Issuu

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE

CONFERENCE

mES$EncE n J

"w t

* f

.... .* ■ ■■ *1

■

'11

■*'

al FAMINE In Acts chapter six the disciples are faced with a serious problem arising out of a complaint from the Grecians (Greek speaking Jews) against the Heb rews. The charge was serious; their widows were be ing by-passed in the daily ministration. ("Daily pro vision of food" Wuest) This then called for a meeting of the Twelve with the disciples where certain and definite guidelines were established. One was that the Twelve felt it was unthinkable that they should leave the Word of God and distrib ute food. Next came the proposal that seven men be appointed to look after this task. And finally, the Twelve, would give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. But a provision had been made for a physical need. Today stark, frightful, impending disaster or death from lack of food faces millions (See World Hunger" this issue) What is the churches' role here? There is no option. We must help, contribute, share — and pull in our own belts if need be. When Jesus said, "Give ye them to eat" He was talking about physical bread. Acts six teaches sharing. Paul later picks this up when he says, 'Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which also we were forward to do'’ (Gal. 2:10). Mennonites are good contributors when it comes to appeals for food. In a recent "Food for India" drve contributions far exceeded the objective. For this we are grateful. May the Lord help us when appeals come to again rise to the occasion and share of our abundance. And, as is suggested in the article, even make scientific man-power available for study and research. —D.S.

THE SOCIAL GOSPEL The foregoing topic brings us face to face with another concern. "Should the Christian missionary give priority to a feeding and socializing program?" Evidently the Twelve did not think so. They saw that priority lay in prayer and in telling the glad news of salvation. John Wesley said this of the infant church. "In the first church the primary business of apostles, evange lists and bishops was to preach the word of God; the secondary to take a kind of paternal care (the Church then being like a family) for the food, especially for the poor, the strangers, and the widows."

One of our larger Mennonite bodies which recently merged its Missions and Service outreach did so be cause they believe that the Gospel is intended to meet the total needs of man — spiriual, social and material — but that every ministry must give priority to man's spiritual need, his alienation from God and his need tor redemption through Jesus Christ." This we believe is what Scripture teaches. Christ's No. 1 mission was to bring the hope of eternal salvation to lost mankind. This the Old Testament foretells. This the New Testa ment emphasizes over and over. Robert G. Cochrane, British missionary who formerly directed the Christian Medical college in Vellore, Inia, said, "If we give people only Christian ethics without Christ, the result will be Communism." Speaking pointedly to the issue is also J. Nelson Bell who makes this observation. "We are constrained to believe that the church is losing membership and influence because only too often she is ceasing to be tne church: she is becoming instead a political organ ization dedicated to world betterment without refer ence to soul betterment, to political pressures instead of the power of the Holy Spirit, to humanism rather than Christianity itself. What shall it profit if the church shall become in strumental in solving every problem of human rela tionships, every injustice and inequity of society, every material need —■ only to find that men are still es tranged from God and know not His Christ?" To keep the right perspective here is difficult. The secret lies in a balanced program. Often the social need ig met automatically when the spiritual problems are resolved. This was so in he days of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Where social reform in the London slums had failed, he went in with the Gospel and succeded. __ D.S.

contributors: C. Franklin Bishop is ■professor of biology at Goshen College. Wiorld Hunger Reality and Challenge is adapted from a speech given at the MCC annual meeting in Chicago January 19-20. Mrs. Anne Klassen is an ex teacher married and living at Lac du Bonnet, Man.

Morris, Mrs. Henry Kroeker; Prairie Rose, Harold Plett; Pleasant Valley, Mary Reimer.

feporters:

Cover photo; A Mennonite sponsored food for work project in India.

The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor, D. K. Schellenberg. Change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to THE MESSENGER Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. Subscription; Members pay through their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. Authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa and for payment of postage in cash. Printed by Deluxe Printing, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor, are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished letters are not returned except by request.

THE MESSENGER

■

World Hunger Reality and Challeng '>1

By C. Franklin Bishop Professor of Biology Goshen College

gested solution. Still others may be crop and livestock from insects, di Every minute there is a net in amendable at every step of the way seases, drought, etc. (5) Prevent los crease in the world populaion of but lack the will or the wealth to ses to the harvest crop by building about 170 people. It woul be clear follow the therapy. better storage houses to guard athen with a little arithmetic that aMost people agree that direct gifts gainst rats, mice, insects, etc. (6) bout 235,000 more people are a- of money and food are not the an Maintain arable land in a high state round for breakfast every morning. swer to the situation. Instead, it is of productivity by controlling ero To feed the 1960 world population it rather obvious that these nations sion, by using better management required 470,000,000 tons of grain. To and pepole must be equipped to methods. feed the projected 1980 population feed themselves. Government and Since many nations and organi it will require an estimated 770,000,- big business can supply answers zations are already deeply involved 000 tons of grain needed by 1980 is as how and what to do but the mor in the problem of world hunger it approximately the curent output of al question of why to is not ans probably follows that the Mennonite North America and Western Eur wered so simply by such agencies. church will not be able to advance ope combined. The world •food pro Individual pietism holds that God any solutions which have not al duction in 1966 was exactly the same has commanded men able to do so ready been conceived. Nor should as it was in 1965. However, in 1966 to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, we be obsessed with the notion that there were about 65,000,000 more heal the sick and that they do so because an idea is new it necessar mouths to feed. wholly without regard for social and ily guarantees success. Rather, we Today numerous agencies, organ political consequences. will need to evaluate our moral, izations and foundations are throw The solutions to the hunger prob economic and human resources in ing their resources into a battle to lem in India seem to be little dif order to ascertain how best we can prevent starvation. Each group needs ferent than those projected in east help as Mennonites in this gigantic to possess o conviction as to how ern Nigeria in 1960 or 1961. Two task. best to meet the problem of world great elerhentary factors loomed First, we need to engage in a hunger. obviously: too large a population study conference involving our en It seems clear that the technolo and too limited food supply. That tire Mennonite constituency. We gical skills to increase food produc is the situation. The popular solution need to know the social, economic tion in the less developed regions to this comes fairly easy for us as and political patterns which exist is already available. But it is not a we sit here in North America. One and how these might inhibit or en matter of mere technology. Some can hear the answers coming from hance programs designed to allev people don't know that they need . all sides. They seemed to be so iate hunger. At the same time we help. Some realize that they need meek, so easy. Here they are; (1) will need the prophetic voice to keep help but fail to recognize their prob Initiate a vigorous birth control plan. clear the role and position of the lem. Others recognize that they need (2) Put more acres into production. church as it speaks to carry out help and may be aware of their (3) Increase the yield per acre. God's work in this world. problem but will not accept the sug- (4) Prevent losses to the growing Contd. on page 12

