The Messenger February 21, 1996

The Messenger

FVANGFLIGAL MENNONITE MFNNONITF CONFERENCE CONFFRFNCF EVANGELICAL

VOL. 34 NO. 4

FFB. FEB. 21/96

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I walk with cod I walk with Cod Oh, what an honour To walk with Him — The King of kings And Lord of lords! We walk together, Not stepping along Matching each other, stride for stride. But more like an energetic Father And His young toddler.

He is always patient When I plunk myself down Refusing to go His way. He holds me when I stumble And lifts me up when I fall. Soon my energy is boundless And on our daily walk My Lord holds out a restraining hand As I grow impatient And run ahead of Him.

And as I grow older We still walk together And when my feeble steps falter I feel His hand at my elbow As He protects and guides me the right way. I walk with God Oh, what an honour To walk with Him — The King of kings And Lord of lords! Laura Siemens Kola, Man.

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Why God Made Us Sexual Beings (first in a three-part series)

by Stanley Grenz

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o an extent unparalleled in recent history we are living in a sex-oriented, or more accurately, a sexually distorted, culture. We are continually bombarded with sexual messages. Advertisers go to great lengths to exploit the theme of sex to say that personal happiness and success are dependent on sexual attractiveness and expression. The contemporary emphasis on sexuality has led to the questioning of “the traditional sex ethic.” In the 1960s, this “sexual revolution” reached an apex and killed the old moral consensus. Sexual restraints were thrown off, and a new era of enjoyment of sex began. The sexual revolution proclaimed two unquestioned axioms: sex is a private matter and sexual freedom is a human right. People now believed that what two consenting adults do in the bedroom was no one else’s business and any limitation on sexual expression was an assault on human dignity. In the 1980s and 1990s, the sixties’ quest for new sexual conquests was replaced by a new quest, the search for “intimacy.” The commitment touted today, however, is not simply a return to lifelong monogamous marriage. A new conservatism may be emerging, but the morality of the past has been replaced forever by the romanticization of sex. The freedom of private decision offered by secularized culture means that today’s young people find themselves entrusted with unparalleled responsibility for their own sexuality. They are increasingly confused concerning the proper context and means for expressing their sexuality. As a result, we now have an opportunity for a fresh statement of God’s design for humans, whom He created as sexual beings. We must clearly proclaim that the Christian sex ethic, with its focus on fidelity within marriage and abstinence apart from marriage, is the product of a deeper understanding of the nature of human sexuality. Our age challenges the people of God to think through the implications of our inherent maleness and femaleness.

The Nature of Human Sexuality Human beings are sexual creatures. To be human means to be male or female. But what are we talking about when we use the term sexuality? The initial response of many people focuses on the physical characteristics associated with reproductive roles. Our sexuality runs deeper, however. Sexuality refers to our fundamental existence in the world as embodied persons. To be human, to be embodied, means to be PAGE 2

male or female, and this fundamental distinction colours the way we view ourselves and others. Sexuality includes relating to the world as male or female. Further, sexuality lies at the foundation of our ability to sense the world around us. In other words, sexuality defines our sensuality. As Letha Dawson Scanzoni declares, sexuality includes “our capacity for enjoying and celebrating all kinds of bodily sensations, whether it be the fuzzy warmth of a new blanket, the bracing splash of a summer rain shower, the tender hug of a friend, or the playful nuzzling of a puppy.” There remains, however, yet another, deeply profound meaning of sexuality. At its core, being a person entails an incompleteness symbolized by biological sex. Our sexuality calls us to move toward completeness, for it forms the basic drive toward bonding. Sexuality is the dynamic which moves male and female to come together to form a unity of persons in marriage. What is more, this yearning for completeness also forms the basis of the interpersonal and religious dimensions of existence.

" The Bible...views sexuality as a dimension of who we are.... As creatures before God, what we do is important, because what we do expresses who we are." Sexuality, then, is not a superficial dimension, but goes to the core of who we are. This understanding has ethical implications. Modern secular people tend to view sexuality as an activity. Sex is something we do, it does not affect who we are. Sex, they claim, is a means to self-actualization and self-expression. The Bible, in contrast, views sexuality as a dimension of who we are. It declares that our sexuality is basic to our identity and to our standing as God’s creatures. As creatures before God, what we do is important, because what we do expresses who we are. We must not believe that the body can be indulged without affecting the essential person. Because we are created as embodied persons, the sexual dimension of our existence has a bearing on our relation to God. The Christian takes the Pauline admonition seriously: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). THE MESSENGER

"In the New Testament era... the physical family is no longer presented as the primary community. Rather, the central community is the church." The Purpose of our Sexuality Human beings are sexual creatures. The basic purpose of our existence as sexual creatures is related to the dynamics of bonding, for sexuality is the fundamental drive that leads to this human phenomenon. The biblical documents bear witness to the close relationship between bonding and sexuality. Human sexuality and the drive toward bonding play an important role in the Old Testament. Perhaps the most powerful statement of the relationship between the two is presented in the story of the creation of the woman in Genesis 2. According to the narrative, this creative act was the outworking of the divine intent, “I will make a helper suitable for him.” This was called forth by the divine observation of the situation of the first man (Genesis 2:18). Although the man enjoyed a relationship with the animals, none was an appropriate bonding partner for him. God’s desire was to create another who could deliver Adam from his solitude by being a suitable bonding partner for him. In contrast to his response to the animals, Adam immediately senses a bond with the female, bursting forth in joyous declaration: She is “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” The narrator concludes the episode with the application of the story to the phenomenon of male­ female bonding: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (v. 24). The phrase moves beyond procreative unity to encompass the entire bond enjoyed in marriage. The Old Testament finds a further outworking of the relationship between sexuality and bonding. What transpires through the union of male and female, although completed in marriage, does not end with husband and wife as an isolated union. Rather, this intimate bond becomes a first step toward the establishment of the broader human community, including the tribe and eventually the nation. In the New Testament era, an important change occurs. Now the physical family is no longer presented as the primary community. Rather, the central community is the church. More important than physical ancestry (who one’s parents are) is one’s spiritual ancestry (who one’s heavenly Father is). The highest loyalty is now directed to Jesus, and the primary bond is that which binds the disciple to Him and the community of disciples. This realignment was inaugurated by Jesus Himself: “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). At the same time He promises to the loyal disciple a larger, spiritual family to compensate for the loss entailed in leaving one’s natural family for the sake of discipleship: “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age...and in the age to come February 21, 1996

eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30). What Jesus demands of His followers, He fulfils Himself. He too left His family for the sake of the kingdom of God, counting as His true family “whoever does the will of my Father in heaven” (Matthew 12:50). Jesus’ view was carried over into the early church. The Jerusalem believers, for example, looked to the community of discipleship as their primary focus of fellowship and loyalty. They were bonded to each other, and as an expression of this, they held even their material possessions in common (Acts 4:32-35). Our sexuality is a primary force that places in us the drive toward bonding. This drive leads to the development of social communities, beginning with marriage and family. For the Christian, however, this drive is fulfilled ultimately only through participation in the community of believers in Christ who enjoy fellowship with God.

"God has created us for the sake of community, to find completion in fellowship with each other and with our Maker." There is another related purpose of sexuality. Our sense of incompleteness spurs on the search for truth, a search which ultimately becomes the search for God. We long to have our incompleteness fulfilled, and this longing gives rise to the religious impulse. The message of the Bible is that in the final analysis the source of this completeness lies in fellowship with the Creator. In this sense, sexuality is foundational for the religious dimension of life. God has created us for the sake of community, to find completion in fellowship with each other and with our Maker. Why did God create us as sexual beings? Ultimately, He did so in order to bring us to one another and to Himself. God’s overarching design is that we reflect the divine image by being moulded by His Spirit into the community of redeemed humans sharing in fellowship with the Creator. To this end, our sexuality depicts our fundamental incompleteness as solitary beings. It is the force that causes us to come out from ourselves in order to become whole persons through relationship with each other and ultimately with God. As Augustine noted so profoundly, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee, O God.” This restlessness, related as it is to our fundamental sexuality, points forward to the consummation of God’s activity in the community of His eternal kingdom. In the meantime. He has ordained two alternative lifestyles as the context for the expression of our sexuality, marriage and singleness. Dr. Stanley Grenz is a professor at Carey Theological College in Vancouver. This material is excerpted from his book. Sexual Ethics: A Biblical Perspective, by permission of the author. Sexual Ethics has been reprinted, and is available through Regent College Bookstore. PAGE 3

vision 2000 Canada

Executive Director Resigns

EMC VIDEO LIBRARY: Here are three samples from over 200 videos for children, youth and adults: Hymns: A Portrait of Christ Panoramic scenes of the Creator’s han­ diwork provide a breathtaking backdrop for Steve Green’s performance of 17 time­ less Christian hymns. Rental: $2.00 -f postage. Shrug — The Self-Doubting Thomas One of four titles in the Secret Adven­ tures series for children and young teens, this one emphasizes self-worth and the value of relationships. Rental: $2.00 -r postage. Once Upon an Avalanche A Focus On the Family’s Adventures in Odyssey animated video, it illustrates the importance of kindness and brotherly love. Rental: $2.50 -r postage. Call or write for a free video catalog: Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613

Camp Friedenswald announces an open­ ing for Executive Director. The camp is seeking someone with a dynamic Anabaptist/Christian faith who has a vision for camping and retreat ministries. The Ex­ ecutive Director will be expected to shape an organizational culture around the core values of service, innovation, trust, com­ passion, stewardship, learning, action and mutual support and accountability. The Executive Director is responsible for ar­ ticulating the mission of the camp and maintaining its spiritual foundation. Other responsibilities include recruiting and su­ pervising staff, and developing a strateg­ ic plan, budgets, and plans for marketing and development. New facilities promise to bring enhanced vitality and exciting op­ portunities to the camp. Deadline for resumes is March 15, 1996. Send resumes and inquiries to: Search Committee ATTN: Beth Gender Camp Friedenswald 15406 Watercress Dr. Cassopolis, Ml 49031

COMING EVENTS March S Mental Health Workshop Forgiveness and Heeling with Dr. Bernie Wiebe Winkler Bible Institute Winkler, Man. Phone: 204-325-4325 March 19 Mental Health Workshop Forgiveness and Healing

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Dr. Donald Moore, Executive Director for Vision 2CXX) Canada — the Evangelical Fel­ lowship of Canada’s (EEC) Task Force on Evangelism — has announced his resignation effective March 31,1996. His resignation was accepted by the task force with thanks and deep appreciation. Vision 2000 Canada was formed under the EFC in 1987 with a vision to be a catalyst to Canadian evangelical churches, leaders, denominations, agencies and lay persons, call­ ing them to set evangelism high on their list of personal and organizational priorities. Moore was invited to give leadership and since 1988 has served full-time in this capac­ ity, seconded from the Navigators of Canada. Brian Stiller, Executive Director of the EFC, said following Moore’s resignation that “Don has been extraordinary in his lifting of the very idea of Vision 2000 Canada and putting it on the national stage, helping church leaders to make it their priority.” He continued, “1 know of no one who could have done what he has been able to accom­ plish over these few years. We will very much miss his high energy and deep commitment.” The Executive Committee of the EFC will now await recommendations from the Vision 2000 Canada committee, chaired by Dr. Bill McRae, before it announces further plans for the membership of the task force and future leadership.

