The Messenger Vol. 45 No. 13 July 4, 2007 by The Messenger

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 45 NUMBER 13 JULY 4, 2007

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editorials

The

Messenger

Encountered by Jesus Christ

“ EDITOR Terry M. Smith ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Mailing information: Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net or emcterry@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 15 – September 5 (copy due August 24)

ut when God, who set me apart to “preach him among the Gentiles” from birth and called me by his (Galatians 1:16). grace, was pleased to reveal his The Son was revealed to Paul. Jesus Son…” (Galatians 1:15–17). wasn’t a dead blasphemer, a law-breaker Some people believe Paul was a tough who was cursed on the cross; he was person to reach. Or was he? Some people think Paul was Wrong views of Jesus abound. Part of the Church’s softened by the prayer of deacon Stephen as he was task is to respond to them thoughtfully. stoned to death. Perhaps he fought against his conscience: “Saul, Saul, glorified by the Father (raised from death why you do persecute me? It is hard for you in triumph). Much that Paul had thought to kick against the goads” (Acts 22:14). about Jesus and the Christian movement What is clear from Paul’s testimony, was wrong. though, is that he was ultimately turned Wrong views of Jesus abound. Part of around by an unexpected, direct, dramatic the Church’s task is to respond to them encounter with Jesus. Paul was not seeking thoughtfully. “Who do people say I am?” to believe, but ran into Jesus. Acts 9:3–6 Jesus asked. “But what about you? Who do speaks of “a light from heaven” before you say I am?” (Mark 8:27–28). T which he fell helplessly to the ground, and What do we say to those around us? M the voice of Jesus calling him into service Terry M. Smith

An honourable calling, indeed

hat cultural and faith backgrounds influence us? They might be Hispanic and Roman Catholic, DutchGerman and Kleine Gemeinde, DutchGerman and Old Colony Mennonite, British and United Church, Persian and Shi’a Muslim, Japanese and Buddhist. Our backgrounds partly decide how we’re shaped, the issues we face, the questions we have, and the tools we’re given. Denominations reflect their members, historical events, and choices. As members’ backgrounds vary, though, the issues raised and responses required shift and develop. The EMC now includes a much wider group of people than in 1812. We have the original Kleine Gemeinde churches

The EMC now includes a much wider group of people than in 1812. With this comes the challenge of responding to our changing collective identity in helpful ways.

(in Canada); Western Gospel Mission congregations; and later EMC church plants in English, Low German, and Spanish (among a mixture of cultural groups). With these comes the challenge of responding to our changing collective identity in helpful ways. In a denomination increasingly made up of many people, no cultural background of any group of people remains decisive. What will be our future in focus and teaching? This partly depends on how well we respond to the backgrounds and questions with which people enter. We have a conference slogan: Christ Through Us to Others. How familiar are we with it? What does it involve? No one has officially unpacked it. There is, however, richness captured within a few words. Christ Through Us to Others reminds us that our central focus is to be on Christ, we need to live in a way that reflects his will and care, and we are called to expand the Christian community. It is a Christcentred, holistic calling. T It’s an honourable calling, indeed. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

Dr. Archie Penner honoured during Eden celebration Dr. Archie Penner, one of the original EMC visionaries for providing services in Manitoba for people with mental health issues, was honoured on June 21 at the 40th anniversary celebration of Eden Health Care Services, held at the Winkler (Man.) Mennonite Brethren Church. Eckhard Goerz, Eden’s CEO, said Eden is like a tree firmly planted and ready to get on with the task at hand.

Dr. Glen Klassen and Dr. Archie Penner

Glen Klassen, EHCS board vice chair and Fort Garry EMC member, paid tribute to the original visionaries for starting Eden, including EMCers Rev. John P. Loewen, Rev. Peter J. B. Reimer, Rev. David P. Reimer, and Dr. Archie Penner. Dr. Penner was recognized by Klassen also as a pastor, college professor, and EM Conference organizer. Dr. Penner, 89, responded by saying that “this divinely blessed institution— nay more, this arm of the love and mercies of God and our churches of Manitoba—has seen magnificent growth. This was hardly expected when we first had our vision on what this should be. Today it is Winkler, Altona, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie, and Winnipeg—the centres of the outreach and the services of this magnificent organization.” Two words of Jesus that “have application for…the organization itself” are “blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy” and “nobody is going to offer a cup of cold water except

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that the reward will be given for it,” Penner said. Eden staff members then went through a story of recovery and hope, illustrating the process of a person’s diagnosis, and stages of recovery, services, and on-going support provided through Eden. About 25 percent of people will suffer a form of mental illness at some point in their lives, it was said. Dr. John A. Toews, professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Calgary, was the evening’s guest speaker. He said that Eden is like a city on a hill that can’t be hidden, and that its calling for the next 40 years is to let its light shine. To Canada’s economy, the cost of mood disorders is only second nationally to cardiovascular needs, he said. Every society decides how much human wastage it will accept, yet the concept of wastage doesn’t fit with his faith. Toews spoke openly of how he has personally struggled with depression. The church, he said, has a tremendous role to stand in the gap to help people function best and spiritually best as they can be. Mental illness and spiritual crisis have a relationship, Toews said. The church is to respond to a culture of narcissism, pragmatism, and materialism, partly through an emphasis on community. Terry M. Smith

coming events Summer 2007 Athletes in Action baseball camps July 30–August 3 Landmark, Man. August 7–10 LaSalle, Man. 204-346-1345 or aemart@mts.net September 12–14 17th annual Winnipeg Prophecy Conference Victoria Inn Winnipeg, Man. 204-832-4627 www.wpgpc.org October 19 Going Barefoot: Entering a Brave New World of Communication Conference for communicators $80, students $40 Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man. 204-487-3300 November 1–4 MEDA: Trust in a World of Change Business as a Calling 2007 Hilton Toronto, Ont. 800-665-7026 www.meda.org

letter Why not publish a guilt-free cookbook? I would like to respond to Jennifer Neufeld’s article Food Justice: obesity and malnutrition [May 23]. I found that once again someone has written another “this is wrong” article about Christians who wrestle with deep issues. As one who is struggling with getting started in a healthy living lifestyle, once again I am guilted by the obvious. I find that from the source of the comfort foods in our family’s The Mennonite Treasury Cookbook. This same organization is guilting us not to eats its published recipes. I wish to challenge Jennifer and the Social Concerns Committee to act versus condemn. Why not publish a Mennonite guilt-free cookbook? Thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Peter Hall Anola, Man.

Eden CEO Eckhard Goerz and speaker Dr. John Toews

have major depressive disorder, and have struggled with it for years. I am out of the closet and wish to help educate employers and fellow workers about what it means to live with an ongoing conditionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;kind of like what an employer needs to understand if someone is living with cancer or diabetes or heart disease. The bottom line is that occasionally my condition becomes destabilized and I need a few days off work for treatment or to adjust to new medication.

