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Vol. 2, No. 5 March 6, 1964

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE

CONFERENCE

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OUR UNPAID GUARDIANS By Paul Erb

“The unpaid guardians of our souls” is the beautiful and magnanimous description which Stanley Jones gives to critics. It is an evidence of the sweetness of the man’s soul that he can be grateful to the people who belabor him and try to show him up. A more usual attitude is resentment and a desire to defend ourselves against the critic. One prominent American got first-page notice of his desire to punch the nose of the critic who had something to say against his daughter’s singing. Our critics may be our best friends. They say tilings that our ostensible friends do not. They thrust the sharp barb of their criticism into the pus pockets of our vanity and our faults, and bring us health as we acknowledge the truth of what they say. They hold up to us the mirror of truth and help us to see ourselves as others see us; and because the picture is not a pleasant one, we are stimulated to improve ment. We sometimes feel that our critics guard us too zealously; that they insist on giving too full value for the pay they do not receive. We would be willing that they should slack their duty a bit. Like the basketball player, we try to get away from the everpresent guard. He does his job too well for our comfort. But in our honest moments we know we cannot get along v.’ithout critics. They check the rank growth of our idiosyn crasies. They bring us down a few notches when our pride exalts us. They refuse to be impressed by the achievements which our flatterers magnify. They keep us conscious of the flaws and flecks which we would like to forget. They keep us balanced by emphasizing the character spots which we are determined to ignore. Probably from no one else do we get so much of real value without paying a dime for it. We would not write so glowingly about critics as to en courage our readers to join their company. While it is good to have critics, it is bad to be one. The person who dwells upon the faults of others is likely to develop an ugliness of soul. He comes to look and act like a buzzard who is always smelling out what may be rotten. It is better to have a nose for flowers than for carcasses. Human nature being what it is, there will probably always be enough critics. We need not try to create and train more. But still, like the buzzards and smaller bacteria, critics are useful members of society. They help us to get rid of the stench and the eyesores in our lives. Happy is the man who has sufficient number of them following his trail. And it is very kind of them not to send a bill for services rendered. Not many utilities are so cheap. * * *

HEAVEN “Thus saith the Lord, The Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.” Is. 66:1

Heaven is also called the Father’s House according to John 14:1 “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” Heaven is a high and holy place, according to Isa. 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eter nity, whose name is Holy;I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to re vive the heart of the contrite ones.” “We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens.” Heb. 8:1 David called unto the Lord, and He answered him from heaven. “My help co meth from the Lord, which made hea ven and earth.” Ps. 121:2 Heaven is a place of rest for the weary soul. In Heb. 4:9 we read: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Heaven is a place of joy: Luke 15:7—“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” There is an inheritance reserved for you in heaven. By Jac. P. Dueck

* * •

Letters to the Editor Feb. 25, 1964, B.P. 123 Leopoldville, Rep de Congo Greetings from the U.N. Irish barracks. Army life is O.K. when you’re a refugee. Our camp boss is Pakistan, the rations boss Indian, the barracks boss Irish, etc. At this time we are all taken up with the deplorable sit uation in the Congo. When I started writing Kamena’s story (See MESSENGER Vol. II, No.3) I thought her life was ,a real testimony to God’s grace and keeping power. Little had I dreamed that this frail lady who had to run for her life from Tshikapa to Nyanga at night would have to see her husband beaten and all their belongings burned at Kandala . . . Wyandama’s house was the first to be burned on that fate ful night of Jan. 21 (In the recent uprisings. Ed.) Ben and Helen Eidse * * * COMING IN NEXT ISSUE Chapter two in the life of Kamena, Congo slave girl. A true life drama submitted by Helen R. Eidse who together with her husband serves the Lord in Congo. Also occuring for the first time in our next number will be the first appearance of a new feature for young people. Watch for it.