Inner City Youth Alive

BUILDING PROJECT

J^WS BRIEFS.. Four missionaries are still held hostage in Colombia, and talks between the government and leftist guerillas have stalled. Charles Mankins, Mark Rich and Richard Tenenoff are with New Tribes Mission. Ray Rising is with Wycliffe Bible translators. (Church Around the World)

Trans World Radio and Radio Bible Class have established a partnership to expand outreach throughout the world. The organization plans to combine the radio broadcasts of TWR with the literature follow-up of RBC, including RBC’s devotional guide, Our Daily Bread. (Ra­ dio Bible Class)

Pornography: Canada Post Corporation will no longer deliver unaddressed pornographic and sexually explicit advertisements. The feder­ al government is forming a joint Canada Post/Justice Department task force to deter­ mine if Canada Post can legally stop the dis­ tribution of all pornography through the mail. (Evangelical Fellowship of Canada)

PASTOR NEEDED Riverton Gospel Chapel (EMC) is in need of a pastor to assume duties on July 1, 1996. Interested candidates may direct inquiries to; Brad Kornelsen, 204-378-2329, or Frank Gustaw, 204-378-2366. Resumes may be sent to: Pastoral Search Committee Box 302 Riverton, Man. ROC 2R0

Volunteers Needed! Inner City Youth Alive will be starting their building project on February 5 and will be working until May 10. We are call­ ing on individuals and church groups who can come to help out in the following areas: Drywalling Taping Plumbing Roofing Cleaning Millwork Painting Masonry Framing Insulating Electrical Finish Carpentry Demolition Please contact Kent Dueck at

204-582-8779, or stop by at the building at 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, Man.

with Dr. Bernie Wiebe Canadian Mennonite Bible College Winnipeg, Man. Phone: 204-325-4325 March 21 - 24 Mennonite Health Assembly “Caring and Healing in our Fragmented Worlds’’ Chicago, Illinois Phone; 1-800-348-7468

March 28 - 30 Family History Conference Lancaster Historical Soc. Lancaster, PA Phone; 717-393-9745 April 7 Easter Christ is risen! July 5 - 7 EMC Annual Convention Speaker: Arden Thiessen Steinbach, Manitoba Phone: 204-326-6401

THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: inform con­ cerning events and activities in the denomina­ tion; instruct in godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Let­ ters, articles photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own, and do not necessari­ ly represent the position of the Conference. Subscriptions: $7.00 per year. Members pay through their church. Manitoba residents add

PSr. total: J7.49. All correspondence should be addressed to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main Street, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail; Registration Number 0591. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscrip­ tions should be mailed to the above address. The Messenger is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Editor: Menno Hamm Assistant: Martha Kroeker Phone: (204) 326-6401; Fax: (204) 326-1613 E-mail: emconf@mts.net

THE MESSENGER

Forgiveness by Irene Kroeker If I were to pick a favourite word, I think it would be “forgiven.” Within this last year the Lord has taught me much about forgiveness t and freed me from the hurt and pain of my yesteryears. He has used family, friends, books and THE BOOK to help me in the process (a process that continues as new sit­ uations arise and old ones seek to surface). Scripture teaches us to forgive each other “just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesi­ ans 4:32). Another verse says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Forgive­ ness begins with God. Our forgiveness must flow from our “forgiven-ness.” We sing the cho­ rus, based on Matthew 10:8: “Freely, freely, you have received. Freely, freely give...” Scripture also teaches us the permanence and scope of forgiveness. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). To the paralytic in Matthew 9:2, Jesus said, “...your sins are forgiven.” In Spanish it reads, “your sins remain forgiven.” To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, “...neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Note that Jesus did not say, “Now go and fix up your past.” Too often our perceived sense of justice and/or revenge may demand that. Jesus did not. I believe one of the “fruits of repentance” is that we desire to restore rela­ tionships and wrongs where possible. However, sometimes we get ourselves and others in bondage with our emphasis on res­ titution. A close friend of mine once told me, “Irene, if you always want to fix up your past, you don’t need God.” True. Jesus simply said, “Go and sin no more.” How do we know we have really forgiven others? Dr. David Stoop and Dr. James Masteller, in their book. Forgiving Our Parents, Forgiving Ourselves, say: The process of forgiveness is complete when what happened between us is no longer

Love Ifi Good Helps People see Pm thankful for Love Joy The cinquain above was written by a student in Catherine Epp’s Sunday school class in the Portage church.

February 21, 1996

a “live issue” in the way I think of you and relate to you, or in the way 1 live my life (p. 169).

Lewis B. Smedes writes, “You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well” (Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve, p. 29). How do we get there? Forgiveness knows no limit. How many times the person has hurt us or whether or not he deserves forgiveness is not the issue. It is a matter of how we respond to God’s grace. Forgiveness is a decision to let go. As H. Nor­ man Wright said, “If you have released your end, the war is over.”

“In the process of forgiving, I not only release you but also myself.” Dr. Stoop and Dr. Masteller put it this way: When someone does us wrong, we feel as though they have taken away something that belonged to us — our peace, our joy, our hap­ piness — and that they now owe it to us. When we forgive them, we simply release them from their debt (p. 162) Sometimes we have to work through our feelings before we can even take the initial step of deciding to cancel the debt. Often we find that even after we have made the deci­ sion to forgive, our emotions rise up again and make us want to re-impose the debt (p. 167).

...Forgiveness — true forgiveness — takes time. It is a process you must not short-circuit. When you forgive too quickly, without ade­ quately working through what has happened and how you feel about it, your forgiveness is “incomplete” (p. 205).

In the process of forgiving, I not only release you, but also myself. This can free me of bit­ terness and hurt. Forgiveness does not settle all issues of blame and fairness, but it does allow relationships to start over. According to Dr. Stoop and Dr. Masteller there are six steps to forgiveness: 1. Recognize the injury. In order to forgive you need to remember what actually hap­ pened. The cause of the feelings of hurt and pain may be deeply buried. Part of us doesn’t really want to remember. Make a list of the wrongs done to you by the person or people involved. 2. Identify the emotions involved. What do you associate with your injuries and hurts? Fear? Guilt? Shame? Anger? These usually surface. Simply trying to forget our memories “drains our past of its power to help us” (p. 188). If we try to block our memories we slip into denial and self-deception. 3. Express your hurt and anger. In order to get rid of your inner “poison” you may need to “talk it out” with a friend. You may want to write it out. Talking to ourselves is an im­

portant aspect of expressing our feelings. Reaffirm what is already true according to the Scriptures; e.g., “I am a worthwhile person be­ cause God loves and accepts me.” “In Christ, I choose to forgive________ ” 4. Set boundaries to protect yourself. Give yourself “space” to work in. Perhaps you need to stay away from certain people for some time or for good in extreme cases such as in­ cest, rape, etc. 5. Cancel the debt. Now it is time to for­ give. Release your own expectations of your offender. Burn your lists of “hurts” or write “cancelled” over them. Do what you can to make your act of forgiveness real to you. Love acts. Do some kind deed for the one who hurt you. Bless the person in your prayers. 6. Consider the possibility of reconciliation. We can forgive privately, but in reconciliation both parties are involved. If the other party re­ fuses to be reconciled, all you can do is wait and hope and pray that there will be a change of heart. Let me close with a treasured quote from George Roemisch, “Forgiveness is the fragrance of the violet that clings to the heel that crushed it.” Irene Kroeker hues in Rosenort, Man., where she works as a Resource Aide in the Rosenort School.

Post-secondary students & in Ulinnipeg: Come and bring a friend to the

STUDENT LUNCHEON Monday, March 18 11:30 o.m. to 1:30 p.m.

(Come and go)

Room 205-207 (Rrborg & Flin Flon) University Centre University of Manitoba

Featuring a panel discussion:

Being True to Vour Integrity on Campus with professors Glen Hlossen and Gary Mortens Chaplain Ingrid Cornies and several students Coordinated by Martha Hill

FRCC LUNCH Sponsored by EMC Board of Church Ministries Phone: 204-326-6401

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MCC Canada Facing Radical Changes WINNIPEG, Man. — Delegates to the Novem­ ber 2-3 Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada annual meeting in Burnaby, B.C., decided to restructure the agency. As a result, MCC Canada will have fewer staff, a smaller budget and see its role changed. MCC Cana­ da Executive Director Marvin Frey took some time to answer a few questions about the need for and effect of the restructuring. Why was it necessary for MCC Canada to restructure in this way?

At MCC Canada we knew how to expand, but not how to get out of things. It wasn’t hard for us to add programs to serve needy peo­ ple, but we didn’t know when our role in meet­ ing them was over. As anyone who has been head of an agency or a business knows, cut­ backs aren’t easy to consider, especially when it means letting go of staff. For a long time, our expansion didn’t cause us any problems. As long as the Canadian government kept giving us more money through the Canadian International Develop­ ment Agency (CIDA), we could add programs which served people in Canada without tak­ ing away our commitments to needy people overseas. But the $5(X),CXX) cut in our CIDA grant in 1995 was a strong signal that we can’t count on money from the government forever. If it suddenly disappeared — and signals from the government suggest there will be less money for international aid groups like MCC in the future — we would be forced by others to decide which programs to keep and which to end. 1 didn’t want an external pressure to set our cost-cutting agenda. Is the restructuring just about money?

