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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 37 NUMBER 17 OCTOBER 6, 1999

Messenger EDITOR Terry M. Smith

Thanksgiving for NFC and EFC AN IMMIGRANT from Scotland, Pfeter Marshall became a Presbyterian minister and later the chaplain to the U.S. Senate. A story about him is that while he enjoyed turkey, he disliked turkey hash. His wife tells of how he lifted a dish cover and a “look of undisguised disgust crossed his face.” He said, “Catherine, I guess you’ll have to ask the blessing tonight. God knows I’m not grateful for turkey hash, and I can’t fool him.” So what can I honestly give thanks for? Paul the Apostle often gave thanks for con gregations: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because your faith is being reported all over the world” (Rom. 1:8). “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:4). “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks foryou” (Eph. 1:15-16). “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Phil. 1:3). Allow me to mention two of the many con gregations I am thankful for. All roads do not lead to Creighton, Sask., but I am thankful for the Northern Fellowship Chapel congregation. It is a tenacious, imper fect smaller church. Mary Ann and I spent eleven years as part of it, learning and serving, working alongside others to further the church’s ministry. A few among our many memories are these: The church continued and held baptisms, wed dings, funerals, even an ordination service. NFC’s Vacation Bible School grew and was well respected. (One year Deb Odegaard and Mary Ann Smith, my wife, ran a large VBS by themselves.) It held both a turkey shoot and a bonspiel. Our wood pile came from church people who graciously accepted my limita tions. When Mary Ann was sick, Janice Imrie popped over with cinnamon buns. Bob Hillier got his quad fixed so I could use it while hunt ing. Marg Cone served as a church board mem ber. Her history stretches back to when the congregation first met in a community hall, before the chapel was built in 1962. Marg pro vided a needed depth and perspective. Back in September 1995 Mary Ann called

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Dorothy Hillier: “Will you be up to making some pies for Monday?” Dorothy replied, “1 EDITORIAL can make six!” Dorothy was married in 1929. ASSISTANT She and Jack don’t move quite like they used Martha Kroeker THE MESSENGER is the to, but I don’t expect to be doing as well in publication of the Evangelical future years. Mennonite Conference. It is A pastor friend in a neighbouring United available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform, instruct church once told me it took 150 supporting and inspire: inform concerning families, sometimes as low as 80, to provide events and activities in the for a full-time pastor. For its size, Creighton denomination; instruct in god liness and victorious living; did well. While assisted through an EMC con inspire to earnestly contend for gregational subsidy (for which thanks goes the faith. Letters, articles, photos and to you), much of its budget came from local poems are welcomed. Unpub giving. The irony is, its morning worship at lished material is not returned tendance was often smaller than a Sunday except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the school class I now attend. writers are their own and do not Creighton needs a pastor. It has taught, and necessarily represent the posi of the Conference. learned from, various ministers over the years. tionTHE MESSENGER is pub With a large body of ore recently found in the lished twice a month (once a area, the community’s future seems more month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of settled than in the past couple of years. The the Evangelical Mennonite Con ongoing presence and ministry of the church ference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. in Creighton is needed. Subscriptions: $12.00 per Thanks also goes to the Lord for the year (Manitoba residents add Steinbach EFC, where we attend now. An EFC 7% PST, total: $12.84). Sub scriptions are voluntary and op strength was implied in what was already tional to people within or outside mentioned — it has a strong Sunday school of the EMC. Members and ad herents pay through their program. church. The congregation, like many churches, has THE MESSENGER is a gone through the pain of conflict and of di member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. rection seeking. Am I grateful for all that has Second-class postage paid at happened? No. I am, however, thankful the Steinbach, Manitoba. Lord has been with us, and that the congre Registration Number: 0591 Mailing information: All gation is at a different stage than it was fifteen correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of months ago. and new subscriptions, When people say, “I want to be part of a address should be addressed to: New Testament church!” conflict experts re The Messenger RO. Box 1268 mind us that some of the New Testament was Steinbach, Manitoba written to local churches facing disagree ROA 2A0 ments among members. In part because it Phone: 204-326-6401 has gone through conflict, the EFC is a New Fax: 204-326-1613 Testament church. Like all churches, it has E-mail: emconf@mts.net many gifts and faces challenges. Cover: While the settings of the NFC in Creighton Marian (Loewen) Houghton was and the Steinbach EFC differ, the churches one of the first missionaries sent Stand for the same faith and face the same by an EMC church in Canada. She reached Ecuador in 1950. calling in Christ. I am grateful to God for you Part of her story is toid on p. 3. — and other EMC churches — “because of MESSENGER SCHEDULE His grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. No. 19 - November 03 (copy due October 22) 1:4). Terry M. Smith No. 20 - November 17 (copy due November 5)

THE MESSENGER

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^any Changes, One Unchanging Fathen! Marian Houghton CHANGES! THAT HAS been the theme of our lives. How have things changed in our lives through the years? I went out as a single missionary, arriving in Ecuador in 1950. When I look back, 1 think of my trip to Ecuador in the old-type prop plane. It was slow, and we ar rived in the hot steamy city of Guayaquil at 3 a.m. As I stepped off the plane, realizing that this was the end of the line, I had a moment of panic, thinking. What have I done? Help! I’m Marian Houghton, Ecuador, 1953 here for five years, and I’m all alone! The Lord quickly reminded me that He was there and that He would be with me at all times. What a comfort! I went to bed, had a few hours of rest, and the next day was ready to see all there was to see.

of mind as 1 packed my things to go to Macuma. Lord, You know I want your will in this, but I really am interested in this man. That first night in Macuma was unforgettable. Dotty Walker, a senior missionary and my co-worker, was telling me about the work on the station and what we would be doing. It was evening and our lights were dim. The canal for the tiny hydro plant needed to be cleaned out again. We were sitting on my bed when suddenly we saw a huge tarantula walking along the beam on our eight-foothigh dividing wall. Dotty calmly got her machete and, with a few whacks, disposed of the problem. I learned a lot from her, including how to substitute in recipes when the real item was not available and we were some days away from the supermarket. We even tried eating jungle greens for salad. In the meanwhile, Stan began writing to me, and my study of the Jivaro (or Shuar) language had been sus pended. We did have several ministries going, and I helped where I could — overseeing the food at the boys’ school; dispensing vitamins, penicillin, and dmgs to alleviate leish maniasis, which was so prevalent. (This is a tropical dis ease from a fly bite that can eat away the cartilage of the nose and mouth.) The drug was one the French used for venereal diseases and seemed to be the only thing that was effective against this problem.

The trip up-country The trip up-country was made by train on a narrow gauge railway and took all day. The ascent was so steep that at one point the train did a reverse hairpin and then continued on at a much higher altitude. The mountains were quite bare. Never having seen mountains before, I was quite disappointed, thinking about all the beautiful pictures 1 had seen of rocky peaks, evergreens and snow. All I saw here was brown grass and sand. The first sight of Chimborazo helped; this is a mountain that is said to have fallen into the ocean before the gospel found its way into Ecuador. It was a majestic sight — triple-humped, and all the snow I could wish for, from 16,000 feet to its peak of over 20,000 feet. As we were going through one of the small towns at dusk, I saw the dark-robed Indian women hurrying down the narrow streets and prayed a little prayer of thanks that I would not have to live in this cold, dreary place. I was heading for the jungle to do pioneer missionary work. Little did I realize that less than two years later I would be back in this cold area to spend many happy years.

