrach Bad. - Germany December 31, 1963 Dear Friends, Greetings to all on this last day of the old year!
Here is the first of a series of articles written by various young people of our Conference. The first one comes from Irene Kroeker. Irene is 18 and taking Grade 10 at the ■Rosenort Collegiate. Greetings with Romans 17:1. “The just shall live by faith.” I earnestly prayed: Lord establish my faith. I accepted Christ as my Saviour and Lord at the age of thirteen. From the experiences I’ve had since I became His child, I can bear witness that He is able to guide and keep His own, from day to day. I’m sure that as long as we feel and see God’s hand at work in our lives, it is not difficult to rejoice in Him. But what if such peak experiences are followed by “drought” experiences? As long as we live on earth, we are under the law of undulation for, to be in time means to change. , In my own life, this takes me right back to the year of 1962-63. This was the year in which God saw fit that I should serve at home, rather than continue studies like I had planned. Praise the Lord, he gave me victory over my rebellion. Later on, my sick sister (Clarice) was enough evidence that explained why God had so led. He ga\e me unspeakable joy and divine strength to fulfill his calling. But the time came when my sister passed away. With this I also felt that God withdrew His supports and incentives from my conscious experiences. My feelings of emptiness gradually gave way to a period of dryness. This is always an Opportune time for Satan to attack with his effective weapons of feelings and doubt. (My two great weaknesses). “Though he fall ... the Lord upholdeth . . .” Psalm 37.24. Just recently I read the following in “Screwtape Letters.”— “He (God) wants them (His children) to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Hence the prayers offered in a state of dryness are those which please Him best.” (This does not mean dryness as a result of sin in our life.) Had God answered my prayers? He is still in the process of answering in His own way and in His own time. The just shall live by faith, not by feelings or sight, but simply trusting and obeying Him. Rejoicing in His faithfulness, Irene Kroeker
MCC PLANNING HELP FOR PARAGUAY DROUGHT VICTIMS
Akron, Pa. (MCC)—Mennonite Cen tral Committee is planning to feed 13,400 Paraguayans, Indians, and Mennonites in the drought-stricken East Par aguay and Central Chaco areas with U.S. government farm surplus products. Since MCC does not stockpile emer gency relief food in Paraguay, the Unit ed States Embassy and the Catholic Re lief Services agreed to loan the nece ssary supplies so that the colonies’ ur gent request for food can be met im mediately. The emergency feeding program will likely continue six months ,in which time January 10,1964
it is hoped that new crops can be plant ed and harvested. Although food supplies are available, the cost of inland freight from Asuncion to colonies must be paid. MCC has of fered to share expenses with the col onies. MCC South American director Frank Wiens thus describes the situation in the Chaco and East Paraguay: “Since their arrival in the Chaco in 1927, colony leaders report this to be the worst year as far as drought is con cerned. There have been four previous droughts: 1941-42, 1914-45, 1948-49, and 1961-62, all of which resulted in ser ious crop shortage. The present sit uation appears considerably worse. For
Margaret Neufeld just before her de parture for the airport and her flight to Europe. I have just arrived in Germany and today attended a meeting with other workers in Loerrach. The work certain ly seems great and very challenging. I thank the Lord for each one who has prayed and encouraged me, in word, money and other gifts. It is only be cause of your faithfulness that I will have the privilege of serving in Ger many. January 2nd, I am going to Goethe Institute at Staufin, for two months of language study. I covet your prayers on my behalf for this time of study. I am trusting the Lord to make me a real blessing at the school. “The Lord hath done great things for me whereof I am glad.” Psalm 126:3. Margaret Neufeld lack of suitable rain since last June al most nothing has been planted. The little that was planted dried up for lack of water. The Mennonite Central Committee has already committed $5000 from emergency funds toward inland freight. Those wishing to make contributions should do so through their conference '>r relief committee offices designating their donation for the Paraguay drought emergency.