March 15, 1968

missions to study. This type of work is not without its problems. Some of the problems arise because of the Catholic teach ing that all evangelical literature must be refused. Some homes have on their doors a sign like this "This home is Catholic. All Protestant propaganda is prohibited." So we find those who strictly forbid their children to study these courses. One By Maria Koop boy took home a lesson and imme diately his mother tore up the les sionaries in turn asked me if I would son and the gospel, strictly forbid The story goes that an officer of like to be in charge of the school. ding the boy to study these lessons. Incidently this boy's language is the communist army in China ap This I was glad to do' proached an evangelical mission In October 1967 I took over this quite obscene. It would do him some ary saying that the missionaries new work and I have been very good to study the Word of God for were using a very stupid method happy in it. Since I started some it is written, “Wherewithal shall a of spreading the gospel by just 85 new students have enrolled in young man cleanse his way? By preaching. This officer claimed that the childrens' courses and 8 in the taking heed thereto according to preaching was only making known adult courses. Many of the students thy Word," Ps. 119:9. One student the Word at that moment when the that enrolled when the Singleterrys a young believer, asked two of her missionary preached. If a printed were here have dropped out but friends if they would be interested page would have been given to the there is a fair number that are con in studying these lessons They showed interest but when the lessons crowd they would have had some tinuing to study. thing that could take effect per To give you an idea what the were taken to the homes their mo haps in a month or a year and lessons are all about I will describe thers forbid them to except them, not only for the moment. He also them briefly. The children's course is only the gospel booklets were kept. claimed that because the communist called "The Way of Life." There are One day I took a set of lessons to a had used the printed page they 39 lessons given free of charge in the Map showing El Paso (Edmar had done more in ten years than childrens' courses. Each lesson has Fasts) and Ahome (Maria Koop). what the missionaries had done in one page to study which is a sim a 100 years. We here in Sinaloa ple study of a scripture portion. On N. M. A El Paso try to remedy this error not just by the back side of this page is a giving out gospel tracts but also by questionnaire for the student to an sending out Bible correspondence swer and send back to me for cor courses. rection. On another page is a pic La Norleoa Almost a year ago Mr. and Mrs. ture to color and a Bible verse to Ben Singleterry were here for sev memorize. This page the person can eral weeks showing gospel films in keep. The course consists of 4 ser the various villages where the mis ies The first series has only 3 les • Ouellen Colony Picacho • sionaries held services. They worked sons based on Luke's gospel. This is San Juan • with the Pan American Literature a simple study of the birth of Christ. • Chihuahua Cuahtemoc • Mission - "Palm" for abreviation. Af The other 3 series have 12 lessons ter the films, which were shown out each based on the gospels of Mark, ’I ‘’I in the open air, application forms John, and the Acts. After finishing for Bible correspondence courses the second series the student gets a were given out to the crowds that certificate, as he also does after had gathered to see the films. These finishing the third and fourth series. Y^home, applications would be sent to the After he finishes all the 39 lessons Palm office. The Singleterrys went he gets a diploma. The New Testa Ci to many places and many signed ment is given to the one who fin up for the courses. By the middle ishes the first three series. of the summer of 1967 the Palm of These lessons are being sent out fice had more work than they could in sets of t_hree with a tract enclosed. handle and so they approached The students study these and send • Durango. one of the missionaries here ask them back for correction and then ... ing if it would be possible to start these are returned with a new set a Bible correspondence school in of three, etc. With the first set of this area and so help take some each series the corresponding' gos of the load off of them. These mis pel is sent with it for the student

