The Messenger February 11, 1998

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Brenda Barkman

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Ernest Penner

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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 36 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY 11, 1998

Luella Loewen left on February 3 to continue working at the Junior high school in Yalve Sanga.

Messenger EDITOR Terry M. Smith

The Generosity of God's People NOT QUITE two years ago there was a flood in the Saguenay region of Quebec. In early 1997 Manitoba faced the flood of the century. Most recently the ice storm hit in Ontario and Quebec. Flooding has occurred even farther east. While the cameras and headlines turn to other stories, many Canadians con­ tinue to piece together their lives. Leaving aside the issue of government compensation, the generosity of Canadi­ ans — Christian churches included — is significant. That people are made in God’s image, and being remade, has been shown in the hard work, gifts of money and goods, support systems, and coping of people. In its overall programs in Canada and elsewhere, Mennonite Central Committee Canada reports good giving. Mennonite churches and other supporters gave gen-

erously. The EMC, small and so dependent on its regions, wondered earlier this year how our conference budget for national and international efforts would be affected by the tragedy suffered in the Red River Val­ ley. Yet our national giving in 1997 turned out well, according to Henry Klassen, ex­ ecutive secretary. These examples reflect the generous ability of people to look beyond their per­ sonal needs and wants. Harry Friesen, pastor of the Steinbach EFC, recently commended the local church for its increased giving. He chal­ lenged it to “contagious, frequent and passionate generosity.” This is a reminder a partial Scotsman needs to hear — and honourary Scotspeople too. Are you Scottish? Maybe not. Ask your wallet.

Karla Faye Tucker THE TEXAS WOMAN, 38, convicted of kill­ ing two people, was killed by lethal injec­ tion on February 3,1998. People for and against her death rallied outside the prison. Too late and from far away, count this as a vote against her death, or that of anyone, by capital punishment. Thousands of men and women were ex­ ecuted recently. We are shocked at the horrors they suffered, cherish their valiant faith, and consider ourselves proud to be their spiritual descendants. They are the sixteenth-century Christians known as Anabaptists. We wonder how other parts of Christ’s church could do what they did to them. I’ve read about a young man wrongly convicted not that long ago. The legal sys­ tem proved inadequate. The political wheels turned. Supporters pro and con gathered near his death chamber. He was younger than Karla. His name was Jesus. There is mystery in the cross. We dare say that God so entered our human con­ dition He suffered injustice at the hands of those He created, yet turned it around for our reconciliation. The death penalty we deserved fell on Him, and we were set free. Whatever role the state sees for itself, the church has a higher task. We know more PAGE 2

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Martha Kroeker THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It Is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: inform concerning events and activities in the denomination; instruct in god­ liness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpub­ lished material is not returned except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the posi­ tion of the Conference. THE MESSENGER is pub­ lished twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Con­ ference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. Subscriptions: $12.00 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST total: $12.84). Sub­ scriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Members and adherents pay through their church. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. Registration Number; 0591 Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger RO. Box 1268 Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0

than the state does. We remember Mo­ ses, who was wanted for murder; David, convicted by God in the death of Uriah; and Saul (now Paul) of Tarsus, who con­ sented to the deaths of Christians. We sing The vilest offender who truly be­ lieves, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives. We gather around The Lord’s Ta­ ble in memory of one who suffered capi­ tal punishment. Some of us wear little symbols of execution on chains around our necks. Claiming what we do about the Good News, it’s an ironic, ugly spectacle when any segment of Christ’s church seeks the death of those who are redeemed — or who need to be. Yes, 1 grieve for those who were mur­ dered in 1983 — and their families. 1 also Phone: 204-326-6401 grieve for Karla Faye. Fax: 204-326-1613 Based on reports, Karla Faye Tucker as­ E-mail: emconf@mts.net sumed responsibility for her crimes and _____________________ became a Christian. The change was Notice: The masthead changes are

shown in her life in the many years since the murders and in her final statement subsidy, cover: emc workers return moments before her execution begHn.

A human being, a sister in the Lord, has

Canada and elsewhere.

messenger schedule:

5 - March 11 died. With each execution sanctioned by No. (material due February 27) believers in any country, our Christian No. 6 - March 25 (material due March 13) practice of grace dies too. No. 7 - April 11

Terry M. Smith

(material due March 27)

THE MESSENGER

Child Labour

a Growing Concern, Worldwide Emily Will

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IT’S WRONG THAT CHILDREN HAVE TO WORK, but we do. It’s even more wrong that they try to stop us working. If I can, I work all day and I finish around seven in the evening. Afterwards we play football to relax. It’s exhausting, but I enjoy myself. I earn be­ tween $5 and $8 a day, which I spend on clothes and food. ...I would like to save money for school, but for now I can’t, because my mother is sick. — Pablo, 14year-old street-market porter and seller in Bogota, Co­ lombia (New Internationalist, July 1997). Pablo is one of the world’s estimated 250 million chil­ dren ages six to fourteen who must work to help them­ selves and their families survive. Historically, children working is nothing new. In tra­ ditional rural societies, childhood was — and still is — viewed as a time to learn the basics of survival — plant­ ing, hunting, preparing food and other essentials of daily life. In many places today, children tend animals, help plant or harvest crops, scare away birds or other ani­ mals trying to eat crops, look after younger children, haul water and firewood. Adults value children’s con­ tribution, if not view it as essential to family survival. So, why all the hoopla recently about working chil­ dren in poor countries? The issue of child labour has taken on some urgency, and with reason. Perhaps it’s the magnitude. The 1997 International Labour Organization’s figure of 250 mil­ lion working children is low. It does not include work­ ing children in industrialized nations nor child work­ ers hidden from view, such as household helpers^ Experts put the figure at closer to 400 or 500 million

“I Began to Realize How Desperate Families Are...” In Sasa Port, Philippines, some 1,000 children work twelve-hour shifts frantically shovelling fer­ tilizer from ships’ deep holds. "When I first arrived I thought child labour should be banned, ’’ says MCC worker Mary Ann Weber. "But I began to realize that desperately poor families depend on their children’s incomes. If the children can’t work at the shipyard, they may be forced into even riskier jobs, such as prostitu­ tion. ’’ Weber and colleagues at the Filipino organiza­ tion Kaugmaon work to monitor and improve the children’s work situations and to help them get an education in the hope that they can escape their poverty. Pearl Sensenig FEBRUARY 11,1998

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child labourers. That’s half of all the children ages five to fourteen in the non-industrialized world. Perhaps what seems different about child labour now is the conditions under which so many children are

At Eight Years Old, Shovelling Fertilizer Hour after hour, deep in the ship’s hold, bare­ foot children shovel fertilizer at a frantic pace. They struggle to fill huge nets that are then low­ ered by crane into hoppers on shore. Dry fertilizer cuts into the children’s feet and palms; the dust leaves them gasping for breath in the stifling heat. The children work twelve-hour shifts. Last year a boy suffocated when a mountain of fertilizer collapsed on him. Employers often cheat children out of their wages, knowing the children have no recourse. Bonifacio Lumaad, Jr., began unloading fertilizer from ships in Sasa Port, Philippines, at age eight. "It was my decision; I knew my family needed the money, ’’ he says. "All my friends did it. We didn’t realize it wasn’t normal for children to work. ’’ Now a teen-ager, Lumaad still unloads ships. But through a scholarship provided by the organi­ zation Kaugmaon, he is also studying at the col­ lege level to become a social worker. working. Children are no longer necessarily part of a coherent society, learning roles for that community’s ongoing sustenance. A large part of today’s growing concern over child labour hinges upon exploitation. Are children being used to grease the gears of a global marketplace? In the past couple of decades, many industries and fac­ tories have moved to poorer countries, where labour is abundant and cheap. Some children in these countries are experiencing abuses similar to those endured by children during the Industrial Revolution — abuses ingrained in our col­ lective memories by Charles Dickens’ miserable waifs. We should ask these questions about today’s work­ ing children: Does their work contribute to their devel­ opment — physical, emotional, mental, moral? is their treatment fair and just? Are they paid fairly? Would we feel comfortable putting children we love in such a position? Do the children themselves have a say in when, where and how they will work? Maybe it’s fortunate that the issue of children who work — where, how and why — is capturing world attention. In the absence of global economic reforms PAGE 3

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to redistribute wealth and make it unnecessary for chil­ dren to work, rather than play and attend school, or­ ganizations are developing programs to at least sup­ port working children.