The Shuar The Shuar lived by families in great long houses under

Stan Houghton After a very enjoyable six months of language study in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, I was on my way to the jun gle. I had met Stan Houghton and was in a strange frame OCTOBER 8, 1999

Marian (Loewen) Houghton, at 22, arrived in Ecuador in 1950 as a missionary under the Gospel Missionary Union, supported by the Steinbach EMC. (This was three years before the EMC Board of Missions was formed.) She and her husband, Stan, retired from missionary service in 1995. They live in Silverdale, Washington. (1999 photo by editor) PAGES

for local children. This meant hiring a teacher, which sorely tried our economic resources, but we never went hungry or without clothes. We enjoyed the clinic work because we saw results. A reputation about scabies 1 had quite a reputation for being able to cure scabies. All I did was scmb the scabby little heads with a strong laundry soap and apply sulpha powder to help dry it up; very rarely did 1 have to do this a second time. The moth ers were very grateful; they probably did not want to be the ones to make their babies cry. Stan had had a short course in rural medicine from the HCJB doctors in Quito, and if there was any suturing to be done, that was his job. He had some interesting cases to tend to, not the least of which was the removal of a bullet from a man’s back. The shooting was accidental, and the Marian and her husband, Stan, were married on May 9 and 18, family didn’t want a big hassle. The Lord was good, and 1952. The first was a civii wedding; the second was a church we didn’t lose any patients as a result of our actions. wedding. (This is common in Latin American countries.) They iook on May 18, 1952, as their wedding date. This photo is from In the meanwhile, we had our beautiful baby, Barbara 1955. Fay, who was with us for seven short months. She brought us much joy, and her homegoing still causes us pain, but one roof. They had a strong sense of “an eye for an eye,” we do know that we’ll see her in heaven someday soon. and when one of their people got sick or died, it had to be After two years in Caliata, without much happening in someone’s fault. The witch doctor would decide whom the area, Stan felt a strong urge to change ministries. At a to blame, and then the men of the family would go and kill missionary conference, the Field Council accepted Stan’s that person, shrinking his head in a special ceremony that offer to become a maintenance man for mission build should take care of the problem. Unfortunately, all that ings, so we moved to Shell Mera, at the edge of the jungle, usually happened was the bereaved family would in turn where we spent the remaining nine months of our first take a head from the attacking family, and so on. Fortu term. nately, this practice has been As 1 think about our first discontinued for most of term on the field, 1 have to ad them. mit that 1 did a lot of growing During all this time, our one steady rock It took a long time for the up. 1 was only twenty-two was that the.Father of the heavenly lights Shuar to establish a strong when 1 first went out, and does not change. He called us, and He local church, but it is func there was still so much to will continue to carry out His will. tioning well now, and the learn about life. younger church people are During our furlough we indeed changed. Translation were asked to become mis work is ongoing, and soon they will have the whole Bible sionaries under the EMC, so that’s we did. Since our in their own language. That is one of the changes that we church, the Steinbach EMC, had been very good to us, we have seen and for which we praise God. were reluctant to make the change, but it all worked out very well. Housekeeping in two rooms A great change was coming in my life. 1 was leaving the Furlough ministry, a challenge jungle to get married and move to Caliata, a small moun Our furlough ministry was a challenge. How could we tain village among the Quichua Indians. The road hap talk about what we had done when there were no appar pened to be washed out while we were trying to get my ent results? What could we say that would tell people that stuff up there, so we packed what we could into kerosene we were still missionaries and needed to go back to the boxes, the kind that hold two five-gallon cans each. When land to which God had appointed us? Our ministry was we got to where the road was out, we loaded the stuff on not directly church planting. One of our pastors once the back of a donkey and walked the rest of the way in, mentioned to us that we didn’t seem very happy at that only a few miles. time, which was, no doubt, tme. What fun it was to set out my possessions for house One lesson I learned was that the place 1 used to have keeping in two rooms! One served as a living room, bed in Steinbach was no longer there. Life was indeed chang room and study, while a tiny room served as the kitchen ing. Our oldest son was born during that year, a very happy and dining room. Stan could stand in one place and get event which cheered our lives with promise of a brighter the dishes from the shelf and set the table. We both fit into future. the kitchen to do the dishes, still standing in one place. During all this time, our one steady rock was that the Our work in Caliata was to study the Quichua language Father of the heavenly lights does not change. He called and tend to the small clinic, as well as maintain a school us, and He will continue to carry out His will. PAGE 4

THE MESSENGER

R Thanksgiving Prayer Thank you, Lord, for the sunrise. Its splendour and majesty. The trees uuith the myriad colours. Blending in harmony. The plenteous fruit of gardens, Groujth that the rain had made. The stand of the golden grainfields auuaiting the cut of the blade. These shouu that the heavenly Father Is not unmindful of man. Provision is mode for the body, and beauty the eyes to scan. lUe praise you, God, for your love gift of the One ujho said, "Follouj Me." find thank you, God, for His love gift. The life that sets man free. Thank you, God, for guidonce. For help along life's may. Thank you, God, for all things. Today and every day. Violet Mae Wright

Violet Mae Wright entered the Lord’s full presence on August 16. She served, with her husband, Edwin, in various Western Gospel Mission and EMC churches. Edwin passed away in 1994. Part of Violet’s life is shared on page 13-

Correction: Baptized on April 25 at the Kleefeld EMC were Rob Reimer (transfer), Cara Peters, Robyn Penner, Roger Bohren, Katherine Bergen, Kathy Funk, Jen Reimer, Collin Holland, Rahel Bohren and Becki Bergen. The pastoral couples stand with them.

OCTOBER 8, 1999

VIDEOS EXPLORE ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DISABILITIES Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba has new videos for loan which explore issues surrounding mental health and dis abilities. Here are some selections: Give it Away — This video shows how churches can begin a Friendship Ministry in their congregations for people living with developmental disabilities. 17 minutes. Include Us — Catchy tunes help children learn about includ ing those with disabilities in their classes and at play. While not prepared from a church perspective, Sunday school leaders can use parts of this video to teach the principles of inclusion in church settings. 33 minutes. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors — This video shows how congregations need to include people with disabilities in all of church life. It comes from a Catholic perspective and includes scenes with Henri Nouwen. 20 minutes. Pathways to Understanding — This video contains narratives by eleven people, within Christian and Jewish traditions, talk ing about mental illness. It is intended to help church leaders understand the issues around mental illness and the church, and to suggest appropriate responses. 56 minutes. Shattered Temples — Geared to youth, this video comes with materials that can be used for a Disability Awareness Sunday in a local congregation. 14 minutes. These videos and others are available. Call Susan Pharaoh at 204-261-6381. MCC Manitoba REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERS’ RETREAT TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 16 A youth leaders’ retreat for leaders, spouses and sponsors within regions 4 to 8 is to be held on Saturday, October 16, at Fort Garry EMC. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 12:30. Pizza will be ordered, with costs shared among par ticipants. Abundant Springs and a national Youth Leaders’ Retreat are held in alternating years. Many youth leaders have reported that a retreat every two years is far from sufficient to fill the need of establishing friendships and unity within this area of our conference. Prompted by several leaders, we decided to have a test run with a regional meeting. We hope, as positive feedback comes to us, to hold this type of event in other re gions across this great country of ours. For details contact Don Boddy (857-4146), Cam Rempel (7468360), David Kruse (275-8983) or Gerald Reimer (326-6401). Gerald Reimer Conference Youth Minister