Correspondence Course

Ministry

THE MESSENGER

I I

* 1

MEXICO LITERATURE WORK by Edmar Fast To give you an introduction to the people we work with at our lit erature office let me share with you excerpts of a few letters that have come to my desk recently. . .1 thank the Lord lor the ray of light he has sent to my soul through the Word of God and also express my deep appreciation to you lor your help to me in obtaining access to His Word. Pray lor me. Armandina Duran M.'\ (From a student of our Bible corespondence course school. Pray for her salvation.) ". ... I would be so gratelul il you could send me literature. I have been listening to your radio program and I like it. I want to know the way ol Salvation." Ruben Bringas G. (As of to-day we have not received an answer to the letter we sent him. Pray also for his salvaion.) "... I am very gratelul to you lor sending me 'El Mensa jero! Q our monthly gospel paper'). I pray the Lord will use this paper to the win ning ol many souls. I am also pray ing lor your radio program which I hear every Sunday morning. 1 am enclosing postal money ord er to help in the work. The Lord bless you." Miguel Castanedas H. Most of my tme is spent in these three areas of work; Bible corre-

student that had dropped out with out any explanations. I left the les sons with her but within half an hour she was at the door returning them, sobbing that her stepaunt had beaten her for doing them.

spondence courses, radio programs and edit the gospel paper. Aye have about fifty "active" stu dents enrolled in the Bible corre spondence schol. Many of these students send in names of friends who then also do the course. Some start the course but are slow to con tinue. These may become "inactive" students who need our encourage ment to keep them going. This means more letter writing for us. The Spanish radio programs are taped in our office. These are week ly programs of one half hour dura tion. I take this opportunity to clar ify mis-statement that appeared in the Messenger some time ago. It has erroneously been stated in the Mes senger" that I was the main speaker on our Spanish radio program. I do select the songs, make the announce ments and compile the program but, bother C. B. Loewen of Morris gives the Bible talks. This has been so since we started our own program in July 1966. We have received more than forty leters from radio listeners as a re sult of some Christmas offers we made in the month of December. We broadcast two different Spanish programs over three stations at pres ent. El Mensajero,, our Spanish gospel paper, has reached a circulation of over one thousand. Many write tell-

ther student wrote me, "Well I like the student wrote me, "Well I like all the lessons because I have al ways believed in God and I know that what is written is real. Excuse me but words fail me to express myself." Many love these lessons Well, by now you might think and are very punctual in doing that there are only problems in them. volved. There are also blessings to In closing I would like to encour be received. There are those who age you to pray for: love to study these lessons, some 1. Those who are studying these who never come to services. One lessons, boy, ten years old, wrote me this 2. Those who would like to but note "Well, you are very kind to are forbidden to do so, send me these lessons. I like to do 3. That the Word of God might not them very much." A friend of mine be hindered but that it might go who knows this boy tells me that he out into mory more homes.

March 15, 1968

ing us of the blessing this paper has been to them. Quite a few of our correspondence course students learned about the C.C. school through El Mensajero. You see, though there, are three areas to the work, it is all tied into one. Each supplements the other. The Bible courses are announced in El Mensajero. and the radio pro gram. Radio listeners who write in receive the Mensajero. All are of fered one of our Bible correspond ence course. A wonderful combina tion we think. Thankyou for letting us share with you the work. We know you ore praying.

MAGIC EVERY MORNING by Amanda Peters — Germany "Every morning there is mag ic! I go out with an empty pail and a few cents in it, and in a few seconds I come back in with a pail full of milk!" Starryeyed, his mind popping with creative imagination, my 9 year-old son shared this nugget of truth with me this morning. For once I was not too engross ed in the 8 o'clock "you'll-belate-for-school" attitude to catch the significance of what he said. We'd be godless fools to think we are any less dependent on "the magic every morning," than were the thousands of Hebrew families on their trek across the Sinai desert. Just because we stock our shopping carts along the aisles of a super-market instead of pick ing up manna from the desert sand conot disprove the mir acle of the Lord's daily provi sion for us. A wise king once said, "Eve ry morning tell Him, "Thank You for your kindness, "and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness" (Ps. 92:2 Liv ing Psalms and Proverbs).. Praise God for "the magic eve ry morning!"

i I

SEVERE BLIZZARD INFLICTS

My Experience with God

ADDITIONAL HARDSHIPS ON

by Frank Schultz, Landmark

ARAB REFUGEES Akron .Pa. <MCC) — In the Middle East history

repeats itself in a terrible sort of

way. Twenty years ago many Arab refugees spent their first winter in tents, as many are again this winter. To this misery, severe

blizzards, officially recognized as the worst in

have added

years,

their

inflictions

during mid-January. Following several days of constant high

winds up to 80 miles an hour with gusts reaching 100, now fell in Amman, Jordan, and

Jerusalem,

and torrential rain

in the

Jordan River Valley. David N. Kanagy, MCC director in Israel,

wrote from Jerusalem,

"Were snow bound

in the city and the wind is still screaming.

There is no equipment for handling snow thus the streets are completely blocked. Since we have not re-involved ourselves in the clothing distribution on the West Bank since the June War. it will now be more dif

ficult than ever to tell people we have noth

ing." In Amman, Jordan, the thousands of re‘-

ugees living in temporary shelters suffered

the most severely. Tents and other temporary shelters gave away under the weight of ac cumulated snow. Naturally the temperature in the Jordan Valley was higher, but the

thin tents of the refugees living in the "tent cities" were no match for rain and wind. More than 350 tents either collapsed or were

demolished. Voluntary

relief agencies in Amman co

operated with the Jordanian Department of Social Welfare in every way possible to meet at least the essential needs during the emergency. During daylight hours, through

out

the storm and

immediately following,

blankets, warm clothing, flour and bread were distributed.

