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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE
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WORDS AND DEEDS The sad part about the present day church is that it is so far removed from the world where people live and work and fight their battles. I was again forcibly reminded of this the other Sunday morning in church as we sat rigidly row on row of Chris tians singing "0 Seele ich bitte dich komm”. This exactly typifies our philosophy. We can emphatically and with great gusto make (sing) statements when safely ensconced in our pews on Sunday but become strangely dumb when faced with real life situations. Nor do we respond in any great numbers when the church seeks to train us to do per sonal work. And so all that remains is that we at least have once more given lip service to the Great Commission (Acts. 1:8;.
FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY Hudson Taylor had gone to China in 1854. For reasons of ill health he found himself back in England some six years later. During this time he sought vainly to interest more people for China, almost without avail. Sitting in a church service one Sunday morning and look ing around and seeing pew upon pew of prosperous beard ed merchants, shopkeepers, wives in bonnets and crino lines, he was sickened. He seized his hat and left. “Unable to bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people iejoicing in their own security while mil lions were perishing for lack of knowledge, I wandered out on the sands alone, in great spiritual agony." Here on the sands of Brighton beach he came face to face with one of his greatest challenges, to commit the whole thing to God, to stop carrying the burden himself. He suddenly saw that, “If we are obeying the Lord, the responsibility rests with Him not with us!” He surrendered his burden to the Lord. He took his Bible from under his arm and wrote on the flyleaf: “Prayed for twenty-four wil ling skilful labourers at Brighton June 25,1865.”
He had no idea how God would give him the workers or the means to evangelize inland China. But he had not the slightest doubt that He would. And God did. On the London docks on May 26, 1866 fifteen people were getting ready to embark for China, eight were already in China and one more was to go, making the 24 prayed for a year ago. D.S.
DEATH IN THE SNOW The first power toboggan death of the season in Manito ba occurred just south of Winnipeg at Isle Des Chenes on November 23. This new toy which claimed the deaths of five Manito bans and some 93 Canadians last season, Ls fast becoming a pastime we can hardly ignore. Unlike the automobile, although also causing many deaths, but is nevertheless an accepted means of transpor tations, the snowmobile is mostly a plaything of the rich. The machine becomes doubly lethal because as soon as a child can look over the windshield he may become an operator. Last winter at a young people's outing, one youngster could have decapitated himself had not the barb-wire fence he went through given way. In addition to the hazard element must be added the ini tial cost of the vehicle. Although in relation to the other it may be a minor factor, yet on the other hand in a time of strained church budgets it does become a significant item. May the Lord give much wisdom as to what play things we can afford. A news commentator made a very interesting statement concerning the world's warring factions who came to Charles De Gaul's funeral when he remarked that “enmity was put aside”. Present had been both North Vietnamese and South Vietnamese, Israeli and Arab, enemy and friend. All were drawn by a common bond, but a man had to die in order to accomplish this. The story would be different if these enemies had also been reconciled but they weren't. The wars, both cold and hot go on. People continue to die violently. How different is the death of Christ which broke down the middle wall of partition and brought peace “For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us”. Ephesians 2:14. D.S. WHERE CHRIST DIED “i am recovering the claim that Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral between two candles, but on a cross between two thieves: on the town garbage-heap; at a crossroad so cosmopolitan that they had to write His title in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek (or shall we say in English, in Bantu and in Afrikaans?): at the kind of place where cynics talk smut, and thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. Because that is where He died. And that is what He died about. And that is where churchmen should be and what churchmanship should be about.” George McLeod CONTRIBUTORS: David Augsburger fp. 3) is speaker on the Mennonite Hour. "Witness is Withness" is used by permission of Mennonite Broad casts Inc., Box 472, Harrisonburg, ka. Peter Dueck Ip. 7! is MCC director in Appalachia. Anne Klassen Ip. 9) is the wife of Dan Klassen, Portage la Prairie, Man.
The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire. In form as to what is going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. AU correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg, 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. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. THE MESSENGER. Published every other week by Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mail, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address.
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THE MESSENGER
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WITNESS IS WITHNESS by David Augsburger
Behold a missionary went forth with a mission. Unto an uttermost portion of the earth he traveled, and ensconced him self in a proper western compound. Then took he stock of the situation. “How shall I communicate my good ness unto these children of dark ness?” he asked. “This I will do,” he said, “I shall ad vertize my presence with posters. Yea, I shall issue an invitation. “Come ye to hear my wonderful words of life, yea, every Sabbath morn at the hour of eleven.” And it was done. And when the ap pointed hour arrived went he unto the announced place with great expecta tions. And lo, few people were gathered together. Deflated but not dismayed, he open ed his mouth and spoke unto them from his wealth of wisdom in his own tongue. But they knew not his language. And when he preceived that they understood him not, he spoke straightly unto them. "Learn ye English,” he exhorted, “That ye may receive my truth.” And they heard him not. Then went he discouraged unto his own house. "God, how hard their hearts, how slow to listen,” said he, “and I was wont to cast my pearls before such swine. Now behold lest they turn again and rend me.” And behold—they did. December 4,1970
If you had a message to communi cate... a message that mattered to you like life itself, a message you wanted another to hear not just with the ear, but also with the heart... How would you say it? What if the message were: “I love you.” How could you say those same old three words so that your meaning would be experienced by the other person. (That’s what communication is, you know, a “meeting of meaning.”) “I love you” has been said in so many ways...