No. In fact, MCC Canada is not experienc­ ing a financial crisis today. We continue to be generously supported by Canadians — we met

our budget for the fifth year in a row. We are making radical changes today to avoid a finan­ cial crisis in the future. The worst time to make decisions like these is when you have a money crunch. It’s hard to do clear thinking about vi­ sion and the future when all you can think about is next week’s payroll. There are three main reasons why it is necessary to restructure MCC Canada. First, we want to get closer to our supporters. MCC in Canada has become too complicated. There are too many levels which people have to go through to get what they want from MCC — we haven’t been as “user-friendly” as we need to be. We want to make it as easy as possi­ ble for supporters to get what they want — the MCC office closest to them should be able to answer their questions. A second reason is duplication. With the growth of the provincial MCC organizations, we found work that MCC Canada used to do, could be done, and was being done, by provin­ cial MCC staff and volunteer committees. We want to eliminate this duplication of effort and resources. A third reason is that the MCC organiza­ tion closest to needy people should be the one that runs the programs. It’s difficult, if not im­ possible, to efficiently run cross-Canada pro­ grams from a central office in Winnipeg. It makes more sense to have the program based closest to where the needs are. In most cases, this would be a provincial MCC. Here at MCC Canada we can provide support for the work being done by the provincial MCCs. You have suggested that in the future MCC Canada will need to be more "results orient­ ed." What do you mean by that?

In the past most nonprofit agencies have operated by the principle that “good staff tend

Mennonite World Conference

Who Needs India 1997? Why Spend the Money? Why Take the Time? North American Mennonites and Brethren in Christ are in a sober, cost­ cutting, tough mood these days. Congre­ gations and conferences worry about meet­ ing their budgets; institutions and agencies shave their expenses and become ever more imaginative about how to increase their incomes. How dare MWC consider creating such an event as India 1997, halfway around the world, when North American church life is uncertain in many places. Says MWC Executive Secretary Lamy Miller in Strasbourg, France, “I have two hopes for India 1997: ’transformation’ and ’formation.’ A primary need of churches in North America and Europe is renewal and re conversion — or transformation. Living for a week with the world church in Cal­ cutta and throughout India may help trans­ form us and our congregations. “Churches in the Southern Hemisphere PAGE 6

and the East need rootedness and train­ ing — or formation. For them, living for a week with the world church in Calcutta and elsewhere in India may be a means of primary ’forming.’ They will be able to both receive and give wisdom — through mes­ sages, songs, seminars, discussions, and councils. “I hope the India 1997 helps both in for­ mation and transformation, and moves us all a step closer to developing Anabaptist identity, accountability, and solidarity across national boundaries. The church is not really church until it is local and global. So India 1997 will also give us the oppor­ tunity to become more fully the church.” For more information about India 1997, contact: Mennonite World Conference, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1; Phone; 519-571-0060; Fax: 519-5711980; E-mail: CompuServe 74737,1611.

to do good things.’’ And, generally speaking, that is true. But it’s not good enough at a time when donors are asking for greater account­ ability. They want to know that their dona­ tions make a difference. Or, at the very least, how their donations are used to meet identifi­ able goals. We need to be more specific about what the needs are that we intend to meet, how we intend to meet them and what hap­ pens after we expend that effort and money. Of course, there are programs which are oriented towards education, which cannot draw those kinds of straight lines, but to the extent it is possible, we need to know if our work is doing what it set out to do. If it isn’t, people will take their donations elsewhere. Does this spell the end of MCC Canada? No, but it does mean MCC Canada will have a different role. An analogy that comes to mind is that of serving customers. We used to think that needy people in Canada were MCC Canada’s customers. That may have been true in the past, but today it is the provin­ cial MCC’s which are serving those “cus­ tomers.” MCC Canada has new customers — the provincial MCCs. Our role will be to sup­ port them by offering services that they require. Some people may say that this decision cuts the limbs off of MCC Canada.

Better we cut off a limb or two than have our heart cut out. If we are to survive to see our 100th anniversary, we will need to change. All of us who serve with MCC in Canada will have to work with less and work smarter in the future. John Longhurst MCC Canada Communications

Canadian Prayer Summit A significant Canadian interdenomination­ al Prayer Summit for Christian leaders and their spouses is planned for April 7-9, 1997, in Vancouver, British Columbia. With no preset agenda, Christian leaders will be invit­ ed to gather for the simple purpose of pray­ ing, worshipping and waiting on God. The organizers believe that, as in past Pray­ er Summits, the participants will come away refreshed and with a new sense of trust, uni­ ty in the body of Christ and personal restora­ tion needed to face the new millennium. The strength of Prayer Summit ’97 is in its wide interdenominational appeal, giving participants the freedom to be with each other without a competitive spirit or secret agenda. The spe­ cial focus of Prayer Summit ’97 will be on en­ couraging and strengthening all those in Christian ministry. This interdenominational and multicultural event will coincide with the signing of a Pray­ er Covenant as we seek God for the future of our individual churches and ministries as we look to the year 20(X) and beyond. The organizing committee of Prayer Sum­ mit ’97 includes Brent Cantalon, Maralee Dawn, Nicholas Dyck, Paul Johnson, David Macfarlane, Carlin Weinhauer and chairman, Greg Schroeder. THE MESSENGER

Steinbach Bible College

Sixtieth Anniversary History Book The history of Steinbach Bible College has included many building projects, yet there has never been a serious mishap in this process. One incident from an up-coming history book of the institution illustrates this. The incident occuned during the construc­ tion of the Steinbach Bible Institute’s new main building at the present location in 1955. The building crew was moving the heavy steel I-beam which was to support what were then the library and classrooms above the dining room on the lower floor. Workmen were using a temporary scaffold construct­ ed for that purpose. In fact, they had been instructed not to hammer nails in all the way to facilitate dismantling the structure later. Unfortunately there were too many men on the scaffold. With the pressure they ex­ erted while lifting the heavy beam, the scaffold gave way. Scaffold and workmen came crashing down, narrowly missing the crew on the ground, including Archie and Norman Penner. Later they affirmed, “It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face” (Psalm 44:3), which had protect-

ed them. This is only one of many experiences relat­ ed in the SBC 60th anniversary history book. The book, to be released during the 60th anniversary celebrations, October 25-27, 1996, provides a brief, illustrated, nine-chapter history of the institution. The book begins with the courageous ef­ forts at Christian education in the Sunday school rooms of the Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church in 1936. From there, it de­ tails the growth of the institution, beginning with the first school building on First Street in 1939, and concluding with the present high school/college complex on Highway 12 North in Steinbach. Author Jerry Hildebrand uses a discussion of the successive building projects to explore the changing nature of Christian education at the institution. He notes that Sunday school rooms were adequate for teaching aspiring Sunday school teachers and that a curriculum stan­ dardized by the Evangelical Teacher Train­ ing Association (ETTA) met the needs of

MEDA program targets women; gives the poor some credit by Carol Thiessen Ruth Dueck likes to tell the story of a wom­ an in Mbeya, Tanzania, who sells soda pop near a market area. She is a small business owner eking out a living like so many around her. She is also an entrepreneur and her busi­ ness is growing. Not too long ago she was selling about a crate of pop each day. Then came short-term loans offered by Mennonite Economic De­ velopment Associates (MEDA) to women in this agriculture-based community. She got a loan to increase her stock of pop and upped her sales to fifty crates a day. Sometimes there wasn’t enough soda for her to buy, so she decided to diversify. A second loan helped her, and she now sells milk and baked goods as well. The pop-seller is just one of many Tanza­ nian women who have benefitted from MEDA Ioans, says Dueck, a credit advisor for the MEDA project in Tanzania. MEDA is an as­ sociation of business people which, among other things, carries out business-oriented as­ sistance to the poor in developing countries. Dueck left Winnipeg two years ago to help launch the new MEDA loan program in the east African country. She was home recently to visit family in southern Manitoba for a few weeks before heading back to Tanzania, where she works out of the capital city of Dar es Salaam. Training is a big part of Dueck’s role — help­ ing other staff to design the loan programs and deliver training sessions to the borrowers. MEDA offers an 18-week solidarity group loan

February 21, 1996

to women who are engaged in micro­ enterprises — small, owner-operated business­ es. The business owners form groups and co­ guarantee each other’s loans. MEDA will soon begin offering a longer-term loan to individu­ als as well. Small business loans for women are a new banking niche in Tanzania — one that is help­ ing a large segment of the population that can’t get help elsewhere. “They cannot get access to capital in the small amounts they need at the bank,” Dueck says. Women are the prime focus for loans, although MEDA is starting to accept applica­ tions for loans from men. Women have proven to be good credit risks, says Dueck. Overall, MEDA expects to recover over 95 percent of the loans. The women take their responsibilities seri­ ously. “Motivation to care for their families is a high priority and their business is used for that,” Dueck says. “The irony is that within the formal sector, many of the loans have gone to men.” Worldwide, the majority of MEDA’s clients for short-term loans are women. MEDA car­ ries out similar lending programs in Nicaragua, Bolivia and Haiti, and is just starting in Rus­ sia and Zimbabwe. So for Dueck, who has been with MEDA for ten years, this isn’t a new concept. She worked with finance in the Winnipeg office be­ fore going overseas for some hands-on work. “I got itchy feet after awhile. The intemationcJ economic development was one of the

students and churches alike in the 1930s. Currently, a gym (1972), music building (1978) and college library/administration building exemplify a curriculum which has grown into a three-year degree-granting pro­ gram with credits transferable to several universities. Similarly, the administration of the school has passed from a loosely structured group of local church members to a governing board of representatives from three Men­ nonite Conferences — the Chortitzer Men­ nonite, Evangelical Mennonite and Evange­ lical Mennonite Mission Conferences — plus the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church. Subsequent chapters of the book explore beginnings and changes in governance, administration, curriculum, and special events like Intersession and the Leadership Conference. In addition to the ’official history,’ the book will include personal memory sidebars by alumni and former staff, as well as dozens of photographs of school events and infor­ mal student interaction. Anyone willing to share photographs or personal memories for the book is asked to contact author Jerry Hildebrand or editor Doreen Klassen at Steinbach Bible College (phone: 204-326-6451). drawing factors to come to MEDA,” she says. The Tanzania program has taken off with immediate success; women are streaming in to apply. More than 5,(XX) loans were issued in the first year of the program, many to repeat clients. Loan amounts start as low as US$100 on a first loan and go up to $600 by the third loan. “Credit is best managed in incremental amounts,” Dueck says. MEDA charges com­ mercial loan rates which works out to about 20 percent over an 18-wcek period (inflation in Tanzania currently ranges from 25 to 40 percent a year). The loan rates help cover costs of training. With each first-time loan comes four hours of training — an introduction to MEDA, a dis­ cussion of principles of credit, the value of micro-enterprises to the economy, and manag­ ing household and business finances. This all makes good sense business-wise, but it’s also a social justice outreach. “It’s offer­ ing access to people who are typically denied access,” Dueck says. “We’re giving them a choice and hopefully empowering their choice for the positive.” And so in Mbeya the entrepreneurial spirit is alive. Women are getting loans to sell farm produce wholesale, to set up hair salons, to sew school uniforms and to bake. One wom­ an buys scrap metal and fashions beautiful knives from it. Another woman used her loan to buy star decals. They now grace the pack­ ages of her home baking. And she’s selling more than ever. And the pop seller? Well, she’s in line for a third loan. Carol Thiessen is a Winnipeg free-lance writer. PAGE 7