PAUL MARSHALL RECEIVES RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AWARD FROM EFC The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has chosen Paul Marshall, a senior fellow at Freedom House in Washington, D.C., as the first recipient of a new award acknowledging work for religious freedom. The RLC Award for Service to the Cause of Religious Liberty was presented by EFC president Gary Walsh at the EFC’s an nual convention, held September 23 and 24 in Calgary, Alberta. Dr. Marshall, who formerly taught political theory at the Insti tute for Christian Studies in Toronto, is chair of the EFC’s Reli gious Liberty Commission, formed in 1997. That same year Dr. Marshall’s book Their Blood Cries Out (Nashville: Word Publish ing) was released. It documents the persecution of Christians worldwide. In recent years it has been acknowledged that more Christians have been killed for their faith in the 20th century than in the previous 19 centuries combined. EFC PAGES

Dr. Harvey Plett teaches a class on spiritual formation. STEINBACH BIBLE COLLEGE’S ENROLMENT AT TEN-YEAR HIGH With ninety-two students enrolled, up from seventy-two a year ago, Steinbach Bible College’s hallways are more crowded than they have been for ten years. A year ago SBC began using a modular sys tem, offering courses in three- and six-week blocks. Six entry points throughout the year allow students to plan their education around their schedule. “The modular sys tem worked well the first year,” says aca demic dean Dr. Don Thiessen. Drama students will prepare Les Miserables during a three-week module in October and then will perform the play at the college on November 5-7 and in Portage La Prairie on November 13-14. The modular system is also credited with allowing students the opportunity to be in volved in missions exposure without inter rupting the academic year. Third-year stu dents will travel to Mexico with Dr. Harvey Plett, while those in first and second year will spend time in Winnipeg’s inner city and northern Manitoba. Third-year student Margaret Bergen stated, “Mission Exposure is a big reason for my return to SBC.” The college is now networking with other schools to allow students to combine Bible and vocational training. Rebecca Friesen wants to teach English to speakers of other

OUTREACH WEB SITE Pastors and lay leaders wanting quick access to outreach products such as Together, post cards and desk calen dars can go to Shalom Foundation’s newest promotion tool — a web site at www.churchoutreach.com. With the web site and a new 10minute video showing how churches use Together to reach their neigh bours, Shalom can respond quickly to churches wanting to implement a more aggressive outreach program. Shalom

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languages (TESOL). By taking a six-week course in May-June, SBC students are able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in three years while receiving their TESOL certificate from Providence College. Stan Plett reminded the students dur ing an orientation week chapel that SBC’s goal is faith formation. Plett, who underwent cancer surgery in April, also shared with the students his gratitude for the strength God gave him over the summer. Having completed chemo therapy treatments in early September, Stan plans to return to the college fulltime in a couple of months. “Whatever the future holds, however, nothing can take away the lessons 1 have learned up to this point,” he stated. “Cen tral to past and present experiences is a profound sense of gratitude to God for what he has done and is doing in my life, to Elma and our family, to the college community, to the church and caring friends. Insofar as 1 have been tested thus far, 1 can say from the bottom of my heart, God is good!” SBC

MHS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Applications are invited for eight scholarships of $1,000-1,200 U.S. available to graduate students in Canada and the U.S. pursuing ca reers in mental health fields. The scholarships, to be awarded in the spring of 2000-2001 academic year, are available from the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ediger was one of the founders of Mennonite Health Services. The fund is administered by a five-person com mittee from Canada and the U.S. Candidates must be graduate stu dents with a vocational interest in mental health, developmental dis abilities or related fields; a 3.25 grade average (on a 4.0 scale); be a member/active participant of a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ congregation; and be a citizen or permanent resi dent of Canada or the U.S. Other factors to be considered are service experience, attendance at a church-related college, and financial need. Applications and supporting in formation must be received by Febru ary 1, 2000. The winners will be an nounced by April 30, 2000. For applications, contact Wendy Rohn, Mennonite Health Services, 234 South Main St., Suite A, Goshen, IN 46526, phone 219-534-9689, fax 219-534-3254 or e-mail: mhsonline@compuserve.com MHS

COMING EVENTS October 18-20 Faith and Public Life Conference Queen's University Kingston, Ont. Phone:613-533-2109

November 10-13 A National Conversation on the Gospel, Church and Culture in the Postmodern Era Prairie Bible College Three Hills, Alberta Phone: 800-705-7481 December 3 EMC Ministerial Meeting Ridgewood EMC near Giroux, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401 December 4 EMC Conference Council Meeting Steinbach EFC Steinbach, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401 January 23,2000 World Fellowship Sunday Mennonite World Conference Phone: 204-326-6401

March 3-5,2000 EMC Leadership Retreat Speaker: Abe Block Camp Arnes, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401

Gifts from God Everyday items That put smiles on faces. Little bits of sunshine Shining light in dark places. Encouraging words That bring hope when it's gone. Bright little notes That bring back the fun, An upbeat attitude Standing out from the rest, A heart full of joy Bringing out the best.

Warm, fuzzy feelings, A cheerful, bright thought. Like hot cocoa in winter. And freezies when it's hot. These are the things That are my joys; These are the gifts Heaven employs. For each little gift Sent from above Is nothing less Than a hug from God. Kirsten Sandland Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. Calgary, Alla.

THE MESSENGER

Betty Koop La Crete, Alberta

MARIE LADIES FROM SIX different churches in the La Crete/High Level (Alberta) area had gathered to celebrate the fiftieth occurrence of their semi-annual retreat. Marie got up slowly. Her arthritic knees and back made movement painful, but her face shone with her love for the Lord. She shared from the heart, remem bering the first time they had tried this new thing! “Our husbands didn’t know where we were staying,” she said. “We had such a wonderful time of fellowship that we forgot all about the time. We hadn’t even noticed that it had gotten dark outside!” I felt here was a woman I would like to get to know personally. Now, several years later, we finally had our visit. She shared freely of her life’s pilgrimage. She and her husband, Jacob Dyck, moved to La Crete from Swift Current, Sask., in 1959, when they had been mar ried for nine years. Seven years later he was diagnosed with leukemia. “It was very hard for me to hear that,” she re called. “He was only forty-one. If it hadn’t been for the Lord, I don’t know where I’d be.” Life was very difficult for the next five years. They had a large family, and her husband was often not well enough to work. He was in and out of the distant