I want to shore with you some of the thoughts that came to me when the Lord laid me aside some months ago. Though our intentions were good, when we left for Riverton that day to pay our friends a visit, the Lord sometimes leads differently. When a person is well he does not think that the next day might be different. This was our experience. When my wife told me that I had had a stroke, it didn't register in my mind. 1 thought I was half asleep and when I would awake things would be different. But when I realized that I was paralyzed a fear gripped me. The first person I saw was Brother A. C. Penner, sitting in a wheel chair. Then the battle began. I said, "Lord, have I been walking where I should'nt have walked? Why are you doing this to me? You can't put me in a wheel chair! I have work to do. I have to work to pay my house. I have a family to provide for. I am too young to be idle. I don't want to be in bed or a crippled and be a bother to other people or to be helped by them." And within I was so impatient I hardly knew what to do. I was somewhat bitter towards God that He had put me in the state I found myelf in. I can't express in words what this was like, i was so tense I shook all over. All this was while on the way to the Ste Anne hospital lying in the back seat. After they had put me to bed and I realized I was hepless and had to be handled like a child, I said, "Lord, here you have me in /our hands." This was the hardest thing to do. To say, "Mould me and make me after your will as long as your will be done." I had to ask Him to forgive me that I had tried to tell Him what to do. I was now ready to be in a wheel chair, bed or crippled. I had found ou: that I must give myself fully to Him. I am very thankful that about an hour later my strength began to copie back little by little. I wonder what would have happened if I had continued to be bitter and fighting against the Lord. Would my prayers have been answered? I can only say, "Praise the Lord" for His wonderful leading and giving me help to overcome the bitter ness I had had. With Psalm 121 I say, "I will lilt up mine eyes unto the hills horn whence cometh my help. My help cometh irom the Lord which made heaven and earth." I was thankful that I did not have the fear of death. I felt the nearness of the Lord, but I was not willing to leave ths wife apd fami 1Y behind. This is the Lord's leading.

S.B.I. MISSIONARY CONFERENCE

MARCH 27-29

All sessions will be held in the S.B.I. Auditoriuiri Main Speaker: REV. HENRY DURKSEN (plus others) "DISPLAYS "SPECIAL REPORTS "SLIDES "MESSAGES "GROUP SINGING

Lodging free. Meals at school prices (make reservations beforehand)

GRADUATION

March 3L at 2:30 and 7:00 o’clock. E. M. Church Steinbach 6

THE MESSENGER

MGC Service Openings Winnipeg — MCC (Canada) will have service units and work camps in 14 settings from Ontario to Alber ta this summer. Most of the avail able positions will have earning pos sibilities. Eight of the units will be connect ed with camping programs for hand by Sid Koop icapped as well as normal chidren and young people. Three units will be assigned to The negative had their points, too. hospitals and sonitoriums, and the On Thursday, February 15, we had a very exciting evening at the They brought out that our young other three will be connected with Prairie Rose E.M.C. Church. It was by-gone floor-scrubbing and and a coffee house, study-work camp, Young People's night and the spe wood-chopping. In other words they and community recreation. cialty for the evening was a debate should be doing something useful. The following are a few samples between the Pr. Rose young peo It is good that our church does not from each of the four provinces in ple and the Steinbach Bible Insti accept the modern trend of rock-'nwhich units are located: tute. The topic for the debate was: roll in the church. They also said Alberta — Ward aides and dothat many of our people are realiz"Be it Resolved that it is Uniortunate that our Church is Behind ing their inadequacy and are attend- mestic help are needed by the Ba• ker Memorial Sanitoruim, Calgary, Calgary. Times." The debaters from the af- ing high schools and universities. For “Scal“7rainrng our"’chur?h Salary: $220-230 per month, firmative side were Wayne Pen ner, Menno Plett and Ken Penner. even has its own Bible School, the Saskatchewan — At Camp Easter ~ counsellors-in-trainS,B,I, Reference was also made ■-->to Seal, S---- Watrous, ,.------- -----------Those on the negative side from the om-'’churcEs“mission out-reach^ its ing (approx. $3 per camp day), our ( S.B.I., were Mary Kroeker, Ron Frie two bi-weekly publications. The Mes- nurses ($100 per week), and kitchsen and Allan Friesen. Len Barkman Familienbeund en staff (approx. $7 per camp day), was chairman. Supporters for both senger and the 1 - ----------------- are needed. which have had a fair increase sides were well represented. The Manitoba — Opportunities for emin circulation since they started. debaters had their material on tab After the last rebuttles were made ployment and community leaderwith special note made of the neg the judges. Rev. A. P. Unger, Mr. ship are available in Thompson, shjp ative side who found it rather dif Edwin Plett and Mrs. Dan GiesGillam, and Churchill, in northern ficult to stop once they had started brecht withdrew to make their de- Manitoba. to present their information. .1 Other openings in cision In this time a- number of1 . Manitoba are A good variety of ideas were questioii*s were fired at the debat- available at the Manitoba Sanitorbrought out which kept the debate ers. mostly at the affirmative, ask- ium in Ninette, Winnipeg Municilively and interesting. The affirma crs, tive began with sports. Because ing them to explain some of the pal .Hospitals, and a study-work at the International Peace sports is a good means of witness 'bold' statements they had mode, camp Garden. ing to others including controlling The negatives won the debate by a Ontario — The five camps operattemper and playing clean our score of 172 to 170. A singing group from the S.B.I. ed by the Ontario Society for Cripchurch is behind in not supporting it. Then came language . . . our and a musical group from Pr. Rose pled Children are looking for male German is keeping those who can favoured us with a few special num- activity leaders and senior counsellors ©Hors (salaries range from ($124 not understand it from attending bers before and after, the debate. After the program we went down to $175 per month) and female counour churches. The point on educa tion was also brought in. In order into the basement for coffee and a sellers, cooks, kitchen helpers, and to win University students we must bite to eat where different interests a laundress (salaries range from meet them at their level, not a were discussed and particularly $75 to $175). A brochure describing each of few brackets below them. This means the debate. Although it was fairly late, but I these units in detail is available our church leaders need more than just High School training, they must must agree it was a very inspiring from MCC (Canada), 607-259 Porand enjoyable evening. tage Avenue, Winnipeg 2, Manitoba. have degrees in University.