Preserving the Right to Childhood I

11'

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I

1 •- I

Letting Little Ones be Little

from Him. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalm 137:3,5). Despite His

cuIture’sdisregariforchildren,Jesusreflect-

I I . r ed the heart of God by drawing them to HimDy jonn t-antuzzo valuing them. On one busy day in ♦ Six-year-old Drew is on the soccer team, replaced by fashionable tennis lessons, or- the midst of a clamouring crowd. He noticed takes piano lessons, sings in the church ganized hunts for socially correct clothing, that the children were being shunted to the junior choir, is active in all Sunday school and intense encounters with video games, side — purposely kept out of His way. events, and has a private tutor so that he They are expected to pass through the acaHis indignant response was, ” ‘Let the litcan stay ahead of his classmates. He has demic process faster than a speeding bullet, tie children come to me...’ and He took the also begun to stutter and is afraid to go to have an identity and social presence more children in His arms, put His hands on them, school. powerful than a locomotive, and be able to and blessed them” (Mark 10:14,16). In that leap tall expectations with a single bound, moment He revealed God’s deep regard for • Jessica is eight years old. Mom lets her By the time these children reach adoles- the stage of human development that we call wear make-up and listen to rock albums. cence they are in excessive conflict with their childhood. Christian parents must join Him When Jessica swivels and thrusts her hips. parents, prematurely claiming adult roles be- in valuing it for its own sake, too. Mom is a little embarrassed. But, after all, fore they have seasoned skills and abilities Jessica can’t really know what her gyrations LISTEN. What are they saying? How are to deal with the responsibility. Statistics insinuate. they acting? Do you need to protect them graphically inform us of increased rates of from the pressures which would steal their • “Hurry up, hurry up, ” Dad urged Shelby, juvenile suicide, alcoholism, drug depen­ childhood from them? When Hannah dedi­ age three, as she wiggled into her dress, dence, pregnancy, and crime. cated Samuel to the Lord, she said, “I prayed “We’re going to be late for church.” It was STOP. Too much rushing forces kids to for this child, and the Lord has granted me another breathtaking race to get everyone grow up before their time. It tells them that what I asked of Him. So now I give him to out the door. “But, Daddy,” Shelby plead­ the present isn’t worth savouring. “Better one the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:27,28). A posture of ed, “I’m only a little girl.” handful with tranquility than two handfuls complete trust in the Lord’s timing and purwith toil and chasing after the wind” (Ec- pose is the antidote to rushing your child’s What happens to children in this pressured clesiastes 4:6). development. society? These examples demonstrate three Jesus put this Biblical wisdom into prac­ ways parents drive their children to perform The Christian parent’s task is not to mould tice in His interaction with Martha. He said, beyond their age, desire, and abilities. Some the child into the image of society or to make ‘Martha, Martha...you are worried and up­ parents fail to protect their children ade­ sure that the child excels beyond his peers. set about many things, but only one thing quately from the destructive influences of our Our task is to recognize that our children is needed” (Luke 10:41,42). With these culture. Others force children to grow up too were created in the image of God and to words He stopped Martha’s helter-skelter soon because busy schedules make us im­ respect that creation. We must trust as Han­ pace and her attempts to hurry and distract patient with their natural, childish delays. By nah did that the Lord will bring to fruition Mary. Hurried Christian parents also need our very example, we tell them to grow up His purpose in His time for His children. quickly and grab every opportunity they can to be stopped by Jesus’ words. Their life pace must be brought under control and their Dr. John Fantuzzo is an assistant professor in before it passes them by. attempts to hurry their children must cease, the Graduate School of Theology at Fuller TheoLittle do these instant adults know that , logical Seminary and the director of the Child Deone of their most basic human rights has LOOK. .. ® y®*" children^ younger velopment Clinic, both in Pasadena. CA. been violated: the right to childhood. The years. They will soon be gone. “Sons are aI Article courtesy of Cook Communication Minisprecious moments of childhood have been heritage from the Lord, children are a reward tries, Elgin, Illinois. Mennonite Historical Society of Canada

Central Registry of Russian Mennonite Archival Records Created The Mennonite Historical Society of Cana­ da (MHSC) board and executive met on Satur­ day, December 2, 1995, at the Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, for its annual meeting. Representatives from British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and On­ tario attended the meeting. These included representatives from provincial Mennonite historical societies as well as representatives from the Conference of Mennonites in Cana­ da, Mennonite Conference of Eastern Cana­ da, Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Evangelical Men­ nonite Conference. Abe Dueck, Director of the Centre for Men­ nonite Brethren Studies, reported that Cana­ dian Mennonites doing historical research in states of the former Soviet Union have iden­ tified several significant collections of Men­ nonite documents, previously unknown to Western researchers. These include files hitherto presumed lost from the highly publiPAGE 8

cized Braun archive, several eighteenth- and nineteenth-century censuses of Mennonites in the Chortitza colony, and records of Men­ nonite kulaks in the 1930s. The MHSC decided to create a Central Registry of microfilmed or copied Mennonite archival records in Eastern Europe and states of the former Soviet Union in order to facili­ tate communication between scholars and researchers so that the interests of the scho­ larly community as a whole can best be served. All individuals doing archival research on Russian Mennonites in Eastern Europe and states of the former Soviet Union are strong­ ly encouraged to submit reports with as much detail as possible to Abe Dueck and Bert Fries­ en, Archives Committee, Mennonite Histori­ cal Society of Canada, 169 Riverton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2L 2E5, who will send out an annual or semi-annual newsletter which summarizes the information received. The MHSC endorsed the code of ethics

contained in the “Final Report of the Joint Task Force on Archives” of the American As­ sociation for the Advancement of Slavic Studies and the American Historical Associ­ ation. This action was taken in response to concerns about “privatization” or “commerciali­ zation” of records which drives up the cost of obtaining information and imposes unequal access restrictions on archival users. Individu­ als and institutions affiliated with the Society are to view contacts with archives and ar­ chivists in Eastern Europe and states of the former Soviet Union as cooperative ventures and, where appropriate, develop policies to provide assistance to them. They are to ex­ change or purchase copies of archival materi­ al at reasonable cost and also disseminate any material obtained through photocopying and microfilming at reasonable cost to interested researchers and institutions. The MHSC will make every effort to inform individuals and institutions of the Central Registry it has established and the code of ethics it has endorsed. THE MESSENGER

New MCC Directors Appointed in Alberta and Saskatchewan WINNIPEG, Man. — New Executive Directors have been appointed for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) provincial offices in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Abe Janzen, presently MCC’s Country Representative in Bolivia, will begin his new assignment as Executive Director of MCC Al­ berta in June. Janzen, 44, has served two

three-year terms and one five-year term with MCC in Bolivia. Prior to his most recent MCC assignment he was Program Coordinator, Northern Region, and Director of Northern Programs at High Level, Alta., for Fairview College of Fairview, Alta. Abe and his wife, Kathy, are members of

the High Level Christian Fellowship (EMC). In Saskatchewan, Bruno Baerg will become the new Executive Director in May. Baerg, 44, is presently Executive Assistant for Programs at MCC Ontario. He has served 15 years with MCC, including terms in Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. Baerg and his wife, Lois, are members of the Waterloo North Mennonite Church in Waterloo, Ont.