Playing Dodgem with Bolivian Drivers Each morning Julio Cesar gets a bucket and a squee­ gee and heads for an intersection in downtown Santa Cruz, Bolivia. When the light turns red, the fifteen-yearold darts among the cars, quickly washing a windshield or two before the cars move on. The driv­ ers may toss him a coin or two. They may ignore him and give him nothing. Or annoyed, the drivers may make some nasty comments to Julio Cesar. Julio Cesar has been washing windshields daily for

“We Don’t Buy Exploitative Products” The question of how to deal with child labour is an important one for Ten Thousand Villages, the largest alternative trade organization in North America. “We insist on reasonable working conditions,” says Paul Myers, director of Ten Thousand Vil­ lages. “White we don’t buy products made through the exploitation of children, we don’t ob­ ject to children learning a trade in a family work­ shop or village cooperative — provided they also go to school. ”

the past four years. He began when his father’s drink­ ing problem advanced to the point where he no longer provided for his family. Julio had to start looking after himself. When his father died last year, the teen-ager dropped out of school. Any semblance of home life disappeared when his mother began travelling from place to place selling fruit. Julio Cesar’s prime concern became survival. He earns barely enough in a day to support himself. He buys food and used clothing at the marketplace. He is currently staying with his older brother, who sells news­ papers on the streets. Julio Cesar’s future was dim. How long could he feed and clothe himself by washing windshields? How long before he wasn’t fast enough on his feet and a car ac­ cidentally hit him? Or a drug dealer convinced him he could find an “escape” from his harsh life? Without schooling, what else could he do?

A transformation The story gets cheerier, though. Julio Cesar learned of a program for working street children — almost all of them windshield washers — located close to “his” intersection. The program is run by Mennonite Cen­ tral Committee (Bolivia) staff near their headquarters PAGE 4

in downtown Santa Cruz. When he first attended the sessions, Julio Cesar was angry at the world and disruptive to the program, called PRONAT’S — program for working children. “He was one of the rowdiest and foul-mouthed boys,” says MCC worker Lorie Preheim, who directs the PRONAT’S program. “But now he’s one of the most regular attenders. He looks after the younger boys and motivates and encourages them.” “1 realized 1 had to change,” says Julio Cesar. “If not. I’d have no future. My life would just get rougher.” That he now sees possibilities for his future is in large part due to the activities he’s been exposed to through PRONAT’S. He has learned, for example, how to operate the pro­ gram’s video camera and delights in interviewing the other kids. He has learned to use the computers at the MCC offices. Using “Paintbrush” software, he and a friend created an inspirational drawing to hang in the PRONAT’S centre. Recently Julio has learned how to use a sewing ma­ chine, and he helped make four puppets. He some­ times is part of a PRONAT’s contingent that performs puppet shows for other groups of kids in difficult situ­ ations. PRONAT’s staff is helping Julio obtain his past report cards so he can re-enroll in school. When he gradu­ ates, they will help him get into a technical school to study metalworking.

Top priority: school Keeping or helping the children stay in or return to school is one of the program’s prime goals, says Preheim. Fatigue, stress, and low self-esteem may cause working children to drop off in attendance, then quit school altogether. Program staff vigorously strive to keep working chil­ dren up on their homework and studies. They use crea­ tive, innovative methods to do so — games, videos, crafts and outings. “We want them to be excited about learning,” says Preheim.

At Thirteen, the Breadwinner When her father left home and her mother started drinking heauily, Angela of Recife, Brazil, wound up taking care of the house and her little brothers, and doing alt the cooking. At age thirteen, she started working full time to make ends meet. Her treatment as a housemaid at one home was so bad that she was able to endure it just a month. Girls who work as maids are among the hun­ dreds of thousands of “invisible" child labourers whose plight remains largely unknown and whose work settings make them difficult to reach and help. THE MESSENGER

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It seems to be effective. “PRONAT’s has grown by leaps and bounds in the last six months,” Preheim wrote in a report. Regular attendance has jumped from three to eight children to between fifteen and thirty. “The street kids seem to be reading, writing and do­ ing math with much greater ease,” Preheim said. “More importantly, they seem to feel more confident about their abilities, more interested in learning and less embarrassed about participating.” Rene, 14, did not know most of the alphabet and had difficulty adding single-digit numbers when he first attended PRONAT’s. “Initially he would shy away from the classes and pretend he was not interested. Over time, by working with him in the streets and one on one in the classroom, he would start joining the larger group. More recently he has even started showing up at our gate outside of class asking for help with math,” Preheim relates.

newspaper, where they speak with journalists, a doc­ tor’s office, a carpentry shop. A new, growing outreach is to the mothers of boys still living at home. PRONAT’s staff have begun visiting them and organizing activities for them. Supporting the mothers helps them as they parent children trying to work, go to school, and deal with harsh life circum­ stances. Finally, MCC staff make sure the working children know that God does not want them to be poor and mistreated. At one gathering, Bolivian Mennonite pas­ tor Ona Saucedo gave a brief meditation on Matthew 25. “The righteous,” Saucedo said, paraphrasing Jesus, “are those who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick.” “Jesus is very concerned about children and those who suffer,” Saucedo said. The roomful of normally restless boys listened to the message in attentive si­ lence.

Wider worldview The program also exposes the boys to career options, to widen their view of the world and their possible place in it. They take field trips to work places — a

Emily Will is a writer and editor in MCC’s Communications Department. Lorie Preheim is associated with New Commu­ nity Church in Washington, D.C., and with Hyattsville Mennonite Church, Maryland.

Letters Building Bonds of Christian Unity Allow me to congratulate you on your recent appointment as editor of The Messenger. 1 read each issue with interest, Being from a different cultural background will allow you a unique perspective and the freedom, 1 suspect, to be somewhat more positive, relative to the historical origins of your conference. A recent issue (September 10,1997), with the lead article, “Where are the church planters?” caught my eye. The article encouraged church planting and referred to the biblical foundations of proclaiming the good news. Certainly there is nothing more sacred before God than to do the work of the church and to carry out the Great Commission. At the same time it saddens God when one church, congregation or Chris-

tian sect “steals sheep” from another. I am writing because I recently learned this is happening in Spanish Lookout, Belize, where the Kleine Gemeinde, a congregation of genuine Christian believers, has been assailed in this manner. (This is not the EMC.) In a free society every group has the le­ gal right to spread its teachings, but care should be taken that one Christian group does not harm another. Great damage can be done in terms of broken families and fractured communities left in the wake of such, possibly well-meant but naive, endeavours. Let us all pray that the church seeking to obtain the members of the Kleine Gemeinde will realize that such activity is not conducive to building bonds of Christian unity and oneness. Surely the stew-

ardship of limited resources on such a ven­ ture needs to be examined in light of the fact that there are billions of people else­ where who have never heard the Gospel. 1 have numerous cousins in Spanish Lookout, Belize, as do most members of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, and thus we have a personal interest in this issue. These people are genuine, sincere, believing Christians whose life and faith put many of us to shame. 1 encourage the readers to check it out for themselves. Why not make a trip to Belize! 1 am sure you would be spiritually blessed as 1 have been, and you would experience some of the most genuine Christian hospitality found anywhere in the world. Delbert Plett Steinbach, Man.