Solomon said it: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Sol. 2:16). Shakespeare penned it: “Love is not love, which alters when it alteration finds.” Elizabeth Browning, “How do I love thee, let me count the ways.” Beethoven sang it: “I love thee but as thou dost me...” All of them were trying to communi cate more than words. They were communicating love. Nothing less. Love. Now, what if the message you want ed to communicate was—“God loves you.” How would you do it? With words? With words alone? It takes much, much more than a snatch of poetry, a phrase of music. Are words enough? To communicate by words alone is impossible. Even when it’s in print. And when two persons speak together, far more is heard than words. In fact, the actual words a person speaks have far less effect on another than the tone of voice and the facial expression with which they are said. And more important than what is said is how they affect the hearer—does he feel liked or disliked. Communications researcher Albert Mehrabian has explored this mystery of communication in an attempt to un ravel its tangled secrets. He suggests (Next page, please) 1
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the following formula expresses the our speech and our life—we are what “So the word of God became a hum an being and lived among us. We saw accurate proportion between words we say, and what we say we truly are. There dare be no distance between his splendour (the splendour as of a and the other parts of speech: 7 per cent-words alone, 38 percent—tone our words and our deeds. Jesus show- father’s only son), full of grace and and inflection, 55 percent—facial ex ed us that. “Jesus of Nazareth...mighty truth (John 1:14, Phillips).” in word and deed.” No division possi- God with us. That’s withness. pression, posture, and gestures. The percentages hardly need il ble there. He truly stood with men in He spent 30 years of silent withness. lustration. their tragedies and troubles. He was Thirty years of listening. Thirty years If one says, “I love you,” the feeling with. His witness to the Father was of suffering. Thirty years of standing should be clear; but a more important withness. Withness with both God and alongside men and shoving a shoulder thing is the tone of voice, the empha man. under their overload so they could He spoke little of love—until bidding breathe again, sis, the openness of face, the honesty of gesture. disciples farewell before the cross. But Thirty years of withness to earn the That is why it matters supremely He was love and spoke in love in all privilege of witness to the truth, what you are, and only secondarily that He did—from the first recorded Three years of witness, words to His final prayer on Calvary. And much-much of that was done what you say. When He stood alongside a fellow without words. No words can match ■‘Man is a multi-sensorial being, oc casionally he verbalizes,” observes sufferer—leper or adulteress—they seven jugs of new wine. Bread for five felt the possibility of forgiveness. thousand hungry men. Sight for the Ray BirdWhistell, a student of how He offered them the possibility of blind. Feeling for the numb leper. Fish people get through to each other. The real language is behavior. Touches. forgiveness—and they reached out for for despairing fishermen. Forgiveness tone of voice, facial expressions, rate it in confession. (That's how it always for the guilty adulteress. Acceptance of speech, distance from each other, is, you know. No man ever voluntarily for the outcast prostitute or taxman. confesses until he senses the possibil- And His greatest message of love relaxation or tenseness in posture. was not said in words but in drops of Now back to that second message: ity of forgiveness.) He was with people, and that witness blood, in muscle-wrenching torture, in “God loves you. " How can you get that truth across to breathes acceptance. Acceptance is a thirst and agony. In death, wonderful gift. And His immeasurable victoryanother person? To accept acceptance shown by an empty tomb. Proven by No words about love will be heard When you know you are acceptable. punctured hands that reach out their unless the listener gets the feeling that That is grace. nail cuts for any probing finger. the speaker likes him. That is being loved. He was with us. God with us. Let No words about acceptance will be That is being forgiven. there be no doubt. believed unless the receiver gets the And that can't be put in words. Not We are His witnesses. message that the other person accepts in words alone. It must be exper First called to be with Him. him. Witness is withness. No words will be believed unless the ienced. This is why witness to Christ is more To communicate by all that we are — hearer can believe in the teller. We first communicate ourselves— a matter of showing Christ's kind of to be with. To demonstrate by all that He is to then the other person may be able to loving, pure, truthful, compassionate. forgiving kind of living to another perus —He is with. catch a small part of our words. son by all that you are to him — than it To do it. Simply. Naturally. Self-for That is why witness to the truth is a matter of telling it in words. getfully. Is Words are necessary. Usually. We By being with. Withness. need them to interpret deeds and acts. And being with. Witness is withness, and nothing less. And being with. The man who bears witness to the We need them to report God’s great deed and act in the God-man Jesus of And letting Him speak first through truth that God loves much shows the what He is in us, then letting Him evidence of that love through all that Nazareth who is now the Christ. But witness is first withness. speak through us. he is or his words are empty sounds in God showed us that in a hole in the But most of all—by being with. silent space. rocks under a local Judean tavern. The man who bears witness to loveNew Testament in Modem English, JB. Phillips, 1958. must stand alongside as a visible ex Down there among the donkeys and Used by permission of the Macmillan Company. pression, as a believable demonstra their dirt. God came down here where 1. Albert Mehrabian, "Communication Without Words," Psychology Today. tion of that love or his words are at we men live. MISSION GRAMS best—a pious fraud, and at worst—bla tant blasphemy. — Mr and Mrs Abe Plett left on November 3 for another term of service As we tell of the love of God to oth in Mexico. They are stationed at Picacho. ers, we must be the love of God to them. — Betty Friesen and May Andres arrived home from Paraguay on NoThere dare be no distance between vember 17 after completing a two year teaching assignment in East Par aguay under EMC Christian Service. Page 4
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Paraguay Workers Conference From November 6 - 9 our Paraguayan missionaries gathered for a workers conference. Present at this meeting was one of the members of the EMC Board of Missions. Mr B.F. Klassen of Winnipeg. The following is a comprehensive account of the proceedings of this conference as given by Brother Klassen on his return. We publish this report to remind you and encourage you to continue to pray for our missionaries in that land. The conference was initiated by our field workers with Frank Kroeker as chairman. The sessions were conducted on the Baptist conference grounds at Itacurubi, some 85 kilometers east of Asuncion.
Paraguay missionaries and families present for the Nov. 6 - 9 Worker’s Confer ence at Itacurubi.