Young People Hold Debate On Church

March 15, 1968

The boy who escaped

"No," said the boy, "that's impos sible. I have had expensive leaves from the medicine man, and no thing does any good." Bandu had already returned with the water, and he turned to look By Rita Couldridge for Matu and the firewood. "Hi! Matu," he called, "What are through without fear. They found an FROM FOES TO FRIENDS old man roasting nuts at the fire you doing? Be quick with the sticks!" "Ooh! Bandu!" shouted Matu. behind his house. Though Nkumu After a long trek through the for "There is a boy here, with a sore spoke to him, the man gave no an est the party decided to halt for the leg." swer but stared with open-mouthed night. The way had been rough and The missionary and some of the surprise at the stranger white man. difficult and in many places the The travellers were very glad carriers come over, and the men dense jungle growth had to be cut when about five o'clock they reach carried the boy back to the tree. away in order to find the hidden Whilst Bandu made the fire, the ed another village. The people were pathway. They were far away from startled to see strangers advancing white man got out bandages and any village, so the men made a upon them and rushed to their hous ointment, and Matu helped to wash small clearing and Matu and Bandu es for spears, but when when they the sores and tie the cool soothing unfolded the missionary’s camp-bed saw the missionary with his white dressing securely over the ulcer. and arranged the mosquito net be The boy chatted happily with the skin, they fled screaming to hide tween the trees. strangers. in the forest. The next day began badly. The "I will call my people back aNkumu and some of the men men were tired, they had not been shouted to them, trying to explain gain," he said, "and the white man able to sleep for the mosquitos, and that all they desired was a place must’ sleep in my father's house." they grumbled as they went along He dragged himself over to a in which to sleep. The missionary the road. sat down to rest beneath the large drum and thumped out a message They were soon out of the forest mongo tree in the centre of the vil to his friends. The villagers were and when they had crossed a short not far away and, as they were all lage. plain they came to a village There "Look!" said Matu. "Here is some very curious about the new-comers, was no one about and they passed it was not long before they came firewood from the village people." "No," said the white man. "Per back and sat in a group beside the haps you can find some twigs be strangers. Then the missionary began to neath the trees. Matu, you go and see, and Bandu, find some water talk to them and they listened po and make some tea as soon as ever litely to his Gospel message. It was dork when he had finished speak you can." Bandu and Matu ran away to do ing, but Bandu prodded the fire the white man's bidding; the other into a blaze, and in the flickering men were resting, and all was quiet. light they began to unpack some Matu went into a small banana of the boxes. "'Where is the white man to stay?" plantation and almost fell over a boy about his own age who lying asked Nkumu. "In my house!'' cried the boy with flat in the grass watching the stran the bandaged leg. gers in the centre of the village. By the the time that sleeping"What are you doing?" asked Matu. "Why didn't you run away quarters had been arranged for everyone and the women had pre with your people?" "I can't run," said the boy. "I pared an evening meal, it was quite late, and the missionary said good have a sore leg." He pushed the grass aside and night to his friends and went in to showed Matu a large ulcer on his rest. Outside the house people gath skin. "Are you going to kill me, now ered to hear again how the white that you have found me?" he asked. man had washed the boy's leg, and "No," answered Matu. "The white the clean bandage was much ad '7^^. man is kind and we have medicine mired and handled until it became > in one of our boxes. Perhaps he almost as black as the leg. "My baby has a fever," said one will give you something which will woman. "'I wish I could have white He dragged himself over to a drum make your leg better." 8

THE MESSENGER

man’s medicine." "Why don't you ask?" said the boy. "No, not now,' said Bandu quickly. "The white man is tired and we cannot disturb him. To-morrow, be fore we leave your village, he will give quinine to your child." Nkumu looked at the baby. "To-morrow will be too late," he said. "Perhaps the white man will show kindness, and give you medi cine now." After much deliberation, Nkumu rattled the mat which served as a door to'the missionary's hut. "There is a woman with a very sick baby," he said. The white man came out imme diately, and after examining the child he gave some medicine and told the woman to take it indoors out of the cool night air. In the morning the baby was quite well again, but the white man gave some quinine to the mother, telling her to give it to the child at night. Then the villagers crowded round whilst the man dressed the boy's ulcer, and everybody listened to the instructions he explained how to use the ointments and bandages which he left behind.. The baby's mother was very grateful and brought a gift of a chicken to the white man. The Chief commanded six of his men to lead the travellers by a short cut across the plain and to accompany them three days' jour ney. This was a great help, for the men were familiar with the paths and were also known to the villag ers whom they met on the way. so that the white man had no dif ficulty finding a place wherein to sleep. "We must go back now,' said the six men at the end of the three days. "But if you follow this path, you will arrive at Tungwa before sun set." "Tungwa!" said Matu to himself. "Oh, dear! That is where I deceived the people. They will remember me and kill me. I am afraid to go." When they stopped to eat at mid day, Matu was very unhappy. "I have a fever he said. "Oh, dear!" said Bandu. "You must not be ill in the middle of the forest. I'll ask for some medicine