We Need To Be Nurtured Does Mr. Schlamp [November 19, 1997] mean that by fulfilling our given roles we cannot be “free to be Christian people in a broken world”? 1 hope not! An at-home mom, a man who is the head of a marriage, parents taking seriously the responsibility of raising their children, single people in their singlehood — all can and should as Christians be able to live a Christcentred life, and be compassionate, caring and free to accept themselves and others as Christ accepts us. No matter what our role, no matter what our situation or circumstances, we can be free to be all Christ wants us to be. The Apos­

tie F^ul was free, though he was in prison. 1 believe women do, can and should be active in the church. We are nurturers by nature, and women need women. “The older women are to teach the younger women...” (Titus 2:4). With all the broken homes, abused women, women abusers, career women, single moms, new moms, women as caregivers in the home, stay-athome women, etc., where can women go to be nurtured, counselled, taught and lis­ tened to? True, we have women’s Bible studies, sew­ ing circle. Moms and Tots, Morning Out For Moms, and Sunday school. The amount of nurturing, caring/sharing that goes on in

these programs depends on the participants and on the program. One Bible study course states: Stay on the topic and leave immediately once the dis­ cussion hour is over. In one Bible study group women are seated around luncheon tables, and the emcee says, “Please do not talk about....” I’m not saying that this is wrong but am just pointing out that there is very little room for nurturing in such settings. How can we as women in the church reach out and nurture and be nurtured? How and where do we start? The need is there. Agatha Rempel

FEBRUARY 11,1998

Kola, Man. PAGES

Creighton is named after early prospector Tom Creighton, credited with finding the original body of ore where Flin Flon was established.

The congregation has met within this chapei since 1962.

Church Profile: Creighton, Sask.

AT THE END OF THE ROAD...IS HOME Pop Quiz Is Flin Flon in Saskatchewan? Do we haue an EMC church in Flin Flon? Is the community transient? Are Flin Flon and Creighton the same place, with a line down the middle? The answers: 1. Flin Flon is a community mostly in Manitoba that crosses over into Saskatch­ ewan. Part of it is listed as Flin Flon, Sas­ katchewan. 2. The EMC church has always met in Creighton, Saskatchewan. It’s composed of people in the area, including Flin Flon and Denare Beach, Sask. 3. Many people have moved in and out of Creighton-Flin Flon over the years. Re­ tired workers still lose their company health benefits if they move outside of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake area. The CreightonFlin Flon area is at least a four-generation mining community, a place of greatgrandparents. 4. Flin Flon and Creighton are separated by about three kilometres. Gwen Cone, co-owner of Creighton Service Centre, tells of people who innocently drive in, fill up with gas and goodies, and then ask, “How far is it to Flin Flon?” She points to the nearby Hudson Bay Mining and Smelt­ ing Company and asks, “You see that smoke stack? That’s Flin Flon.” One early local story involves the pro­ vincial border which runs right through one plant. A worker was injured on the Manitoba side, so he had his buddies drag him to the other side because Saskatch­ ewan had better health benefits. PAGES

Local History In the early twentieth century, Tom Creighton, a prospector, was credited (though not without some current dis­ pute) with discovering the original body of ore. Near this ore site Creighton had found a novel. The Sunless City, a story about adventurer Josiah Flintabattey Flonatin. From this, both Flin Flon and Creighton were named. Flin Flon was incorporated as a town in 1933 and reached city status in 1970. Its population is 6,861. Creighton became a village in 1952 and a town in 1957. Its cur­ rent population is 1,713. Sunday School On Sunday morning, January 18, 1998, at 10 a.m. Janice Imrie led Sunday school. She’s a schoolteacher by training, Norwe­ gian by birth, and a multi-talented, ener­ getic woman by nature. A song service was held. When Jan asked Jonathan Smith for a favourite, he replied from memory, “One hundred.” The chorus was sung and an offering taken — standard stuff. The current giving project is through Mennonite Central Committee, supplying rabbits for people in Viet Nam. Children came forward to place bunny stickers on a poster. Downstairs, Diane Hillier-Young was preparing crafts for later in the hour. After prayer the group reassembled downstairs. Children were given candies to throw into various containers. If they missed, the local tax collector (visiting Mary Ann Smith) grabbed it with glee. The children were assigned parts, and

Kevin imrie (bottom), Derek Hiiiier, and Jon Smith tackie the snowy steps at the NFC.

the story was told of Jesus and Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Those gath­ ered were told to clap at Jesus’ name, boo at Zack’s name, and murmur when Je­ sus was friendly to Zack. Jesus was friendly to Zack anyway, and Zack was changed. Afterward the children got their share of the “tax money.” Then Diane’s creativity came out. ChilTHE MESSENGER

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The Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company, Inc., in Flin Flon and Snow Lake, Manitoba, employs 1,700 people. It focuses on zinc and copper, although gold, silver, and cadmium are spin-off benefits.

Dorothy and Jack Hillier live on First Street in Flin Flon. Jack came north in 1928. Dorothy moved up in 1929 to marry him.

dren made small drawings on paper, glued them to small bars of soap and dipped them in wax; now the soap could be used, and the drawing would be vis­ ible for a while. Heaven Hillier-Young made a halo and a heart. Jon Smith made three crosses on a hill. There were faith statements: Smile, God loves you and He is Risen.

Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, an adventurer In a novel, is where Flin Flon gets its name. The statue was designed by Al Capp, the cartoonist behind L’il Abner.

The former short stack Is gone; the current stack is 825 feet high. Airplane warning lights blink at night.

FEBRUARY 11,1998

Worship Service The worship service began at 11 o’clock. Kristen Imrie, eighteen soon, opened the service with a chorus. She was baptized on confession of faith two years ago. Deb Odegaard, board member, welcomed people, saying it seemed strange to wel­ come me when I did it so often before. Deb comes from Swiss German stock and the only (Old) Mennonite church in Saskatchewan at Guernsey. She has served in many ways, including giving the morning message when required. A man once asked me, “Where’s the as­ sistant pastor?” He meant Deb, though “assistant pastor” is not a role Deb chose for herself. Deb is married to Phil, a Ford mechanic. If I couldn’t find my way out of a paper bag, Phil would have a pulsat­ ing neon direction arrow installed quickly. Phil’s a gifted man. They have an infant son, Jeffrey. The children moved forward for their feature. Deb asked, “What would you need to take on a spaceship?” The chil­ dren suggested food, water, air. Deb ex­ plained that we do live on a spaceship, the planet Earth, and God wants us to take care of it. How could we do this? They made suggestions, including recycling. This made Deb smile, because the con­ gregation knows she’s heavy into recy­ cling. The point made, the children re­ turned to their seats. The song service was held. Shawn Fraser collected the offering. The hand might be quicker than the eye, but Shawn was quicker than the camera. He works

in the power house at the Company. Kevin Imrie, in Grade 9, had the special music, a violin solo of “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” Kay Smith, retired and a determined Scrabble player, gave her special, a read­ ing from the Today devotional guide. When Kay sat back down. Marg Cone, who sits next to her, whispered that she had read the same one. Marg Cone is re­ tired and enjoys travelling. She’s the long­ est continuously active member within this congregation, since 1964. The editor, former pastor at Creighton for eleven years, had the message. As a family we were warmly welcomed. It felt good to be “home,” and it was a privilege to speak. No one fell asleep. Kristen led in a closing hymn, and 1 gave the benediction. Dorothy and Jack Hillier were missing from the service. Dorothy had cracked her pelvis, and at eighty-seven finds moving difficult. Jack moved up to Flin Flon area in 1928, and Dorothy moved in 1929 to marry him. Jack was yardmaster: he looked after the trains. Tom Fehr, a company carpenter who extended the pastor’s office when needed, was curling on this particular Sunday. (If he lost, he’d be at the church bonspiel. He was at the church bonspiel.) Barb Johnstone, a social worker (she and Shawn Fraser are married) was out of town at a course. Barb and Shawn have two teenage sons, Michael and Cole. More people could be mentioned. Bonspiel After the service, people scrambled home to eat, dress warmly, and grab their curling brooms. The congregational bonspiel was on at 1 p.m. at Ross Lake Curling Rink in Flin Flon. Flin Flon and Creighton together have four curling rinks; the church holds a bonspiel each year where it finds ice time. The bonspiel was planned by Tom, Al Fehr (Tom’s brother) and Jan. There were PAGE?