Shortly after the noon hour on ily, Mr and Mrs Ernest Funk and Nov. 6 missionaries from both the family, Mr and Mrs Peter Friesen Chaco area and Tobati (East Par- and daughter, Mr and Mrs Jake aguay) area, started to arrive at Braun and family, and Aggie and the conference grounds. From the Katie Braun had come by car and Chaco area both Mr and Mrs John bus. Toews and daughter and Mr and Mrs The grounds were ideal for the Diedrich Lepp and daughter arrived conference with the women and in Asuncion by air at noon. After girls sleeping in one dormitory and the noon meal at the MCC Home the the men and boys in another dorfollowing missionaries and work- mitory. The kitchen and dining ers left by micro (bus) for Ita- room building, complete with utencurubi: Mr and Mrs John Toews and sUs served well for the delicious daughter, Mr and Mrs Diedrich meals that were served by the laAggie Braun, Braun, who who had had volunvolunLepp and daughter, Sara Martens, dies. Aggie Mary Andres, Betty Friesen, and teered to be in charge of cooking, When we arrived did a tremendous job in preparing B. F. Klassen. at the conference grounds, the meals. The sessions were all held other missionaries already had in the open under the trees except The for one session in the dining room arrived from East Paraguay. Jash Giesbrechts from Chaco had because of rain. For recreational an come a few days earlier to visit activity excellent volleyball the East Paraguayan fields. Mr court was available, which was also and Mrs Frank Kroeker and fam- made use of. December 4,1970
Bro Klassen addressing missionaries.
After supper, the first session was opened by chairman. Rev. Frank P. Kroeker, with words of warm welcome to all that had come. The service began with con gregational singing, followed by a poem by Mrs Jash Giesbrecht, a musical number by Jac. Braun and children, and a story for the chil dren by Miss Betty Friesen. The first message “The Missionary and His Spiritual Life” was brought by Mr Ernest Funk in the low Ger man language. He based his mes sage on I. Cor. 13:1-7 and Revela tion 4 and stressed the points de sirous in the missionary’s life, namely (a) a desire to sit at the feet of Jesus for instruction and guidance, (b) prayer with praise and thanksgiving, (c) desire to submit and allow the Lord to speak. After a testimony period which was led by John Toews the first session was concluded with prayer led by Rev. Died. Lepp. The next day, Saturday, after ris ing at 6:00 a.m. the day started with a devotional period and prayer at 6:45 which was led by Peter Frie sen, based on Eph. 2:19-3:21. Breakfast was enjoyed by all at 7:30 a.m. At 8:30 the second ses sion was opened by Jash Giesbrecht with congregational singing and scripture from Acts 18:1-11. Af ter a special number in song by Judith Kroeker, the second mes sage, “Bible Translations - Anthro pology in Missions” was brought by Rev. D. Lepp. Bible transla tion is a great job with 100,000 (Next page, please) Pages
people working on 800 languages, In the have^ now , X J the X, X , X X, completed translation ofr the book of Mark into the Lengua and Sanapana languages. He further spoke on the traditions and culture T ----T.. , .. stressing _x .1 of the Lengua Indian, the fact that they are very emotional and to them acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ means a change in culture. After P<^ pointing --------’inting out the niany traditions of their tribe and other tribes, a period of questions by the group to Mr Lepp was led by Ernest Funk. C led by Peter Friesen followed a ten minute break after which Mary Andres had a one hour period with the children. The session continued with report by Jash Giesbrecht on “Schools and Clinic on La Esperanza”. He reported that they expect to send two students to Yalva Sanga station for further stud ies as teachers. The student who had just completed the course In came back with a good report. L. reference to the Clinic, he reported that the hospital building was completed and in full use with the niircpQ nurses livina living in in fhp the same hiiilHino building. Following the report on La EsT on the East Paraguay work. Pe n „_i. n„ ter Friesen gave the first report on the Indian and Paraguayan work and reported that the Ernest Funks are planning to work with the Paraguayans. Ernest is presently into building camping facilities into his station wagon to accornodate him on “ his *•” trips ‘"’r to ‘7 their ••="-'2-'-. villages, Services are also being held at the Janzen saw mill. ^ Anne Braun reported that the Clinic is very busy due to numer ous accidents at the ten sawmills located within an area of seven kilometers, in addition to the many Indians, Paraguayans and Mennonites coming for medical care. Drugs are being purchased in Asuncion at very good discount prices. The Paraguayans and Mennonites are requested to pay for medical aid while the Indians are requested to pay 33 per cent of that low fee. The third report was given by Sara Martens on the Schools and Page 6
reported good participation devotional and prayer by Ernest tjjg students in their devotional Funk. Sunday, November 8, at 6:45 periods especiallyJ prayer. The school term begins March 1 and a.m. we gathered for a short devoconcludes October 31 with classes tional and a season of prayer led jays a week in the German by B. F. Klassen. After a hearty The teachers for the breakfast, the fourth session was language. completed term were Mary Andres, opened by congregational singing Grades one to three, Betty Frie- and opening remarks based on I sen, Grades four to six, and Sara Thessalonians 1:2-10 and prayMartens, Grades seven to nine, er by Rev. D. Lepp. The group The session was closed by short divided into four classes for Sundiscussion1 and prayer by John day School, with the men’s class Toews, After the noon meal and a under the direction of Rev. D. Lepp, short siesta it was recreation time teaching from I Thessalonians 2. with’ volleyball for the ’adults and1 After a duet by the Braun sisters. games for the children. After a the message “The Missionary and short period of swimming in the His Co-workers” was brought by river nearby it was time for Pete Friesen. He challenged the supper which was enjoyed by all. workers to work together even The third session was opened though personalities differ and concongregational singing and a ditions and situations are trying. short ^he fifth and final session was short devotional devotional by by Rev. Rev. D. D. Lepp. Lepp. short period of chorus opened by congregational