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Dreamstime.com

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Everyone has times of illness; depression or mental illness is not understood by most people, and the unknown can be scary. Since about one in five adults struggles with depression at some point, the likelihood that you work with someone who suffers from it is pretty high. Depression has been around for a long, long time (think Saul, in the Bible, for example). I don’t know who first discovered anti-depression medication, but for someone who truly has a chemical imbalance, it’s a miracle. Therapy, someone to listen and ask the right questions to help you figure out where you have mistaken the meaning of some things in your life and put them in perspective, is important, too. If a person’s brain has been misfiring, the therapy is crucial to help sort things out. If the person has accepted their illness and understands that others who are “in the know” about it may see it first, it can be helpful for an intuitive and trusted friend or coworker to ask if you are starting to feel a little down. When my meds lose their effectiveness and I lose all my efficiency and energy and competence, I just want to hide from the world so I won’t damage my relationships. In this state my bosses question whether or not I should keep my job, and I’m on a kind of probation with them for a while, even after I’m okay again, and sometimes forever.

I can’t even blame them. I’m competent except for several weeks once a year when my meds need to be increased, and a month or so every three years when I have to actually change meds. If I catch it soon enough, I might not even have to miss work if my employers and coworkers ignore my antisocial withdrawal and know it will soon go away. But there are plenty of people out there looking for jobs who don’t have this problem, so why would they hire me if I tell them about it up front? And if I don’t tell them up front, why shouldn’t they question my continued employment when it happens? The fact that I can’t support myself without a job isn’t their problem. Getting “the best person for the job” is. I’m 55 years old, typically have no health insurance, and can’t keep a full-time job, because just when it’s going really well, the meds quit working and the whole job goes sour. Those I’m working for don’t understand that with a little recovery time, I’ll be back up to par. How could they? Why should they? It’s not as though they owe me anything. It’s outside their realm of experience, so how could it possibly be something they could be expected to understand? Why should it be allowed to become their problem?

When the meds quit working and I can’t function, employers tend to see only that I suddenly became incapable or antisocial. Some may question not only my dependability but all my other qualities as well. THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

he church is willing to help the needy, but depression often looks more lazy then needy. But help from the church won’t give me health insurance for the rest of my life. It won’t keep a roof over my head or in any way help me to be self-sufficient. It leaves me dependent. It leaves my talents and abilities unused because those qualities desert me a few weeks out of the year, and my disability nullifies them in people’s eyes. I am faithful, loyal, honest, capable, talented, intelligent, kind, perhaps too well educated, and even dependable except for a few weeks out of the year. The law says that people are not to be excluded from employment because of disabilities. But this doesn’t seem to be an acceptable form of disability. I don’t have a fever, and I can see, hear, walk and talk. The symptoms are hard to identify, even by those who have them, unless you know what to look for. When the meds quit working and I can’t function, employers tend to see only that I suddenly became incapable or antisocial. Some may question not only my dependability but all my other qualities as well. 5

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I won’t die from major depressive disorder like I might from something like untreated diabetes. At least not in a way that anyone recognizes. But when I dan’t afford to pay for doctor bills or get my teeth ﬁxed or buy new shoes so I will look good in a job interview, I die a hundred little deaths.

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I won’t die from major depressive disorder like I might from something like untreated diabetes. At least not in a way that anyone recognizes. But when I can’t afford to pay for doctor bills or to get my teeth fixed or buy new shoes so I will look good in a job interview, I die a hundred little deaths.

hen I can’t afford my meds or my food or electricity or a roof over my head because I can’t find or keep a good job, how do I stay alive without sacrificing my self esteem and becoming a burden to my family? What will I do when I am old and suffer something that needs hospitalization and medical treatment that I can’t afford? My illness has made me seem unemployable in any field that will give me enough money to live on (much less benefits that include insurance). If and when one of those expensive medical events occurs, how do I keep from putting my children in debt? When the treatment that only the very wealthy or those with insurance coverage

Now that depression can be managed, it doesn’t have to affect our abilities or productiveness any more than anyone else’s problems if employers could be educated about it. can afford is beyond my reach, won’t it also be my diagnosed major depressive disorder that causes me to die? Depression feels like the proverbial “between a rock and a hard place.” None of my options seem to be acceptable to anyone, including myself. What employers don’t seem to understand is that when the meds get rebalanced, the instability goes away for a long and predictable period of time. Those who do understand it can see it coming and respond appropriately. In an accepting work environment, persons could be allowed to deal with their illness 6

without jeopardizing an employer’s respect and employment. I won’t take my life, but I can truly see how someone might decide to just to get out of the trap if they didn’t have anything to fall back on. I hold on to my belief that God has a reason to put us here and it is God’s job to take us out, not ours. I also have the capacity to know what effect it would have on those I love—at least as an academic fact: When I am down, it doesn’t really make sense to me. You just have to hold on to what you know to be true, to what you decided when you were okay. Medication brings you to a point where you are capable of processing rationally, but there is always a lot to process, and that’s why therapy is a must. In addition to processing the things in life that you haven’t been able to process because your brain was misfiring, you need to really understand a lot about what happens when your mind is playing tricks on you, and what to do. It takes some time and serious intention to begin to recognize early warnings that the medication is starting to wear thin. The sooner you can identify them, the shorter the transition to new or increased medication becomes. The problem is that you only get to practice this once a year or so, which really limits the learning curve. Now that depression can be managed, it doesn’t have to affect our abilities or productiveness any more than anyone else’s problems if employers could be educated about it. While each person’s situation and illness is different and should be treated as such, I hope this is helpful in a general way for anyone dealing with a mental illness in their work T family. M Elaine Banman, from Goessel, Kansas, attends Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church. She works for “really great” employers in a medical centre. Reprinted with permission from The Marketplace (May/June 2007).

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with our missionaries Asia

What we need are a few good Mormons?

I’ve returned from the Philippines, China, and Mongolia. Of course, every time we visit these countries our hearts are overwhelmed with the opportunities and needs. In these times I get a tremendous urge to leave the confines of my office and to go teach in China or Mongolia. And then the Lord keeps reminding me that my role is not to go, but to mobilize, equip, and empower others to go. Last Sunday in our community church I met David Cummings, a former president of Wycliffe International. Meeting him reminded me of a personal experience he shared in a seminar 20 years ago. He was working as a Wycliffe rep in Australia and was finding it difficult to get people who were willing to serve in other lands and cultures. In fact, it just seemed like there wasn’t an interest in the needs and opportunities for ministries outside the country. He visited India and was again so overwhelmed with the needs and experienced a tremendous desire to help meet those needs. He phoned home to his wife in Australia and told her she could start packing their stuff. Since the churches and Christians of Australia didn’t care about the needs of India, they would go themselves.

Seeing this enthusiastic group of Mormons caused my mind to ﬂash back to the summer of 2002. As we toured several university campuses we were told: Send us English teachers. Send us shortterm teams. It was hard to get Christians to come, but a team of 60 Mormon young people was on campus for the summer. God spoke clearly to David during the next few weeks and helped him to realize that it wasn’t that the people of Australia didn’t care. The problem was they didn’t know. This led to a new approach to promoting missions in Australia and resulted in a creative and effective ministry of mobilization for Wycliffe. I want to faithfully promote opportunities and needs in Asia. This is particularly true for English teaching opportunities in China and Mongolia. How can we get people to respond? Is that they don’t care or don’t know? How can we help them to know?