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AN EXCITING NEW CHILDREN’S STORY
CHUMA FINDS A BABY Chapter 1 Chuma stopped in her tracks. The heavy pile of clay on her smoothly shaved head j^early fell off. “What was that?” she asked suddenly, a finger in front of her brown lips. “It sounded like a baby. But no one in their right mind would leave a baby in the tall grass!” Her friend, Limoni, who had gone with her to Marigole to get the clay, cupped a hand to her ear and listened. The crying sound came through the air again. Without a thought for her own safety, Chuma dropped the clay on the narrow path at her feet, and plunged into the swaying elephant grass. “You’d better be careful, Chuma,” warned Limoni, real fear in her voice. “Samwelli saw a python near here only last week. He said it was twice as long as his father’s spear and as big around as a pumpkin. If it gets hold of you it will squeeze you until all your bones arc broken into tiny bits.” But Chuma didn’t pay attention to this. She could think of nothing but the crying baby—and its hoarse cries were now getting weaker. Maybe the little one was nearly dead. Long, sharp thorns in the grass pricked her feet and made her wince, but she didn’t care. She knew she would do anything for her baby brother, Tuti, with whom she spent much of her time, so her mo ther could dig in the gardens. Her love for babies had always been something special. The old women in the nearby villages laughed about it and said that she would have one hundred children. She searched through the heavy grass but she could see nothing. The mys terious crying had stopped and she had no idea where to look. She stood still and prayed that Jesu, whom she had just learned to love, would help her (This exciting story is told in the book, “Chuma”, published by Scripture Press). Then the crying started again. She lis tened until she was sure of her direc tions, and then stai-ted out. The grass was sharp and cut her bare legs, but she continued on. Soon she came to a large black pot at the foot of an old twisted osiola tree. The pot had a nar row mouth, and part of the rim had been broken off. It was the kind of pot any proud Bunyore house wife would throw away. 6
Gingerly she walked up to it and peered inside. And there she saw a tiny baby boy! He was curled up in the bottom and was crying as loudly as possible. Lovingly she took him out, and cra dled him in her arms. “Shh”, she whis pered, “don’t cry. I won’t hurt you.” His little arms were as thin as sticks, and his soft brown eyes were swollen from crying. “How did you ever get into such .a place?” she asked, patting the fuzzy head. She carried him out to the path. “Look what I found!” she explained. “Is it—is it a real live baby?” asked Limoni. “Of course!” smiled Chuma. “How do you think he manages to cry?” “But who would leave a baby in the tall grass where the hyenas could get it?” Chuma was silent for a moment, and then she bit her lip. “At first I didn’t know,” she said thoughtfully, “but I think I do now. Three weeks ago Sa betti had twins—and you know what our people think of that! One of them died the next day. When she came to Fa ther he told her she would have to destroy the live one—^that this was the custom of the tribe. He told her that if she didn’t the hail would ruin all the crops in Bunyore and there would be a terrible, terrible famine!” Limoni’s eyes widened until they seemed to fill her unusually black face. ‘“W-what w-will we do with him?”
Chuma shook her head sadly, “It isn’t much fun being the daughter of a witch doctor,” she murmured. “If father learns that 1 have done any thing to change his plans he’ll beat me with a kiboki (a whip made from the inch-thick skin taken from the back of a hippopotamaus)!” “Maybe we’d better put him in the pot and leave him in the grass,” sug gested Limoni. “Don’t even say such a thing! ex claimed Chuma, her eyes flashing. “We are followers of Jesu Christo, and He loves all the little children—even twins! I remember hearing Miss Wilsoni say that one child is worth more than the whole world.” “I know, I know,” returned Limoni, “but we must not try to do something we can’t do. How will you feed him? He’s hungry right now. “You’ll . . .” “I’ll go to the square house with the tin roof where Missi Wilsoni lives and ask her for a rubber nipple and a bottle. I’ll fill the bottle with cow’s milk and feed him,” said Chuma ecxitedly. “It won’t be as easy as that,” ar gued Limoni. “Where will he sleep ? What will you do if your father, Baku, finds out?” “I know your questions are hard, Lomoni; but we can’t leave him here to die!” returned Chuma. Hot tears had now pushed through her long eyelashes and were washing away paths of dust on her pretty brown cheeks. “I don’t know what to do. But I can’t give him away. The only thing I know is that Jesu Christo will show us the path to follow. Put the clay back on my head and we’ll start home.” As they moved along the old Bunyore path that had been used by the Africans for so many years, Chuma prayed that God would show her just what to do. She knew in her heart that she would rather die herself than to leave the baby where she had found him. “Don’t worry. Little Twin Boy,” she comforted. “Chuma won’t leave you here. Pretty soon we’ll fill your little black stomach with warm milk, and then you’ll get fat like Tuti. You might even grow up to be a fine preacher like Daudi and tell all the boys and girls how Jesu came to earth to die for them.” All at once Limoni jerked her shoulder and whispered loudly, “Hide! Hide! Some people are coming.” (To be continued)
(Copyright, 1956, Scripture Press Foundation. Used by permission).
THE MESSENGER
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rewards instead of much more precious, everlasting rewards. If, with God’s help I can bring these sons up to live for Christ what a re ward is mine! Not an earthly one that is soon spent. But an everlasting home in heaven where their love will never die.