hospitals in Peace River and Edmonton. The children and Marie worked very hard. Then in February of 1971, the Lord took Rev. Dyck home. He was forty-six. There is a local custom here, Singen (singing). When a person dies, the church family gathers around the bereaved ones and sings with them; funeral arrange ments are also made. Marie remembers that evening, after the Singen, as an es pecially difficult time. “The hardest thing for me was to see all my thirteen children without a dad. The oldest was twenty and the youngest four,” she recalled. “1 couldn’t see how I could take a step forward. I really had to work at it to have faith. I encouraged myself in the Lord like David did (1 Samuel 30:6), by reading God’s Word and praying. The mountains were moved, and I could go forward....” One of the bigger mountains was find ing a way to feed and clothe the family. After much discussion, the family de cided to move to Taber, Alta., for the summer to work in the beet fields. A car and a pick-up truck were packed, and the long trip south was made. They had the use of a house rent free. The first night was hard for Marie. She said, “...just eleven girls and one ten-yearold boy.” (The oldest son had married soon after her husband died.) So many strange noises at night were scary, but the Lord gave peace and they slept well. Marie also recalled with a chuckle the first time they went to a restaurant for a meal. The customers and waitresses tried not to stare, but finally gave up, as child after child followed Marie in. “Are they all yours?” was the curious ques tion. But they treated them very well.

LOVE IS Love is... ...A three-year-old boy holding a distraught grandma and a sleepless, crying baby brother in a darkened room, stretching in a giant embrace.

...A four-year-old who tells Grandma on a shopping trip, “If you waste all your money. Grandma, you can have some of mine.” ...A father-and-son team playing on the floor, bunimmming around with tractors, tumbling, laughing. In all of the world, this country, and in all the house, there’s nobody there except the two of them. ...A little two-year-old with dark hair and eyes and wear ing a pixie smile, flinging herself at Grandma’s legs, and hugging them on the street. ...A duet of welcome as two boys rush to the door scream ing, “Unca Bill, Unca Bill.” Soon “Unca” is catapulting

OCTOBER 8, 1999

Marie remembers. The whole family worked, first in the potato plant, then hoeing seemingly end less rows of beets. But Marie said her nine-year-old was such a quick worker that she at times earned more than her mother! They enjoyed the church they at tended Sunday mornings and evenings, finding love and acceptance there. This summer trek to Taber was re peated for four years. She faced another mountain: “How will I answer my children’s questions as they grow up?” They all had treasured memo ries of their father’s example and teach ing. But questions came even as he lay dying when one child said, “Is this God’s love?” Marie continued, “Many times I prayed for wisdom and guidance that the Lord would give me the right words...,” as one or the other came to her, usually at night. And God answered her pleas and gave guidance as the children matured. Her last child was married fourteen years ago. Then Marie faced the mountain of liv ing alone. “It always looked so scary to me when I saw other women going into a dark house alone. But 1 must say the Lord has been very good to me. Now when I come home alone I can feel the Lord’s presence.” With serenity she quoted Psalm 4:8:1 will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Many women today are left alone to raise a family, or are facing living alone in their senior years when their husbands predecease them. I trust Mrs. Dyck’s open sharing of her journey ‘over the moun tains’ will be a comfort and inspiration to many.

them into the air, catching them, giving them Lifesarers or toys. What a delightful ending to a work day! Eyes are sparkling, mouth.s are laughing, little legs are running to the music of a young man’s happy chortle.

...Grandpa who brings gifts of Love, and Sharing, and Loyalty to Grandma. He also brings gifts of flowers, fresh vegetables, and strawberries from his garden, a cup of tea at night, help with dishwashing after supper, or a delight ful sleigh ride. ...A heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Who loved us with an everlasting love. A love that never ends A love that loves through all situations When we’re good, or when we’re bad A love that endures Through life, through death Even the torture of the cross!

Name Wihheld

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People Movement 'B

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Louella and Peter Toews (Steinbach) of Steinbach, Man., are beginning two-year MCC assignments in Akron, Pa. They will be working as hosts. Louella was previously employed as a secretary at the Steinbach EMC. Peter last worked as a sales consultant in Steinbach.

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s Conrad Dueck (Braeside) of Winnipeg, Man,, is beginning a one-year term with the Intermenno program in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, where he will work with the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. He will likely move to another placement in the same country for the second half of the year. Dueck attended Menno Simons College at the University of Winnipeg. His parents are John and Linda Dueck of Winnipeg.

Edwin Friesen Stewardship Consultant

PROBATE PROBATE IS THE process of having the executor (or designate) present the will of the deceased to probate court. If the will submitted is deemed to be valid, it is registered and validated as the last will and testament of the deceased. Letters probate are then granted, vali dating the executor and serving notice to whom it may concern that the named executor has the official authority to Ccirry out the terms of the will. This validation also provides a measure of protection for the executor. Should a more recent will be discovered later, the executor will not be held liable for having acted on the earlier probated will. Probate fees have been on the rise, causing some to argue that the fees charged actually amount to a tax and not PAGES

Sheryl Loewen (Braeside) of Dugald, Man., is beginning a one-year MCC assign ment in Winnipeg, Man., where she will work as a receptionist. She has previously served with Teen Missions International in Germany and with MCC in Kentucky as part of the Serving with Appalachian Peo ple (SWAP) program. Loewen was last employed as a welder in Winnipeg. She is a member of Braeside EMC in Winnipeg. Her parents are Elmer ........................ and Susan Loewen of Dugald.

payment for service. A recent court chal lenge in Ontario (which has the highest fees in Canada) successfully used that argument and won. However, the gov ernment has since enacted retroactive legislation to avoid paying millions of dollars back to probated estates. With the exception of Quebec, which does not require probate for notarized wills, each province sets its own fee schedule, which is applied to the assets of the estate. Not all wills need to be probated. If the estate is small and the executor is able to carry out the terms of the will (access funds held in financial institutions, deal with property issues, etc.), it may be pos sible to avoid probate. If the assets are more significant ($30,000 plus), most fi nancial institutions, in cin attempt to avoid potential liabilities, may be reluctant to release funds to an executor without probate. Even if the will needs to be probated, some assets are passed on outside the will and therefore bypass probate. Life insurance and retirement funds where a beneficiary has been named, and prop erties held in joint tenancy or property

Evelyn Barkman (Prairie Rose) returned to Mali, Africa, on August 22. Pray for her as she again takes on responsibilities at the Mana Girls’ School and also that she would experience good health. held in a living trust, are passed on out side the will. If a person dies without leaving a valid will, the generic will of the respective province will be applied and all assets of the estate will need to be probated. Though joint tenancy is a popular way for assets to transfer by right of survivorship and thus avoid probate, hav ing another name on the “title” can leave one vulnerable to future complications and should be done with caution. In ef fect you lose exclusive control of the as set. If, for example, the other person named on your “title” files for bankruptcy, creditors could also lay claim to your share of the assets. Remember — good planning can re duce the hassles and expenses of deal ing with your estate and leave more for the people and charities you value.