I am not so concerned that we get more people to come with a particular organization; my burden is that more Christians would catch the vision and go, whatever the organization. Some groups are effective at mobilizing workers, and we can learn from them. A coworker and I noticed a group of foreign young people in a hotel lobby. What were they doing here in this restricted area of central Asia? As we interacted with them, we were informed that they were a team of 65 university students from Hawaii. Their itinerary would take them all over China and Mongolia with performances in key universities. The name of their sending university caught my eye: Brigham Young University. Seeing this enthusiastic group of Mormons with their strategic agenda caused my mind to flash back to the summer of 2002, when I was in China with an English team of seven. As we toured several major university campuses we were told: Send us English teachers. Send us short-term teams. It was hard to get Christians to come, but a team of 60 Mormon young people was on campus for the summer. If the Mormons can do this, what about us? A follower of Jesus This follower of Jesus works in cross-cultural administration.

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lives into friendships

Kerry Fast

have chatted about their families n May, my mother’s neiverein I am writing this as a tribute (sewing circle) met for the last (maybe even gossiped about their to my mother and her many time. neighbours), examined each other’s For the previous fifty years this stitching (and found some wanting, friends and sewing partners group of women, calling themselves no doubt), served faspa (eating too who value service to their the Goodwill Mission Sisters, met for many cookies), and known in their community and to the world as hearts that they would return in a few hours every other Monday to socialize and sew blankets and quilts. two weeks. integral to their lives, but who A half century ago my mother, Tina The blankets, dresses, booties also understand that friendships they bought for each other as young Fast, and her sister-in-law, Alvina Fast, wanted a place where women mothers have been replaced with are just as important. from Blumenort, Man., who had floral bouquets they give when young families and didn’t have many husbands, even sons and daughters, opportunities to socialize, could gather. “We needed sisters and brothers die. But as surely as those baby it,” my mother told me. They planned to start a sewing gifts held the promise of friendships for young women, circle. They called all the women in the area, Blumenort the chrysanthemums, lilies, and roses they now buy to EMC church women and others, inviting them. About express their sympathy hold in them the fulfillment of twenty women participated in that first meeting. rich and deep friendships that only such shared lives Now fifty years later, there were still about can understand. twenty women, though only five original I am writing this as a tribute to my mother and her members are still alive. They met in the many friends and sewing partners who value service evenings so that for those few hours to their community and to the world as integral to the women could be unencumbered their lives, but who also understand that friendships with children, husbands being are just as important. But also, in writing this, I have around to look after them. asked myself, like I asked my mother, what is the most I asked my mother what the most valuable thing her fifty year old neiverein has given valuable thing was she received from her to me? She had a ready answer: Friendship. I, on the neiverein, and she said developing friendships other hand, have had to think through the nostalgia that lasted fifty years. I also asked her what was that presents itself when I contemplate the life of my the greatest thing she had contributed. She said “all childhood community I am no longer a part of. those blankets we made for MCC.” I, too, value friendships, but I do not have These women sewed countless blankets for MCC. friends whom I meet week after week, year in Throughout the world, for the past fifty years, their blankets have been unpacked from the shipping crates into which they had been bundled, and handed out in refugee camps and communities affected by famine, earthquakes and hurricanes. If they were stacked one on top of the other, the confusion of brightly colored scraps and stitches might well reach right into heaven. All those blankets are a contribution to be truly proud of! When they first started meeting, as recognition of their friendships, the neiverein bought a gift for each woman who had a baby. Fifty years later those friendships have matured, as on a bi-weekly basis the women The five remaining original members: Gertie Loewen, Annie Plett, Katherine Dueck, Helen Loewen, and Tina Fast.

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and year out. I, too, find meaning in sewing scraps of coloured fabrics into beautiful blankets, and stitching them like the women of my mother’s neiverein do. While my quilts have never been sent overseas, they too have been intertwined in the deepening of some of my own friendships. If a generation has an obligation to its children, as I believe the women of my mother’s neiverein have to my generation, what is that obligation? It cannot be simply to transplant values from their world into ours, for our worlds are ever changing. Rather, it is to nurture us, their children, in confidence, generosity, and courage as we work to strengthen our world and our friendships as consistently as their neiverein did. To my mother and the many women she counts as T friends in her neiverein, thank you! M

The entire neiverein

Kerry Fast lives in Toronto, Ont.

with our churches

The wilds of the Whiteshell Morris, Man.: Greetings with Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifice God is pleased.” We are so grateful for the many guest speakers who have blessed us in the past months since we’ve been without a pastor. May God reward you all! January 12–14 saw more than 20 ladies take off to the wilds of the Whiteshell for a retreat at Camp Cedarwood. It was a bitterly cold weekend, but it warmed up enough Saturday afternoon for us to spend some time outdoors cross-country skiing, hiking, and sledding. Beautiful trails through the bush and around the lake were available. And a huge iced tube slide kept a number of us screaming and laughing and provided comic relief for those who prefer to stay warm in the lodge. We were thoroughly challenged in our faith this weekend by several speakers (Sheila Walsh, Merilyn Meberg, Patsy Clairmont, and Luci Swindoll) in a video series called Boundless Love. We were also encouraged by several ladies who were willing to share their stories of God’s word in their lives.

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When you put together God’s creation, God’s love, God’s people, and God’s Spirit, good things happen and a wonderful mix occurs. In March we were glad to have Al Friesen come for a Family Development series. We pray that as we were encouraged by them, we will also use his illustrations and teaching to raise our families for God’s Kingdom.

When you put together God’s creation, God’s love, God’s people, and God’s Spirit, good things happen and a wonderful mix occurs. After much prayer and research, our church embarked on the well-known Alpha program. Though still in the beginning stages, we’re trusting the Lord to lead us to the people He wants us to invite and pray they will accept the invitation.

On Easter Sunday our men served us with a lovely breakfast of French toast, scrambled eggs, and ham. They love doing it and the result of us enjoy taking it in. Thanks, guys! Great job! A number of our youth together with their leaders, Frank and Monica Harder, attended Abundant Springs in Caronport. Here is what Carissa Bartel writes about the weekend: “Abundant Springs is a camp for teenagers to come learn about God. There was a total of about 700 people there. Each day we had some singing, a session, and then after the session we had a seminar. Dale Friesen was the speaker for the weekend. The weather was really good! “We played games like Amazing Race, basketball, volleyball, street hockey, and life-sized Dutch Blitz. In the evening before going to bed we had some garage bands play. Each day bedtime was at 1 a.m. At the end of the day everyone was really tired. All it in all it was a great weekend.” Betty Siemens

Missionaries coming and going Landmark, Man.: Jonathan and Corrie Barg, SEND international, have returned from far-east Russia after spending approximately four months in the city of Khabarovsk in full-time language study and then moved to the smaller city of Birobidzhan where they spent approximately seven months church planting. They have built relationships, learned the culture, and have tried to grasp this complex language. They have also sensed that God was leading them back to Canada and have now accepted a twoyear assignment with SEND in London, Ont., starting in July. It was obvious as they spoke to our congregation that they were deeply affected by the friendships they had made while in Russia. As they look forward to the future, Corrie shared her desire to continue to study the Russian language. She will be filling a position in short-term ministry coordination and Jonathan will be working in the areas of project development at the London, Ont., SEND head office.

Corrie and Jon Barg in Russia.