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 OF PUBLICATIONS AND EDUCATION. Editor, David K. Schcllenberg, 502 Fifth Ave. N.VV., 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

MISSI KAMAYALA KEYNOTES

Evangelism The few weeks prior to the evacua tion were highlights in our witness at Kamayala. January 6-11 was evangelis tic week with two services daily, at 7:00 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. The Book of Romans appropriately met our two-fold aim of evangelism and Bible teaching. In all 130-150 inquirers were counselled, slightly over half being first-time deci sions. Victories were also won at church council that week. Our head pastor had been hesitant to tackle certain touchy problems, but when presented to the church committee they were dealt with in a mature manner. Praise the Lord! The following week each of our four pastors held a week of evangelistic ser vices at four posts. You should have seen their radiant faces as they report ed the blessings of the Lord. Pastor Marc reported excellent at tendance at our Kahemba state post, with over 200 rededications and 13 in quirers for salvation. He had dealt per sonally with the local administrator and vdth the captain of the army. The people had expressed interest in another simi lar effort in the future. Pastor Manuel told of 35 coming for counselling at Tshifwamese, including one chief. The villagers wished that the services could have continued for a month. Pastor Paul said 13 inquirers came at Bindu Post. He also ministered in some of the neglected villages of the area. We did not get the fourth pastor’s re port. yet. Evacuation Most likely you will have heard of the burning of our Kandala station by Communist-incited gangs, and the sub sequent evacuation of the missionaries by United Nations helicopters. The Mukedi evacuation also was crucial. How ever, all missionaries were able to va cate by Missionary Aviation Fellowship planes without incident, thanks to the Mukedi village chief and the church leaders. (Our daughter. Faith, and the Barkmans resided at Mukedi.) Since then, two other CIM stations,

March 6, 1964

Kamayala and Nyanga, have been evac uated as a precautionary measure. The rebellious youth group had burned two state posts in our territory. Our church leaders feared that Kamayala might be next on the agenda, but by that time reinforcements had deterred the insurgents. Helen, the girls, and Miss Miller left by plane from neighboring Kajiji sta tion, and I came to Leo by car. According to latest reports Kamayala is still untouched, but there is another matter of deep concern to us. Tension has increased between two tribes in our area, the Balunda and the Bachoke. At present the local state official is round ing up Bachoke leaders and imprisoning them.

Entreaty Please pray: — that Communism may not succeed in gaining control of the Congo nor of Kwilu province. — for a peaceful solution to the trib al difficulties in Kamayala area. — for the Lords direction in the cru cial decisions that church leaders, mis sion boards, and missionaries are called upon to make in these days (We are watching the situation from here in Leo and are waiting on the Lord for further direction). The Eidses P.S. We’re waiting here in a U.N. camp together with a number of other mis sionary families. All Protestant mis sionaries from Kikwit have now arrived too. Situation grim.

* * * UKRAINIAN SERVICES AT WEEKES

Last winter at Wednesday evening Bible Study some of the believers sug gested that we invite a Ukrainian min ister to conduct special services in our church in an effort to reach a much neglected language group in our com munity. As a result since last June we have had one service in the Ukrainian language every month. Rev. Steve Skoworodko of the Hyas Baptist Church drives the ninety odd miles to Weekes, on the first Monday of each month. The Ukrainian people have shown a healthy interest in the meetings. Six to twelve usually hear the Gospel message. Three have made professions of salva tion—a direct result of the meetings. Moi'eover a number have begun to at tend our regular services.

ALTERATIONS AT ENDEAVOUR

Alteration is the order of the day here at Endeavour. Due to expanded needs and unused space on the second floor of this building where the chapel is located, the Fall and Winter has seen a steady change in the adaption of this unused space. Now we have an enlarged auditorium for chapel use, three Sun day school class rooms, and a baby room. We can now accommodate with comfort about 125 people in the services. With this theme of alteration in mind, the program for this mission station, has been geared to the altering of lives by the power of the Gospel of Christ. Services, Sunday School, Youth Fellow ship, visitation and prayer are all a part of that program. “The Way” pub lished by Herald Press is being sent out monthly in quantities of five hundred, through the mails by our “Literature by Mail” club. Bi-weekly inter-denomina tional Youth Rallies conducted by Capt. D. Brown, a fine Christian of the An glican Church Army, and ourselves, and featuring the best Christian youth films are being conducted until May. Our last Rally saw around 150 in attendance. We are thankful for the people who are in attendance at our services. Some are finely finished products of the grace of God, and support, work, and pray with us. Others new to the Gospel are being molded by the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Others who have not yet committed their lives to the Lord, are a great concern to us. Some come quite ragularly to the services. Our prayer is that some way, the Lord will be able to alter these lives, by His cleansing power through His death and resurrec tion, and mold and fashion them into chosen vessels of His choosing, for His glory, and for His service. As for ourselves we know that we are constantly in need of renovating or al tering. With David our heart cry is “Cre ate in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” Psalm 51:10. As you continue faithful in your prayer for this station at Endeavour, won’t you pray for us. If the Lord is to alter the people in this area for whom He died, then He must do it through the minsitry of His people here. As the ones responsible for leadership, we feel that ours is a responsibility that can only be filled as Gotl’s people pray every where, for His complete will in our lives.