March 15, 1968

throu^ the forest and we wish to for you. His temperature was normal, but spend the night in your village. Can the missionary gave him an aspirin you let us have a house for the and tried to reassure him. white man who accompanies us?" "Do not fear, Matu. You have The Chief was amazed. grown tall since you came to Vula "Have you really brought a and the people here will not re white man?" he asked. "We have cognize you now There is no need heard about him from Mondoko, for them to know anything about one of our men who once travelled you. We will make inquiries about as far as the Great River, but we did your own village, and that is all." not believe all his stories. He is The men of the village came out away at his garden, but he will be in a group and Nkumu greeted the back before dark." Chief. "We are making a journey To be contd.

FROM IQ

HOUSE

TO YO

HOUSE

BLIZZARD BRINGS BLESSINGS

by Mrs. Anne Klassen

Helpless in the Face of the Elements February 16 1968, will remain in delible in our minds for some time: Brrr— what a cold morning it was! Our watches soon revealed the rea son—• no hydro! And outside a whopper of a blizzard was raging. The Great Monster of the North was really roaring around the house, blowing up heaps of snow. Our first concern, of course, was the question of heat. Ouickly our marl of the house built a fire in the fireplace. In a matter of minutes the roarng flames sent forth warmth into the living room. No porridge this morning. However, I did man age to get water boilng above the hot fjames for coffee and warm milk for cereal. The children were quite thrilled over the idea of eating at a small table close to the fireplace. Once again we realized how ut terly dependent we are on our pre cious electrical power. As I began calculating on my day's work, I was forced to cancel practically everything: no laundery work, no sewing, no baking and no listening to the radio.

Finally I burst forth: "What am 1 going to do today?" "Nothing" came the emphatic response from friend and hubby, who, too could not go to work, "just relax today" And relax we did. We had a won derful day, spent in reading to each other, playing with the small fry and counting our many blessings. The children certainly thought it to be a picnic with so much romping around. Intermittontly hands were warmed at the cozy fire, but none was the worse after this "chilly" spell. Just when 1 had actually cooked soup in the fireplace for lunch —bingo the lights blazed on and the wel come buzzing of the furnace was heard, indicating that we, together with all our good neighbours, were again connected with that wonder ful thing, called electricity! How well we can apply this epi sode to our spiritual life. Truly, we are completely dependent on God's life giving power in our daily lives. Where would we be if He should withdraw His Hand for a moment. It is pure grace and grace alone that we live, breathe and have a sound mind and body. Moreover, just like we have to connect our lines to the electrical lines for power and sustainence, so must we keep our hearts and minds tuned and channeled to God. We are the branches to the True Vine, who supplies the required nourish ment. Moy we at all times so live that our hearts' channd!s might be open to the Voice of the Master for He said "Without Me ye can do nothing." 9

with the churches WEEKES A group of young people motored to Nipiwin on Feb. 24th, to take in a "Youth Retreat" at the Bible School there. It is -115 miles from here to Nipawin and it was necessary to go in four cars. May the chal lenges received, be put to work, is our pray er. Simone Nelson, who is in nurses train ing in Saskatoon was home for the week end Feb. 25th. Our February Inter-church Youth Night was held at Porcupine Plains. A group from Weldon brought a program in song, brass band music, and message. Our monthly Sunday Night cottage meeting was held in the Alfred Salmond home, March 3rd, with a good atendance. Here it is our aim to get out those who shy away from church, but will attend in a home. Our sympathies go out to the Bruce Siflons who's 19 year old nephew was instant ly killed in a car accident.

PRAIRIE ROSE Collage Meetings Our Education Committee have done their level best to arouse a common interest among our members (young and old) in having weekly cottage meetings with a pur pose and goal. Five groups were formed with the names of families and young people-to-gether with neighbors actually listed on paper. Each group was to elect two leaders one was to be chosen from the older participants, and one from the young people attending. An out line of the of the stories on I and II. Thess. was also given to each one to guide discussions and questions in a more uniform, interesting and profitable way. We are exceedingly happy for those who are taking time out every Wednesday eve ning and studying God's Word with the "brethren" in the various homes that might otherwise never be visited, and that togeth er with the young people. A good number (about 44) of S.S. teach ers and prospects are attending Christian Doctrine classes with Rev. A. P. Unger as the able teacher. Two different times are offered for the classes in order to accomodate as many as possible. Every Tuesday night we see about 22 students braving the winter weather (if it isn't too severe) and attending these studies at the church. The other class is Sunday morning during S.S. This class out-

grew it's classroom facilities, and so all those above a certain age were channeled into the Christian Doctrine class, together with other's interested. Word has it that they are finding t to be a profitable, solid yet enjoyable class.