Edwin Friesen is a stewardship consult ant serving, in part, the EMC and SBC constituency. He is available to meet with groups or individuals to discuss will/estate planning, family finances, and chari table giving. He can be contacted at204488-1985. THE MESSENGER

MEXICO TALKING ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS On July 22 we left our two boys in El Paso in the care of their grandparents, Jac and Mary Koop. We traded them in for sixty teens! Why? That following Sunday, July 25, we were to begin a week of teen camp in Mexico. Our T-shirts read. Si buscas a alguien que sea tu todo, no mires alrededor, mira hacia arriba. (If you’re looking for someone to be your all, don’t look around you, look up!) Our theme for the week was Rela tionships. We began Sunday with Walter Rempening (from the Cuauhtemoc church) speaking about the kids’ dating relationships, focusing on not being un equally yoked. He gave three sessions on this topic. He was followed by Guillermo Zuniga from Mexico City, who spoke on relationships with parents. Many tears were shed as the kids were challenged to evaluate their relationships. The evening services were on one’s re lationship to God. It was exciting to see teens making commitments. Some made first-time decisions for Christ; others made a commitment regarding their dating rela tionships; and many needed to do some forgiving concerning their relationship with their parents. Many of the teens said that the theme hit home. We praise the Lord

for this! Aside from the sessions, the week was filled with many activities. In the after noons we had a round-robin tournament, with six teams. The sports included vol leyball, basketball and soccer, where the competitive nature of many came to the fore. We had fun even though we couldn’t all win! We also enjoyed food, times of sitting around to visit, singing, dramas, Bi ble challenges, and our annual serenades. The week had many blessings and chal lenges. Some of the not-so-fun challenges were waking up to cold showers, or no water at all! However, cold water cleans too, wakes you up rather quickly, and makes for faster showers! The new cab ins were a blessing. Thank you. Braeside EMC work team, for your help in getting the shell up. Thank you. Abundant Springs gang, for the offering which went toward improving the campground. May God bless you all for giving. Our next national youth activity is our annual youth conference at the end of the year. It will take place in Chihuahua City this year, with the theme My Relationship with God. The speakers will be Aldo Gonzalez and Sonya Dyck. We covet your prayers as we plan this year’s conference. May God once again challenge our youth. Diane Koop

Diane and Ernie Koop (Steinbach EEC), their sons, Michael and Christopher, ''J Chihuahua City, Mexico. The Koops are inoolved in leadership development under the EMC Board of Missions.

f ■ '1

Lucrecia de Nares was our faithful cook.

Elizama (Guerrero) and Sergio (Juarez) enjoy a moment of relaxation.

The young people encouraged one another following the sessions.

The teens came from various churches: Adan (Juarez), Tony (Anahuac), Elizama (Guerrero) and Sergio (Juarez).

OCTOBER 8, 1999

Young people from the Camp 77 church attended teen camp.

PAGE 9

Ron Wiebe, Bill Martens, and Peter Teichroeb worked in Nicaragua briefly.

THOUGHTS ABOUT NICARAGUA Grande Prairie, Aita.: “If you were to de scribe in one sentence what your time in Nicaragua meant to you, what would it be?” This was the question 1 asked of three men in our congregation who returned in spring from a working adventure in Nicaragua. They shared similar thoughts. Ron Wiebe: “1 am very thankful that we live in Canada, and it has given me a greater appreciation for our missionaries who go to countries like Nicaragua to minister.” Bill Martens: “Going to Nicaragua gave me a much greater appreciation for the country 1 live in.” Peter Teichroeb: “It gave me a new appre ciation for my country. Also, it gave me a burden to help those in need.” With our church nearing its “full” mark, we gathered in August for a brainstorming ses sion. The question was. Which way do we go from here? We shared thoughts, dreams and ideas for the church. Through the dis cussion it beccime evident that there was a consensus as to the direction we should take. We will add more room by altering our seating style and arrangement. It was a bless ing to see the Lord leading us through His people. Betty Brandt

REMINDERS OF GOD’S GOODNESS Endeavour, Sask.: Fall colours! What beauty surrounds us — a reminder of God’s love and steadfastness! Summer was busy with VBS, camp, sum mer holidays, swimming lessons, gardens full to overflowing, and apples by the bushel. Our God is so good! Our pastor and his wife took holidays, vis iting family. We trust they felt refreshed when they returned. Bmce and Laurie Steppan celebrated their twenty-fifty wedding anniversary on August 28. We wish them God’s blessing and many more years. Sunday school and clubs have started again, and children are back in school. Pray with us for these children who have been entrusted to us. Melinda Steppan is back at Nipawin Bible Institute, eind Lorissa Thiessen (whom we miss since the Thiessen family moved to Kleefeld, Manitoba) is attending Steinbach Bible College. We wish them a good year of study. Rose Steppan

OCTOBER 8, 1999

YOUTH SWEEP GOLF PRIZES Swift Current, Sask.: Twenty-four golfers turned out for the second annual Friend ship Circle Golf Tournament, Spring Event, on May 30. It was great to have golfers from our sister church in Wymark join in the Texas Scramble fun and fellowship. The day proved to be most successful for the youngest golfers in the group. Three teenagers, Landon Fehr, Devin Mar tens and Ryan Neustaeter, swept most of the prizes, including team low score. Ryan won for shooting closest to the pin, and Devin took home the prize for longest putt. Jake Knelsen lessened the humiliation for the adults by capturing the prize for long-

est drive. Golfers and supporters gathered at the church for a supper wiener roast. What could be better than a hot dog roasted over an open fire, enjoyed in the com pany of friends on a gorgeous summer evening! Thanks to Myles Penner for organizing the event and to Gail Wiebe and Gord Neustaeter for arranging the prizes. Plans are under way for our first Fall Clas sic in October. Perhaps hockey will dis tract our talented teenaged golfers — and if 1 keep practicing maybe I’ll reduce my score from three digits to two. Cindy Penner

Ryan Neustaeter, Landon Fehr and Devin Martens humbled the adults during the golf tournament.

THERE ARE MORE REASONS TO INVEST WITH US EVERY DAY.

WHAT A SHAME. [Canadian ^Ibodgrains

. Mennonite Central / Committee

As God has graciously provided for us, so too should we provide tor those who are less fortunate. Invest in the lives of hungry people throughout the world by making a donation to your church's account at Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Grain donations can be made at any licensed facility on the Prairies or in Ontario. Cash donations to Canadian Foodgrains Bank are also welcome. Call 1-800-665-0377. PAGE 11

CALLAWAY SPEAKS AT CAMP Calgary, Alta. (Abbeydale): Our annual church camp, on May 28-30, was held at Camp Sunnyside, Sylvan Lake, Alta. The theme was “Never Quite Grown Up.” Phil Callaway, author of Honey, I Dunked the Kids; Who Put the Skunk in the Trunk? and other similarly titled, humorous books, was our speaker. Venture Teams Interna tional coordinated the children’s chapels for the weekend, and not only capably enter tained but also ministered through puppets, skits, and music. Willie Leiding, camp direc tor, kept the organizational structure and schedule in order. About 90 percent of the congregation at tends church camp, and this year was no exception, maybe Irecause of the great pro motional work done beforehand. That there is no church service or Sunday school in our church building during camp weekend may also be a factor. Every church should be encouraged to plan a similar annual event. Six people became members of our church in May: Geoff Verge (transferred) has had many struggles, but he praises God for His faithful ness in seeing them through. Carol Verge (transferred) accepted Jesus as a small child. She has also experienced many stmggles, particularly related to her family, but always feels God’s faithful presence with her. (Pray for the Verges as their son Chris battles leukemia.) Marleen and Dennis Hoeppner (trans ferred) moved to Calgary recently, leaving three sons behind, creating a dependence on God. Marleen has quickly become in volved in several church ministries and

The congregation's building expansion continues. This shows some of the progress in July.