Yours in His bonds of love, Edwin & Violet Wright

Terrorism in Congo By Elmer Neufeld MCC Republic of Congo Director

The sporadic activities of what ap peared before Christmas to be more or less unorganized and isolated terrorist gang, suddenly mushroomed in the mid dle of January into a terrorist campaign throughout most of Kwilu province and even beyond its borders. In its wake followed martyrdom and evacuation of missionaries, the overthrow of many local government posts, the destruction of property and disruption of commer cial activities, as a new wave of uncer tainty and fear- swept across the three and one-half year old Congo Republic. Kwilu Kwilu, one of the 20 new provinces, lies mostly east of Leopoldville in the lower Congo. Kikwit, the provincial capital with a population of some 60,000, lies roughly in the middle of the prov ince, approximately 400 kilometers east of Leopoldville. The new provincial gov ernment had been established without the deep dissensions besetting other provinces and gave evidence of being relatively well organized. However, Kwilu province was also the home of Antoine Gizenga, political successor of Patrice Lamumba, and leader of the Parti Solidaire Africain. Gizenga’s im prisonment by the Adoula government, which continues to the present time, has been the focus of bitter criticism from the opposition party. Gizenga personal ly, and as a symbol of the political op position to the Adoula government, un doubtedly has a great deal of popularity in Kwilu province among his people, the Bapende tribe. Various Missions in Kwilu Province Most of the work of the American Mennonite Brethren Mission, with its headquarters in Kikwit, has been in the Kwilu province. A substantial part of the Congo Inland Mission, with its head quarters in Tshikapa to the east (Unite Kasaienne), has also been in Kwilu. The American Baptist Mission has several centers in northern Kwilu—the least troubled part. Baptist Mid-Missions, the Congo Gospel Mission, and several idependent missionaries have also been working in Kwilu. Alongside these Pro testant missions and their sister Afri can churches have been the Catholic missions and churches, also with a sub stantial of expatriot missionaries.

As early as last October there were rumors of “Jeunesse” groups (the French designation for youth, perhaps in this case more properly referred to as terrorist groups) training in the for ests as well as of occasional acts of vandalism and looting. As time went on, bridges and ferries were being destroyed, local govemments posts were attacked and burned, and certain com mercial companies were also attacked. The reported instigator and organizer of these terrorist activitiese is Pierre Mulele, former associate of Antoine Gi zenga, who has received training and apparently support from the Communist countries. Evacuation Begins About the middle of January terrorist activities began to succeed each other in frightening rapidity and to take on more anti more violent forms. January 12, with reports of hostilities in the ai'ea, Mennonite Brethren wives and children were temporarily evacuated from Kafumba. The Kafumba families returned but were again evacuated one week later on January 19, this time with their husbands. Local government posts were being attacked by this time and destroyed at many places. Tuesday night, January 21, the CIM station at Kandala was burned, and missionary fam ilies allowed to salvage nothing from their homes except what they were wearing. Mission vehicles at Kandala were also destroyed. Earlier that same day, Tuesday after noon, CIM missionaries Charles Sprunger and Loyal Schmidt were captured and their vehicle burned. They were held for 30 hours. After a long threatening march, they were finally released at Kandala. Wednesday night, January 22, three Catholic priests were killed and mutil ated at Kilembe, a short distance from Mukedi. Early the next morning CIM missionary Peter Buller, and MCC doc tor, Arnold Nickel, attended the inter ment of these priests. Thursday, January 23, the CIM group at Mukedi as well as some Catholic sisters from the area were evacuated by MAF planes to Kikwit. The Harold Mullins, a Congo Gospel Mission family, were burned out at Kitshua. By Friday,