PLEASANT VALLEY ceting to know more about our mission aries, how they live and what their activites are out in their field, can be of real nterest and value. We, at Pleasant Valley, had this opportunity on Feb. 18, when. Miss Mary Koop, brought a report, and showed a number of slides on her work in

Japan. Jake and Doris Reimer, have temporarily taken up residence in Flin Flon, Man. Jake is doing carpentry, and they are also as sisting the Geo. Brauns in ther work in the Northern Fellowship Chapel, in whatever way they can, A vivid and informative report and some of the mission work being done in British Honduras, was brought by Brother and Sister Jake Martens, on Feb. 25. Thank-you, for coming and may the Lord continue to bless you. Br. Ernie Loewen, returned from abroad on Feb. 28. His trip included large parts of

Europe and Asia. Friday, Mar. 1st, the Andrew Friesens left for Jvlafeking and surrounding areas. Br. Friesen, will be assisting in the exten sion work, in house visitations, Bible studies and services, when and where the occasion may arise. Throughout the winter months, weekly Bible studies and house visitations have been continued in Roland and Columbine. On Feb. 25, Roland was privileged to hear the S.B.I. group, the Trebleaires, in the Roland Community Hall.

MORRIS We are happy to see David Siemens restored to better health and able to par ticipate in baptismal services on March 3. David has had surgery and been ill for some weeks. Our prayers go with our pastor and his wife, the. C. B. Loewens and baby Laurie as they leave for service in the Mexico misson. We shall prayerfuly await their re turn in April. Let us also remember the fa

mily that remains behind, and H. B. Remples, as he assumes leadership in church. Received into membership officailly, by transfer, were Mr. and Mrs. Klaus Peters, on Feb. 24. We have already enjoyed their fellowship for the past two years. The young peoples, under the leadership of Betty Warkentine, enjoyed film night on Fri. Feb. 22. "The Family who Prayed" was highly prais ed. Another film "Daniel" was presented to our Sunday Schoolers after a tobogganning outing in ebruary. Choir electons again returned Lome and Lorraine Loewen to the position of director and pianist. They have been very faithful in this work for several years. Special Missions Night The Ladies Fellowship had a special night in which missions was stressed. Mary Koop reported with slides of the work in Japan, and particularly illustrated the hard role of the Japanese young girls as they mature, and their Ife is planned lor them, even to the choosing of a husband. Helen Wiebe from Child Evangelism presented Good News Clubs and their functions, which was very informative. The program also contained a ladies trio and a special number from tl^e Bergthaler ladies group who had been especally invited. Mrs. Arlene Loewen chaired the meeting. A time of fellowship and lunch followed.

A TIME FOR FAITH This is a quiet time of year With days all clothed in gray, When barren trees climb somber hills, And spring seems far away.

But we know well the time will come When birds will sing again; When lilac buds will bloom and grass Will follow April rain. There is a time, perhaps, when God Seems strangely far from view; When sadness and discouragement Shade all the things we do.

Then is the time we must have faith In His all-knowing plan; For spring shall follow winter. Both for nature and for man. —Author Unknown.

"The greatest privilege this side of heaven is to lead a soul to Jesus Christ. —E>on Shidler THE MESSENGER

BAPTISMAL SERVICE AT MORRIS EMC

Front row: Alvina Siemens, Elma Klassen Anne Loewen, back row: Donald Heinrichs, Lome Siemens, David Siemens.

The Lord granted an increase to our congregation when six candi dates were baptized on Sunday morning March 3, 1968. Alvin Remple challenged the congregation in the opening introduction with the im portance of Christians being key for

the unsaved ones door to salvation; even as Christ is the key, the en trance, to the victorous life, for the Christian. Pastor C. B. Loewen then stressed the importance of baptism, and our obligation to our baptismal vows, as we identify ourselves with Christ. Ours is not to question "Why bap tism?" but to obey in loving sub mission, because this is the will of our Master. Those baptized were Alvina Siem ens, Elma Klassen, Anne Loewen, Donald Heinrichs, Lome Siemens and David Siemens. Rev. Loewen officiated at the baptismal ceremony and in welcoming them into our fel lowship. The choir, very fittingly sang "Surely Goodness and Mercy." Holy Communion was observed in the afternoon, after a time of con fession and testimony. We are grate ful for the blessings we have been showered with. It is certainly true, that he draws nigh unto us when we draw nigh unto Him!

New Church Winnipeg has a brand new EMC church. With the opening of the Braeside Evangelical Mennonite church, Munroe and Luellda there are three EMC churches in Winnipeg. The other two are Crestview Fellowship and Aberdeen EM churches. The new church in East Kildonan is a replacement of the Aberdeen church, which was partially destroyed by fire last summer. Never theless it has been remodelled and rebuilt and will again soon be in full use.

Pastor of the Braeside church is Rev. C. R. Plett who was formerly also at the Aberdeen church. We rejoice with this Winnipeg congregation who have worked hard at building a new church and rebuilding an old one that it is now possible to use both, (The old one only partially as yet).

Official dedication services for the new church are to be held later

March 15, 1968

NEWS BRIEFS MR. AND MRS. DEL DUECK, Steinbach hove left for further studies at Grace Bible Inst. Brother Dueck was active in Youth and choir at the Steinbd^ch EM church. ARNOLD FAST has been elected for another three year term as pastor of the Steinbach E.M. church. The Fasts came to Steinbach from Wymark Sask, three years ago. JAC p. DUECK, Steinbach, is back from his trip to Abbotsford B. C. where he went for the funeral of his broth er-in-law, H. J. Reimer, also a for mer Steinbach resident. REV. H. p. DYCK, MacGregor has handed in his resignation to that church effective this summer. Br. Dyck's plans are to continue his stu dies. REV. ABE GiESBRECHT and Mrs. Giesbrecht hove become members in the Rigewood E.M. church. They are employed at the S.B.I. They came to Steinbach from Pelly last fall where they were serving the Pelly Fellowship chapel. LEVI scHELLENBURG, Kleefeld, ^(deocon) is the new board cbniimon of the Resthaven Nursing Home, Stein bach, Man. Rev. JOHN HARMS, Kola, has been invited to temporailly serve at the Wowota Gospel Fellowship at Wawota, Sask. 'This group consists of some 10-12 families three of them being of Mennonite background. Wowota is approximately 30 miles west of Kola. Rev. HENRY TOEWS, Stenbach, has left for Mexico to help the Henry Friesens in their outreach and fol low-up among Mennonites. Lester olferts, Edinburg Texas came^for the funeral of Mrs. Olfert's brother, a 19 year old youth, killed in a car accident.