Heaven Hillier-Young tosses candies into containers, trying to avoid a tax collector. Jon Smith and Tayona Johnson look on.

eight teams of all ages, four end games, and a double knock-out format. Some teams had more than four members. Some members tossed one rock per end, some players alternated games. On the A-side, skip Stephanie Melenchuk drew through a maze in the house to the button for the final and win­ ning shot. On the B-side, skip Deb Odegaard’s final shot did not go as planned. Tom Fehr’s rink pulled it off. A potluck followed. Thanks were given, and trophies were awarded. All young participants received a pin or a ribbon. In addition, Tom Fehr called up “the rink that came from farthest away.” Since moving from Saskatchewan, I have been batting zero on Manitoba whitetails. Mel Schiltroth and Dave Lowe, local friends and hunters, decided to give us venison. It came in a box decorated with four rifle targets — a reminder to practice before next fall. People slowly left. Tom Fehr turned out the lights and locked the door. The North­ ern Fellowship Chapel’s bonspiel was over for 1998, but the task of being a church goes on.

Church History

Diane Hillier-Young supervises as children work on their Sunday school craft.

Two years after Creighton became a town, a young teacher, Henry Klassen, with wife Ramona and sons Phil and Terry, moved into Flin Flon. Though the area had a number of main-line and evan­ gelical churches, he approached the fledgling EMC Board of Missions about an evangelical work in Creighton. There was discussion between the EMC and the Gen­ eral Conference Mennonite Church. The General Conference eventually started a work at Thompson, and the EMC began in Creighton. Our first worker was Arnold Wiebe. Mel and Mary Koop arrived later, in Novem­ ber 1960. Under Arnold’s direction, serv­ ices began in the Creighton Community Hall. Arnold later left for Winnipeg. With Mel Koop as organizing minister, a build­ ing was constructed with much volunteer

“What would you take with you on a spaceship?” Deb Odegaard asked during the children’s feature. Their answers made her smile.

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Marg Cone has been a member since November 29, 1964. Kay Smith had the service’s special reading. Both are great­ grandmothers.

Retired Baptist minister Ken and Carol Sebum are strong supporters of the NFC. They assist the church up to twice a month.

Kevin Imrie played “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”

Kristen Imrie leads the song service of the Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC). There’s room for more, and potential for more to join in the future. PAGES

THE MESSENGER

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Side A winner: Mel Schiltroth, Jessica Hillier, skip Stephanie Melenchuk and Dianne Hillier-Young.

Bailey Streltle throws a curling stone as Shawn Fraser looks on.

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< Arnold Wiebe and Gustav Toews are pictured outside Creighton’s community hall, the site where services began in 1960. «

Mel and Mary Koop served as pastoral couple from 1960-65. Here they are pictured with three sons, Howard, Barry, and Myron. FEBRUARY 11, 1998

Side B winners: skip Tom Fehr, Robert Hillier, Derek Hillier, Jonathan Smith, Mary Ann Smith. Missing is Terry Smith.

labour at 433 1st Street West in 1962. The congregation was organized on Novem­ ber 1,1964, with eleven members, includ­ ing Henry and Shirley Koop, who continue to live in Flin Flon. Marg Cone, Elaine Graham, and Mrs. Torrance Tornquist joined four weeks later, on November 29. Mel and Mary served until 1965, and they are well remembered after nearly four decades. Dan and Norma Koop came for two years before heading to Japan. George and Elsie Braun were next. They lived in the church basement, then a trailer. Arnold Leister was an NFC mem­ ber who worked at the Company. He stud­ ied at Steinbach Bible Institute; when he graduated, he came back as pastor. In the late 1970s and early ’80s a number of congregations were affected, or formed, based on their view of the Holy Spirit. The NFC was one church affected. Arnold Leister resigned and later was the first pastor of the Full Gospel Christian Centre in Flin Flon. It was not a split, but its presence was a challenge to the NFC. Years later there was some reconciliation and, under other leadership, this church later relocated to Creighton. Harvey Kroeker, a minister and teacher, came in 1978. During his time the North­ ern Christian Academy began. It was an ACE school of small enrolment held in the chapel basement. The school continued from 1980-84. Dan and Lottie Thiessen came from 1983-85. They provided quiet stability for the church. Mary Ann and 1 arrived in July 1985 and stayed for eleven years. The congregation managed to dry me off behind the ears. We enjoyed walleye and pike (though we were better at catching pike) and moose (though 1 was more effective at hunting deer). We have many good memories and an on-going love for the congregation. Dick and Tina Unrau came for six months, from November 1996 to April 1997. The congregation appreciated them. Dick returned to speak on January 25, 1998.

George and Elsie Braun served as pastoral couple from 1967-71.

1

The first baptisms within the congregation were performed on May, 1967. Pictured are: Valerie Rempel, Bev Manns, and Robin Smith. Ben Friesen and George Braun are in back.

Harvey Kroeker is with the children from NFC’s Northern Christian Academy, a school which existed from 1980 to 1984.

PAGE 9

Many people came north to assist the congregation. Here are some Vacation Bible School workers in 1966: Ralph Unger, LeRoy Barkman, and Larry Hamm.

Henry and Anne Rempel were pillars in the NFC. They retired in 1983 to Nipawin. Henry died in 1993. About 15 years ago, here they are with some of their six children: (back) Jocelyn, Bob van Nes (a son-in-law), Glennda (left), Lori, and Marlowe. Missing are the eldest children, Valerie and Clinton.

Now the services are planned by Jan Imrie, with speakers coming locally, from within Region 3 (Hudson Bay, Endeavour, Pelly, Birch River, and Swan River), and from the wider EMC. Ken and Carol Sebum provide help. Ken and Carol were pastoral couple at First Baptist Church, Flin Flon, for fourteen years until Ken’s retirement. When re­ quired, Ken speaks up to twice a month at the NFC. Carol plays the piano. The church appreciates the input. Currently the congregation is small. On January 18 the entire congregation was twenty-two for the worship service. The Sunday school is a combined class for all ages; there is no adult class at this point, though there has been. The congregation is looking for a half­ time pastor. Are they willing to take a pas­ tor without experience? They have before. What do they want in a pastor? Jan Imrie suggests someone good at “networking,” because “that is how the church will PAGE 10

grow.” There is potential for growth and, eventually, a full-time pastor. In early 1970s the manse was built. A corner lot was donated. The local story is that as the basement was being dug, wa­ ter was struck, prayer was held, and the problem was solved. God received thanks. The modern bungalow was built with Conference help and local and wider volunteer work. It sits across from a chil­ dren’s ball diamond and a playground. Within this congregation’s history, it is very important, and yet impossible, to list the many men, women, and children who have made it what it is. Voluntary Service workers went north. Many young people can tell of working at the Company. Teachers moved to instruct in local schools. Believers from “down south” took on leadership roles within the local church. People came, and while some left, for other churches locally or down south, they made the congregation what it was. What they received and learned, they took with them elsewhere. The congregation’s history (as in any church) involves many acts that go unmentioned: prayer, workers, building supplies and labour for chapel and manse. Conference subsidy at certain points, supervision, the gift of a furnace in early years and, more recently, new propane furnaces by a foundation which assists northern churches. Which has been important? Each in their own way. Community Prospects Mining communities have highs and lows. They typically go through times of contract negotiation. The Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company has changed ownership during its history. Currently the local newspapers. The Re­ minder (located in Flin Flon) and the Coldbelt Gazette (in Creighton), are car­ rying stories about “Project 2012.” Perhaps three front-page items in the January 16, 1998, issue of The Reminder indicate some feelings in the community. In a “paid advertisement from HBM & S,” the ad says the company wants to present a plan with a commitment to Minarco, a shareholder. “This commitment is for no labour disruption during the fifteen-year period of the project,” according to the ad. This commitment is “essential,” the ad says. The article above it has a headline,Larg­ est Union Local 7106 has concerns. A un­ ion official. Bill Bage of United Steelwork­ ers, is quoted as saying, “We’re being asked to give up the basic principle of trade unionism, which is the right to strike. We don’t have any tools to bring to the bargaining table.” The third item was a news release from the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce. The article says, “The Cham­ ber of Commerce quite obviously sup­ ports sustained viability for our commu-