Missions i

MEXICO

Strength in Weakness Why do things go wrong? It was starting to get dark. We were tired, not only physically but also mentally. And, if the truth were known, my spirit was weary also. We had spent the day at the studio in Mitla, an hour’s drive away, recording Acts in Aloapan Zapotec. My head hurt after hours of sitting in a stuffy, soundproof room, follow­ ing the words of Acts as John, Ray and Phil read them in their language. When we reached Oaxaca City, Joan and I dropped the fellows off at the bus stop so they could catch a ride to their end of the city. We continued on our way home and were driving down our street when I realized that we had no keys to the house. We had left them in the house that morning — we were locked out. Neither Joan nor I said anything; it was better that way. When things go wrong, do you ever wonder why? Is God trying to lead you in another direction? Is the devil trying to discourage you? Or is this just the way the situation is and the choice is yours as to how you will react to it? Recording Acts in Aloapan Zapotec was such an experience for Joan and me. We were convinced it was a good thing to do. Many Zapotecs do not know how to read their lan­ guage, so a recording of Acts would meet their needs. Second, following along in a book with an accompanying cassette is a good way to learn how to read. And we have found from experience that no matter how many times we read through a book to get it ready for print­ ing, there’s nothing like the presence of a microphone to bring to light any remaining errors. So, when Acts was finally ready, we booked two weeks with the recordist in Mitla. Fall is a traditionally busy time for him so we were glad to have the last week of November and the first of December reserved for us. And then things started to go wrong. Three weeks before we were scheduled to record, the very best reader of Zapotec quit working for us. That threw us into a bit of a spin as we were banking on Clemente to take a major role in the reading. After we came to grips with this unexpected turn of events, we regrouped and divided Acts up between the three remaining fellows. We spent two weeks practicing since Phil and Ray, who were relaFebruary 21, 1996

tively new readers of Zapotec, would now have to read much longer passages than previous­ ly planned. The fellows worked heird and everything seemed ready. But we had not counted on the psychologi­ cal effect of reading into a microphone. It com­ pletely unnerved Phil and Ray. Neither one could read a sentence without making a mis­ take and the more mistakes they made, the more nervous they became and the worse they read. John, who reads fairly well, wanted to know if he could read enthusiastically (“with all his head and all his liver,” as he said in

Three weeks before we were scheduled to record, the very best reader of Zapotec quit working for us. Zapotec). I said that would be great. He then proceeded to shout his lines into the micro­ phone! And so it was that we limped along in the recording. Passages that should have taken a few minutes to record took half an hour or longer. Joan and I wondered if we should call the whole thing off. We all felt angry with Clemente for leaving us in a lurch like this. I have always been intrigued by the para­ dox stated by Paul in II Corinthians 12:9,10: “My grace is all you need. Power comes to its full strength in weakness...when I am weak.

then I am strong.” 1 don’t like to be weak. I like to be strong, in control, to make plans and see them come to pass. And yet there seems to be a huge disparity between the magnitude of the job to be done and the equipment we have to do it with. The Zapotecs best qualified to help us in this job often aren’t available to do so. Many Zapotecs are not interested in having the Scriptures in their language. But this seeming position of weakness isn’t any reason not to do the task at hand or to be discouraged about it. I find myself repeat­ edly pondering the truths of II Corinthians 4. One doesn’t lose heart because one’s mission is God-given and the future glory doesn’t in any way compare to the “light and momen­ tary troubles” of the present. As David Bosch says in his excellent book A Spirituality of the Road, “It is the future that determines the present, the new age that determines the old, not the other way around.” Joan and I did eventually get into the house. (We leave an extra set of keys with colleagues for just such a situation as this.) Acts did get recorded. Now will you pray that it will be used to extend God’s kingdom among the Zapotecs? Grace Thiessen Grace TTiiessen (Steinbach) is a Bible trans­ lator with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mexico.

CANADA

My Missionary Training Experience Part 2 of 2 In the previous issue, Ann van Enns described the boat trip up the Peace River she and Arlyn, her husband, made from their home at Fort Chipewyan on Lake Athabasca in northern Alberta to uisit the native settle­ ment of Garden River. Mary Wandering Spirit, a native believer, and her granddaughter ac­ companied them. During the uisit Ann often simply prayed while the others chattered in Cree. But she also had opportunities to teach an 11-year-old boy some Bible songs, verses and stories. She continues her story; I was hoping to teach more of the children. It seemed that there were little children every­ where; each house had at least three kids. But again language was a problem and Wayne

seemed to be the only older boy who came around. Do pray for Wayne that God’s Word would come back to his mind often and that he would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I also went berry picking with a couple of ladies and even though I didn’t have an op­ portunity to witness directly, I hope they could see Jesus in my life and that the literature we left was read. I was actually amazed at how eager the peo­ ple were to take and even buy the literature we had brought. We had boxes containing In­ dian Life magazines. Muskeg Moccasingraph papers, Bible reading and preaching tapes, fifteen or so copies each of Bushman and the Spirits and The Conquering Indian, among others, and lots of gospel music tapes. (continued on page 10) PAGE 9

Many Opportunities How concerned am I? Most people who are serious about the accomplishments and progress in their profession will do two things when they come to the end of the year: They will evaluate the achievements and the progress of the past year, and they will look ahead at the pos­ sibilities and opportunities that the new year might hold for them. This is only sound practice, both practically and scripturally. Ob­ viously, in order to be able to look back with satisfaction at our achievements of the previous year, we must take advantage of the opportunities which lie before us. As we evaluate the happenings of the past year in the area of missions, we realize that not everything that has been attempted has met up with successful results, at least not in our eyes. Ray Rising from Wycliffe Bible Translators is still being held captive and three New Tribes missionaries are still held hostage after three years of tireless efforts to free them. Some countries which were open to the preaching of God’s Word a year ago have since closed their doors to the message of the Gospel. Some missionaries have applied for entry visas for the country where they desire to work and are being denied. However, when we look at the overall pic­ ture of sharing the message of eternal life with those who are still in darkness, we see that the doors of opportunity are open wider now than they have ever been before. One example is the former Soviet Union. A country which was closed to the message of God’s Word for many decades is today a wide open mission field. What a tremendous opportunity! What an awesome responsibility! The CIS has a population of over 278 million people, divided among more than 160 different ethnic groups. Most of these groups have never heard the Word of God. In the area of Omsk alone there are around three thousand un-

Missionary Training (continued trom page 9)

Together Arlyn and 1 visited in many of the homes in Garden River, some more than once. Arlyn made it his goal to take literature to ev­ ery home in the village. We found that people were quite hospitable most of the time. We were given lots of coffee or tea and dry meat with lard. With all the visiting we did, there were times 1 didn’t want to see another cup of coffee, but 1 managed to drink it anyhow. Visiting Fox Lake One day we set out by boat to visit Fox Lake, a larger village upriver from Garden River. The water was low and we hit several sandbars on the way. 1 took a picture of Arlyn standing in a foot of water right in the middle of the big Peace River. We would have to push our heavy boat off these sandbars with our paddles. In Fox Lake we visited in five homes and left literature and sometimes dry fish, which they can rarely get there. The houses are built far apart so we were thankful to the Lord for a pickup that Raymond Nanooch lent us. Ray­ mond’s wife also made us a delicious meal of fresh moose meat, gravy, bannock, boiled potatoes and green beans. I even tasted my first cup of muskeg tea there. I could tell this lady was nervous about fixing a meal for white people, so I was truly touched by her kindness and generosity, and saw it as another of God’s blessings as we sought to tell these people about Him. Again I was amazed at the eagerness of PAGE 10

churched villages filled with people who are waiting to hear the Gospel message for the very first time. New Tribes Mission has set up a training program to teach and to train Russian believers to go and reach their own people. We are also in the process of sending our first teams of western missionaries to reach the tribal people of this needy country. But we need more people who are willing to count the cost and to get involved. A country like Mongolia is another example. This country has literally been closed to the message of the Bible for hundreds of years. Today these people are asking for someone to come and teach them the truths of God’s Word. Who will do it? These are not isolated examples; there are many, many others like these. We do not know how long these doors will remain open, and we must take advantage of these opportunities while they are there. Neither do we know how much time our Lord will grant us to accomplish the task that he has given us to do. While we are waiting, many are passing into a Christless eternity without having had an opportunity to hear. We must work while it is yet day, before the night comes when all of our work here will be ended. The opportunities are many and the need is great. The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church and reminded them to have the same attitude as that of Christ. Jesus left His glorious posi­ tion with the Father and came to pay the death penalty for each one of us. Then He entrusted to us the responsibility of sharing this good news with those who do not know about it. Paul also said, “Each one of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” How concerned am I for others? Am I taking advantage of the opportunities that lie before me? Elmer Barkman Elmer and Tina Barkman (Blumenort) serve with New Tribes Mission, promoting missions in western Canada.

these village people to receive the literature we gave them. One lady read one Muskeg Moc­ casingraph after another as we visited with her. When we left Fox Lake that evening we end­ ed up having four passengers to take back with us to Garden River. Later Arlyn had fur­ ther contact with these people when he was out visiting. We were in a hurry to get back to Garden River since it was already 9 p.m., but as we were leaving one of our two boat motors quit. This made it a slower ride back and the last hour or so was in the dark. The day we were to leave Garden River, people came by to buy our last remaining gospel music tapes and some of our books. Also, a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer came to have Arlyn pray for her. Eleven-year-old Wayne said it would be bor­ ing now with us gone, and Mary’s sister asked her to come back soon. It was a nice sunny day to travel. We said our goodbyes and piled all our things and our­ selves into the boat. Our remaining boat mo­ tor started with one pull and off we went. Then suddenly in the middle of the river the motor died. We drifted and paddled to an island and prayed that someone would see us. They fi­ nally did and we were towed back. A man who knew something about fixing kickers found the problem but by then it was getting late, and Arlyn thought maybe we should try to get our other motor going as well, so we spent the night and tried to get the other motor fixed the following morning. However, there seemed

to be no hope for it and again we set out with one motor. Unfortunately, the weather had changed and it was cold and rainy. How happy we were to see an old trapper’s cabin that we could dry out in after being in the rain for hours! We spent the night there and arrived in Fort Chipewyan by 7 p.m. the next day.

Church spiritual camp We were, of course, a day late getting back and had to be at our church’s spiritual camp the next day. Again, however, we had some complications which kept us home for another day. Frankly, 1 think the Lord knew we need­ ed the rest and time to wash clothes and repack. Our camp was in a beautiful spot in the bush. Arlyn had told me that the people are always more relaxed and open in the bush — it was true. We felt God’s presence among us and heard the believers share and pray from their hearts. Our greatest joy was to see our good friend Sammy give his life to the Lord. As 1 look back over this time, 1 thank the Lord for a greater burden for the people of the North and for what 1 saw Him do in their hearts. And, next time 1 will ask people to pray specifically for our boat motor, although even those broken motors taught me lessons in pa­ tience and trust. Ann van Enns Ann van Enns (La Crete) and her husband, Arlpn, are church planters in Fort Chipewpan, Alberta, under Northern Canada Evangelical Mission. THE MESSENGER

A

pl

AUSTRIA

1996 Birthday Celebrations A Special Gift for Austria Due to signs of aging, some may not think of a birthday as a time of celebration, but we here in Austria are getting excited about a number of celebrations. Happy 1000th Birthday, “Ostarrichi”! This year Aus­ tria commemorates 1000 years since its first mention in history as a territory. Ostarrichi is the original spelling of Austria, which means “eastern kingdom.” Austrian Christians, includ­ ing missionaries, churches and organizations like Every Home Crusade, Evangelical Alli­ ance, Austrian Bible Society and Trans World Radio, decided that since this celebration oc­ curs only once in a millennium, we should offer the nation a special birthday present. Actual­ ly, what we have to offer is the same we have been offering all along — the gospel! But we hope that if it is attractively wrapped in varied packages, many Austrians will take interest and accept it.