A number of family and friends gathered at the Winnipeg Airport on June 8, 2007, to welcome Evelyn Barkman back to Canada. Her missions work with Avant has spanned 37 years during which she has been teaching many different people at the Mana Bible Institute in Mali, Africa. On June 10 at the Landmark church’s annual picnic, Evelyn was presented with a brand new shiny red Toyota Camry. A welcome back shower of appreciation was also held in Evelyn’s honour later on that same evening. Thank you, Evelyn. Your life’s work is and will continue to be an inspiration to all of us, and a testimony for those who would follow.

Evelyn Barkman and Denis Keating

Life is full of changes, some expected and some unexpected. Those who are open to the challenge of change, as all of these people have proven, will thrive wherever God leads them.

(Anna Mary Reimer photo)

A special note of thanks goes out to all who planned and served at these events to make them special and successful. Heidi Plett, with AIM, leaves Landmark on July 4, 2007. She will be teaching the children of a small farming community in Namibia, Africa. Heidi is a gifted teacher and the children of Namibia will greatly benefit from her experience just as our children have in the Hanover School Division. Heidi Plett Brad and Cynthia Plett, along with their daughters, Emily, Ava, and Myla, are our newest missionaries with Youth for Christ. They will be leaving at the end of July for camp Cedarwood in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba. Brad’s leadership, management, and trade skills will be put to full use when he coordinates the camp operations and mentors a staff of about 15 people. Cynthia’s servant heart and her many gifts, such as creativity, hospitality, and her coordinating skills, will provide a perfect compliment for their mission’s work. Life is full of changes, some expected and some unexpected. Those who are open to the challenge of change, as all of these people have proven, will thrive wherever God leads them. Brigitte Toews

Brad and Cynthia Plett and their daughters Emily, Ava, and Mila.

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AFC joins centennial celebration Anola, Man.: June 2, 2007, was a busy day for Anola Fellowship Chapel. All weekend the town of Anola had been celebrating its 100th anniversary. As a part of this event Anola held a parade. Naturally, the people from the church jumped in. This was the perfect chance to advertise for our upcoming VBS. An old-fashioned tractor pulled our colourful float. The trailer was decorated in the theme of our Water Park VBS, in yellow, blue, and red streamers, accented with balloons, beach toys, and a giant killer whale. Some kids lounged in lawn chairs on the trailer, while others (children, youth, and adults) handed out prizes and information about our summer VBS. Anola Fellowship Chapel VBS float in the community’s centennial parade. Many other church people duet, Winter by Vivaldi. Geralyn found themselves in the parade, was also dared to play a jig on the representing other community fiddle, to everyone’s delight. More programs, driving old-fashioned entertainment was provided by the vehicles, horseback riding, even emcee, Danny Melnyk, who showed driving a covered wagon. Those of a PowerPoint with goofy pictures of us who didn’t participate enjoyed the grads. waving at our friends as the parade Youth Pastor Peter Hall told went by. the story of David and Goliath, Later that day, the AFC youth held and reminded us to “expect the a formal banquet for this year’s Grade unexpected from God.” Then the 12 graduates. The church auditorium youth leaders presented the grads was transformed into a banquet hall, with Bibles, which they had signed and servers rushed around in blackand written in words of wisdom. and-white outfits. Thank you to Heather Taylor and When the grads arrived, they Bevan Barkman who organized the were honoured with a walk down banquet, and to their crew of helpers the red carpet. We (yes, me too!) all who decorated, served the meal, took time to ooh and ahh over each and cleaned up afterwards. Much others’ grad gowns and tuxes before appreciation goes to Esther and sitting down to dinner. The grads: Shaun Sawatzky, Albee Eisbrenner, Jessica Melnyk, Geralyn Wichers and Val Barkman Jessica Wichers, and Angela Nolt. Caleb Dowler and Amanda Harry Davis for cooking such food for us. performed a beautiful violin/piano Christie also graduated, but were unable to attend the banquet. Jessica Wichers

Dinner theatre fundraiser Vanderhoof, B.C.: This is a picture of the dinner theatre that our church put on as a fundraiser for our building fund. It was set in a 1950s diner and our waiting staff had to keep the customers entertained with a bubble gum blowing contest, some amazing singing, and a rousing game of bingo (where everyone won, of course). We were sold out every night and it was the talk of the town. We raised over $4,000, after all our expenses, for our building fund. Natosha Wiebe

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MacGregor strives to be salt and light MacGregor, Man.: Our Missions Committee was busy as they planned an exciting Missions Encounter Weekend for our congregation. On the Friday, the ladies were treated to a fashion show, men sat around the fire sipping tea, teenagers played games, youngsters learned about bugs, and the littlest ones enjoyed a special treat just for them. During the day on Saturday the missionary families traveled to various homes to share their lives while we shared our meals with them. In the evening we had a choice of venues where we learned even more about our missionaries—Erna Plett, Paul and Lois Thiessen, and Scott and Elisa Peters. Thanks also to Gord Penner who shared on Sunday morning what EMC missions is all about. The first weekend of February was by far the coldest outside, but was definitely warm inside at Rock Lake where the Leadership Team of the church met for a retreat. Fires where kept burning, hearts were poured out as they shared and bonded together. Pray for our leadership as they seek to lead us in being the kind

Apply now for September 2007 call cathy for info 1.800.230.8478 www.sbcollege.ca

Wenda Dyck, Pastor Bill McCaskell, and Tyson Unrau

of church that God would like us to be. Our youth enjoyed a fun filled day at Missionfest in Winnipeg. Prior to their experience at Missionfest, our church viewed the film The End of the Spear, which told the story of five missionaries who lost their lives in the jungle of Ecuador. The son of one of these missionaries, Steve Saint, was a guest speaker at Missionfest. God can and does work miracles. The youth also participated in a Mission Trip to Regina with a neighboring church, Bagot Community Chapel (EMMC). They went to work at Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, and not only did they affect the lives at the mission but the lives of our youth were touched as well. Pray that God will continue to infect the lives of our youth. The ladies of MacGregor love to meet together. On Wednesday evenings the senior members meet (with some men) for Bible study. On Thursday mornings all ages of women meet for Spiritual Direction. And on special occasions we meet together for fun, wisdom, learning and—always—food. There was not a lot of snow this year, but when it came, those of us who volunteered at Valley View Bible Camp’s sliding hill had a great time. The new warm up shack is fantastic; it even includes inside washrooms. If you have never tried tubing down a hill of snow and then had the pleasure of riding up the tow rope, you must come and try it this winter. You will not be disappointed. In April we welcomed Wenda Dyck into our membership. Wenda, and her

husband who passed away last year, has been attending our church for many years and now she felt it was time to officially become a member. We also welcomed Tyson Unrau, who was born and raised in our church. He was baptized to show us and the world of his love for God. We said good-bye (for a few years, they say) to Ed and Linda Giesbrecht who have moved out to Alberta to spend time with their daughter and her family. We will miss them and look forward to their return. Please pray for MacGregor EMC as we continue to strive to be salt and light in our community. Elizabeth Sawatzky