singing ' ’based• on and opening remarks port on the La Esperanza Farm Psalm 121 and prayer by Jash After a special numwas given by John Toews..Here- Giesbrecht. nnrtnd ported nn on fho the hicfnrv history rif of tb the La Es- ber by the Frank Kroeker family, peranza project and stated that the children’s story by Mrs Betty jag(. yg^j. ^as been a hard year due Friesen and a musical number by drought which gave the Indians Garry Kroeker the final message n , tt;« ____ very little food. “ Furthermore a “The Missionary and His Call” was epidemic has claimed the lives brought by Rev. Frank P. Kroeker. of soven adults and as many chil- He challenged all of us that not dren. A given only missionaries are called but A second second report report was was given the every Christian has a calling of by Rev. Frank Kroeker on t.._ .._5 God. The meeting was concluded East Paraguay EMC which was organized in 1962. There are pres- with prayer by Rev. D. Lepp after g -x.x. “ ^ntly 40 members and plans are summarizing„ the events> of the underway to enlarge the church conference. It was agreed to have building which was moved to To- another such conference next year, Gati (present site of our mission probably in the Chaco area. station) in early 1970 together A number of missionaries had with all the buildings located orig- to leave for their stations but for jinally at Buena Vista (original site the remainder the film of the five The our mission mission station). station). The martyred missionaries was shown On Monday morning, Nov. 9, afreports were followed by musical1 seiections directed by Jash Gies- ter rising at 5:00 a.m., breakfast brecht, a children children’s’s story story by by Mrs was served and Mrs was the premises p Lepp and a duet by the Braun cleaned up. By 7:00 a.m. everyone had left to go to their respective sisters. It was my privilege at this time stations. jq In conclusion I would like to per express our appreciation as Board of Missions to the mission- sonally thank the Paraguay work3j.jgg w()rk done in both ers for their warm hospitality and the Paraguayan fields, namely the kindness shown to me during the 7 My heart was blessed La Esperanza and2 East Paraguayy Conference. It work. ] was thrilling to see ° the to see the unity and zeal shown May the unity displayed throughout the Con- by all the rnissionaries. The ’Lord continue to bless. ference by all the workers. '— B. F. Klassen meeting was closed with a short gbe
THE MESSENGER
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this town, as anywhere else, are too busy, too fearful of what others might think, too self-righteous, or too set in their ways to heed the gospel. However, there is always one here or there who has a real hunger for the truth and is search ing. May I take this opportunity again to thank you for all your constant prayer and financial support which makes it possible for me to be here.
May the Lord guide and direct each one of you in your daily lives and bless you abundantly.
My first year here in Spain has slipped by very quickly! Now once In Christ Jesus, again colder weather is setting in, Evelyn Plett heavier clothing is being pulled out, and hot-water-bottles are be General Moscardo s/n ing filled for the night. All these Casa Peraire things remind me very much of Berga (Barcelona) this time last year when I first ar rived. However, there is one thing that is very different now and that is that now I can speak to the people The Church in Appalachia in their own language! Thank you for your faithful prayers and may I urge you to continue as I still Near Whitesburg, up a “holler” cent neighbors or relatives to bring have much to learn before I will stands a little white church with a tall their groceries in, I noticed the old have mastered Spanish. steeple, and a pulpit but no benches man sitting in silence and his wife ly The two months I spent in camp or seats. You see, the church is no larg ing in bed looking intently and motion this summer were certainly en er than an out-house and the space lessly at a lighted picture of Jesus, joyable and a real blessing. It was normally devoted for sitting in an out which some “shark” sold to them and a joy to teach the children hand house is occupied by the small pulpit. all their neighbors for double the nor craft since they were so enthused Some say that the church was built mal price. This church we have found about it. It was also a thrill to see by a devoted husband in response to has many members. some of the children there accept his dying wife’s request for her own Last Christmas our unit gave baskets the Lord. Pray that they may be church. of fruit to needy families. Also in the faithful even though they may have Others say the preacher owner built basket was a little book, simply writ to face opposition at home or in the “mini” church because his wife ten, which talked of Christ, love, for school. did not like his marrying young people giveness and fulfillment. An old man ate the fruit and read the book and About the middle of September in their home. found me once again packing trunks The stories are interesting but what was moved to a new understanding and suitcases. Having finished for I think is really noteworthy is that this and commitment to the Gospel. He joy mal language study, I felt that the little church epitomizes the religious ously told of his experience to the Lord wanted me to join Camila, a factions that exist in the Mountains. It nearest preacher hoping to find fellow Spanish Bible Club missionary, of illustrates how ineffective a church ship but instead was asked whether he Barcelona. The scenery here is can become and spells out to us our was sure that “those Mennonites” beautiful but the people of this area task in terms of reconciliation, under were not Communists in disguise—I guess here we’ve got the institutional are more reserved and seem less standing and love. friendly than the ones in the Zar Another church in Whitesburg is the church in conflict with the church. agoza area. Camila has been work largest and most expensive in town. A young man came into the office ing here alone for the past four When worshipping in the church you the other day wanting to talk about a years and for some time had been almost forget that you are in the heart job. I soon found out that he wanted to praying for a co-worker. When of the “Other America”. become a volunteer with MCC. He was she first came here there was no At a recent evening service there not disuaded when I told him approxi Christian