List of Pastors Arnold Wiebe - first worker 1960-1961 Mel and Mary Koop 1960-1965 Dan and Norma Koop 1965-1967 George and Elsie Braun 1967-1971 Arnold and Helen Leister 1972-1978 Harvey Kroeker 1978-1982 Dan and Lottie Thiessen 1983-1985 Terry and Mary Ann Smith 1985-1996 Dick and Tina Unrau 1996-1997 (6 months)

The manse at 568 Broderick Avenue awaits a new pastor to take up residence.

nity and operates on the premise that ex­ istence to 2012 and beyond is naturally more desirable for all stakeholders.” Negotiations continue at press time. The outcome remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the Christian witness continues through the Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC). Terry M. Smith

A scene from Terrace Avenue, Flin Flon, looking northeast.

I

Negotiations continue between the company and its workers.

Profiles and Priorities Since 1980 The Messenger has printed pro­ files on local congregations. A few have been profiled with a later update; some older con­ gregations, such as Creighton, have not been previously profiled. As opportunity permits, profiles are being completed based on the age of the church. According to our records, the congregations yet to be profiled include Pelly (1950), Roseisle (1960), Taber (1995), Stony Brook (1996), and Straffordville (1997). The Editor THE MESSENGER

ma TEAM LUCERO‘97

After one week of work we took a break to see the world-famous Iguazu Falls. There, we beheld the wonders of God’s marvellous creation. The Itaipu power dam, also seen, displayed the wonder of man’s creative abilities in harnessing the powers of nature. During the two weeks in Lucero we were treated almost royally. Often we were invited to supper in private homes or a restaurant. We will not forget the Braun family who, after treating us to a good supper, entertained us with their musical talents. Nor will we forget the farewell and build­

after feeling the climate — the heat, dust, rain and pleasant cooling after the rain — A WORTHWHILE EYE-OPENER did we begin to understand what has tran­ Benny Friesen spired in the past seventy years or so. Our ten-member team met for the first In awe we listened as Frank explained time in Asuncion. Though we had heard to us the development of this hostile each other’s names, most of us had not Chaco area. Where once there was met. Ranging in age from eighteen to scrubby bush, cactus and hot sand, there sixty-seven, we quickly gained a trust in now is lush green grass as nourishment and appreciation for each other. for herds of productive beef and dairy Each one had a desire to be in the Lord’s cattle. This provides industry and employ­ will and to gain hands-on experience in ment for many people. the work of missions. We were not dis­ We also observed that not all their ener­ appointed. Thanks to the leadership of gies were directed toward the material Frank and Marge Kroeker, the program well-being, they also attend to the spir­ was well planned and organ­ itual needs of people. In part this ized from start to finish. is shown by large, modern Our arrival in Asuncion was church buildings, and also work very warm (40°C). Forewarned, with local tribal peoples. we had shed our winter clothes The work at Yalve Sanga is an before boarding the plane in impressive example. We will Winnipeg. not forget our visit to the local We arrived in Asuncion on No­ church there. To be greeted by vember 7 and stayed overnight a Lengua in the Low German at the Menno Home. On Satur­ language was a pleasant sur­ day we travelled to Caaguazu prise. It was heart-warming to for lunch prepared by the mis­ see between 500 and 750 sionaries there. Then we con­ Lenguas gathered for a threetinued to Lucero and settled day music festival. Music was into our living quarters, our provided by various groups from home for the next two weeks. different churches. Loud-speak­ Quickly introduced to the ru­ ers outside accommodated the ral roads, we sometimes ques­ overflow all around the church tioned whether they were really building. roads at all. With several of us In the Chaco we also toured having lived through the Mani­ Radio ZP-30. This is Frank’s toba flood, driving through wa­ The Team Lucero ’97: (Back) Reinnle Brandt, Bill Wiebe, Gilbert pride and joy, with good reason. ter was not new, but we had not Penner, Art Cornelsen, Jonathan Penner, Lawrence Penner. (Front) Radio is perhaps the most effec­ expected it here. Our drivers as­ Benny and Annie Friesen, Marge and Frank Kroeker. tive means of communicating sured us that this was normal the gospel in Paraguay; it has — something people there live with. ing dedication. An all-day celebration was been since ZP-30 went on the air. On Sunday, November 9, we attended planned; unfortunately, the day started The team would agree that it was an the Tres Palmas church and experienced with a downpour, resulting in impassable enriching and worthwhile adventure. The a warm welcome. It was wonderful to roads, which affected the attendance. exposure to EMC work in Paraguay has worship with these fellow believers. We The event began with a worship serv­ been an eye-opener which will affect our had to adjust our ears a bit to get accus­ ice, which included musical selections future response to missions issues. tomed to the Low German. Most of us and speeches. Frank Kroeker composed Benny Friesen and nine other workers knew the language, though we had not a song for this occasion, which we sang were in Paraguay November 7-26, doing used it for some time. We realized it pays for them (and received hearty applause). construction to assist our EMC workers. to hold on to some “old traditions” — Monday, November 24, was pack-up and sooner or later they are handy and useful. clean-up day. On Tuesday we said good­ Monday, the 10th, was our first workday. bye to the Lucero people and travelled Several local people started us off, show­ back to Caaguazu. We visited the church ing us the local construction techniques. which Chris and Revita Kroeker are in The plan was to construct the roof for a charge of. It was an evening of prayer and kitchen/dining facility (approximately 40 fellowship — a good experience. by 70 feet). Because of the warm climate After a night’s rest in the local hotel, we an early morning start time was favoured continued on to Asuncion. We stayed over our usual 8 a.m., and a midday si­ overnight at the Menno Home and esta was a welcome relief from the heat. stopped at the homes of Dave and Judy After a meal prepared by Sarah Martens Schmidt and Joanne Martens. We then with her assistants, Anne Braun, Annie travelled to the Chaco. Friesen and Marge Kroeker, a shower and For me, this trip was a long-awaited ex­ a siesta, we were again ready to tackle perience. 1 had heard names over many the work. The project was completed in years (Fernheim, Menno and others) with­ Building rafters, with Frank Kroeker (team the allotted two-week time-frame. out quite understanding the layout. Only leader) in the foreground. FEBRUARY 11,1998

PAGE 11

TEAM CUAUHTEMOC ’97 A MEANINGFUL FAMILY VACATION What do you call it when a bunch of Canadian guys spends two weeks of No­ vember in Mexico helping with the con­ struction of a church building? A work vacation, a mission trip or cultural expo­ sure? All that and much more! From November 16 to 28, Eloa and 1, with our three children and a crew of four from La Crete, Alberta (Henry Froese, John Buller, Dave Wieler, Andy Neudorf), experienced the blessing of interaction with the Cuauhtemoc EMC church on many different levels. Our main objective was to insulate, board, tape and paint their new church building. With several of the crew being specialists in those areas, we easily achieved our objective. With some spare time on our hands, we

also did some sightseeing, visiting and shopping. We were really privileged to enjoy excellent Mexican hospitality in the homes of people. Some of the guys found some of the menus very “filling.” (Henry, does chicharrones ring a bell?) Our hostess, EMC missionary Alvira Friesen, did a wonderful job of keeping us connected to each other and to the church family. The language barrier was partly bridged with much laughter, sign language, and cultural and linguistic blun­ ders. It was great to see how a growing group of Christians takes ownership and pride in their new building. Though it took the entire service for me to figure out what the message was about, the fellowship was enjoyed and heart-warming. Some of group’s side trips were a sce­ nic train ride to Copper Canyon, a strenu-

OUS hike at the Basaseachic Falls (it must be the altitude!) and a discado (disk bar­ becue) in the hills with EMC missionar­ ies Peter and Kathy Friesen from Camp 67. Are you looking for a meaningful family vacation? or a chance to learn about an­ other culture? or a way to serve God and connect with believers in another coun­ try? If so, I would encourage you to keep your eyes open for the next EMC foreign work project. We certainly found it worth all the effort and expense. Thank you to all the people at the Con­ ference Office and in Cuauhtemoc who encouraged us to go, hosted, entertained and helped us. Terry Dueck Terry and Eloa Dueck serued as pari of a conslrucliort team in Mexico.