January 24, UN helicopters were at work in rescue oi>erations to places that could not be reached otherwise, and the burned-out missionaries at Kandala were picked up. Friday night, January 24, the Baptist Mid-Missions center at Mangungu was attacked and Protestant missionary Irene Ferrel was killed by an arrow and her companion Rutli Hege was injured, with all the mission property looted Miss Hege was picked up by UN heli copter on Tuesday, January 28. A Swiss missionary couple under BMM, the Ei chers, had been taken captive but were finally released and picked up by the UN on February 3. By this time much of Kwilu province was in the hands of the terrorists and essentially all missionaries from the in terior regions had been evacuated, ex cept in the northern area. The Ameri can Baptist Mission has evacuated fam ilies, wives, and children from Vanga and Moanza. All foreign personnel have been taken out of the Congo Polytechnic Institute at Vanga. Many African lives had been lost and the first Protestant missionary had been killed since the be ginning of the post-independence crisis in 1960. Immediate Prospects Dim The wave of terrorism which the Con golese army is now trying to contain and subside has left in its wake many questions. For the missions with their overseas personnel the immediate pros pect in Kwilu appears dim, not only be cause of interrupted programs, d estroyed properties, broken transporta tion, disrupted communications, and possible continuing terrorist hostilities, but also because of the further violence that will result from the army’s repri sal. The smaller missions referred to above have been pushed completely out of their former work. The American Mennonite Brethren Mission temporar ily has personnel only in Kikwit and Leo poldville, but hopefully will be able to return soon to its centers outside of Kwilu. The Congo Inland Mission has thus far been able to continue in the Tshikapa area and the Unite Kasaienne province east of Kwilu, although the terrorist activities have also affected that area and Nyanga has been evacuted. The Congolese Church For the Congolese churches in Kwilu the result of the terrorist activities is also uncertain. At least in some cases (Cont’d. on page 5)

THE MESSENGER

TRUTH FOR YOUTH r-

MY TESTIMONY And ye shall seek Me and find Me when you shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 From my childhood on I have been blessed of God. The very fact that I was able to hear the wonderful news of God’s saving grace and become his child and servant is truly amaz ing grace. For as long as I can remember my godly mother, a widow from the time I was seven years old, has given herself to raise our fam ily of four in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In fact I lived in a Christian at mosphere so long that I began to think that since I acted like a Christian and associated with them I must be a Christian, but I was not. I went through stages of rebellion and bitterness before I committed my life to Christ at the age of fourteen. True enough due to the onslaughts of Satan and my human nature I have not always lived a consistent Christ ian life but I have experienced the forgiving, restoring grace of God when I came and confessed my sins to Him and made restitutions to those I bad wronged. The Christian life is a growing life. One cannot become mature over night but rather we must live from faith to faith from victory to vic tory. Another great blessing to me has been my Bible training at the Stein bach Bible Institute. I sincerely believe some Bible training is a must at least for every young Christian, to know what you believe and why you believe it. The apostle Peter exhorts the believer to always be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. Bible School trains you how to more effectively give the answer. I have spent some summers in D.V.B.S. and camp work and have always found that it pays to serve Jesus. The recent death of my sister, Valrea has caused me to purpose more deeply within myself to love my Lord with all my soul, strength and mind and my neighbor as myself and this love finds expression in a life of service for God and my fellowman. Reader, if you have not experienced the abundant life Christ can give us, seek him and you will find him if you shall search for him with all your heart. Clinton Toews, Steinbach Third year student, S.B..I —————.

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HIGH SCHOOL SUBJECTS (Gr. X, XI, XII) are offered April — June at the STEINBACH BIBLE INSTITUTE For information regarding tuition, room, board, etc. write: Steinbach Bible Institute Box 1420 Steinbach, Man.

