The Messenger Vol. 43 No. 16 September 21, 2005

Finding calm in the chaos

reverence

through an exclusive

The

Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 43 NUMBER 16 SEPTEMBER 21, 2005

The

editorials

Messenger EDITOR Terry M. Smith

Suicide and church’s response

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ears ago I tried to help a man who had been hospitalized for mental illness. He told me that he would rather die than go back. Though he had contact with two ministers and me (not a minister then), he died of suicide. I wish he had gone back.

When a journalism student, I was aware a bit of an instructor’s need but shied away, as an immature Christian, from approaching this thoughtful teacher.

Later, I overheard instructors discussing

It’s tough, but necessary, for families, pastors, and churches to talk about suicide and its effects upon us. Is the church a safe place to do this? her death by suicide. I wish she still taught Canadian literature today.

I officiated at the wedding of a young couple. A few months later I awoke thinking of people who had committed suicide. Alarmed, I inquired about a person, who was fine. Later that morning

I was called at the office—the groom had died of suicide. I wish that young man had lived to see some of his better plans come true.

It’s tough, but necessary, for families, pastors, and churches to talk about suicide and its effects upon us. Is the church a safe place to do this?

This magazine’s pages tend to be filled with news that mostly we feel good about.

Grief, mental illness, and suicide are not mentioned as much as they affect families, churches, and society.

Memorial articles rarely remember people who died by their own decision.

This magazine would publish them. How would readers respond? Sensitively, I hope.

I will remember these people—and others—who have committed suicide. As a minister and a former pastor, I encourage churches to continue to grapple with what it means to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn T (Romans 12:15). M Terry M. Smith

From one black sheep to another

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elieve that God can be gracious to me?

God can be gracious to others, but not to me.

Others have not committed my failures.

They don’t have the same past. They are basically good people. They deserve to be forgiven. But not so for the people who struggle. The church really is for basically good people, you see.

Church people are either hypocrites or have minor flaws. There’s no sense in wanting to be a hypocrite, or in pretending that my sins aren’t as bad as they are.

There’s no disguising the ugliness of what happened.

It’s too bad, really! It would be great to be part of the church. It would be nice to believe that God loves me, that Christ covers my sins too, that God’s forgiveness can be mine. It would be good to have peace in life and comfort 2

in death. To have a church family would be great!

The result? Some of us are shut out.

Being part of the church isn’t possible for us.

Those church people smile, know the songs, dress nicely, but they’re not like me. Or are they?

God “justifies the ungodly” (Romans 4:5). In other words, God can forgive those who of us who think we are unforgivable.

The church isn’t really intended for only neat, nice and decent people. It includes people who feel dirty, failing and are conscious of our shortcomings. Christ the shepherd invites black sheep into his fold!

That’s why I’m in the church. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I am in, but by the kindness of Christ it was possible. From one black sheep to another: There’s a T spot for you too! M 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, instruct and inspire: 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. The views and opinions expressed by the 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 Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

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The magazine and its publisher, the Board of Church Ministries, are obligated to work within the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 18 – October 19 (copy due October 7)

THE MESSENGER

letter

coming events

God works in ways I don’t understand As I write I am overwhelmed with the book One Who Dared by Doreen Reimer Peters. She did an excellent job, one that told the story with all his ups and downs. After having read 17 other similar stories, I am somewhat more at ease about people like her Dad, Ben Reimer. Up to that time I was not at all in line with many of the men who left their family to find their own way while he was doing what they felt was God’s work.

In fact, I felt they were cowards in doing what they felt led to do while the family was left without a father in the home. I had them labelled as bad fathers, and felt very much against there being such a think as doing the work of God when the family was left out. My question was how could they say they were in the will of God when, in fact, they didn’t look after the family?

Well, as I sit now and write, I must say I have changed my mind to say God does his work in ways I don’t understand or ever will. People suffer in different ways and the lack of understanding needs to be addressed, and that from Bible School to the preachers of our day.

Not that the story was one where I could sit and read without shedding some tears—not the case. I have memories of Ben Reimer coming to Winnipeg and showing movies at the Redwood Chapel that Lee Toews and I helped fill with kids from the area. We would hand out tickets at the school gate. I knew then Ben had left family to come and show the movie and would not be back for his own kids to see him before they went to bed.

The question is, will any of those kids be in heaven, as they sure heard the call and were given a chance to respond.

Let me say of the 17 books I read, only a very few did right, in my view.

One was right out to lunch, yet God used her to save over 200 hundred university students from being lost even if it meant being beheaded for Christ. Over 200 hundred orphans were saved from death as well—all because she felt God called her.

Did others think she was qualified?

No, as she didn’t pass her Bible school

exams, yet she went. I had to wonder why would someone go against all who told her, “It is impossible. You just don’t have what it takes to be a missionary”?

This must be that God makes some that dare to be different, and I must say that brother Ben Reimer was just that kind of a person.

Henry Dyck Landmark, Man. Doreen Peters responds We’re all concerned about getting our priorities straight. Balancing family and ministry, in terms of both the quantity and quality of time we give to each, is a big piece of the puzzle. Nowadays, however, hobbies, vacations, leisure activities (even reading good books, as our pastor stated in a recent sermon) also compete with the family for our time and attention.

I remember a remark made in the mid80s by a missionary who had experienced family life in another country, about the way North American parents and children related to each other. She saw a dynamic within families that often bordered on children being treated like little “gods.” If she is right, then such instances certainly are examples of the child-centred approach taken too far.

Towards the other extreme are families where the children suffer from a parent’s neglect. My father Ben D. Reimer discovered, to his dismay, that his initial guiding principle was wrong: If I do the Lord’s work, the Lord will take care of my family. He learned that spending time with his children was a very important part of doing God’s will.