Churches all over the nation are now planning for evangelistic events. In order to give it cohesiveness in public, a broad theme of “relationships” was suggest­ ed. Churches all over the nation are now plan­ ning for evangelistic events and many mission organizations are encouraging summer teams that will be helping us in our evangelistic ef­ forts. These teams will provide music and tes­ timonies and help with invitations and other activities that would support the local churches hosting the efforts. Ralph Harvey, a member of our church­ planting team, has put together a multi-media

slide presentation which deals with Austrian history, the so-called “Peasant Wars” or “Thirty Years War,” in particular. Protestants normally speak of this period as the “Counter Reformation,” but we don’t want to rub salt in old wounds. Then follows a depiction of the many Austrians and other German-speaking Europeans who fled to North America to be­ gin a new life, where William Penn guaranteed them freedom of worship. A number of good slides and much litera­ ture on the Amish, Mennonite and Hutterite migrations and settlements in the “New World” have been collected for this presentation. The presentation explains what these people be­ lieved and why their faith was deemed more important than possessions and even life. It also shows how many Americans, even some of those mentioned above, have “lost their first love” and replaced true personal faith in Je­ sus Christ with mere tradition and legalism. The multi-media presentation concludes with a comparison of America and Austria in this regard, inviting all to embrace the teachings of the scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only hope for personal salvation and world peace. A thousand years may not sound like a long time for Israelis, who celebrate the 3000th birthday of Jerusalem, also this year. Coming back to dates that we can visualize, the free church in Voecklabruck, where we spent five years in church planting, celebrates its tenth birthday. It is great to see how this church is carrying on in areas of leadership training and also growth in numbers. We hope to look back in ten years from now and see such an established church here in Frankenburg. This Easter we will be celebrating our first birthday as a group meeting for wor­ ship services. Eight adults make up the small

TO PARAGUAY S’.=

f

Anne and Walter Kruse and their son Paul left on February 5 for Paraguay, where Walter will be teach­ ing deaf children at Menno Colony. Please pray for the Kruses core group. Most of these people help in the bookstore and have some part in the services. The children’s program is a major part of our outreach into the community and several new­ comers are attending the biweekly meetings. We ask you to pray for our outreach efforts in conjunction with the “Ostarrichi” celebra­ tions and for lasting fruit. Ron Poffenroth

Ron and Rosanne Poffenroth (Calgary) are missionaries in Austria, where they are in­ volved in a church-planting ministry.

Messenger News YOUTH RALLY ENJOYED

Birch River, Man.: Christmas seems to be long past but its message is for all year. Our Sunday school program, “Angels We Have Heard on High,” portrayed Jesus not only as a babe in the manger but as His life progressed up to His death on the cross. The children’s and junior classes were involved in the nativi­ ty scene, with little ones reciting and singing praises to the Lord. The adult choir sang songs appropriate to the scene. The angels could not understand how God the Father could send His only Son to this little gray ball called Planet Earth to a sinful human race. When these human beings nailed Him to the cruel cross, they would have loved to inter­ vene. To fit the scene, the choir sang “He could have called ten thousand angels, to des­ troy the world and set Him free...” The last song the choir sang was “The King is Com­ ing,” which is future and will bring everything to its climax. Are we readying ourselves for that great event?

February 21, 1996

New Year’s Eve was spent in fellowship at the church. We had a time of sharing and then celebrated Communion together. The youn­ ger ones were being entertained at the rink; they were later joined by some others. There were also table games, followed by a lunch. After New Yeeir’s, Pastor Ferlin and his fa­ mily took a week off to spend time with Elizabeth’s parents in Red Lake, Ont. Pete Reimer’s turn on the elders board ex­ pired in fall and Allan Friesen was elected to replace him for a four-year term. Many of you will be wondering how it worked out for our refugee family. Much to our disappointment, they did not come. Every­ thing was in readiness and Lome Friesens, Al­ lan Friesen and Ben Kroeker were waiting for them to get off the plane at the Winnipeg air­ port. They even waited for the next plane, but no Jurovicki family. They met with immigra­ tion officials the next morning and were in­ formed that the family had met friends and relatives in the Toronto airport who invited them to stay and promised to support them.

In the letter received later, they wrote that they had not been previously informed where Birch River was, cind they were scared their children would freeze to death in the cold North. As it turned out, we, as well as most of our read­ ers, have experienced an exceptionally cold winter, so perhaps they were better off in Toronto. We did what we could and felt we should, so we entrust them to the Lord. January 26-27 dawned bright and clear. Over a hundred youth, including their leaders, gathered in the Bowsman gym for a youth ral­ ly. They came from the Hudson Bay, En­ deavour, Swan River and Birch River areas. The Steinbach Bible College drama group, with Mike Hiebert as speaker, led and fed the youth group spiritually. Activities in the gym included curling and other games. The dinner and supper meals on Saturday were provid­ ed by the ladies of our church. Elaine and John Sigurdson and Charles Thiessen, our youth leaders, did a good job of organizing the event.

Helen Kroeker

PAGE 11

ANNUAL MEETING HELD Pclly, Sask.; “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.” After several silent months, we greet you from our very frosty location to assure you that we are alive and well. We’ll back track a little to bring our readers up to date. December hurried by with its vari­ ous activities. The ladies’ annual fall tea and bazaar proved a success. A good number of guests attended the year-end banquet and so­ cial. Guest speaker Evelyn Nelson, from our

The children at the Creighton church enjoy chocolate, which symbolized the good things we wait for during Advent — Terry’s children’s story.

BAPTISM, BOARD, BONSPIEL

Creighton, Sask.: Our church held a suc­ cessful Third World Craft and bake sale on November 3 and 4, with the proceeds going to sponsor two children. A potluck on Sun­ day brought a pleasant finish to a busy weekend. Terry, Mary Ann and Jonathan Smith, Phil and Deb Odegaard enjoyed the Region 3 Conference in Swan River on Oc­ tober 29, where Arden Thiessen, the senior pastor of the Steinbach EMC, spoke on “We wait for His appearing.” On November 12 Terry spoke at the Pelly EMC as part of our regional church exchange program. On November 19 we held a house­ warming social at Phil and Deb Odegaard’s. The hospitality was indeed warm! Terry attended a Conference Council meet­ ing at the Mennville EMC on December 2. Ken Sebum was our speaker that Sunday. Our church banquet and Sunday school program took place on December 17. The theme of the program was to solve the Christmas puzzle.

neighbouring town of Norquay, was much ap­ preciated. The Christmas program was well received by a full church, as the message of Christ’s birth and purpose in coming to earth were clearly portrayed. We have an active group of young people. December 23 they carolled around the village, which was appreciated by the listeners. After the carolling they gathered in the lower hall of the church and enjoyed pizza. The next Sunday morning they treated the congregation to a song.

With January drawing to a close, it was time for our annual meeting on the 26th, with almost all families represented. Time was spent in discussion concerning the hiring of a pastor. Since the resignation of Murray Vader on June 30, 1995, we have been managing with the laymen and also, from time to time, invited speakers. Now, with a few ap­ plications on hand, it is beginning to get ex­ citing and the board will be pursuing this further. Viuian Anfinson

Housewarming at Phil and Deb Odegaard’s.

Readers from young to old led the congrega­ tion on a journey to find the answers, accom­ panied by the singing of many Christmas carols. The Mennonite Brethren church youth retreat in Banff over the New Year ended on a very sad note as young Amanda Derksen of Wabowden was hit and killed by a driver as she crossed the highway at Hanna, Alber­ ta. Kristen Imrie from our church was at this retreat and on one of the buses returning. The Madge Hogarth Foundation has ap­ proved a grant to replace our existing oil fur­ naces with new propane furnaces. That’s one way to get the furnace/storage room cleaned! We have had a series of board meetings regarding the direction of the church. Don Thiessen, Conference Pastor, was present on February 12 to help us with this dialogue. A Christian unity service, with many churches participating, was held at the MB church. The sermon by Brian Bigelow was

“The Call of the Kingdom.” The offering was split, with half going to Bosnia through MCC and the other half to the local Food Bank. On January 24 Kristen Imrie gave her tes­ timony of her walk and growth in the Lord and she was baptized on January 21. Terry’s ser­ mon, “A Picture of God’s Grace,” based on I Peter 3:21 and Titus 2:4-7, preceded the touching ceremony. In January our curling organizers, Brenda and Al Fehr, planned a family bonspiel at the Ross Lake Curling Club. Skips Bob Imrie and Tom Fehr brought their teams to victory (pic­ tures to follow in the next report). Dorothy and Jack Hillier have spent a tough winter battling the flu but they are on the mend! We continue to enjoy the readings by Kay Smith, Marg Cone and Mary Brown as they so willingly contribute in this way. Janice Imrie

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Jonathan and Mary Ann Smith singing a duet, “Did you ever talk to God above?”

PAGE 12

Kristen Imrie was presented with a Bible on her baptism at the Creighton church. Left to right: Board member Deb Odegaard, Kristen, Mary Ann and Terry Smith (pastor couple).

1

Sunday school singing and reading to solve the Christmas puzzle.