work of any kind. Now were two altar calls. The first one was mately what was involved and in fact there is a tiny group of believers for a rededication to America, the land even after I mentioned the starting sal who have their own little chapel. that is fighting for democracy, Chris ary, he still was serious about volun They have no ordained pastor but tianity and freedom throughout the teering with MCC. He simply liked a man from Barcelona comes out world. Everyone but a few MCC volun what was happening and wanted to be every Sunday with his family to teers and their friends responded. The part of an organization that was help hold services. other alter call was for a commitment ing his family and community. These are some examples of the Our work here consists of in to Christ. A few responded to this. church in Appalachia. A confused pic structing and ministering to the This perhaps is the State Church and ture perhaps but nevertheless a pic needs of the believers, teaching it too is the church in Appalachia. English and other classes, witness I recall another example of the ture of the church as an institution and ing in the streets and in the shops, church in Appalachia and this is cer as a body of people and as an individ teaching Bible Clubs, house to tainly not an isolated example. Visit ual; the confused church as found in house visiting and selling scrip ing an old ailing couple who live far Appalachia; perhaps in all of America. tures. The majority of people in up a “holler” and have to rely on reti Peter Dueck December 4,1970
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NGOMA
CHAPTER III Drum Beating
Ngoma was still quite a small boy when his uncle started to teach him drum-beating, he and two of his cousins were taught together. From these three boys, one would eventually be chosen to succeed his uncle as chief drum beater at all the ceremonies of the dis trict. At first Ngoma was very pleased and I proud to learn the mysteries of drum beating, but after a while he found that by Elsie Milligan it was real hard work. Often by the time he had finished a lesson with his CHAPTER II Continued uncle, his back was aching, and his fing After he had finished his supper,^? Ngoma slipped away in the darkness! ers were sore, and the perspiration was pouring down his slim brown body and together with some of his friends, with the efforts that he made. It was he sat on the edge of the circle of men When he woke up some time later, in the palaver-shed, listening to the not nearly so easy as it looked. The most of his mates as well as the older other village boys just amused them words of wisdom that fell from the lips men had gone off to their own huts. selves tom-tomming on the drum, but of their elders. Sometimes the men He was stiff and shivering with cold, in the case of Ngoma and his cousins, folk just discussed current affairs of so crept off to his home. His sister Lena the village and community. Sometimes was already sound asleep curled up on they had to learn all the correct beats they told stories — hunting stories — her own sleeping-mat by the fire, but and rhythms, and to know which ones were to be used on which occasions. or, if it was an old man speaking, it she had left the best side of the fire for Ngoma’s uncle Kongowa was very might be stories of the old days before him, he noted with satisfaction. From the white man came to the country, hard to please and sometimes the boy behind the grass mat screen came the when inter-tribal warfare was com felt that he would never make a really sound of steady snores, so his parents good drum-beater like his uncle who mon, and they never knew when an had already gone to bed. He closed enemy might swoop down upon them. was famous throughout the tribe. One the opening into the hut, carefully mak day, however, he was greatly encour Ngoma loved to listen to these stories. ing sure that no wild animal would be He would watch the faces of his elders aged by a word of praise from his uncle able to get in during the dark hours of in the flickering firelight; he saw the which was most unusual. the night. Then he took some fresh “You have a much better ear for the community pipe go round, handed pieces of wood and made up the fire so drum-rhythms, Ngoma, than either of from one man to another for each to that it would last a long time. Fetching your cousins," he had said, “and you take a deep, long puff at it. This pipe his sleeping-mat which was rolled up in keep better time, too, I have great hopes was a small gourd with a long curved one corner of the hut, he spread it on of you if you go on practising faithfully." narrow neck, and water was put into the the floor and lay down. There was no Ngoma was so pleased at this unex bottom part of it. undressing to be done for he only pected praise that he resolved to work “One day when I am a ‘mukwenzi’ wore a small loincloth. Bending back harder than ever. He practised so much (youth),” thought Ngoma to himself, his right arm to form a pillow for his for a few days that he nearly took the “I shall be able to sit in the circle of head, he settled himself down comfort skin off his hands and fingers. men and take my puff at the pipe as ably for the night. The drum used among the Samba it goes round.” He lay for a while watching the flick people mostly was a long, hollowed out Of course, like most African village ering firelight, and listening to the night piece of tree trunk open at one end. boys, he had had many a surreptitious noises of the African bush around the Across the open end a piece of ani puff at the community pipe and was village. He heard the plaintive call of mal skin was stretched tightly and quite an expert at the art of smoking it. the night-jar and other birds, and the fastened in place. The drum had to This night Ngoma listened to the dis shrill screeching of cicadas in nearby be carefully made of specially chosen cussions in the palaver-shed with great trees. Then an owl hooted to its mate, wood and only certain sorts of skin interest. Gradually the smoke from the and in the distance he heard some were suitable for use and these had to fire got into his eyes and that, com hoarse barks. be dressed in a special way. bined with the drone of the voices go “Jackasl” thought Ngoma to him The drum was laid on the ground ing on and on, made him feel sleepy. self. and the drum-beater sat astride it, and Though he fought against it, eventually The next minute he was asleep. leaning forward, he beat it either with he succumbed and fell asleep.