Births To Leo and Leona Thiessen of Virden, Craig Lindsay, Oct. 31, 1967. ? To Ernest and Emily Koop of Kola, Suzanne Mahre, Dec. 5, 1967. To Mr. and Mrs. Wes Schapansky on Oct. 31 a son Maurice Ward. To Mr. and Mrs Dave Sawatsky (Portage) a daughter Deborah Susan on January 25.

'rs at the local level .iidia, Nigeria, Haiti or .. They would look to specfor help with new or unusual problems and also for a constant supply of information which spec ialists would prepare for the use of workers. The activity of these lo cal workers would be coordinated. At this crucial point in history a number of things are happening which can have a significant in fluence upon the role of the Mennonite Church in world missions and O' new input of spiritual power loc ally. One of these factors is the re ality of world hunger A second fact or is the willingness on the part of our numerous conferences of Mennonites to cooperate with one anoth er. Third, a growing discontent and restlessness on the part of our young people with respect to certain val-

HUNGER Contd.■

Second we are desperately in need of a clear assessment of our present and future human resourc es. Towards this end I would pro pose a complete census of the Men nonite constituency. The purpose would be to locate our specialized and scientific personnel, male and female, between the ages of 18 and 60, and to have pertinent data on each person on data precessing cards. Obviously this data would need to be kept up to date on a yearly basis. Here is how such data could be used. For instance, a need for three home economists in Bihar, India, arises. These we say should be fe male between the ages of 28 and 35 with a Master's Degree and three years of hospital experience. Data processing would provide the cards of all those of our Mennonite con stituency who fit these requirements These persons could then be con tacted and their availability for this specific task be determined. Let me speak personally. One reason I have responded to calls from the commission on Peace and Social Concerns and another time a call from the Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities and still another from Goshen College was because in every case I simply was asked. I was made to feel that I was needed for a particular task. And I looked upon this as God speaking to me, asking me and con fronting me with this challenge. I wonder if more people woudn't re spond when asked personally? Third, we are in need of an organ izational structure not unlike the ag ricultural extension service. To this end I would visualize a core' of specialists in agricultural produc tion and marketing, plus specialists in community development, home economics, health, family planning as well as youth activities much like our 4-H, FFA or FHA. In turn, there would need to be a core of ex12

ues placed upon security, exped iency and neutrality which charact erizes the older generation. Fourth the concept of on academic term of service abroad, involving a large number of our young people in the life and experiences of people living in the less developed countries. And fifth, en ever-growing number of ou.' constituency who are equipped with a great variety of skills and abilit ies. We have people skilled and able in a measure we have never had before. I feel all of these fact ors are coming together to make the Mennonite church a great church. In the last 30 years of this twen tieth century I believe that the church has the opportunity to be the scattered church as it has never before thought possible.

Consultation On Hunger and Population Scheduled The prospects of worldwide fam ine — not just hunger — sound so unbelievable that few people of the West can grasp the terrible facts which continue to mount. Famine will come, only the date is uncertain. Some experts, including agrono mists, feel they can hold off world famine for another 10 years. The United States is reported to have given 1970 as the crucial year. Pop ulation growth, particularly in those hungry countries like India which cannot curb its exploding popula tion, is, of course, responsible for most of this crisis. What, if anything, can North American Mennonites, with their her itage of the soil and compassion for tfie needy, do about this specter of world famine? Representatives from various Mennonite organizatiins are meeting May 24 and 25 in Chicago, hopefully to find some answers to that question. The Council of Men nonite Colleges, the Council of Mis sion Board Secretaries and the Men nonite Central Committee are spon soring a consultation on "World Hunger and Population Pressures," Latin America as a Case Study. Sponsoring agencies will be respon sible for extending invitations to per sons of their constituency.

The two-day program calls for the following presentations; "Agri cultural Factors Affecting Hunger," by C. Franklin Bishop, professor of biology, Goshen College; "Programs for Agricultural Development in La tin America," by Benton Rhoades, Agricultural Missions Incorporated; "Economic Factors Affecting Hung er," by Carl Kreider, dean, Goshen College; "Programs for Develop ment in Latin America," by Melvin Blase, department of agricultural economics, University of Missouri; "Revolution, Hunger and the Church," by R. Herbert Minich, as sociate professor of sociology, Go shen College; "Population Pressures in Latin America — The Current Situation and Trends," by J. Winfeld Fretz, president, Conrad Grebel Col"Approaches to Family Planning in Latin America," by T. G. Hiebert, M.D., University of Chicago; and "Strategy for Responding to the Prob lems of Food and Population i,n Latin America," a panel discussion by Henry Weaver, Jr., James Kratz and Edgar Stoesz. The final session of the consultation will be a report of the findings committee followed by discussion. Tentative plans call for the presen tations to be printed in booklet form following the consultation.

THE MESSENGER s