weddings DICK – KOLMAN: Russel Wesley, son of Wes and Brenda Dick, and Karla Joy, daughter of Tom and Anna Kolman, all of Calgary, Alta., were married March 24, 2007, at Abbeydale Christian Fellowship in Calgary with Pastor David Funk officiating. The couple lives in Calgary. KLASSEN – WIEBE: Lyndon, son of Harold and Liz Klassen, and Naomi, daughter of David and Audrey Wiebe, were married on April 28, 2007, at Fort Garry EM Church with David Wiebe officiating. The couple lives in Winnipeg, Man. WOLGEMUTH – BRISCHUK: Christopher, son of Randy and Lydia Wolgemuth, and Tenniel, daughter of Mike and Sharon Brischuk, were married on May 19, 2007, at Veteran’s Memorial Hall in Swan River, Man., with Herbe Wiebe officiating. DERKSEN – FRIESEN: Brian, son of David and Nita Derksen of Stephenfield, Man., and Danielle, daughter of Brian and Elaine Friesen of Roseisle, Man., were married on June 16, 2007, at Winkler Mennonite Church with Pastor Kelly Lesser of Roseisle officiating. The couple lives in Roseisle. KOZAK – HUDSON: Joseph Kozak of Manitou, Man., and Dorothy Hudson of Roseisle, Man., were married on June 9, 2007, at Roseisle EM Church with Pastor Kelly Lesser of Roseisle officiating. The couple lives in Manitou. HIBBS – DUECK: Wes, son of Tom and Kerry Hibbs of Langley, B.C., and Ashley, daughter of Wes and Jerlene Dueck of Kleefeld, Man., were married on June 16, 2007, at Kleefeld EM Church with Pastor Darryl Klassen officiating.

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Kleefeld dedicates 14 Kleefeld, Man.: On March 4, ten couples assembled with 14 babies and young children at the church front to dedicate their children to God and to make a public promise to raise these children for the Lord. As a congregation we want to show our support for these families and remember them in prayer. Following the dedication service the congregation was invited to participate in a fund-raising lunch prepared by the youth in order to raise money to attend Abundant Springs in Caronport, Sask. The lunch of lasagna, salad, bread sticks, and dessert was delicious, and the church family showed good support. On April 13-15, a retreat by 28 men to Circle Square Ranch in Austin lived up to its billing, providing a weekend of renewal of the mind and relaxation for the body and soul. Pastor Peter Ascough was well prepared to lead us through a detailed exploration of spiritual gifts. We reviewed the gifts as listed and described in various biblical examples, then spent considerable effort in profiling our own and each other’s strongest grouping of spiritual gifts. Of the three groups we explored (wisdom, power, and commitment), most of us found that we

Twenty-eight men retreated at Circle Square Ranch.

had a noticeably weak area, but that this was a strength area of the person sitting beside us. The result was usually a strong affirmation that others see the same gifts in us that we see in ourselves. Additionally, it became obvious that in the church setting we need each other to provide a balance of strong gifts. In non-study time there was a delightful balance as well—time for long walks in gorgeous weather on huge acreage; time for getting acquainted with men whom we see every Sunday, but don’t really know well; time

for a huge ball-hockey game and long oxygen-recovery time; time for naps; time for bragging about victories in table tennis, air hockey, foosball or pool; and, of course, time to watch the stars and listen to Don Penner tell stories while sitting in the hot tub. Special thanks to Peter for his leadership before he left on Sunday for his Mom’s funeral, for Darryl for taking over, and for Bob and Iris Bartel for organization and details. It was so worthwhile. Dennis and Louella Friesen

Of the three groups of spiritual gifts we explored (wisdom, power, and commitment), most of us found that we had a noticeably weak area, but that this was a strength area of the person sitting beside us. A fund-raising lunch

Parent-child dedication: Peter and Irene Ascough with Reuben; Ron and Jen Reimer with Jadyn; Fried and Cora Kehler with Storm, Brooklyn, and Skylar; Heinz and Alana Siemens with Nicanor, Nicol, and Norbert; Wendell and Michelle Martens with Cadyn; Gary and Lynnette Kehler with Miah; Calvin and Carol Kehler with Tyson; Barry and Kerri Penner with Zander; Gil and Kara Friesen with Georgia; Dallas and Tara Wiebe with Carter.

THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

A rundown from Hillside

Buffalo Head Prairie, Alta.: Greetings from Hillside Christian Fellowship Church! In case you’ve ever wondered, the Hillside part of our name comes from being a few short miles from the base of the Buffalo Head Prairie Hills, not too far from La Crete, Alta. In recent months we’ve gone through all of the same holidays and probably most of the same special occasions as the majority of EMCers in Canada, but in case there are discrepancies of interest, I’ll give you a rundown of what we’ve been up to this spring. The first glimmer of spring began in mid-February with the lengthening of days and the sky seeming a little bluer, and then our hearts glowed and seemed to be reflected in the paper cut-outs that the little ones brought upstairs after Sunday school, or maybe that had something more to do with Valentines Day. Then our Fellowship Committee went with the theme and hosted a Valentine’s banquet complete with fabulous fixin’s, guess-the-baby picture games, and love

Melanie and Norman Buhler dedicated Stacey on May 13, 2007.

songs from years gone by. What a hoot! In April we got to chat with folks from all over Region 1 at the Regional Conference held at the La Crete Christian Fellowship Church; and enjoyed a potluck with some guests from Grande Prairie, Burns Lake, and Manitoba after church. In May we had our annual parent/child dedication service on Mother’s Day. Our congregation has so far welcomed enough babies to enjoy a service every year, Guests played a guess-the-baby-picture game at the Valentine’s banquet. thus we call it “annual.” However, our baby count is still nowhere near what Mission Heights Joyce Wieler’s quiet response to having in Grande Prairie boasts annually, so the child give the flowers; she whispered, our hat is off to you folks. We also had “Train up the child in the way he should the oldest child of each mother (or the go….” Men’s Saturday morning prayer husband) present the mom with a vase of flowers for Mother’s Day. I enjoyed breakfasts are still going strong, so I’m told. And the Ladies’ Bible studies have ended for the year. We’ve welcomed back our college students and expect to welcome Kenton Neufeld back soon from four weeks with IVCF in Asia. We’ve had a couple more potlucks, picked wild crocuses, and started planting our gardens and fields. Yesterday morning we watched big fluffy snow flakes fall until we had about three inches of snow accumulated again…does this mean we’ll have another Valentine’s banquet soon? Linda Friesen Noella Koop gave a tribute to her mother.

Taking leaps of faith Riverton, Man.: “Respected and great Gospel church Committee. Many thanks for your decision to help me and my family.” This was our church body’s first introduction to Ishaq Masih and wife Rahat Ishaq and their family. What started out as a mere business trip to Pakistan for our brother Paul Peters is turning out to be a remarkable journey of faith. Paul met Ishaq in January of 2006 in Pakistan during an installation project for Vidir Machine. Ishaq had the opportunity to graciously offer hospitality to Paul during that trip. During their visits Paul and Ishaq discovered that they had something in common, a love for the

Rahat and Ishaq currently live in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, with their three children: son Reshial (six), daughter Mishal (five), and son Lukas (one). Ishaq works at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad as an electrician and Rahat teaches at the St. Francis Christian Boys High School.