LADIES TAKE TIME OUT Hudson Bay, Sask.: Our church went through the 50-Day Spiritual Adventure, led by our pastor, Lincoln Vellacott. It was good, and we realized that there is much more to learn. Memory Club certificates were awarded to fourteen people who suc cessfully completed a specified number of Bible verses. Thanks to our pastor for encouraging us to memorize the Word. Men in the congregation have enjoyed a number of breakfasts, with testimo nies and challenges from the Word. A fishing trip up North was a highlight this year. The rain played havoc, but the men were not defeated; they finished by fish ing a bit closer to home (after the rain). The women enjoyed the annual ladies’ retreat weekend at Marean Lake in March. The topic for the Bible study was Becoming a Woman of Grace. Hudson Bay women attended the Ladies’ Time Out at the Endeavour Fellowship Chapel — a great evening! Four ladies helped at Bible camp at Ketchen Lake. Marilyn and Lincoln Vellacott and members of the youth group conducted

a one-week kids’ club, which was well attended and was met with enthusiasm. A supper for the kids and parents con cluded the week. Great outreach! We have bid farewell to Dale, Angie and Jemma Seale; Bob, Twyla Gilroy and their three little boys; and to Henry and Marg Braun and their children. They are all missed very much. Brenda and James Brake and their family have returned to us. Welcome back! A baby shower was held to welcome Dawn and Derek Seafoot’s baby. Bay Rayne. A gift was given to Brenda and James Brake to welcome baby Spring Willow. John and Linda Klassen celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary on July 4, with their family and friends. The young people recently had an indepth 30-day study on WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). Several youth at tended PROBE at NBI. They have also gone skiing, power tobogganing, skating and visiting the wave pool in Melfort. We have been challenged by the Gos pel Echoes Prison Ministry Team, Bible camp representatives from Torch Trail

PAGE 12

claims Philippians 4:13 as her life verse. Dennis’ job provides opportunities to wit ness. He is willing to serve and helped start a ministry to seniors. His favourite verse is Philippians 4:6 and 7 Shannon Teichroeb (baptized) is very ac tive as a youth sponsor. Having persevered through several rough years of searching for peace and love, she is now serving with joy and freedom. April Hauck (baptized) has been a part of our church family for years, and we look forward to our continued relationship with her, serving together. April rededicated her life to Christ about nine years ago, and her favourite verse is Proverbs 22:6. She works for MCC Calgary. Our church is growing in more ways than one. By the time you read this, significant progress will have been made on our addi tion and expansion building project. Early fall is our target completion date. Want to come help? Ellie Olsen Reporter: Ivy Plett

Carol and Geoff Verge, Marleen and Dennis Hoeppner, Shannon Teichroeb, and April Hauck became members at Abbeydale in May.

and Ketchen, and Bill and Anna Penner of Continental Mission. The Jesus Manitoba Festival in Dauphin was a highlight for five families who at tended. If you love music and have never attended this event, why don’t you check it out next summer? You’ll be glad you did. Pat Plett

YOUTH LEADER COMMISSIONED Winnipeg, Man. (Crestview): A special service took place on September 19 — the commissioning of our new youth leader, Beth Braun. Conference Pastor John Koop shared the message, speaking on encour agement. Kevin and Beth knelt as they dedicated themselves to serve in the youth ministry. John Koop, Pastor Darryl Klassen, board chairman Dennis Janzen, and two young people, Cheryl Martens and Nicholas Klassen, laid hands on them and prayed for them. It’s encouraging to see the sup port the young people give their leader. Henry Dyck THE MESSENGER

‘SMALL’ HAPPENINGS Landmark, Man.:

Taking part in a parent/child dedication at the Prairie Rose church were Colin and Gwen Peters with Brittney, Jake and Lisa Friesen with Gloria, Tim and Deb Rogalsky with Mark and Lois, Cam and Kara Plett with Dylan, Mike and Deidre Plett with Nolan, Mark and Rhonda Kubanek with Jenna, Erwin and Tammy Lutzer with Zachary, Kelvin and Kathy Plett with Karissa. Missing; Paul and Wanda Warkentin with Nikki.

I Eleven Cradle Roll members graduated into the Sunday school nursery department at the Prairie Rose EMC on August 29: Nathan Rogalsky (Tim and Deb), Raquel and Kyler Hiebert (Pam), Shae-lyn Plett (Cam and Kara), Josephine Plett (Ron and Lilliane), Olivia Hildebrand (Mark and Tish), Cody Skjaerlund (Les and Gladys Skjaerlund), Derek Reimer (David and Sharlene), Keith Warkentin (Paul and Wanda Warkentin), Mark Hamm (Don and Annie Hamm), Sheraya Lutzer (Erwin and Tammy). The Cradle Roll superintendent, Florence Barg, is with them in the photo.

CELEBRATING WITH GRADUATES Portage la Prairie, Man.: The harvest season is here, school has started again. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and everyone seems to have settled into a routine. In June we celebrated with four gradu ates: Andrew Giesbrecht, Ben Giesbrecht, Mike Hourie and Brent Nikkei. Our youth ministry team pre pared a wonderful grad banquet for the parents and families. The grads also were presented with a “blessing” and a Bible. Ben and Andrew, along with Liz Fowler, Lori Plett, and Jeff, Nathan and Danita

Rushton, spent part of the summer as CSSM staff. The graduates have all found full-time employment, with some plan ning for further education in the future. We were sorry to see Ben leave for a job in Calgary. His involvement in worship teams will be missed. Small groups have started up again. Sev eral groups are studying books by Max Lucado. The boys and girls clubs will be starting shortly. This is a ministry geared to reach the kids of the community. Please pray that enough workers will be found. The harvest is ripe! J.A.M. (Jesus Adored and Magnified)

VIOLET MAE WRIGHT 1918-1999 Violet Wright, age 81, of Sturgis, Sask., passed away on August 16, 1999, at the Preeceville Hospital. The funeral was held August 19, with Eric Redditt offici ating. Violet was born on April 8, 1918, in the Tadmore district. On May 5, 1942, she married Edwin Wright. They lived in

many places while Edwin served as a pastor — Sturgis, Canora, Endeavour, Carrot River, Sask.; Vermilion, Alta.; and Riverton, Landmark, and Arborg, Man. She was a member of the READ Club, the Sturgis Kitchen Band, the Sturgis Hor ticultural Society and the Saskatchewan Poetry Association. She had several po ems published. Violet was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Isabella Gillespie; her hus band, Edwin Wright; three brothers and one sister. She is survived by two sons, Robert (Selkirk, Man.), Bradley and Miranda (Thompson, Man.); one daugh ter, Denise and Louis Danyliuk (Endeav our); one sister, Velma and Virgil Scharfenberg (Hudson Bay, Sask.); eight grandchildren and two great-grandchil dren. Her Family