MISSIONARY PROFILES We want to share profiles of Associate Missionaries who have been accepted by the Board of Missions during the latter part of 1997.

grew as a believer and nurtured the vi­ sion to reach into the world as an ambas­ sador for Christ. Immediately after uni­ versity graduation, she attended New Tribes Bible Institute, where she met Phil. Growing up in a missionary home, Phil trusted Christ as Saviour at an early age. He was baptized by his father, Abe, with a group of new believers of the Pacas Novas Indians in Brazil. After high school graduation, he enrolled at the New Tribes Bible Institute. Both Phil and Ellen had responded to God’s call to tribal missions and had en­ rolled in the Bible institute to prepare for the mission field. Status The Koops were appointed as career missionaries by the Board of Missions in September 1997 to serve at the TAC head­ quarters in Arizona.

ment to Austria with Greater Europe Mis­ sion. Status During his furlough in Canada in fall 1997, Ernest was processed by the Board of Missions. In December he was ac­ cepted as a career associate missionary. Present Ministry Ernest arrived back in Linz, Austria, at the end of January 1998. He continues his church-planting ministry. During the first part of his term he will also take fur­ ther German-language training. Address: Reisetbauerstr. 27a, A-4020 Linz, Austria Telephone: 011-43-732-604351

Phillip and Ellen Koop Children; Matthew, Dennis, Travis Background Phil and Ellen Koop served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines from 1981-91 in the aviation division, known as Tribal Air/Communications (TAC). Phil is trained in avionics. In fall of 1991 the Koops transferred to the headquarters of TAC in Arizona and Phil was appointed Avionics Manager. Ellen has served as radio network con­ trol operator in the Philippines. Phil is the son of Abe and Dee Koop, who served many years with New Tribes Mission in Brazil. Church Affiliation Phil and Ellen are members of the Kleefeld EMC. While in Arizona they at­ tend a small Bible church in the commu­ nity and are active in various church min­ istries. Spiritual Pilgrimage Ellen became a believer during her early days at Michigan State University. It was during her four years at university that she PAGE 12

Ernest Penner Background Ernest grew up in a good Christian home and made a commitment to Christ in his early life. While in Bible college, God spoke to him about missionary service. He spent one summer in Europe on a summer missions program, and one summer he was part of the leadership team of the Prairie Rose church that went to Mexico for a mission experience. In 1985, Ernest went on a short-term assign-

PARAGUAY TREATS AND RETREATS “It seems as if this might become a re­ ality. We are moving forward with travel plans." Those words from my sister Margaret and her husband, Walter, were nothing short of a treat. The added treat was that they were coming with my sis­ ter Irma and her husband, Bernie. Their arrival on November 26 was fol­ lowed by a few weeks of travelling and letting them ‘experience’ Paraguay. For the Reimers a lot of it was reminiscing, since they had been involved in missions here from the 1970s till 1981. For the Thiessens it was finally seeing firsthand what they had so often heard about. Walter had been invited to be the speaker at our annual missionary retreat (December 11-15). With our theme be­ ing Freedom in Christ, we anticipated teachings that each one of us could ap­ ply in our “pilgrimage.” We took a new look at our position in Christ. God accepts us without our perform­ ance — a gift of grace. But surely, as a missionary, 1 must have something to re­ port — a harvest of souls — if not for God, then at least for the people around me, the co-workers and the Board of Missions.

THE MESSENGER

“What a treat to have my family visit me!, ” says Doris, flanked by Walter and Margaret Reimer (our left) and Irma and Bernie Thiessen.

We recognized that these are some of Satan’s deceptions. Resentments are prone to come, but in Christ we can choose to forgive. We choose to live in harmony with others, and this results in a freedom and a joy found only in Christ. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm...” (Galatians 5:1). To maintain this freedom, we will choose the spiritual discipline of feeding on the Word, prayer and the communion of believers. The missionary kids did a great job of introducing the different topics of the ses­ sions with appropriate mimes. We do teach by word and action! The ‘gab’ sessions around the terere cir-

de are always a vital part of the retreat, as well as the swimming, sports, crafts, etc. That aroma from the kitchen was irresist­ ible at the indicated hours. The Guenthers and Lucy (all from Sommerfeld) did an excellent job of cooking. All too soon the treat of having my fam­ ily here and the retreat of the missionary staff were things of the past. But another retreat was looming on the horizon (Janu­ ary 1-5), the tenth annual retreat of the EMC Paraguayan youth. The hot weather did not keep the people from meeting three times a day to study eschatology. The retreat, with some fifty-five partici­ pants, concluded with an invitation to re­ spond to the Lord, according to the indi-

Doris Friesen (Blumenort) serves in Para­ guay in the area of public health. vidual needs. A few accepted the Lord, others requested baptism, while some indicated a greater commitment to the Lord. What happens when these young peo­ ple return home and again face reality? The leaders of the churches need to be prepared to receive them and disciple them further. The monthly leadership training sessions are so important in pre­ paring the leaders to work with all groups within the church. May the message of “our freedom in Christ” be proclaimed in word and deed, wherever and whatever the opportunities. Doris Friesen

With oar cojigregaJ^Q^ A MIRACLE FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT Vanderhoof, B.C.: Ed Klassen was born and raised in Vanderhoof and had been a Christian most of his life. When he reached his teen years and was in public school, he got mixed up with the party crowd and lived a life of rebellion. Through this time it was evident that God had His hand on his life and had a plan for Ed. God really met Ed in a dramatic way at a men’s retreat when he was twenty-one years of age. From that day on, Ed con­ tinued to grow in Christ and became a real warrior for the name of Christ. Ed felt that God was calling him to mis­ sion work and at age twenty-five was ac­ cepted at the YWAM (Youth With a Mis­ sion) base in Kona, Hawaii, where he began his discipleship training course. Ed had been there for two months when, while hiking through a fresh-water stream, he contracted a virus (leptospirosis) through a cut on his shin. Leptospirosis is a fatal disease which affected Ed’s liver, kidneys, lungs and blood. The disease has a two-week incu­ bation period, during which time Ed had gotten hepatitis shots for his outreach mission to India. When Ed started to beFEBRUARY 11,1998

come ill, he thought it was a bad case of the flu, which is often the result of the shots. Ed continued to get worse, finally went to the hospital and was sent back to the base with some antibiotics to combat his flu. The doctors at that time did not know it was leptospirosis.

\ Ed Klassen’s condition was critical during much of his hospital stay. This is his fourth day in hospital.