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Lord Jesus! Ishaq expressed the desire to immigrate to Canada with his family. He writes, “There are many problems here. I know if kind Jesus will grant our emigration to Canada, then my children will get a good education and have a better future.” Ironically, Paul’s grandmothers expressed the same sentiments when they began the daunting process of fleeing Russia and then immigrating to Canada in 1948. Perhaps that is one of the reasons Paul carefully and prayerfully considered Ishaq’s request instead of dismissing it as impossible and inconvenient. It is an example of how taking one small step of obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading can be like a small seed producing a bountiful crop. Paul and his wife Christine are currently trying to negotiate the maze of paperwork that comes with immigration.

We, as a church, have been invited to participate in a fundraising effort. In May, a Music Fest was held to raise money for this project. This proved to be an opportunity for our community and surrounding churches to participate in this journey of faith.

A retreat that revived Portage la Prairie, Man.: Circle Square Ranch, south of Austin, Man., was a perfect setting for our spring Ladies’ Retreat, where we were greeted and registered by our Sheriff Tammy Kornelsen. Our president Mary Beth Loewen and her committee did an excellent plan for the whole weekend and God blessed us with excellent weather for the weekend of April 27–29. Rhonda Peters, from the Bagot Community Church (EMMC), was our guest speaker. She did four study sessions adapted from Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Then she topped it off with Revive Our Heart: The Truth that Sets us Free, also by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. “The question to answer isn’t, ‘Do you believe God’s Word?’ The question to answer is, ‘Do you live like you believe God’s Word?’” Replace the lies with the Truth (Psalm 120:1-4). Many activities were planned and enjoyed from a hayride, sports,

games, puzzles, crafts, and more. The meals prepared and served by Circle Square were fantastic as were the accommodations. Catherine Epp

Walking with Jesus sometimes requires taking leaps of faith. Ishaq and Rahat took a leap of faith when they shared their dreams about immigrating. Paul and Christine took a leap of faith when they agreed to help. Our church is taking a leap of faith as we participate in the process, raise funds, and eventually welcome this family. Vidir Machine has graciously shown their generosity in the form of a job offer. There are times in our lives when the Holy Spirit urges us to do something risky. We have a choice, to obey or to stay where it is comfortable. Sometimes our leaps of faith require the support and efforts of other believers. When we belong to the body of Christ, we have the opportunity to work together to accomplish what would be impossible on our own. Sigi Hiebert

births DUECK – to Jason and Natalie Dueck of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Ezeri Gavrielle, on March 14, 2006. PAULS – to John and Karen Pauls of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Gavin Hugo Josiah, on March 15, 2006. UNRAU – to Darryl and Cyndy Unrau of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Nash Xavier, on October 21, 2006. HOPCRAFT – to Michael and Lisa Hopcraft of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Noah Ethan, on December 28, 2006. THIESSEN – to Chuck and Laura Thiessen of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Savannah River, on February 3, 2007. LEINONEN – to Harri and Karla Leinonen of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Blake Carter, on March 12, 2007. HEPPNER – to Byron and Kristal Heppner of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Jack Wesley, on March 16, 2007. BERGEN – to Wes and Kellie of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Christabel Grace, on March 21, 2007.

Portage ladies on retreat.

SCHAU – to Jeff and Lisa Schau of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Thea Emily, on April 26, 2007. HOEPPNER – to Nathan and Cora Hoeppner of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Cole Erik Keaton, on May 11, 2007. PLETT – to Duane and Krista Plett of Calgary, Alta., a daughter, Mädchen Simone, on May 16, 2007. THIESSEN – to Jeff and Lynelle Thiessen of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Madelyn Amber Grace, on May 21, 2007.

Main Street at the retreat.

THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

FRIESEN – to Darryl and Terrilee Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Tyrsa Laura Jane, on May 31, 2007.

stewardship today Gary Sawatzky

To fail to plan is to plan to fail

he room was a mess again. No matter how many times he had been told to clean, and despite past disciplining, it was still a mess. He was constantly looking for something to wear, usually under a pile of other clothes. I was never sure if the pile was the clean laundry or the dirty laundry that didn’t make it to a clothes hamper. To top it off, because he could not find the right clothes to wear, he had to have more money to buy new ones. Enough was enough. Judgment had come and it was time to clean. The day was spent sorting clean clothes from dirty, old from new, organizing and rearranging, finally discovering the floor that previously was a collage of papers and clothes.

Sometimes our financial lives look like this room. We are disorganized and not quite sure where things are. We know that we have enough, but are not sure where it is all going or even how it got there. By the time the task was done, he had found many long-lost items. Comments like “I have been looking for that!” and “So that’s where that is!” filled the room. His closet was now full, the dresser organized and sorted. He had lots of clothes. Some clothing no longer needed went to others. Sometimes our financial lives look like this room. We are disorganized and not quite sure where things are. We know that we have enough, but are not sure where it is all going or even how it got there. Often there is enough income, but there always seems to be more outgo. Then it feels like there is not enough income. A basic rule of money management is that if we consistently spend more than we make, we will be broke. Not understanding how much we are spending, and on what, is a common problem. The impact of tight finances is often felt first in our generosity. We see giving as neither a joy nor an act of worship, but rather as an evil that causes us to be short of money for other things. Giving is often the first “expense” to be cut. Yet as Christians we are called to 16

tithe and to give joyfully out of our abundance. Money problems usually start small and continue to grow. We buy something that we don’t really need or just plain want, like the extra coffee, snack, or other frill. Our incomes are usually enough, but because we lack the budgeting discipline or the spending discipline, things get away from us. Remember the old saying: To fail to plan is to plan to fail. Some people find it’s helpful to put money into envelopes or jars designated to various spending categories. Others put themselves on an allowance by having pay cheques direct deposited, bills electronically paid, and access to credit cards limited. For some families, putting someone who is less inclined to spend in charge of the purse strings can help turn things around. If your finances feel like they are out of control, don’t wait any longer. Seek counsel and guidance. It is only too late if you wait until it is too late. Just as small spending leakages lead to big problems, so small changes in terms of planning and paying attention to spending habits can T make a big positive difference over time. M For stewardship education and services, contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office: Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 1-888-212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, 1-877717-0708; Niagara – Darren Pries-Klassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, Sherri Grosz, 1-888-212-7759; Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257.

THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

Friday

Today is Saturday, Another work week has come and gone. I just said goodbye to Kelsie, Who has left for her home in Washington. The group from Indiana left at four this morning, So we said our goodbyes last night. Gave all our hugs and best wishes, Yesterday was Friday. Today is Saturday. A few long termers are around, And, oh yes, my sister is coming! The old order Mennonite boys left for New Orleans, To see the big city in ruins. They are a hard working bunch of guys, And will be around for another week. Yesterday was Friday. Today is Saturday. I made it through a tough week, Leadership is not my cup of tea. Yet with prayers from my comrades, Pats on the back from my peers, We got tons accomplished. Got three houses sheet rocked and mudded. Yesterday was Friday. Today is Saturday. As I sat and had my lunch yesterday, I saw the church across the street. Its roof so steep and steeple tall, I had seen the church before, but when? I had seen men on it, Nailing shingles from a boom truck and basket. Yesterday was Friday. Today is Saturday. As I lay in bed reﬂecting, I remembered the church and steeple. Weeks before, I had been on the same yard, With men from Ohio. With chainsaws and ropes and muscles, We had removed a huge oak that had toppled. Yesterday was Friday. Yesterday was Friday. I went to Lowes with my driver, I saw an old man trying to load drywall into his truck. It was windy and I saw he was struggling with the sheets, THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

So I gave him a hand…He thanked me and I wished him well. He said he might as well be living there, That was yesterday. I stopped by the old auto body shop at the corner, There sat an old black man eating his lunch off the hood. The sights and the smells reminded me of home, And my good friend Terry, Who fixes cars with fiberglass and metal. Then the old man told me his story, That was yesterday. My son had a Corvette said he, He lost it in a crash. I saved the engine and put it right here, And he showed me his three-wheeled motorcycle. The engine, all bright yellow and chromed, With two high-rise seats of leather. The transmission is out of a camaro, The rear, S-15. I used to drive it in parades he said, Then he paused, sniffled, and wiped a tear. But I lost it all he said, Water was eight feet high. As he showed me the line on the wall, Yesterday was Friday. Yesterday was Friday, I was tired and needed some space.