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THE MESSENGER
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his hands, or with special little drum sticks which his uncle made with a ball of crude rubber on the end of them. Sometimes, however, the drum was placed on end and the beater stood be side it and beat downwards on the tightly drawn skin. It was wonderful what a really good beater could get out of the drums in the way of music and messages which had the power to stir the hearts of the Samba people in an extraordinary way. Kongowa, Ngoma’s uncle, was in great demand, for no Samba occasion of any importance could be carried through without the beating of the drums. On joyful occasions, the drumming seemed to stir the people to such an extent that they danced with the greatest abandonment, spurred on all the time to greater and greater effort. And at a funeral, the dirgelike beating of the drums seemed to be a fitting ac companiment for the dreadful death wailing of the women. But apart al together from these straightforward occasions, the drums were used by the witchdoctors and diviners for the pur pose of getting into touch with the spirits, and often their effect on the people was very sinister. ^^^atever the occasion Kongowa knew the correct way to beat the drums and Ngoma often went with his uncle and watched him carefully to see what the secret of really expert drum-beat ing was. It was part of the work of Ngoma and his two cousins, Sondoyi and Mfuma, to oil the woodwork of the drum and keep it in good order. For this oiling they used a thick red oil which they got from one sort of palm tree. This oil was good to eat too, and often as they used it on the drum, the boys ate the palm oil till they almost made themselves sick. At long last the day came when Ngoma was allowed to assist his uncle in the drum-beating at a proper occasion in the village. It wasn’t a very import ant occasion, still it was a beginning and Ngoma felt very proud. A new baby had been born and the diviner had come for the ceremony of naming the baby. The Samba people believed that when each new child was born in the village, the spirit of one of their ancest ors had come back to earth in the new baby. So, of course, it was important to (Continued on page 11) December 4,1970
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“Whiter than snow “Look, winter is here,” exclaimed one of our children this morning when she glanced out the window. Like lightning all the others were out of bed as well, and stood gazing through the window at the new world of white. In no time they were all dressed, washed and at the table. They needed no coax ing or pushing to get them going. And as I watched the neighbor youngsters congregate along the street to meet the bus at the corner, they all seemed to be entranced at Winter’s Wonder land. I, too, was caught in the “magic” of it all. Hurriedly I washed the break fast dishes and took the youngest two out with me. Meandering off to pick up the mail at the corner, I watched the fleecy flakes of whiteness descend ing. There is something irresistably in triguing about the first snowfall of the season... Snowfall speaks of the rapid passing of time. It is difficult to fathom that in four months we have been enveloped
with three different seasons. From a green environment we were suddenly surrounded with those hazy golden au tumn days. Shorter days and cooler nights soon helped to change our ar tistic scenery to starkness and bare ness. What a pleasant change to now have the snow cover up dirt and debris. However, snow speaks of purity and serenity. Those delicate lacey snow flakes are still unmarred by dirt. It is therefore no wonder that the Psalmist calls out: “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Ps. 51:7) That is the deep yearning of many a burdened heart. As we open our hearts and lives to the Savior, He will forgive (wash away) all our sin and our guilt. He will cast them into the deepest sea and re member them no more. Moreover, we need to come to Christ daily to ask for forgiveness...for our shortcomings and failures and He will “wash us whiter than snow.” Anne Klassen Pages
with the cliurches dist Church, where the evangelical gospel was preached to a full house in a large church. Monday noon the Reimers were back to Rosenort. The whole experience was almost like a wonderful dream. Beverly Giesbrecht graduated from the Rosenort Collegiate Oct. 24. She works at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Winnipeg now as a nurse’s aid. May God bless you, Bev. Irvin Kroeker was elected choir di rector by the Fellowship Choir. May God bless your efforts, Irvin, in the realm of music. Tuesday, Nov. 3 the missionary Dora Friesen gave a fine inspiring talk at the Ladies’ Fellowship meeting. After long hours of preparation and hard work, the Greenbank Sewing Circle joined by the Clover Plains Sewing Circle, arrang ed for a mission auction sale at the auditor ium of the Rosenort Elementary School, Tuesday, Nov. 10. To make it even more worthwhile to come, a bake sale was in cluded. Over $200.00 were realized for mis sion purposes. To add to the congenial at mosphere the audience was given coffee and refreshments free at the close of the proceedings. Mrs Marie Reimer chaired the meeting. Her husband made the open ing and the brethren J. W. Brandt and P.J.L. Friesen were the successful auction eers. At the next meeting of the Greenbank Sewing Circle Mrs Marie Reimei was elec ted President for the fourth consecutive year. May the Lord give her sufficient strength and courage to lead and inspire the Greenbank ladies in this noble work. Wednesday, Nov. 11 the Ladies Fellow ship was invited to a Ladies’ Session of a Missionary Conference in the Lowe Farm Emmanuel Gospel Church. They reported a blessed afternoon. Wonderful hospitali ty. We are getting used to an almost over flowing audience in our Chapel on Sunday mornings but to have close to a full house at our Sunday Mission Night, Nov. 22 was something new again. The MCC represent ative for Canada, Rev. Dan Zehr reported ROSENORT FELLOWSHIP On Oct. 23, the minister P.J.B. Reimer with message and slides, particularly and Mrs Reimer took a jet at Winnipeg via about the great work that’s being done in Minneapolis to Chicago, where they arriv- Newfoundland. More than 30 Christian ed at 5:00 p.m. The Loren Wades from Stir- Mennonite teachers are doing a fine job ling, Illinois, waited for them at the airport, of teaching in the more isolated places of to take them along to Winona Lake, 140 Newfoundland. This has now gone on for miles east of Chicago, for a re-union of the a number of years and is very much appregroup with whom he had travelled around ciated by the Government and people ol the world a year ago. It was a happy meet- that isolated province of Canada. Brother ing of 14 people. They showed each other’s Zehr could even talk like the Newfoundslides and visited several places in town landers, who mostly came from Britain like the Billy Sunday Tabernacle and the over three hundred years ago. Let’s pray Zondervan Christian Bookstore. Sunday, for this project particularly. New evangelthe group attended the Free Metho- ical churches are being established and
BRAESIDE NEWS It is again that time of year when much preparation is being made for Christmas. May we all be very careful to put priorities in the proper place, and that the Lord Je sus will have first place in all our plans and festivities. S.S. Rally Day was observed Nov. 8. Dur ing the morning service, Rev. Plett spoke on the topic “Is the S.S. Obsolete.” During the evening service the Teens led by LeeRoy Bartel and the Junior Department un der the direction of Ernest Dueck brought the specials in song. Talks were given by Lucille Reimer, Doug Doerksen, Gorden Schellenberg and Harry Koop on topics such as “What does the S.S. mean to me”, “What should Sunday School mean to me,” and “Aims of the S.S.”. Over 50 pupils received awards for per fect attendance. A new record was set Nov. 15 when 260 were present. A tremendous blessing was experienced by all present at the evening service, Nov. 15, when 8 couples gave their testimonies and were received as members of the church. The third service of this nature during this year. They were the following: BAPTIZED: George Laird. RECEIVED AS MEMBERS: Mrs Anne Laird (Bethel Mennonite), LeeRoy iKleefeld EMC) and Grace Bartel (Steinbach Bergthaler), Ernest (Steinbach EMC) and Lorraine Dueck (Steinbach Evangelical Free), Erdman and Myrtle Esau (Kleefeld EMC), Ed and Linda Giesbrecht (Mac Gregor EMC), Abe and Susanna Krahn (Old Colony Mennonite), Warren (Land mark EMC) and Mary Kroeker (Baptist), Elmer and Susan Loewen (Portage EMC). CRADLE ROLL: A son, Anthony Pat rick, arrived Nov. 16, at the home of Erwin and Carol Kroeker, Nigeria, Africa. Con gratulations! On Dec. 6 Mr B.F. Klassen will report on his recent mission trip to Central and South America.