THE MESSENGER

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THE BODY OF CHRIST Landmark, Man.(Prairie Rose): THE CHURCH — God’s people, people who have committed themselves to Jesus, meeting together for worship and praise. There was reason to rejoice when, on De­ cember 10, six new names were added to the membership list. After sharing their personal testimonies with the congregation, Christopher Barkman, Janice Friesen, Barbara Lee, Scott Reimer and Wilfred and Susan Wieler were baptized. Wilfred and Susan, young parents of three small children, shared of their personal strug­ gles as God continued to work in their lives. When their first child was born, Susan recog­ nized this as a gift from God, and thanks Him even today for the miracle of life. It was again because of their children that both Wilfred and Susan realized the importance of Sunday school and church attendance. “I still have lots of questions and much to work on, but with the help and prayers of the church 1 can con­ tinue to grow,” Wilfred stated in his testimony. Barbara spoke of a void, a deep feeling of loneliness. A friend introduced her to a young people’s group at the church and “I started to learn more about God. Now 1 have fully learned to trust in God and it’s an amazing feeling.” Janice expressed appreciation for her family and friends who “hold me accountable.” Although Chris enjoyed Sunday school and was always encouraged to attend, he lost in­ terest in Junior High and became “obsessed with being different, and I cut myself off from my Christian friends. Compromise led to mis­ ery, but giving myself to Him fully has result­ ed in great joy.” Chris spoke of great blessings as he enthusiastically began to serve Christ. Prayer played a significant part in Scott’s spiritual life. While on a summer Christian service trip to Mexico, he learned to rely on prayer to sustain him, and developed a closer, deeper relationship with God and the people with whom he worked. THE CHURCH - the body of Christ. God doing His work through us. An ambitious and enthusiastic group left the Winnipeg International Airport on January 27 for a three-week work assignment in Mali, Afri­ ca. Bob and Hilda Koop led the team and, together with Alvin and Katherine Plett, Ran­ dy Plett, Les Warkentin and Dennis and Chris Barkman, are building a girls’ dorm at the Mana Bible Institute campus. Our own mis­ sionaries, Evelyn Plett and Fiona Plett, will, no doubt, appreciate and be encouraged by their visit. THE CHURCH — God’s children showing compassion, love and support to those who are sick — let us not forget. Vernon Kroeker has been on the prayer list for several months. Pastor Plett stops in for a chat and a word of encouragement on his weekly visits to the Ste. Anne Hospital. Tina Goertzen is unable to attend our wor­ ship services because of illness, and we miss her. Nevertheless, visitors to her home have

February 21, 1996

been inspired by her cheerful and friendly spirit. Ella Rempel was involved in a serious car accident on January 7 and received extensive injuries to both her legs. Although she longs to be at home, Ella has remained optimistic about her stay at the St. Boniface Hospital. Further surgery will be necessary in the days ahead, so we pray that she will remain coura­ geous and patient through it all. THE CHURCH — the people of God, a community world-wide, needing each other for their well-being.

Pastor Edwin and his daughter Heather left February 7 to visit one of their family mem­ bers, daughter Barb, who works as a journalist in Cairo, Egypt. They are anticipating a twoweek visit with her in Cairo, observing her at work and in her home setting. Following this, they are looking forward to a one-week tour of Israel. Do you want to see God? Then look at the people who belong to Him — THE CHURCH, the Body of Christ. A perfect God doing His work through imperfect human beings. Eua Peters

A parentfchild dedication service took place at the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel on October 22. Left to right: Lyle and Elaine Koop with Tyler Dean, Rhonda and Kirk Karlowsky with Nathan Scott, Pam and Cam Cornelsen with Braden Eric Russell, Pastor John Klassen.

CARE GROUP MINISTRY

Rosenort, Man. (Rosenort Fellow­ ship): What joy for me, after a year’s absence, to meet the senior pastor, a man who loves the Lord and who loves people! He has set goals for the church, fully supported by administrative committees and a full complement of deacon couples. Eleanor and Dick - Zachar--------ias have accepted the call to assist as a deacon couple and have begun a care group ministry at the Rosewood Apartments. Attendance by residents of Rosewood and Rose Lane Apartments and their friends is very gratifying. An informal poll indicates that this ministry is much appreciated, especially during days of frigid temperatures. Vacancies in the pews on Sunday mornings bear testimony to the fact that a number of church members, Anne and Elmer Brandt,

Deacon couple Eleanor and Dick Zacharias

Norma and Harry Koop, Art and Rose Cor­ nelsen, Frank and Marianne Friesen and Dick and Eleanor Zacharias, have chosen to spend time enjoying a warmer environment to relax and to labour at the SIM retirement “villas” at Sebring, Florida. Our pastor and his wife, John and Anita Klassen, will join them briefly in February. C ' \ 8, 1995,1 returned' from ' L. On July teaching English in Europe and I reported at our Mis­ sions Month in November. For three years I taught English as a foreign language at ANK Gimnazium in Hungary. Then I taught EFL at universities and institutes in Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, for one year, in addition to teaching in three consecutive Summer Institutes in the same city.

Greetings are extended to our sister church in Swan River. Elizabeth Rempel

Baptism at the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel on December 3. Left to right: Pastor John Klas­ sen, Bernard Schellenberg, Carissa Brandt, Jolane Braun.

PAGE 13

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S PROGRAMS ENJOYED

La Crete, Alta.: On Sunday, the 17th of December, the auditorium slowly filled with parents, grandparents and other visitors while the stage slowly filled with excited Sunday school students. It was time once again for the annual Christmas program. After weeks of practice, the big night was here. The nursery class opened with a “Welcome,” followed by a number of songs by the kindergarten to grade six choir, led by Melanie Driedger and Kendra Dyck. The junior and senior high class­ es presented a choral reading. It didn’t end there, though. The adult classes had also been practicing for weeks (to the delight of the chil­ dren) and they brought their medley of songs and scripture readings. At the close of the pro­ gram, a fellowship lunch of Christmas goodies followed in the basement. The evening was enjoyed by all. On December 31, approximately sixty-five people from our congregation gathered in our church basement for our watchnight service. Some were a bit apprehensive, others were yawning and, of course, the children were ex­ cited. We started the evening with “ice­ breakers” — everyone got involved and had

a good time. Following the ice-breakers, videos of wholesome character were shown for the children, and the adults pulled out their favourite table games. The group playing Pictionary made the most noise! The games were called to a halt at 11:45 p.m., a bit past our schedule, but what can you do when adults get so involved? We then gathered around the organ and Peter and Martha Doerksen did an excellent job of leading us in worship and chorus singing. Isaac Dyck had a very appropriate and challenging devotional for the upcoming year of 1996, followed by more worship in song. We brought in the New Year worshipping our Saviour — what a privilege! The evening ended at 12:15, and no one, it seemed, left without a blessing that night. A big thank you to the many people who make our church activities a success. Thanks, Anne Marie, for the report on the watchnight service. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the

HOWARD KEITH LOEWEN 1966-1996

and staff. People have always seemed drawn to Howard’s good nature and his often incredi­ ble sense of humour. Those who knew him came to expect this of him, but new acquain­ tances were often surprised by these charac­ teristics, perhaps finding it unlikely in his circumstances. Howard did love to laugh and to make people laugh. Howard was allowed to continue school at Woodlawn until age 22, after which he took part in a graduation ceremony and received a diploma. This was extremely important to him and he was very pleased to be recognized in this way. Howard then began attending a day pro­ gram at the Steinbach Developmental Centre. For him, this was where he went to work. Hav­ ing a job to go to was very important to his sense of worth and purpose and he attended as regularly as his health permitted, until his last hospitalization. Howard also felt strongly that he wanted to establish his own home. He was very excited when, at age 26, he began spending part of his time in a residence located on Blair Bay in Steinbach, which was managed by the As­ sociation for Community Living and shared by two other men. Although this never became a full-time arrangement, Howard continued spending time at this residence as his health permitted. Again, this was an achievement of tremendous significance for him, and another opportunity to form valuable relationships. Howard’s faith was of critical importance and value to him. He was taught and believed that he could look forward to a life without limitations after his death. Over the years he spoke of this often and it sustained him. In the last several years, Howard’s condi­ tion worsened and he experienced many acute episodes, each of which seemed to set him

For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Howard Keith Loe­ wen was born as the fourth child to Ken and Mary Loewen in Stein­ bach, Manitoba, on January 25, 1966. As an infant, Howard ap­ peared to be a healthy child. The disorder which so profoundly marked his life was not apparent for some time, and was only noticed gradually. During Howard’s early years, he went through a number of tests and procedures in an attempt to diagnose his condition and to assist his development. These were some­ times very difficult and yet failed to establish a final diagnosis. What is known is that Howard had a deteriorating neurological con­ dition which, over his lifetime, caused increas­ ing levels of disability. As Howard grew up, it became clear what a tremendous spirit and zest for life he had as he fought against the limitations imposed on him by his disease. Howard was a keen observer, intent on not missing out. In his sometimes unique way, he took pleasure in the typical activities and achievements involved in growing up, and his family tried to assist him in doing so. Howard began school at age six in the Spe­ cial Education class at the Woodlawn School in Steinbach. He relished school and seemed to form fast friendships with both students

PAGE 14

work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord (I Corinthians 15:58). Joyce Fehr

Births LETKEMAN - to Peter and Susan Letkeman of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Melissa Emily, on Oc‘tober “ber 14, 1995. DYCK - to Frank and Agatha Dyck of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Teresa Kimberly, on January 20, 1996. HARDER - to Roger and Cheryl Harder of Taber, Alta., a son, Tyrell Seth, on January 30, 1996. FRIESEN - to Kenton and Valeri Friesen of Steinbach, Man., a son. Mason Scott, on December 3, 1995. REMPEL - to Rob and Laura Rempel of Rosenort, Man., a daughter, Alison Delaney, on January 10, 1996. ' KRAHN - to Walter and Vicky Krahn of La Crete, Alta., a son, Kelly Scott, on December 3, 1995. FEHR - to Dave and Sharon Fehr of La Crete, Alta., a son, Jeremy Brandon, on January 2, 1996. _ MARTIN ■ to______________ Keith and Deana Martin of La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Rachel Mary, on January 22, 1996. FEHR • to George and Susan Fehr of La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Meghan Conine, on January 31, 1996.

back a little further. He was finally beginning to tire of fighting and often communicated his readiness to pass on to a better life. By this last year, he had lost the ability to eat, speak or move his limbs significantly, and his quali­ ty of life had deteriorated badly. On the morning of January 5, 1996, Howard was admitted to the Steinbach Bethesda Hospital with acute stomach pains. Although he seemed noticeably worse by evening, he had a fairly good night’s rest. However, by the time his family returned to his bedside on Saturday morning, he had lost consciousness. After struggling to breathe all day, by evening it was clear he was dying. At 11 p.m., surrounded by his family, Howard quietly and peacefully slipped away and is now in God’s hands. His passing has left a very large void in the lives of his family members, all of whom are thankful that he is not suffering any longer. Howard leaves to cherish his memories his parents, Ken and Mary Loewen; his brothers and sisters, Terry and Beverly Loewen, Audrey Loewen, Lorrie and Lyonel Peters, Bob and Bonnie Loewen; his nephews and nieces, Stephanie and Kirsten Loewen, Chel­ sea, Joseph and Kristopher Peters; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Sara Loewen. The funeral service was held Thursday, January 11,1996, at 11 a.m. at the Blumenort E. M. Church, with Melvin Penner officiating and Barry Plett giving a devotional. Loewen Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrange­ ments. Pallbearers were Terry and Beverly Loewen, Audrey Loewen, Lorrie and Lyonel Peters and Bob and Bonnie Loewen. We are looking forward to a blessed reun­ ion with Howard in glory. The Family