• * « A MOTHER’S REWARD
By (Mrs.) Laura Siemens “A mother just doesn’t get any re wards for the things she does. When I was working I had money to keep me well dressed all year. Now I slave all day without any rewards.” Ever since I uttered those ungracious words I have been thinking about them. Every day since I have been looking for little re wards. Boys are simple little creatures and yet so complicated. Maybe I’ve over looked some of the simple pleasures I could have enjoyed with our two little ones. Other things have been too deep for me to appreciate. Possibly I have looked for rewards in the wrong places. My boys will never pay me off in cold cash. This is a different arrangement. We are a family. Will their love not be in direct ratio to what I do for them and how much I give of myself to them? If I can show them, day after day, joyfulness and love in working for them they will repay. They will respond! Little boys can be a lot of fun. They keep our days light if we let them. A few nights ago I was putting our three-year-old to bed. I had told him a Bible story. As I started singing to put him to sleep he blurted out, “Not so loud, Mommie. You’ll wake the baby!” Whenever the baby does spectacular things like stand by himself, or -splash around in the water. Junior rushes to his toy phone. Then he tells imaginary friends all about it. A mother’s day need not be boring. She usually has a lot of entertainment and work to fill it. Isn’t it precious to have a little boy who trusts his mother like a baby? When I sit down on the floor to help Junior with his shoes he usually reaches out his hand when we’re finished. With a great deal of puffing and panting he “helps” Mommie to her feet. Last night he didn’t want to go to bed. He wanted to help Mommie do the dishes first. So we let him dry a few knives and forks. Little boys’ devotion can be a great reward to mothers if they have time to Sj ) it. We mothers have great privileges. Often we look for tangible January 10, 1964
BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. Willie Dueck of Kleefeld, a boy on Dec. 19. To Mr. and Mrs. Abe Dueck of Kleefeld, a boy on Dec. 7. To Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bartel of Kleefeld a boy on Dec. 13. To Mr. and Mrs. Len Bartel of Win ANNUAL LADIES MEETING AT STEINBACH E. M. CHURCH
The ladies meeting on the afternoon of New Year’s Day was a highlight of the annual Missionary Conference at the E.M. Church in Steinbach. In open ing the meeting, Mrs. Jac. Dueck men tioned that it was the second meeting of its kind in our church. Eight speak ers, some with a personal experience to relate, and others with reports of their mission work, as well as three messages in song were listed on the program. The audience seemed to participate for a moment in the experiences of the mis sionaries. We spent an imusual Christmas with a Mexican family as Dora Friesen spoke; we became acquainted with a crippled lady in the West Indies who wanted to please her newly-found Sav iour and threw her smoking pipe out of reach of her crippled legs. We rejoiced with Susan Giesbrecht at the victory won, especially since the crippled lady is now in eternity. We saw into the prob lem of a “little girl who wasn’t sup posed to preach” even though she ?s missionary to hundreds in the Mali Re Missionary speakers at the Ladies Meeting: Back row: Miss Elda Kroe ker, Winnipeg City Missions; Mrs. Kate Klassen, Indian work; Agatha Fast, candi date to Europe; Miss Susan Giesbrecht, West Indies. Front row: Dora Friesen, Mexico; Helen Andres, Mali Republic; Mrs. A. Gaudreau, Children’s Home, Steinbach; Mrs. Edna Loewen, Brazil.
nipeg, a son, Peter Derek, July 29, 1963. To Mr. and Mrs. Jake Barkman of Winnipeg, a daughter, Teresa Joanne, June 17 (adopted Sept. 6) 1963. To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Wiebe of Winnipeg, a son, Sheldon Mark, Oct. 16, 1963. V To Mr. and Mrs. Len Reimer, of Win nipeg, a daughter, Teresa May, Dec. 22, 1963. To Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bartel of Steinbach, a girl, Cheryl Lynn ,on Dec. 16. To Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Toews of Steinbach, a boy, David Brian, Dec. 18. A chosen son (born Mar. 24, 1963) to Mr. and Mrs. Peter U. Dueck of Stein bach. The name is Richard Peter, Nov.
29. public, Africa, where the women, do not concern themselves highly with their re ligious beliefs, leaving such matters to their men to decide. (The quotation is Mr. Shidler’s, the report, Helen Andre’s). We amost felt the dark eyes at the win dows as Mrs. Henry Loewen told us of her lack of privacy in her home in Bra zil, but were happy that she faced this problem and others for the sake of the Lord Jesus. In view of the words we had heard, we prayed along with Agatha Fast’s song, “Teach Us to Pray”. The need for effective Christian wit ness in our own province, and even in our own town, was stressed by the home missionaries, Mrs. Gaudreau, Mrs. Hen ry Hiebert, Elda Kroeker, and Mrs. Kate Klassen. As Mrs. Klassen said, people are just as lost without Christ on this side of the ocean as the other side. We rejoiced that God’s grace had lightened many hearts both in the home land and on the foreign fields, and were encouraged to give more of ourselves to the work of extending God’s kingdom. Mrs. Ben D. Reimer took up the offer ing and made the closing prayer.