(Photos by MDS)

I went for a long walk on the sand, I saw the debris, the skeletons of ﬁsh. I saw the sofa cushions, where once the family sat, I saw clothes that once had been worn, all new. Then I saw some ﬂowers by the water’s edge, And I knew what that means too. For I had heard their stories, I had seen their tears, I had hugged their shaking bodies, I had walked a mile on their beach, Yesterday was Friday. Tomorrow is Sunday, When to the Church of the Good Shepherd we’ll go. We will lift our hands together, Our voices with theirs in praises we’ll raise. We’ll worship our God together, And someday again we will meet, ’Cause yesterday was Good Friday! Neil Friesen Neil Friesen is part of Treesbank Community Church. He and his wife Anita have served with MDS on the gulf coast.

SBC’s Don Thiessen retires A retirement dinner for Don Thiessen was attended by Steinbach Bible College board, staff, faculty and friends who gathered to show appreciation for his ministry at the college. May 24 was an evening with a banquet that was followed by a short program of sharing and hymns. Representatives recalled highlights of Don’s ministry at SBC. Throughout his ten years at SBC, Don was known for being an innovator. During his first year at SBC, he helped improve teaching conditions by bringing in portable classrooms for the larger classes of first-year students. In subsequent years he developed the Foundations program to take SBC to the churches, providing needed training for ministry in local settings. By creating the module system students could have a block of time to focus on their Mission Exposure, hands-on ministry without the distractions of many other assignments. Don and Minna also ministered to married students with several events

PETER R. BARKMAN 1916–2006 Peacefully, with family at his side, on Thursday, November 2, 2006, at 10:15 a.m., Peter R. Barkman breathed his last breath and went to be with Jesus. He died at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach at the age of 90 after a brief battle with cancer. Peter is survived by his loving wife of 10 years, Margaret; his three sons and five daughters: LeRoy (Marcella) of Steinbach; Margaret Rose of Steinbach; Rebecca (Jim Wiebe) of Blumenort, Man.; John (Janice) of Steinbach; Sharon (Garry Kornelsen) of Calgary, Alta.; Judy (Erwin Plett) of Steinbach; Delores (Murray Barkman) of Steinbach;

Ben Eidse, SBC Chancellor, offers a prayer of dedication for Don and Minna Thiessen.

each year to help these students connect as families. Minna led a weekly Bible study for student wives, and also spent much time phoning alumni, to find out how they were doing and to update contact information.

Board vice-chair Ron Plett made a presentation, thanking Don for his years of ministry, and blessing them as they leave to minister in Mexico with EMC Missions. SBC

and Dwayne (Candy) of Winnipeg, Man.; 18 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren. Through a second marriage he gained another five sons and three daughters: Harold (Karen) Dueck of London, Ont.; Alice (Jim Kabernick) of Chilliwack, BC; Abe (Vicki) Dueck of Buffalo, New York; Elfrieda Couch of Ingersol, Ont.; Len (Jan) Dueck of Abbotsford, BC; Ray (Robyn) Dueck of Surrey, BC; Anne (Robert deBruin) of Orangeville, Ont.; and Donnie (Theresa) Dueck of Alberta, 18 grandchildren, and 18 greatgrandchildren. Peter was predeceased by his first wife, Helen; their firstborn son Daniel in infancy; his mother Sara and father John G. Barkman; his sisters Marie (Mrs. Ben Doerksen), Nettie (Mrs. Jacob Doerksen), Sara (Mrs. Abe Kroeker), Helen (Mrs. Abe Kroeker), his brother Jake, and a number of sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Dad was born in the Clearspring, Man., region in his parents’ home on August 27, 1916. At age 9, he moved with his family to Kansas, where his father became the teacher and pastor. After 12 years, they moved back to Canada to farm. He was married to Helen Reimer on January 12, 1941, until she died on February 18, 1995.

On August 31, 1996, he married Helen’s very close sister, Margaret Dueck, and had 10 wonderful years of married life again. Eight of these years, Dad and Mom lived in Abbotsford, B.C., but we, Dad’s family, were so glad they could move to Fernwood Place in Steinbach for the last 11 months of his life. Dad loved God’s creation and made sure we paid attention to the beauty all around us as we drove. Dad loved driving and any excuse to go for a drive would get us out on another adventure, whether it was seeing an area that was flooded, chasing a hot air balloon, or just seeing how the crops in the area were doing. Many of these rides would end up with an ice cream cone somewhere. Dad enjoyed many different occupations in his lifetime—bus driver, custodian of the Blumenort church, administrator of the Rest Haven, cheese maker, bridge builder, and farmer. Dad loved to begin conversations with people wherever he went, and usually found ways to share the Good News of Jesus. He was an active member of Blumenort EMC most of his life, serving as Sunday School teacher, songleader, and a member of the Singing Grandpas. His Family

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shoulder tapping WILDERNESS EDGE Conference and Retreat Centre is a 115-room facility that caters largely to church and family gatherings. We are currently looking for a capable evening guest attendant to join our team. Responsibilities include assisting with supper, being responsible for night snack, and light office work. Cleaning skills are an asset. Accommodations are available as well as meals. For information, contact Kevin Penner at 204-753-2535. ENDEAVOUR FELLOWSHIP Chapel in eastcentral Saskatchewan, is currently looking for a pastor. We have a fairly young congregation consisting of 18–20 families, with about 16 children in Sunday School. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net. AYLMER & Area Inter-Mennonite Community Council seeks a radio person who speaks good Low German and English, has computer skills, and a radio voice. It has an ethnic station helping include Low German newcomers included in society, under the motto: Integration and inclusion through information and education. Duties: Help prepare and edit programs; sell, translate, and produce ads; host some programs. German, Spanish, and broadcasting courses are assets. This could be a salaried position. It also seeks a retired visitation couple, an MCC voluntary service position seconded to AAIMCC. This couple works with MCC Aylmer Resource Centre staff and helps Low German newcomers with settlement issues. Low German and loving, patient hearts are requirements. Contact Abe Harms, 16 Talbot St. E., Aylmer ON N5H 1H4, abeh@mccayl.org, 519-765-3020. WANTED: LIFEGUARDS and counselors for Midway Bible Camp, 30 minutes out of Thompson, Man. Contact Paul Giesbrecht at Continental Mission cmi@mts.net. WHAT TEAM do you like to play on? EMC Missions desire to send a team of church planters to Mexico. Following two semesters of Spanish language study, the team will be placed in one of the cities in Chihuahua State working alongside national church leaders and missionaries. For information contact Ken Zacharias at 204-326-6401 or emcken@mts.net. RICHMOND PARK MB Church, a congregation of about 300 people in the growing, mid-sized city of Brandon—is searching for a youth pastor who is passionate about leading and discipling youth in Jesus. Please send in resume and three references to Reinhold Kramer, 43 Noonan Dr., Brandon, MB R7B 0V7. For information, email Kramer@brandonu.ca or phone 204-727-9701. SBC INVITES applications for a part-time food services cook level 3. Preferred applicant to have commercial food preparation experience.