OCTOBER 8, 1999

Harold Plett

sessions have started again, with the first one taking place on September 20. J.A.M. is a Sunday evening worship service, with the Holy Grounds Cafe open for the youth after the service. It takes place once a month and is a definite highlight for the youth and the young at heart in our con gregation. Plans are being made for our first Thanksgiving Dinner Theatre on October 15. We look forward to Oak Valley Pro ductions presenting the drama for the evening. Phyllis Giesbrecht

QUddiliij;

- -ZSiti

NEUFELD - GIESBRECHT: Nick, son of Jacob and Margaret Neufeld of Wheatley, Ont., was married on June 26, 1999, to Lisa, daughter of George and Agatha Giesbrecht of Vauxhall, Alta. The wedding took place at the Leamington EMC, with Peter Reimer officiating. The couple lives in Kingsville, Ont. UNGER - SAWATZKY: Frank, son of John and Sarah Unger of Leamington, Ont., and Helen, daughter of David and Mary Sawatzky of Leamington, were married on July 3, 1999. The wedding took place at the Leamington EMC, with Bill Friesen officiating. The couple resides in Leamington. REIMER - NEUFELD: Abe, son of Cornelius and Susanna Reimer, and Magie, daughter of Johan and Margaret Neufeld, all of Leamington, Ont., were married at the Leamington EMC on July 31, 1999. Peter Reimer officiated. The couple is living in Leamington.

PAGE 13

NEUFELD - PENNER: George, son of Mrs. Anna Neufeld of Kingsville, Ont., and Annie, daughter of Peter and Nancy Penner of Leamington, Ont., were married on October 10, 1998. The wedding took place in Leamington, with Don Miller officiating. The couple is residing in Leamington. DYCK - GIESBRECHT: John, son of Peter and Anna Dyck of Wheatley, Ont., and Lina, daughter of George and Agatha Giesbrecht of Vauxhall, Alta., were married at the Leamington EMC on June 19, 1999, with Peter Reimer officiating. The couple lives in Wheatley. KRAHN - BAER: Richard, son of Jacob and Margaret Krahn of La Crete, Alta., and Heidi, daughter of Mark and Rieda Baer of Fort Vermilion, Alta., were married on August 21, 1999. The wedding took place in Fort Vermilion with Peter Doerksen of Grande Prairie, Alta., officiating. The couple resides in Grande Prairie. SAWATZKY - PLETT: Will, son of Cornie and Renae Sawatzky, and Charissa, daughter of Leo and Betty Plett, all of Blumenort, Man., were

Dave Schellenberg REENACTING A HISTORIC TREK ON SEPTEMBER 111 was one of about 130 people taking part in a trek of wagons and riders commemorating the journey of set tlers to the southeastern part of Manitoba in 1874. The settlers of 125 years ago in cluded the spiritual forebears of the EMC. Organized by the Southeast Draft Horse Club, about two dozen horsedrawn vehi cles — wagons and buggies — took part. They travelled twenty-five miles from the area of the original landing site at the junc tion of the Red cuid Rat rivers (seven miles east of Niverville) to Steinbach, Manitoba, one of the first villages settled 125 years ago. This was a two-day journey. My participation was a last-minute deci sion. I had been apprehensive about the extended journey, but in seeing people off at the landing site, my desire to partici pate took over. The request for accommo dations was no problem: no reservations were needed. A friend had room for me in the back of a covered wagon and away we went. Who would return the car 1 had brought? Fortunately, someone drove it to Niverville. When that first stop went well, 1 decided

PAGE 14

married at the Blumenort EMC on May 1, 1999, with Cliff Loewen officiating. The couple lives in Blumenort.

FENSKE - to Neil and Elfrieda Fenske of Endeavour, Sask., a son, Mathew Jonathan, on July 23, 1999. DUECK - to Jason and Natalie Dueck of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Kai Nolan, on September 3, 1999. NEUFELD - to Peter and Helen Neufeld of Leamington, Ont., a son, Jimmy, on June 24, 1999. FROESE - to John and Greta Froese of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Rebecca, on July 12, 1999. FROESE - to John and Mary Froese of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Skyla Faith, on July 12, 1999.

to complete the first leg of the trip. 1 don’t think anyone pretended we could simulate the trek of 125 years ago. Instead of oxen, we had horses, and covered wag ons instead of ox carts. Rather than largely uncharted terrain, we faced gravel and paved roads. However, we still were riding in slow-moving vehicles drawn by fourfooted animals. After the first day, 1 opted out at New Bothwell, perhaps a bit over the halfway point. By then 1 had gotten a taste of what was experienced 125 years ago. The trek’s second leg proceeded to Chortitz (now Randolph), where a short church service was held, and then on to Mitchell (three miles east of Steinbach) for a lunch break. At Steinbach the party travelled along Main Street to the K.R. Barkman Park at the city’s east end. A welcoming party had been arranged with about 1,000 people gathered for this occa

FRIESEN - to Abe and Tina Friesen of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Laura Grace, on July 14, 1999. DYCK - to David and Tina Dyck of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Andrea Nicole, on August 3, 1999. PETERS - to George and Helen Peters of Leamington, Ont., a daughter, Natasha Kaye, on August 13, 1999. BRAUN - to Isaac and Tina Braun of Wheatley, Ont., a son, Zakerie Laurence, on September 17, 1999. FEHR - to Neil and Trudy Fehr of Leamington, Ont., a son, Samuel, on September 19, 1999. SCHLAMP - to Dave and Karen Schlamp of Grande Prairie, Alta., a daughter, Keisha Marie, on May 10, 1999. DYCK - to Brad and Penny Dyck of Grande Prairie, Alta., a son, Alden John, on August 30, 1999. SCHARFENBERG - to Arlin and Lori Scharfenberg of Rosenort, Man., a son, Robert Kadin, on May 1, 1999.

sion. 1 must thank Harv Klassen, a Draft Horse Club member, and George Schellenberg for making possible my last-minute par ticipation in the trek. Harv supplied the horses, and George accompanied him on the trip. 1 asked George, who is 87, why he went on this trip. He replied, “Mostly because I’d like to see the route my grandparents or great-grandparents travelled. Only this time it is a lot more plush. We’re driving with great big nice horses and rubber-tired wagons, but there is still a feeling of what they went through.” Harv gave this reason, “The Horse Club decided to do this trip some time ago. We are enjoying...the reenactment of that trek. Plus in those days my great-great-grandfather was also a part of the trek, so it is twofold for me.”

George Schellenberg and driver Harv Klassen allowed me to join their wagon on the reenactment of the historic trek. (David Schellenberg)

THE MESSENGER

Gerald Reimer Conference Youth Minister

PRAYER IN SCHOOL? “THE ENERGY and dedication of young people is at the heart of a student-inspired movement which is gaining momentum in British Columbia,” reports David F. Dawes, in a recent article in BC Christian News (September 1999). It started with two students at South Delta Secondary meeting at lunchtime one Thursday in early June 1998. They prayed together, feeling a bit awkward. “It’s a hard thing to do at school,” reports Darian Kovacs. As they told others about it, the prayer time grew each successive Thurs-

day. “A lot of the students thought that they were the only Christians at school. To open up the school to God, and to see what he was doing there, was really inspiring. 1 felt so much more positive about being there.” At Columbine High, the Colorado school which was shattered by mass murder sev eral months ago, a student. Josh Weidman, is organizing a movement called “Revival Generation,” which seeks to establish prayer groups in every high school worldwide. The movement, says Kovacs, who works with Weidman, is “re lying on God’s strength and wisdom.” “Revival Generation is trying to help other teens impact their school campuses with the awesome power of prayer...bringing students together from many different social, denominational and ethnic backgrounds in the name of Jesus Christ,” says Kovacs.