Terrorism (Cont’d.) missionary personnel was evacuated to avoid difficulties for the local Christ ians. Some local Congolese took risks to protect missionaries from the terrorists bands. But in the terrorist attempt to break down law and order by any means available, so that they can assume pow er, the African Christians also find themselves subject to conflict and per secution. Loyalties to family and tribe, especially in the face of an angry and unpopular government army, will make their Christian position extremely diffi cult. Instability Politically and militarily the situation seems repetitious of the impasse in var ious Asian countries. A deprived and of ten ignorant class of people is led into rebellion against an inefficient and of ten corrupt government by Communist forces that seek to exploit the revolu tion for their own advantage. The na tional army retaliates and seeks to re gain control, often at great disadvan tage tn the remote village areas, making demands upon the local population and often blindly punishing those innocent of the actual terrorist activities. The army comes to be feared by the local population as much or more than the more local terrorist gangs. Western governments, including the United States, in this situation seem helpless to do much more than to support the national government and its often un popular and undisciplined army. In Kwilu the army will probably be able to control the main cities and government centers, like Kikwit, Gungu, and Idiofa, but likely it will be a long time before peace and stability is restored in the more rural areas. Kwilu has illustrate 1 again the dan ger of poor frustrated masses of people, under governments that have been com pletely unable to satisfy the aspiration of the masses, and which in fact often leave the appearance of exploiting the masses to their advantage. Kwilu has also illustrated again the racism latent in these recently colonial countries and how this can be exploited by revolution ary forces. • ♦ •

March 6, 1964

WATCH

For a new feature on our youth page in the next issue. You will not want to miss it! 4

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CHILDREN’S STORY

CHUMA FINDS A BABY THE STORY THUS FAR: Chuma and Limoni find an abandoned baby in the grass. Full well knowing the consequences they nevertheless bring it home to see if they can’t save it. Now read on. Tuti |eyed the food hungrily and bounced forward while he said, “Mmm, Mmmm.” “Just be patient. Little Fat Brother,” laughed Chuma. “It’s too hot for you right now. It would bum your little red tongue right off!” The new baby’s bottle was now empty and it cried for more. “He must have been terribly hungry,” said Chuma. “I thought sure there was enough milk in the bottle to last him all day. But I think he has had enough for now. Missi Wilsoni said that we shouldn’t feed him too fast.” Limoni rocked him back and forth and sang a little tune which she made up as she went along. But it did no good. Chuma looked out the door anxiously, hoping that no one would hear him. “We’ve got to think of some way to make him keep still.” said Limoni with great concern. “If we don’t we’ll be beat en with a kiboko!” Chuma took the obusela from the doorway and tasted it to see if it was cool enough for Tuti. Then she held her brother on her lap, and started to feed him. “Maybe he’ll keep still after a while,” she said, after she had wiped Tuti’s mouth with a piece of banana leaf. Limoni stood up and carried him around the hut. But it did no good. He cried as much as ever. Tuti watched him curiously as he swallowed his obusela and got it all over his mouth and hands “Ive got an idea!” said Chuma, her eyes snapping with excitement. “Let’s dig a hole in the back of the hut and put the baby in it. Then, when he cries, we can put a pot over his head and keep people from hearing him.” “But how would he breathe, and how would you keep the cows from stepping on him?” asked Limoni, her eyes widen ing. “That will be easy,” replied Chuma cheerfully, her mind made up. “We’ll dig the hole in such a way that when he’s in it he’ll be lying down with his head just above the floor. We’ll have a big pot or gourd handy, and we won’t put it over his head unless someone is around. Then we’ll take it off just as soon as they leave.” She went over to

the crude fence that separated the cows from the rest of the hut. A large pot filled with grain stood in the corner. Chuma moved it away. ‘“We’ll dig the hole right here,” she said. “This is the darkest part of the hut and no one will see him . . .” “I hope it works,” said Limoni doubt fully. ‘’It will. Lots of nurse girls dig holes in the centre of the floor and put the babies in them when they want to go out and play. The girls got an old knife and took turns digging the hole. They piled the dirt on one place so that when no one was around they could take it outside and throw it away. Tuti was very interested in all of this, and he sat watching, his thumb in his mouth. After they had dug a sizeable hole, Chuma gently laid the baby in it to see if it was big enough. “I think we’d better make it deeper,” said Limoni, taking the baby in her arms. “Let’s take out enough dirt so that we can line the place with an old blanket, and so that he’s beneath the level of the floor.” The girls did this, and then, after they had made the shallow place com fortable, lined it with a piece of old red blanket material Chuma happened to have. They put the baby in it again. This time the hole was just right. The baby’s feet were hidden and its head came up just to the edge of the floor. The baby didn’t like all of this and cried louder than ever. Chuma got an old yellow gourd from the other side of the hut and placed it right over its head. “Now, I’ll go outside,” she said, “and see if I can hear him.” She slipped out into the open and blinked at the bright sunlight, for it was an unusually clear day. She put a hand to her- ear listening for the baby. She could hear its voice all right, but it was very low and sounded more like the voice of an older baby. Anyone who didnt know would not become suspicious Chuma smiled as she thought of their success. She was sure the Lord had helped them. She was certain that if she kept her eyes open, and Limoni contin