THE MESSENGER July 4, 2007

The position involves meal preparation, food stock rotation and maintenance, sanitary environment maintenance, supervision of student workers. Some evenings and weekends required. Applicant must be in agreement and sign the Statement of Faith and Lifestyle of the schools. Application form and job description are available at the SBC reception desk. Closing date: August 3, 2007, or when a suitable candidate is found. Only applicants to be interviewed will be contacted. No calls please. Submit application, résumé, and cover letter to Steinbach Bible College, Attn: Gil Drolet, 50 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4. Fax: 204-326-6908. E-mail: gdrolet@sbcollege.ca. HODGSON CHRISTIAN Academy (HCA), an almost new school with 20 Native students, seeks applicants for both the lower grades and upper grades teacher positions for 2007–2008. HCA opened in 2003 and is now operated by several churches. HCA serves families in the Hodgson, Peguis, and Fisher River communities. HCA is located about 2 hours north of Winnipeg. For information please contact principal Tim Reimer at treimer@juno.com or 204-364-2466.

THE EMC invites applications for the senior administrative position of General Secretary. Responsibilities: Serve as Executive Secretary for the Board of Missions, General Board, and Board of Trustees; provide management of conference finances; coordinate conference events; provide management role of national office. Applicants should have experience and training in areas of financial management and missions administration with strong communication skills. A job description is available upon request. Duties to commence September 1, 2007. Please request an application form from the office at 204-326-6401, fax 204-326-1613, emconf@mts.net. The application and resume can be addressed to EMC Moderator Ron Penner and forwarded to the same addresses or to 440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5.

FISH CREEK Christian Fellowship (a nine-year-old EMC congregation meeting in South Calgary) is seeking a bi-vocational senior pastor to begin this summer or fall. We currently have about 40 people attending, and our aim is to reach the lost in our area. We are looking for an organized, selfmotivated candidate with a strong pulpit ministry and gifts in evangelism, discipleship and visionary leadership for church re-planting. For details and discussion please contact Dean Buhler, 1452 Lake Sylvan Dr SE, Calgary, AB T2J 3C8. Phone 403-271-5171 or e-mail kbuhler1@telus.net.

ISLAND GOSPEL Fellowship, in Burns Lake, BC, seeks an interim pastor and a permanent pastor. Burns Lake is a village in the geographic centre of the province, in the heart of the lakes district. The village’s population is 2,726, and it serves as the supply centre for 8,000 people in neighbouring communities. The congregation, with about 110 in average attendance, is comprised of people from a range of cultural and church backgrounds. Inquiries should be addressed to Johnny Janzen, chair, pastoral search committee, IGF, Box 145, Burns Lake, BC V0J 1E0. Another contact is interim church chairman Cole Clifford, 250-698-7319; cole.clifford@lakescom.net.

MISSION HEIGHTS Community Church, in the busy city of Grande Prairie, Alta., is seeking a full-time senior pastor. We are a family oriented congregation of 180 people. Direct enquiries to Wayne Friesen at waynefriesen@neufeldonline. com or call 780-538-1605.

STEEPROCK BAY Bible Camp, near Birch River, Man., might still need a lifeguard, male counselors, and speakers for its camping program (July and first week of August). Contact Jack Dyck 204-525-2420 and 204-734-9769; or Wayne Reimer at 204-236-4471.

RESERVE FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community. The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that has a Christian history going back to 1879. The congregation is located about 45 minutes from Virden and Brandon. A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people are required. Direct inquiries to David Pashe, 204-730-0409, e-mail: pashed@westman. wave.ca; or to Len Barkman, 204-326-6401, e-mail: emclen@mts.net.

PELLY FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Applicants need to have a strong personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a sense of God’s call on their life. He/she will need to be flexible, have strong communication, organizational, relational and leadership skills, as well as being self-motivated. Music skills would be an asset. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306-595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com

Two women at the

gate

Kirsten Penner Krymusa

here are two women at the gate. One of them carries a baby wrapped in a faded kanga, a grey knit cap on his head. The other is young, beautiful, with wide full lips and skin like mocha. In another world, she would be a model. But now she sits on the curb outside my gate, her dusty toes poking at small rocks. Please, we need help. They speak at the same time, in quiet Swahili. My guard Sammy translates. We have not eaten in a week. The baby is hungry. There are two more at home. Tafadhali. Please. I stand silent, still in my pajama pants, my orange flip-flops also poking at rocks. I have come out to tell them I cannot help them. There are so many reasons not to help: Don’t give directly to beggars; it only keeps them begging. Give to established charities instead. Never give handouts to strangers. Don’t create a cycle of dependency. You’re only hurting in the long run. If you give to someone at your gate, word will spread. Tomorrow there will be a crowd. I know all these arguments and I believe them to be true and wise and so I’ve come out to tell the women they have to leave. I’m sorry. I cannot help you. But there they sit. Young and hungry and broken. I will eat more food today than they’ve had in weeks. PAGE 20

I have more money sitting in an envelope in a closet than they will probably have in a lifetime. “Give to anyone who asks. If someone asks for your cloak, give them your tunic also” (Matthew 5:42, 40). Is this what Jesus means? These women? If not them, then who? But what about dependency and the crowds at my gate? I can’t help everyone. But I can help these women. This baby with eyes like windows, cheeks too hollow for a baby. My heart breaks wide open. Not just for these women but for myself. For the injustice of a world where giving might be bad. Where I’m so rich that I can feed a whole crowd, but I’m scared that the crowd might actually find me. I look to Sammy for help. What should I do? Please, you who are at least Kenyan, who have seen this all your life. Please help me, a rich, lost white woman. Maybe you should give some flour, he looks down as he speaks. Yes, I agree, relieved at the suggestion, and maybe some sikuma from the garden. Wait here.

“Give to anyone who asks. If someone asks for your cloak, give them your tunic also” (Matthew 5:42, 40). Is this what Jesus means? These women? If not them, then who? But what about dependency and the crowds at my gate? We go inside. One bunch of sikuma, one bag of powdered milk, money for a sack of flour. My gift to you, women without hope, baby with no food. I open the gate and give them the plastic bag. God help you, they repeat. Again and again. God help you. God help you. But what about you, my sisters? Will God help you? I’m crying before the gate closes. I can’t stop. Sammy, this is so hard. I know, he assures me, Kenya, it’s a country with many problems. T God help me. M Kirsten Penner Krymusa, a member at Braeside EMC, lives in Kenya and is the daughter of Ruth Penner (Braeside), a member of the EMC Social Concerns Committee. THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017 62 PAP Registration # 14