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many are led to Christ even through MCC work which has an open door. P.J.B.Reimer
CRESTVIEW FELLOWSHIP
Sunday morning, Oct. 11, was a solemn, but joyful occasion when 3 young people were baptized upon confession of faith and were received into the church fel lowship. Baptized by Rev. Melvin Koop, preceded by a personal testimony of each candidate, were Martha Neudorf, Barbara Wiebe and Eva Schellenberg. Welcome to two couples who recently joined our group through membership transfers. They are George and Esther Penner who were members at Valley Stream E.M.C. and Elmer and Rosella Nickel who transferred from Roseisle E.M.C. We wish you the Lord’s nearness as you serve our Lord and Master and do wish you a warm welcome to our church. In the afternoon of the same day, we com memorated the Lord's Supper. The new Heritage Lodge Nursing Home is located in the Crestview area giving opportunity for the College and Career group to go visit and sing for the residents. According to reports this has been a profitable experience to both teens and senior citizens. On Nov. 8, Dan Zehr, secretary of M.C.C. gave us an insight into the work he is involved in. Strongly the words of Jesus came alive again, “As you have done to the least of these you have done to me.” Through M.C.C. much privilege is given to us to help our brother in need. Miss Nettie Koop left in Sept, to enroll in Pambrun Bible Institute where she is taking first year Bible. She served the church as a faithful Sunday School teacher. We miss you Nettie and do wish you the best, Jake and Nettie Klassen have moved to the east side of Winnipeg and have left our congregation to attend the Braeside E.M.C. Mrs Klassen, hospitalized for awhile, has been released to go home and stay with her young family. Our prayers go with you Nettie and Jake. Rev. Melvin Koop has left for Kleefeld to hold deeper life meetings at the E.M.C. church there. The meetings run from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22. We have heard of blessings that have resulted from these messages. That God may meet each need for He alone looks on the heart and understands the pain, weariness and needs that lie fostered there
THE MESSENGER
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HENRY J. ISAAC,, MEADE, KAN. 1905-1970
• news/soope VERNON REIMER, MCC director for India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan requested by cable today that MCC send as soon as possible a 15-foot boat equipped with a 15 horse power outboard motor, 1,500 blankets, canned chicken and funds to carry out relief opera tions in the flooded areas of East Pakistan. MCC has cabled an initial $5,000. Reimer, who went to East Pakistan from India Nov. 20 to 23, is transferring two Paxmen presently stationed in Nepal to East Pakistan to help in the relief operations. The Paxmen will probably be working with the East Pakistan Christian Council. The motor boat being purchased will be sent by air freight as soon as possible.
It has pleased the Lord in His all wise providence to suddenly call home our beloved husband, father and grand father, Henry J. Isaac. Henry J. Isaac, son of Jacob F. and Katherina Friesen Isaac, was born on January 17, 1905 at Fairbury, Nebras ka. At the age of four he, with his par ents, moved to Meade, Kansas. His boyhood years were spent on a farm southeast of Meade. THE GREAT STORY of campuses today, “which the news media are missing,’’ is the Unon the confession of his faith in Christ as personal Saviour he was growing number of conversions being made among young people, Billy Graham told a baptized on July 1, 1923 by his father. gathered group in Chicago. He spoke at a press conference in the Conrad Hilton Hotel where he was visiting to be Rev. Jacob F. Isaac. On Jan. 10, 1945, come familiar with plans for a crusade he will conduct June 3 -13, 1971 in McCor he was received as a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren mick Place. College students will surprise their elders this fall with their concerted move toward Church at Meade, Kansas of which he remained a faithful member until Christ, the evangelist predicted. death. He was actively engaged as a DURING THE FIRST six months of 1970 the Canadian Bible Society distributed in CanTrustee member for a number of ^2,045 Bibles, 131,181 New Testaments, 253,619 Scripture Portions and 579,987 Selecyears in the church. He had a warm and "foreign"mis- tions—a total of 1,007,032 Scriptures. This is by far the largest distribution for any heart toward "home 1 sions. His favorite Bible verse was six months in the Society’s history. Psalm 37:5. SOME ROCK-‘N’-ROLL musicians display a life style that helps fan a “forest fire” of He was united in marriage with drug addiction among the nation’s youth. Art Linkletter maintains. Margaret Classen on April 30, 1925. He specifically mentioned the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Jefferson Airplane and To this union were born four sons and three daughters: Levi, Esther, Har Jimi Hendrix, the singer found dead in London, apparently of an overdose of drugs. vey, Harry, Rosella, Erna and Don. They MCC RESPONDS TO NGOMA Continued settled on a farm southeast of Meade PAKISTAN EMERGENCY find out which of the ancestors was in where they lived until 1960 when they this particular baby, and to do this, moved to the town of Meade. Dad con Winnipeg - The Mennonite Central Com tinued to be active on the farm and al mittee is joining dozens of governments there had to be the divining to get in Mom and and relief agencies in providing immediate touch with the spirits. In this divining so in community affairs. Dad shared many joys and sorrows gid to the victims of the recent cyclone and the drumming played a very important for 45 years. During the last years tidal wave in East Pakistan " part, because it was by means of the Dad enjoyed helping his children and MCC’s South Asia director, Vernon drum that the spirits were supposed grandchildren in their work and ac- Reimer, who visited