Two days passed, and Ed got progres­ sively worse. He could hardly open his eyes, and his muscles and joints seized up; he was as stiff as a board. Staff at Kona saw the decline of his health and rushed him to the hospital. When they moved him they had to physically bend his body

to fit in a wheelchair. His pain was so ex­ treme, the movements forced him to vomit. When Ed arrived at the Kona hospital, he was put on life support. After two days he was taken by air ambulance to the big­ ger hospital in Honolulu. It was then that the family got the phone call, at 6 a.m, from the doctor. It was an urgent call saying that if they wanted to see their son and brother alive, they’d better come now, because his vital organs had shut down, and he was slipping in and out of a coma. The doctors gave him, in the worst case, twelve hours to live. He was still on life support. The family of seven flew down to see Ed hooked up to every tube the intensive care unit had to offer. Ed spent seven days in intensive care, and every one of those days was a mira­ cle — Ed was still alive, fighting. After seven days of quick recovery, Ed was moved out of intensive care to a regu­ lar room, which was a milestone, thanks to God’s miraculous healing powers and the prayers of thousands of Christians worldwide. Ed spent a total of thirteen days in the hospital and was released on December 16, 1997. Ed is my older brother. He was always PAGE 13

very fit, physically. The doctors said that the two things Ed had on his side in order to combat this virus were his strength and his age. When I learned of a seventeenyear-old football player who died two days after this same virus showed itself, 1 knew that God had miraculously healed my brother. A miracle took place in that hospital, and our family witnessed it. God brought so many people to us whom we had never met, and they showered us with love and met all our needs. We cannot say enough about how we were blessed by people in Hawaii, the community in Vanderhoof and across the country who have given their support and love through all this. Ed lost thirty-five to forty pounds and is currently recovering at the YWAM base in Kona. He has just started another minis­ try course. He still feels God is calling him to go to India. He missed the last mission­ ary team going to India but, God willing, he’ll get another chance to go and wit-

Betty Koop La Crete, Alberta

LAURA The slow-moving line of people seemed endless but cheerful. Our church in La Crete had just bap­ tized and received into membership twelve young people, and the people who came to witness and rejoice with them were now moving forward to greet them. With more than six hundred in attendance, the line went on and on, and the new members were embraced and encouraged again and again. It was heart-warming to see the support and love being shared. My mind went back to my own bap­ tism more than fifty years ago. I was a very young teenager, not at all sure that I was “adult” enough to take on the full responsibilities of a member of the church. But I desired to follow the Lord, and this seemed to be one of the important steps I needed to take. Wearing the traditional black dress, a first for me, I knelt at the front pew of the Prairie Rose church and listened as Rev. Henry R. Reimer moved along the row, beginning with the men on the other side of the aisle. I heard the rep­ etition of the familiar words, spoken in German; “...upon confession of your faith in Jesus Christ, and upon repent­ ance of your sin, committed intention­ ally or unintentionally [wissenl Oder unwissentj, I baptize you in the name PAGE 14

Ed’s condition was much improved by day seven in the hospital.

ness and share what God has done in his life. He is expected to recover fully in four to six months, with no long-term effects whatsoever.

of the Eather, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” It was a comfort to know that all my sins were covered by the blood of Christ. In those days there was no receiving line after the service, although each of the ministers shook our hands before we turned to exit the sanctuary. In the foyer, the church was crowded, and everyone seemed to have someone to chat with. I looked around, wonder­ ing, Am I really a part of this group now? Then Laura, an older sister of one of my friends, started making her way to­ ward me through the crowd. It would have been much simpler for her to give up and slip out the door, but she per­ sisted and finally reached my side. She took my hand in hers and greeted me warmly as a sister in Christ. A feeling of warmth and joy spread through me. I was indeed a part of this local body! That simple gesture of welcome and acceptance has gone with me through­ out my Christian walk. Laura taught me, by her example, how much just a handclasp, a few words, can mean to someone who is feeling ‘on the fringe’ of things. Thank you, Laura! In one of his letters, Paul suggests to older women, “...that they...encourage the young women...’’(Titus 2:4, NASB). My experience shows that the “older woman” doesn’t have to be grey-haired and wrinkled to qualify as an encour­ age r. May each of us be on the lookout for the one we can encourage. It only takes a moment but may add joy and love to someone’s life. And it may even help her to become an encourager to some­ one else!

Having lost up to forty pounds, Ed Klassen packs to leave the hospital on day thirteen.

This was, indeed, the best Christmas present ever! Steue Klassen Reporter: Shirley Funk The Klassen family attends the Northside Mennonite Church. They were preuiously at the Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship, so this update is shared with Messenger readers.

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TERRENCE KLASSEN 1972-1997 The sorrow that the Lord has allowed in our home is the same as what Job ex­ pressed when he said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” The “tak­ ing away” has been so unexpected and has seemed almost unbearable. We keep asking. Why did Terry haue to go fishing, and why on such a dangerous bridge, and why did he have to step across the edge like that? But there are no answers, only more questions. All we can do is let God be God and rest in His care and love, even though He with­ holds His answers at this time. The Lord’s presence and grace is sufficient. “He re­ mains faithful and cannot deny Himself.” So we sorrow but not without hope. THE MESSENGER

r

Terrence was born to us on June 17, 1972, and enjoyed his younger years in health and rambunctious activity. The bun­ dle of joy that arrived the day before Fa­ ther’s Day now left us the day before Fa­ ther’s Day, at the age of twenty-four years, just three days before his twenty-fifth birth­ day. We had planned to go to Winkler on Sunday to celebrate his birthday a few days early, but now our Terry is celebrating the glories of heaven instead. We try to rejoice in that confidence. Terrence is survived by us, his parents, Ben and Edna Klassen; sister Janelle and fiance Sheldon Hildebrand, brother Kelvin and sister Corallee. In the wider family circle are Grandpa Peter Klassen; his grandparents, Cornelius and Marie Friesen; as well as uncles, aunts and cous­ ins. He was predeceased by his Grandma Klassen, who was very attached to him, since he was her first grandchild. He was also predeceased by twin brothers who died in infancy, as well as one aunt, Caroline Barkman, and an uncle, Albert Friesen. Terry began his schooling in Steinbach, Man., and after that experienced numer-

OUS schools as he resided in different places. He was able to complete his Grade 8, although his later years in school brought him many hard knocks. At the age of twelve he began to have severe headaches, which developed into other complications that were later diag­ nosed as epilepsy. He struggled with this condition the rest of his life, and it caused him much hardship and loneliness. In a written testimony that Terry kept in his Bible, likely the one he gave at his baptism, he says that he committed his life to the Lord when he was eight years old. He was baptized upon the confes­ sion of his faith at the age of fifteen, while we lived in Aylmer, Ontario. From there on Terry’s walk with the Lord was very important to him. The Christian faith was something that he also needed to do. In some Bible study notes in his Bible he mentions this concern and notes the words in James, “...be doers of the Word and not merely hearers.” We rejoice in so many evidences in Ter­ ry’s life that remind us now of his walk with the Lord. We remember his prayer life, his friendliness and smile, his Bible reading, and his willingness to forgive

others. Terry’s physical afflictions helped him to look forward to Jesus’ soon return. He enjoyed his many tapes that featured songs about heaven, which helps us to visualize him in the glories of heaven with Jesus. In spite of what life gave him, he loved to work and to be where the action was on our farm or elsewhere, such as on Grandpa Friesen’s farm. He loved wood­ working and has left behind numerous items that will remind people of him. His love for people was special, and he was willing to put that love into practice, even though it wasn’t always returned to him. But it is his love for the Lord Jesus that comforts us most now, and we en­ trust him into those loving arms that have received him into glory. Terry passed away on June 14, 1997, at La Riviere, Manitoba. The funeral serv­ ice was held June 19 at the Mennville EMC. We thank all the friends who have remembered us with their help, cards, visits and prayers.

ABRAHAM LEIDING

Abraham Leiding of Swift Current, Sask., passed away on December 16, 1997, at the Swift Current Regional Hos­ pital, at the age of eighty-six years. Abe and his twin brother. Bill, were born on March 20, 1911, in Rhinefeld, Sask. He was married to Agatha Funk in Chortitz and later moved to Vanderhoof, B.C., where he ran a saw­ mill. Five children were born to this union. In the mid-1940s he was elected to the ministry and served in that capacity for thirty-four years. One of his favourite pas­ sages was John 17. His hobbies were

fishing, woodworking and gardening. His wife, Agatha, died in 1946. Abe came back to Saskatchewan and mar­ ried Maria Funk on December 1, 1946. The happy couple made their home in B.C. until 1949, when they moved to Sas­ katchewan, where they farmed in the Hamburg area for thirty-six years. Abe retired in 1985 and moved to Swift Cur­ rent, where he resided until his passing. He will be missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Maria; eleven children: Tina and Cornie Friesen, Jake and Mary, Susie and Bill Janzen, John and Lorna, Abe and Mary, Helena, Margaret and Laird Murray, Mary and John Unrau, Henry and Linda, Eva,

and Esther and Kerry Nickel; as well as by numerous grandchildren and great­ grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Agatha; one granddaughter, Susan Friesen; one sister, Tina Rempel; one brother, John; and one daughter-in-law, Mary Leiding. The funeral service was held on De­ cember 20 from the EMC church in Swift Current, with John Taylor and Peter Schlamp officiating. Interment took place at the Wymark EMC cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Gospel Message.