ued to help her she would be able to keep the baby for many weeks and no one would leam about it. With these pleasant thoughts racing through her mind she started toward the hut to tell Limoni the good news. Then she saw her father stride into the clearing. “Chuma,” he called, “I want to have a long talk with you.” “Yes, father,” she replied, for she was always polite, “what do you want to say?” “I have a lot to say,” he replied stern ly “maybe we’d better go into your hut where we can say them alone.” He start ed toward the hut and was in the act of putting his head down in order to get under the low roof when Chuma ran up and touched his arm. “We can’t be alone there,” she said, “I have com pany.” “Who is it?” he demanded. “Limoni,” gulped Chuma, fear twist ing in her stomach. “Tell her to go home quickly,” he said angrily. “She’s the one who gave you the idea of going to the Day of Rest School.” “But she’s taking care of Tuti,” said Chuma. “Let’s go over to your house and talk.” The baby was now crying louder, and Chuma prayed silently that Baku would not hear him. The witch doctor hesitated a bit, his thick black brows wrinkled in thought. Slowly he led the way over to his own hut. After he had seated himself on a beautifully polished three-legged stool he said, “Ngutia is coming tomorrow to take out your six lower teeth.” “But I want to keep them. Father,” sobbed Chuma. “Every boy and girl in Bunyore has to have their teeth removed. And you will have to have yours out, too. You don’t want to be different than everyone else. What will the people think if I, the most famous witch doctor in Bunyore, allow my (laughter to keep her teeth? “I know how you feel. Father,” said Chuma after she had gotten control of herself. “But I don’t want them out!” “Ngutia will be here tomororw,” re plied Baku firmly. “If you cause any trouble I’ll beat you with a kiboko, and so you’d better behave and forget all the foolish words of Missi Wilsoni.” He took a pair of iron tweezers from the wire necklace around his wrinkled neck, and slowly began to pull his scat tered gray whiskers indicating that he had no more to say. (To be continued.) THE MESSENGER

FROM W

HOUSE

TO YOU!

HOUSE

BROTHERLY LOVE Elma B. Dueck

Mommie was preparing supper in the kitchen, softly humming to herself, when suddenly her peace of mind was shattered by the loud angry voices proceeding from the living room where the childi'en were assembled. “You did, I know you did.” “No, I did not, you lie,” in an equally emphatic angry tone. So the accusing voices went back and forth. How such quarrels grieve and disturb us as parents; when the children we love dearly, get to fighting and flinging bitter harsh words at each other; most of the time over such insigni ficant trifles, too. We can all be so much happier and work and play together so well when they are peaceful and content that it does our hearts good. It makes me think of our heavenly Father. Does it do His heart good too when His children are kind and tenderheai-ted one toward another as He ad monishes in His Word? How His loving heart must be grieved and displeased when He sees His children quarrel and dispute, tell tales and show lack of love one toward another. In I Cor. 3 we find such Christians called carnal, babes who have not grown up yet. In John 13:35 we have these words: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to an other.” Also in I John 4:11, 21: “Be loved, if God so loved us we ought also to love one another.” “And this com mandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God will love his brother also. * * * HOAR FROST Mrs. Laura Siemens We went to Virden one morning. All the way I looked at the trees and tried to hoard up the memory of them. An elm is a lovely thing with its branches spread out in its own graceful way. A pine is stately with its special shape and year-round green. But I never knew that a poplar could be so entrancing! y lovely. Each poplar beside the road was a lacework of intricate branches covered with sparklers. And the weeds! I wish March 6, 1964

I could have picked a bouquet for the table. They were such fragile things of beauty with their covering of hoar frost —'too delicate to last. It looked like a great big Christmas card. God’s Christ mas card for us. That made me think back again to Christmas. Christmas, with all its cards have been put away long ago. But what about the true Light of Christmas ? Did the little lights remind me of Him or did they overshadow the IJght of the world? Was Jesus just a person I admired and worshipped a few days? Or do I still remember Him — bom as a baby here, to grow up and suffer for me, too? Easter will soon be here. Can’t I keep the Spirit of Christmas with me right to Easter and through the year? Or do I just file Christmas away in its own special department till next De cember? Christ was born that day and is alive forever. Is He a real person to me today? Oh, that I could remember Christmas every day of the year!