East Pakistan short- to answer the questions put to them tivities. ly after the disaster, has called for $35,000 by the diviner. He passed away suddenly of a heart jj, emergency aid. The organization’s Ngoma took his part in the drum-beatattack on Saturday, October 31 at 1:40 executive committee has approved this ing on this occasion very seriously and p.m. while working with his grandson request. ' small " part so ’ well that his did 'his on the farm. He reached the age of Canned chicken, valued at $10,000, pms u"i"~a;Verypleased wi?h hkn\ 65 years, 9 months and 14 days. an equal amount of cash have already He leaves to mourn his departure: been put at Reimer’s disposal. A 15-foot promised that he should soon take part his wife, Margaret, and five children, boat is also being airlifted into the in the drum-beating on more important occasions. Esther and her husband, Eldo Wiens disaster area at a cost of $1,000. of Meade, Harvey and his wife Ruth* additional $13,000 will be used to But the next time Ngoma was called An additional $13,000 will be used to of Meade, Rosella and her husband, purchase relief supplies near to the de- to help in the drum-beating was not at .t Meade, Erna of -r ii... ajj g happy occasion, and Ngoma felt Frank Ediger of Hut- vastated region. chinson, Don and his wife, Irene of MCC (Canada) ‘has committed itself to frightened as the proceedings went on. Meade; 14 grandchildren; his step- raising $10,000 above its normal budgett It,, was the occasion of the ‘smelling mother, Mrs Jacob F. Isaac eight for the emergency phase of its program out’ of a witch as the people called it. brothers and two sisters: Margaret, jn East Pakistan. Receipts over and above Mrs W. W. Loewen, Pete, Kathryn, this amount will be used for MCC’s There had been several deaths in the Mrs Dick Classen,^ general relief and rehabilitaion efforts, village and the people were frightened. George and Abe all of Meade, Levi $10 000 being raised by MCC ^hat someone in their r . . of -c ° jbe $10,000 Liberal and Alvin of Elbing, Kansas, (Canada) brings to $82,000 the amount midst was bewitching them, and eating and a hostof relatives and friends; which Canadian churches have collected the lives’ of the people who had died, two infant children,his mother and for the initial response to the cyclone. So they sent for the witchdoctor, Chimfather, the late Rev. T,... Jacob T_.-u F. Isaac n. . Contributions from the other churches buki, and asked him to find out who it and his brother Dick who predeceased him. are as follows: Catholic agencies, $50,(M)0; was who was quilty of this. We mourn, but not as those who Anglicans, $10,000; United Church, $10,000 (To be continued) have no hope. and Presbyterians, $2,500. Page 11 December 4,1970
What kind of "image does your church present? by Gerald B. Smith
It may surprise some people to know that a denomin ation's "image" is neighborhood-centered — it does not come out of the church’s headquarters! with the That image rests almost completely pastor and the congregation of each local church. Go to any community and you will find that the voice of a church is heard not only when the pastor is in the pulpit but throughout the seven days of the week and during all twenty-four hours of each day. "How is that?” you may ask. In a community, outward appearance are important. The appearance of a church says something about the pastor, the executive board, the congregation—yes, and perhaps even about the gospel which we so fervently preach. is a In all of our affluent communities there continuing emphasis upon beautification, upon con serving the delights of the natural landscape, upon dealing with willful litterbugs who destroy the natura attractiveness of streets and avenues and roads. I have begun to wonder if it is not possible for all of our churches to take a small step in the interest of our own hometown image. I do not mean a campaign to raise millions of dollars to spend on buildings and grounds, however, I am thinking of a much more modest efforta do-it-yourself program where everyone in the congregation looks at his church and its surround ings with the eyes of a stranger. It is amazing what we grow accustomed to when it is our own. Just try seeing your church from the outside as though you had never seen it before. What would it say to you? What would an uncut and untrimmed lawn sug gest? What about an untended, out-of-date, half-lettered bulletin board? What is your church building trying to say if there is an empty light fixture over the doorway, or a broken step at the front entrance? Sometimes it is a dreary and uninviting front door to the sanctuary which has been crying out, though in silence, for a bright renewing with fresh paint. How changed would the invitation to your church be if a few flowers were planted ‘by the entrance, or a shrub or two or a new tree?
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THE MESSENGER
How different would your church appear to a visitor if the bulletin board were freshly painted, the lettering renewed, the pastor's name made legible from the street? Yes, every church building and every congrega tion have an image and make an impression on the community. In essence every church is an “upper room" where there is an opportunity to meet with our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. It needs no extrav agant nor lavish preparation—for the meeting place is not an end in itself, although it does need at tention and care if the Master's presence is to be known. Every one of us ought to believe in the necessity of an attractive church property, faithfully and neatly cared for, both for those who come to worship and for all who pass by. Why should anything in our landscapes be more appealing to the eye than the church building, the meeting place of the children of God? And why should we not join to make the church of which we are a part a thing of beauty, reflecting the image and witness of our Saviour, who is the Lord of glory? —Alliance Witness
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