1 NEWS I STEINBACH
December 22nd was an eventful Sun day in the E.M.C. church in Steinbach During the morning service, four per sons were baptized, and five persons were received into fellowship. Those re ceiving baptism were Peter Rempel, Lar ry Reimer, Ruth Reimer, and Grace Dueck. Received into fellowship were Mrs. John Reimer and her daughter Ruth from Salem Church, Bremen, In diana, Miss Shirley Rieger from the E. I.B. Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Jac. Plett from the E. M. Church at Kola. Th" evening service became a fare well meeting for Margaret Neufeld, who has since left for Europe. Sister Neu feld spoke of the joy she felt at going to this field of service. Rev. Henry Dyck had the farewell message and expressed his happiness at the events of the day, which he felt showed signs of the healthy growth of a Christian church. • • • MISSION BRIEFS The John Peters write: “God is bless ing in the work ... In the crusades scores have found the Lord this past year. And through Radio, Bible courses, ..t-rature and Sunday schools many are being taught His Word. It is a joy to se God work.”
Ben Friesen, Swift Current, who with his family spent Christmas at Mac Gregor found time to preach at both Portage and MacGregor during their brief stay. Peter Wieler, Wymark, left on Dec ember 26 for a two months term of service in Haiti with the Mennonite Dis aster Service. Br. Wieler will be en gaged in reconstruction work made nec essary by Hurricane Flora. Henry Klassen, British Honduras re quests prayer for a bookstore project in Belize. They are also in need of school teachers.
• • • Ken Barkman’s stay in Jordan has been extended for another year. 12
VALREA DAWN TOEWS 1940-1963 Our beloved daughter and sister, VALREA DAWN TOEWS, was born on Oct. 28 1940 in Steinbach, Man. In 1950 her I father passed I away. This I made a deep I impression o n I her life. ShortI 1y thereafter K I she was strickI en with Rheumatic f e ve r I-which resulted in a heart defeet. After this she had to use pills to mainuam her health. Valrea accepted the Lord as her Sav ior at the age of seven. On June 12 she was baptized and received into the E.M. Church at Steinbach. Here she taught Sunday school, attended Young People’s, Sunday morning prayer meetings and served in the choir.
Following a business course which she took in 1958-59 she took up employment at the local branch of the Royal Bank. During last summer’s Brunk campaign she dedicated her life anew to the Lord, to serve anywhere. While teaching at the Eagle Lake Bible Camp last sum mer she met Alvin Kleinpeter, to whom she was to be married next June (1964). In preparation for the future she de cided to undergo heart surgery so that si. 2 could be as well as others. She had a deep inner peace concerning the op eration and spent much time comforting others in the hospital prior to her oper ation. Valrea entered the operating room at 8 a.m. on Dec. 4. Three hours later she went to be with the Lord whom she loved, while undergoing surgery. She leaves to mourn her early pass ing, I, her mother, one sister, Bernadine, and brother-in-law, Corny Plett of Burns Lake, B. C., two brothers, Clint and Chris, her fiancee Alvin Kleinpeter and many friends. We thank all who have so faithfully stood by during Valrea’s illness and especially all who have proved such a comfort in this time of bereavment. We can say that God has a plan
which includes this loss which we feel so deeply. It is our prayer that God will be glorified through it all. —The mother and family • » • IN MEMORIUM Friesen — In loving memory of our beloved husband and Daddy Abe Frie sen who passed away, Dec. 28, 1961. Time speeds on, two years have passed Since death its gloom its shadow cast Within our home, where all seemed bright. And took from us a shining light. We miss that light and ever will. His vacant place there is none can fill. Down here we mourn, but not in vain, For up in heaven we will meet again. Always remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Elma and children. « * * TWO MORE TEAMS GO TO HAITI Akron, Pa. (MCC)—Two more teams of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ volunteers have gone to Haitti to assist in the Hurricane Flora emer gency relief program. They join the 15-man building unit which flew to Haiti October 30. John Bender, M.D., of Goshen, Ind., and Elaine Brubaker, R.N., Kitchener, Ont., both of whom have served in Haiti previously, left for the Carib bean Thursday, November 7, to pro vide medical care to the storm vic tims in the Cote de Fer region> the lor cation of the MDS building project. They xney will win be ue joiiieu joined by uy zxiui Ann Eby, Jcuy, R.Nt; xv.iv.. Paradise, Pa., early in the week of November 17. i Dr. Bender was released by his clih-i ic in Goshen Ind., for one month th go to Haiti. His associates are looking after his patients during his absence Miss Brubaker and Miss Eby are scheduled to stay a minimum of twe months.
--------- .COMING EVENTS, January 5-19 Special meetings at Swift Current with John D. Friesen of Saskatoon as speaker. One week Low German and one week English. February 10-21 Annual Minis ters Course at the M.B. Bible Col lege in Winnipeg. THE MESSENGER