* * *

NEWS fc. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER

AT HERON

In preparation for baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we had two evenings of Revival meetings with Rev. Art Neu feld as guest speaker. There were four baptismal candidates that were bap tized and received into church member ship by Rev. Henry Klassen. They were Betty Janzen, Kathy Thiessen, Larry Klassen and Johnny Thiessen. May the Lord bless them so that they may grow in faith and win more lost souls to Him. On Feb. 16 we observed the Lord’s Sup per. We were glad to have Rev. and Mrs. John Harms and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Plett with us, Rev. John Harms brought the message. We all received a rich blessing through these services. ♦ ♦ »

BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. Menno Thiessen of Heron on Oct. 27, a girl, Wendy Christine. To Mr. and Mrs. Dick Thiessen of Heron on Jan. 1, a boy, Melvin.

To Mr. and Mrs. Norman Thiessen of Heron on Jan. 2, a girl, Rhonda Marie To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kroeker of Steinbach, a girl. Laurel Anne on Jan. 12. To Mr. and Mrs. Ait Friesen of Stein bach, a girl, Rhonda Mae, on Jan. 14. To Mr. and Mrs. Almond Reimer of Steinbach, a girl, Julianna Maria on Jan. 25.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hildebrand of Heron, on Jan. 31, a girl, Gladys Marie. To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Thiessen of Heron on Feb. 6, a boy, Randell James.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Dueck of Kola on Feb. 9, a boy, Elroy Llewellyn. To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin J. Penner (nee Riley) on Feb. 11, a boy, Timothy Edwin.

OAK LAKE INDIAN RESERVE

Greetings with Hebrews 11 :6, “ . . without faith it is impossible to please Him.” This is true in our service as well as our salvation. As we have started the new year we are also asking the Lord for guidance through it. Especially are we concerned about the summer’s activities. We have felt the need for a Summer Bible Gamp for the children and Young People we are working with. A site has now been selected some ten miles from the Kola EM Church. It is situated in the Pipestone Creek Valley on Comie Martens farm. Br. Martens is already busily engaged in constructing a road, swimming pool, etc. Before we proceed further we would want to also lay this project on your hearts. Pray with us that this will be a Bible Camp where many children and young people will find the Lord. Again, we are thankful to the Lord and to you for enabling us to move to the Reserve (next to it). We can now better do justice to the work. Our first series of meetings for the Indians was held Dec. 16-22. Curt Bork (Shantyman) from Dauphin was the speaker. We together with the people experienced an awakening to spiritual things.

This is also the first month that “THE WAY” is going out to the boxholders on ithe Reserve. May it be the means of reaching the unreached and stirring up the need of salvation in many souls. In the future we also want to be more faithful in letting you, our co-workers, in on our activities here. Frank and Mary Braun * * *

S.S. TEACHERS AND PARENTS MEET To promote interest in and to create an awareness of the importance of Sun day School in the Church, a meeting was held in the Rosenort E.M.C. on February 9th to which all local teachers and parents were invited. Various speak ers briefly discussed the following top ics: 1. What we expect of the Executive to make S.S. successful (by a teacher), 2. What we expect of the Teachers to make S.S. successful (by a parent) 3. What we expect of the Parents to make S.S. successful (by the superin tendent). 4. The importance of S.S. in the church (by a minister)

5. S.S. records (assistant supt.) After these very practical and realis tic presentations the teachers recessed to their respective classrooms where they discussed with the parents the pro gress and general behaviour of their child. An informal discussion period fol lowed. All who were in attendance agreed that the occasion had been a very profitable one. J. Loewen