Is this a realistic vision, or is this reality? A common phrase in evangelical circles is Prayer changes things. I struggle with that statement, because if that were true, then we would do a lot more praying. Besides, millions of people across this globe “pray” as part of their religion. The truth is, God changes things. He is the one who needs to be focussed upon. More and more mandatory prayer is being taken out of schools across our nation, but should that alarm us? As parents and leaders, we have an obli gation and a privilege to continue praying, outside of school, to a God who changes lives. As students, you need to take the initiative to have your own prayer times with a God who moves in your lives. Let’s not get caught up in the “political” war, but simply commit ourselves to a spir itual battle as servants of Christ.

.x--- MjEBH

Editor’s note: An ad is free. Unless arrange ments have been made, it can be removed after two insertions. Please include more than one telephone number and contact person, fax number, e-mail, whether the position is full- or part-time, when the application deadline is and duties begin, and a brief description of educa tion and qualities sought.

The E. M. Conference invites applications for the position of General Secretary Responsibilitie.'i include: Overall administration of Board of Missions programs Management/coordination of conference office personnel and facilities Administration of conference finances Coordination of conference events A job description is available upon request. Preference will be given to applicants with experience and/or training in missions, administration and accounting. Duties to commence July 1, 2000 Submit application with resume and cover letter to: Stan Plett, Chairman EMC Search Committee Box 1420, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2 AO Phone: 204-326-6451 ■ Fax: 204-326-6908 E-mail: splett@sbcollege.mb.ca

OCTOBER 8, 1999

Seeking! Seeking! Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC) continues to need a pastor. Part-time salary and housing available currently; posi tion could become full-time. Applicants should be well-grounded spiritually and personally. Other employment is available, depending on training and experience. Contact: Search Com mittee, Box 35, Creighton, SK SOP OAO. Call board member Deb Odegaard at 306-6882996 or Conference Pastor John Koop.

should be creative, organized, and self-moti vated; possess good communication and pres entation skills; be knowledgeable in financial counselling and gift planning; be interested in stewardship education; be a church member in a participating conference; and contribute as part of a team. Deadline: September 24. Send resumes to MFC, 12-1325 Markham Rd., Winnipeg, Man. R3T4J6, Fax: 204-488-1986; E-mail: mfcwpg@mennofoundation.ca.

EMC ministry opportunities in Mexico. A youth worker is needed to work in the Spanish churches. Duties include discipling youth cuid training/mentoring youth leaders. A pastor (for 2 to 3 years) is needed for a new Low German-speeiking church in Oasis, Chihuahua State. Contact Lester Olfert or other missions staff (Henry Klassen, John Koop).

Mitchell Community Fellowship seeks a pas tor on a half-time basis. The congregation, with a Sunday morning attendance of around 100, is covenant-based and is not linked to any denomination. It is located in the growing community of Mitchell, Mcin., three miles west of Steinbach. Experience and a commitment to preaching, teaching and pastoral ministry are essential. Send resumes to Search Com mittee, Box 49, Randolph, MB ROA 1LO. For inquiries please contact committee chair Garry Neufeld at 204-377-4283 (phone) or 204-3269933 (fax).

EMC ministry opportunities in Paraguay. Church ministries workers are needed to follow up contacts, disciple new believers and train for leadership. Church organizational skills are an asset. Involvement would be within rural and urban settings. Contact Lester Olfert or other missions staff (Henry Klassen, John Koop).

Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) invites applications for its position of youth pastor. If interested, please contact the search commit tee: Ron Penner at 250-567-9983 or Lindsay Janzen at 250-567-4905. Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC) seeks a stewardship consultant for the Kitchener, Ontario, office. Responsibilities: office manage ment; assisting with charitable, estate and will planning; general financial counselling and promoting of biblical stewardship. Candidates

Senior pastor position available at the Mount Salem EMC in Aylmer, Ontario. Duties to begin early spring 2000. Contact Arnold Loewen at 519-773-2728 (phone and fax) or David Dyck at 519-765-1409.

Youth for Christ in Carman, Man., is looking for a person to fill the position of Executive Director of a drop-in centre. The successful applicant needs to be excited about the chal lenge of ministering to youth and have a good grasp of dealing with people. For more infor mation, contact Ang Penner (204-745-6186) or Mel Toews (204-745-6062), E-mail: yfchrist@mb.sympatico.ca.

PAGE 15

‘MOTHER BECAME DESPONDENT’

Something Money Can’t ^uy Maria Neufeld

MY PARENTS immigrated to Canada in 1926. My father was an enthusiastic farmer and was able to purchase a fully equipped farm. After a few years the landowner re possessed the farm, leaving Dad with little to start farming again. He rented a farm outside of the German-speaking Mennonite community, so we lived among English-speak ing people. The house was unpainted and dilapidated, with drab, shabby floors, walls and furniture. Ragweed grew up to the door. That first year our main meal often consisted of fried potatoes, homemade bread and skimmed milk. When the cow dried up, we drank prips, a type of coffee made from roasted wheat. For our school lunches we often had lard sandwiches. But no matter how meagre the meal, table grace was always said. My dad often worked for an English neighbour, Mr. Baskerville, to bring in a little cash. It was during that time that Mother gave birth to a stillborn baby girl, and became very despondent.

Father must have told Mrs. Baskerville about her grief, and one day she arrived at our house with a beautiful chocolate cake, the likes of which we children had never seen or tasted. We were poor immigrants, and Mrs. Baskerville was a relatively wealthy woman. 1 didn’t know what to say as 1 took her into the house to see my mother. 1 still remember how embarrassed 1 felt about her seeing our house, but she seemed oblivious to our poverty. But there was one problem: Mrs. Baskerville spoke no German and Mother spoke very little English. 1 tried to translate as they discussed casual matters. When Mrs. Baskerville offered her sympathy and spiritual comfort, translating became more difficult. (1 was only eleven years old.) The women looked for ways to communicate. When Mrs. Baskerville noticed our family Bible, she reached into her handbag and took out her English Bible. By pointing out verses and reading them, each in her own Bible, they had found a means of communication. Mrs. Baskerville could have sent that cake home with my father, but she gave something of herself that money can not buy. She reached out to a poor lonely, grieving human being, my mother, comforted her, and gave her new hope and faith in the God they both believed in. 1 am grateful for the courage and faith our spiritual fore bears had when they immi grated to Canada, where we have freedom to worship God. Let’s not forget our heritage as we continue to benefit from the hard work and answered prayers of our ancestors.

Maria Neufeld is a Messenger reader who lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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