WILLIAM RUSSELL GRANT HARNETT 1946-1997 William Harnett (age 51) died on Wednesday, December 17, 1997, en route by air ambulance to St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. His battle with throat cancer came to a gentle and peaceful end. Grant was born on November 11, 1946, and grew up in the Rosetown, Sask., area. He worked with SaskTel, operated heavy equipment and eventually became a pro­ fessional semi-truck driver. In 1984 he brought his family to Hudson Bay, Sask., with a dream to grow wild rice. Grant loved the wilderness around Hud­ son Bay and enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. To maintain his family’s needs he hauled logs in the Hudson Bay and Flin Flon areas. In the past two years he was employed with Hudson Bay Trans­

port as a dispatcher. On March 11,1997, “by the grace of God and the fellowships of Alcoholics Anony­ mous,” Grant celebrated twenty years of sobriety. He always tried to share the spir­ itual knowledge and understanding the AA program had given him. He had come to know a “new freedom.” When he was diagnosed with cancer in June 1996, Grant never doubted the care of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Many times his unwavering faith encour­ aged and strengthened his family and friends. Grant was a man with strong convictions and an immeasurable com­ mitment to his work and family. His wife, Wendy; and children, James, Jacob, Tammy, Melony (Brad), Pat (Gloria) and Colleen (Brad); grandchil­ dren, Meg and John; his mother.

Margaret; and his sister. Olive, will miss him deeply. The funeral service was held December 20 at the Pineridge Fellowship Chapel, with Pastor Lincoln Vellacott officiating. “He gives strength to the weary and in­ creases the power of the weak...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like ea­ gles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29 and 31). The family expresses their appreciation to all who shared in their loss. The food, cards, flowers, gifts, prayers and words of encouragement were greatly appreciated and will always be remembered. Thank you. His Family

1911-1997

FEBRUARY 11,1998

Ben and Edna Klassen, Janelle, Sheldon, Kelvin and Corallee

His Family

PAGE 15

l^S^Uss MEYERS - to Terry and Teresa Meyers of Hudson Bay, Sask., a daughter, Shylo Justina, on December 7, 1997.

Tony Driedger Stewardship Consultant Power of Attorney A Power of Attorney is another one of those legal documents that has been cre­ ated just in case something happens that we hope never will but often does any­ way. When you give someone a Power of At­ torney, that person has the power to act in your place when you are unable to act

Stony Brook Fellowship, a young, newly estab­ lished EMC church, is seeking a pastor for a half­ time position starting in summer 1998. Average attendance is 30-40. Interested people should submit their application and resume by April 15 to: Stony Brook Fellowship Search Committee, Box 4088, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0. For more in­ formation contact Vic Friesen at 204-326-9227 or Brian Penner at 204-377-4551. Pastor wanted. Necessary qualities: love for Christ, able to preach and visit. Smaller north­ ern EMC church with potential for growth. Half­ time salary and modern housing provided. A trade is helpful for other work. Contact: Search Committee, Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC), Box 35, Creighton, SK SOP OAO. Or call board member Deb Odegaard at 306-688-2996 or Con­ ference Pastor John Koop al 204-326-6401.

NEUFELD - to Neil and Susan Neufeld of Vienna, Ont., a son, Dustin Cory, on January 15, 1998. BYER - to Stephen and Susan Byer of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter, Melissa Anne, on January 11, 1998. WIEBE - Io Steve and Cindy Wiebe, of

Vanderhoof, B.C., a daughter, Taylor Danae, on December 18, 1997. HARDER - to Jake and Verna Harder of Vanderhoof, B.C., a daughter, Alicia Brooke, on January 4, 1998.

or are not there to perform the task at hand. Parents almost daily give their chil­ dren the power of attorney to perform a task that they themselves will not be able to complete because of other commit­ ments. •The person making the Power of At­ torney is called the donor. The donor must be an adult, mentally competent and not financially bankrupt. • Power of Attorney can be given to an individual, to individuals successively or to individuals jointly. •People who have been given Power of Attorney must act in such a way as to meet a standard of care. They must exer­ cise the judgement and care that people of prudence, discretion and intelligence

would exercise in the conduct of their own affairs. They are obliged to act and can be held responsible to act as if they ought to know. In some cases they have the statutory obligation to account annually to the nearest relative of the donor. • It is important to name the conditions and the starting date of the Power of At­ torney. Tony Driedger, Stewardship Consultant with the EMC Board of Trustees, is auailable to discuss stewardship concerns, as­ sist in planning a church stewardship pro­ gram, and help indiuiduals or couples with financial concerns, estate planning and will writing. Call Tony al 204-661-6367 or leaue a message at the Conference Office (204-326-6401).

Inner City Youth Alive seeks an individual with woodworking skills and a heart for sharing the faith with youth. Please send resume to: ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg. MB, 204-582-8779.

church worker in Juarez, a youth worker, a discipleship/leader trainer, elementary school teachers (German), a director for an ESL pro­ gram. Nicaragua: a pastoral counsellor/advisor. Paraguay: an urban church worker, a rural church worker, a discipleship/leadership trainer, an ESL director, a computer technician/programmer. Burkina Faso: a pioneer evangelism worker. Senegal: pioneer evangelism team members. Canada: individuals to assist with church plant­ ing in Edmonton, church planters, pastors and youth pastors. For further details, contact John Koop (Canada), Lester Olfert (Latin America) and Henry Klassen (Africa) al the Conference Office.

Mennville EMC invites resumes for a youth leader, with up to a half-time salary. Contact: Dave Kroeker 204-378-2587, Box 670, Riverton, MB ROC 2R0, or Ernest Reimer 204-378-5605 or e-mail: xdxl35@freenet.mb.ca. Mennonite Disaster Service needs volunteer tradespeople to continue to rebuild homes in the Red River Valley throughout the winter months. If interested in volunteering for a day or longer, please call 204-261-6381 or 1-888-2405480. The EMC needs ministry personnel. Mexico: a

COMING EVENTS

February 23 (starts) Perspectives: What God is Doing Around the World Bethesda Church Winnipeg, MB

Phone: 204-338-7831 March 13-14 Consultation on Peace-Making MCC Canada Winnipeg, MB

Phone: 204-261-6381

March 15-18 Janz Team Ministries Encounter Christ ‘98 Ridgewood EMC, near Giroux, Manitoba Phone: 204-326-2957

March 26-29 Mennonite Camping Association Convention God's Hospitality: Journey to Intimacy, Journey to Service Camp Arnes, an hour north of Winnipeg Phone: 204-896-1616

Discover What God is Doing Around the World! Perspectiues, mentioned at left, is a twelve week Monday night or Tuesday morning course produced by the US Center for World Mission. It will feature speakers such as Don Richardson (Peace Child), Dr. Vern Middleton (N.E. Baptist Seminary), and Dr. George Cowan (Wycliffe). The course is co-sponsored by the Winni­ peg and area Perspectives Task Force and Gospel Missionary Union. The cost is $ 150 per person ($25 discount for spouse). Registra­ tions can be sent to GMU, 2121 Henderson Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R2G 1P8.

Do you haue a story for The Personal Touch? Il must be a true account (although names may be changed, if necessary) illustrating the Christian life or character. Send your 700-word story and a photograph of yourself or suggestion for a story to the address below.

PAGE 16

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