THE MESSENGER

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RUTHIE PLETT 1941-1995 Tor we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corin­ thians 5:1). It has pleased the Lord to take from us H our dearly beloved sister Ruthie and to release her of her earth- . ly body’s infirmity and translate her to the heavenly Kingdom, where we believe she is now joined with other saints and where there is no respect of persons. Ruthie was bom in Blumenort, Man., on June 29, 1941, to Heinrich R. and Elizabeth Plett, a healthy, normal child. When she was only five weeks old she had seizures, after which she was seriously ill for a week. When she was a year old she fell into the cellar of the house and was badly hurt. Her one side became paralyzed when she was a year and a half and remained that way. In spite of that she was quite active and played a lot. Her par­ ents frequently consulted with the doctor about her spells and hoped to receive help in Winnipeg. She received very strong pills, which seemed to affect her mind. When she was three years old they took her to see Dr. Ortmann in the USA, who told them that there was no cure. At the age of seven Ruthie moved with her family to Mexico, where her parents often checked with the chiropractor, hoping to find help to quiet her somewhat. They had difficult times and sleepless nights but they didn’t wor­ ry about Ruthie’s soul, assured that her han­ dicap made her unaccountable. In 1972, shortly after her mother’s passing, Ruthie had a hemonhoid operation. After that the family in Mexico took turns taking her into their homes. Later people were assigned by the church to look for domestic help to take care of Ruthie in her home. They also com­ mitted themselves to finding people to look af­ ter her on Sundays to relieve the regular caretakers. A sincere thank you to all those who helped in ministering to her in this way. As the load became heavier for us, we took Ruthie to a home for the handicapped, where she was lovingly cared for. When Ruthie had the flu in January, the doctor was called but he did not find anything seriously wrong with her. After the nurse had looked after her, she went to her other work

Weddings WOLFE - KLASSEN: George, son of Abraham Wolfe of La Crete, Alta., and Martha, daughter of David and Helen Klassen of La Crete, were mar­ ried at the La Crete Christian Fellowship on Decem­ ber 3, 1995, with Dean Buhler of La Crete officiating. The couple is making their home in La Crete. February 21, 1996

and, upon her return half an hour later, her breathing had stopped. Ruthie quietly passed away in her sleep, at 8 p.m., on January 5, 1996, at the age of 54 years, six months and seven days, quite unexpected for us. Praise the Lord, her suffering has forever been end­ ed! Ruth leaves behind eight sisters, six brothers, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and a multitude of relatives, who lovingly remember her. She was predeceased by her parents, one brother, one sister and one brother-in-law. (translated from German by J. K. Friesen) The family

Book 41 Review Money Management and Finan­ cial Planning, by Dave Kroeker and Bob Veitch, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, 1994, 48 pages, $2.00. Reviewed by Menno Hamm. This modest book’s subtitle outlines its scope and purpose: A Guide to Budgeting, Credit & Borrowing, Charitable Gifting, Invest­ ment, Insurance, Retirement and Estate Plan­ ning for Singles, Couples and Families. Each of the short, readable chapters outlines and explains one of the listed topics. The authors’ intent is to “provide the reader with easily understood but accurate information on financial management topics that are not only relevant but essential for every Christian.” At the same time they recommend seeking professional help for significant financial plan­ ning and decisions. In the chapter on budgeting, for example, readers are urged to involve the entire family in the process. Children need to realize what a family’s financial limitations are. The ex­ periences will better prepare them to manage their own finances as they mature. This helpful book is based on sound Bibli­ cal principles. It concludes with several appen­ dices, including a guide to analyze monthly income and expenses. I have no hesitation in recommending Money Management and Financial Planning to those who want to work toward more con­ trol over their financial situation. Parents should consider giving a copy to their children when they steirt their first part-time job. It’s never too early to lay a good foundation for financial responsibility.

•

Gift Planning Estate Planning and Wilis Retirement Planning ....... • RRSPsO .................................... and RRIFs Bequest Distribution Building and Program Loans

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Mennonite Foundation of Canada Three offices to serve you: Winnipeg Clearbrook Clearbrook Kitchener 488-1985 850-9613 850-9613 745-7821

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speak*'**’ Don Thiessen Conference Pastor

The Worship Service II “Before we begin let's sing...” ‘Before we begin let’s praY." "Before we begin let's read... " "Before we begin. . . " On occasion 1 hear the above prefaces at the beginning of a service. I always hope that what is said isn't what is meant. When I begin a worship service I would like to begin with the first thing I do.

There can easily be a tendency, for ex­ ample, to begin a service with singing, a prayer or announcements just to do something while people are curiving. Per­ sonally, I would rather watch the peo­ ple come in without being distracted by the singing or wait to begin the singing once the people have arrived so they won't distract from my singing. No item in a worship service should be used as a filler while we wait for something important to happen. Each item should be an integral part of the worship service, contributing as an aid to our hearing God better. When we view each aspect of the service as significant and necessary, nothing will be only a filler — not even the offertory. Related to all of this is the practice of playing soft organ music during a prayer. Maybe it's because of my male brain or some deficiency in my mental process but 1 find the music quite distracting. I seem to be able to concentrate on only one or the other. Usually the music wins out for me. To help us in experiencing a more meaningful worship service, regardless of the style of service, we can see all of the service as one of two directions in a communication process: 1) God reveals Himself to us (He speaks to us) and 2) we respond to Him (we speak to Him). Whether we sing, pray, read, preach or give, one of these two is occurring. There should be no worship service where God hasn't spoken to us and where we haven't responded.

If we come with this attitude, the very first item will be an act of worship and it might be better to begin the worship time with one of the following: “To begin let's sing...” “To begin let's pray...” “To begin let's read...” PAGE 15

From the Editor Lowering the Walls IT IS PERHAPS not widely known in our circles that our Conference leaders have been meeting in dialogue with their counterparts from three other Mennonite Conferences. In fact, these meetings have been held annually for a number of years. It’s not that these meetings are intentionally secret, they simply haven’t been publicized. The other groups involved are the Chortitzer Mennonite Conference (CMC), Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC), and Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (MB). Hosting the meetings rotates between the groups. This year’s meeting, it being EMC’s turn, was held at the Fort Garry church in Winnipeg on January 26. The meetings are small — they seldom involve more than two or three representatives from each Conference. The group has no power to make decisions affecting their Conference, so the agenda, set by the hosting Conference, focuses on discussion of items of mutual interest. It seems to be primarily a means of becoming better acquainted with and informed about each other. Those in attendance at this year’s meeting agreed we should cooperate with each other more formally, but they did not define how this was to be done. Moderator Ralph Unger noted that, “We are quite like-minded theologically.” He felt the tone had been cordial — a discussion among friends. Noting that “reasons for separation that existed in history are no longer true,” they also considered the question, “What would be the advantages/disadvantages of a merger?” The question was likely prompted by the decision last summer of the Mennonite Church (MC) and the General Conference (GC) to move toward merger. For now, mutual cooperation, where appropriate, seems the best alternative. The three smaller Conferences (CMC, EMMC and EMC) have been involved in a number of joint endeavours, such as Steinbach Bible College, leadership seminars, the 1994 convention, a mission trip to South America, and supplements to our periodicals. I believe there have been a number of pulpit exchanges between churches as well. Our involvement with the Mennonite Brethren has been considerably less, although quite a number of our members have received training at MB schools. We have appreciated the ministry of MB speakers at our conventions: Frank C. Peters, John Regehr and John Toews, for example. Several EMC churches have or have had pastors from the Mennonite Brethren, and at least PAGE 16

one EMCer is in a pastoral ministry in an MB church. How similar are we in what we believe and what we do? Reuben Pauls, Executive Minister of the Canadian MB Conference, lists their Core Values: Belonging to a Believer’s Church means that we believe individuals are lost outside of Christ. Being a Biblical People means that the Scriptures direct us in all matters of faith and life. It means we seek not only to know what the Bible means, but to do what it says. This directly affects our being a Covenant Community. We are a part of the people chosen by God to draw others into the Kingdom. We affirm that we do better together than alone.... This carries over into our being a Missionary People. We are a church and a denomination which cares about those who are not yet Christian....We want to see people receive Jesus Christ and grow in Him. The final core value reflects our desire to be people of Peace and Reconciliation. We do not read the Scriptures in a way that sees this as optional; it is central to Jesus’ teaching [MB Herald, Sept. 29, 1995). These are the core values that identify who the Mennonite Brethren are. Pauls indicates that while they allow diversity in practice, they hold MBs together theologically. Don Ratzlaff, editor of The Christian Leader, the periodical of the USA branch of Mennonite Brethren, also discusses the MB position: ...Mennonite Brethren, born in a pietist revival, continue to emphasize the vertical dimension of our Anabaptist faith — personal conversion, piety and evangelism. MCs and GCs generally place more emphasis on the horizontal dimension — structural sin, community and peacemaking/justice. For me, the issue has always been emphasis. I have felt good about being Mennonite Brethren because I believed that while we emphasized the vertical dimension, we also valued the horizontal.... I unapologetically place priority on evangelism because I believe God wants above all else to reconcile sinful people with Himself. But Biblical evangelism is more than saving souls. Conversion from sin must also include a conversion to kingdom ethics. Jesus wants to save us from hell, but also to save us for a life of discipleship on earth (The Christian Leader, September 1995). Concerning our EMC emphases, I can’t see us disagreeing too much with these statements from the MBs. Since we are so remarkably similar, working together in closer harmony should not be difficult. It is good to see that the walls dividing us are not as high as they once were. There is hope they will be lowered even further. — Menno Hamm

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0