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KOLA: GROUP LEAVES FOR SMITHVILLE Sunday School Teacher training is being held every Tuesday evening. The ETTA course in Pedagogy will be taught by Bro. Menno Kroeker. Rev. and Mrs. Art Neufeld have gone south for two weeks. The purpose of the trip was to assist in construction at the G.M.U. headquarters at Smithville, Missouri. Bros. Norman Rempel, Leo nard Koop and Leonard Martens accom panied Bro. Neufeld. Mrs. Neufeld stayed at the home of her sister, the Elmer Reimers, Winner, South Dakota. « * *

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OBITUARY OF ISAAC W. REIMER “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence forth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Rev. 14:13 It has pleased the Lord who reigns over life and death, to take up my be loved husband and the father of our children into His eternal home. He passed away on Saturday, February 15 at 10:15 p.m. at the Rest-Haven Nurs ing Home in Steinbach having reached the age of 82 years and 29 days. My husband was born on Jan. 17, 1882 at Steinbach, Man., to Mr. and Mrs. Klaas R. Reimer. In July of 1903 he was baptized by Peter K. Dueck and received in the KLEINEGEMEINDE (EMC). On November 22, 1903 he offered me, Margaretha Kroeker, his hand in holy matrimony. Seventeen children were born of this marriage. Three of these passed on in childhood. The other two, Ben and Corny died in 1953 and 1958 respectively. Last Fall in the presence of children, relatives and friends we were able to observe our Diamond wed ding. Our residence was in and around Steinbach during our married life. In Steinbach, we have now lived since 1936. In the church my husband served as deacon for some time and also as song leader. He enjoyed good health till the year 1941 when he contracted Ane mia, after that he had to have injections to maintain his health. He enjoyed fair health up to about the year 1958. In about a year it became necessary to move to the Invalid Home and later to Rest-Haven where we then lived till he passed away. Although confined to wheelchair or bed, in the Rest-Haven, he nevertheless kept reasonably well. On Jan. 29 of this year at noon there was a sudden change for the worse and until he died some two weeks later, it is doubtful if he recognized anyone. He leaves to mourn, me, his wife, 12 children, Margaretha, Mrs. Frank D. Kroeker, Steinbach; Maria, Mrs. Peter R. Loewen, Steinbach; Esther, Mrs. John D. Kroeker, St. Catherines, Ont.; Katherina, Mrs. J. Krentz, California;

William of Steinbach; Helen, Mrs. Dave Scbellenberg of Portage la Prairie; John of Winnipeg; Erdman of Winnipeg; Martha, Mrs. George Schellenberg of Tourond; Levi of Bad Gandersheim, Ger many; Linda, Mrs. Hilson Tremere of Ormiston, Sask, and Elma, Mrs. Albert Wiebe of Winnipeg. Fifty-five grand children, 23 great grandchildren and one brother, Frank in B.C. We take this opportunity to say heai Lfelt thanks to the staff of the RestHaven for the loving and affectionate care that you bestowed on the deceased. The Lord reward your labour of love. The bereaved wife and family * * * lUiiiiuiiiiiiiniipiiiiHUiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiutiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiuiiiiiuiiuiiiuiiii

NoticeJ The Harvey Barkmans, just returned from Congo, are now available for meet ings. They plan to spend about four weeks in our E.M.C. churches after which they will itinerate in the larger CIM con stituency. Make your arrangements for a meeting with: Rev. F. D. Reimer Phone: EL 5-4184 (Steinbach) Address: RR. 1, Lorette, Man. niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiuiiumiiiiiiiiiiitiimiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiitiimiiiiiiiiHUHhii

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COMING EVENTS

♦ March 7 & 8 Sunday school con- ♦ ot TJTi-t mjin 4 vatltlnyi vention at the Blumenort church < with Rev. J. J. Toews of the Men- ' ♦ nonite Brethren Bible College as ■ ♦ speaker. ,

j March 13 - 15 Youth Rally at Mac- ; ♦ Gregor E.M. church with Henry ; ♦ Unrau as speaker. <

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March 29 - April 12 Evangelistic J services at Rosendrt with Henry : Komelsen of Ridgewood as speak- < er.

J April 5-12 Deeper Life meetings ♦ at the Aberdeen E.M. church. Win- ♦ IB $ nipeg. Edwin Wright is the sp^^-\i er.

April 14-19 Mis.sionary Conference ♦ at MacGregor with Mark Gripp as X speaker.

THE MESSENGER

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