What happens, then, with the service he did for God at times when his life was out of balance? I believe that, as imperfect people, prone to imbalances of all kinds, we can’t really pass judgment.

The One who is merciful sees the motivation of the heart and guides us through our mistakes (to the point of saying, it was no mistake; it was the means to learn a vital life lesson. He also redeems our smudged lives, brings beauty out of ashes, produces strength of character out of adversity, as well as lasting fruit. The fruit, of course, is the work of God and will remain, in spite of us.

September 30–October 1 Mennonite Hosts and Refugee Newcomers: 1979–the Present Weekend History Conference Eckhart Gramatte Hall University of Winnipeg Winnipeg, Man. 204-786-9391 October 15 Management Issues for Churches and Charitable Organizations Rosenort EMC Rosenort, Man. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

204-326-6401 October 18–19 Canadian Mennonite University J. J. Thiessen Lectures Curiosity: Towards a Theology of Intellectual Appetite Speaker: Paul J. Griffiths Winnipeg, Man. 877-231-4570 October 19–21 Winnipeg Prophecy Conference The Ancient Book for Modern Times Victoria Inn Winnipeg, Man. 204-888-7270 or 204-853-7786 October 20 Song of the Soul Eden Health Care Services Fundraising Banquet Steinbach Mennonite Church Steinbach, Man. 866-895-2919 edenfdn@valleycable.com October 21–24 Ministering with the Emerging Church Speaker: Dr. Gary Collins Providence Seminary Otterburne, Man. 204-433-7488 ext. 258 www.prov.ca

Vietnamese Mennonite pastor Nguyen Hong Quang is greeted after being released from prison on August 30, 2005. He had been moved among five prisons since his arrest on June 8, 2004. Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach remains in prison.

(MWC)

September 21, 2005

3

Finding Calm in the Chaos

through an exclusive exclusi ve reverence

T

Rev. Rod Masterson

here is nothing particularly sinister about the names Paul or Karla.

But any Canadian who knows of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka instantly associates these names with one of the most evil criminal acts in our history.

Conversely, the names Graham and Theresa take on hugely positive dimensions when prefaced with Billy and Mother.

A person’s name is more than a name. It fundamentally reflects who that person is and what that person does. To connect a person’s name wrongly to something negative is to do a great injustice to that individual.

When Texas governor James Stephen Hogg named his only daughter Ima he labeled his girl with an undeserved and debilitating legacy (contrary to popular legend there was no twin sister named Ura). How an individual chooses to define himself either negatively or positively is their willful choice as they come of age. Fortunately Miss Ima chose to define herself in kind and positive ways.

When God chose Israel to be His people, His name was forever linked to them. God’s Law defined for Israel the boundaries of their relationship.

Interestingly He chose to include a stipulation regarding their use of His name. This reflected who He was as their God and what His intentions were with regard to them and, as we shall see, all of mankind.

The commandment states simply that they were not to misuse the name of the Lord their God, for the Lord would not hold guiltless anyone who misused His name (Exodus 20:7).

To violate this command is to incur God’s wrath and with certainty bring upon one’s self some unspecified punishment. God does not take lightly the misuse of His name. He demands an exclusive reverence for His name. What does this mean? What does it have to do with giving calm in a chaotic world?

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THE MESSENGER

No mere ban on vulgarity There is much more implied here beyond the obvious prohibition against profanity, or the vulgar or contemptuous use of God’s name.

Since most believers today abhor the taking of God’s name in vain, or cursing, we need to understand the deeper implications of the command to assure that we are obeying it and that God’s ultimate purposes are not being hindered.

Originally the command seems to have referred to swearing a lying oath (R. Alan Cole). It was permissible under the law to bless or curse in Yahweh’s name as a declaration of God’s will regarding various types of persons (Leviticus 19:12). To use God’s name in an oath but not keep the promise was to call into question the very existence and power of God (Cole).

John I. Durham suggests that “the third commandment is directed not toward Yahweh’s protection, but toward Israel’s. Yahweh’s name, specifically the tetragrammaton (YHWH), but in principle all Yahweh’s names and titles, must be honored, blessed, praised, celebrated, invoked, pronounced, and so shared. To treat Yahweh’s name with disrespect is to treat his gift lightly, to underestimate his power, to scorn his Presence, and to misrepresent to the family of humankind his very nature as ‘The One Who Always Is.’”

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srael went to considerable lengths to keep this command.

To protect themselves they chose to not use God’s name at all (other than the high priest once a year in the blessing on the Day of Atonement) and to this day simply

Open declaration of God’s name was not limited to the nation Israel. His name was to be made known to all the peoples of the world.

September 21, 2005

refer to Him as Hashem, meaning the name.

This was not God’s intention since He elsewhere asks that His name be proclaimed. In Exodus 9:16 God’s message to Pharaoh is “but I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

King David writes, “I will declare your name to my

God’s name is misused when we openly claim to be His, but then we live life without obvious correspondence to His life and character. It is to suggest He is not enough. brothers; in the congregation I will praise you” (Psalm 22:22).

Later he appeals to his people, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3).

But this open declaration of God’s name was not limited to the nation Israel. His name was to be made known to all the peoples of the world.

David says, “I will praise you among the nations, O Lord; I will sing praises to your name” (Psalm 18:49). Later in the Psalms the sons of Korah explain, “Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 48:10).

A matter of mission “At the deepest level, use of God’s name is a matter of mission” (Terence E. Fretheim). To use His name wrongfully—that is, to not use it in prayer, praise or witness both within the assembly of God’s people and among the nations—is to bring disrepute not only on His name, but His character and purpose.

God’s name is misused when we openly claim to be His, but then we live life without obvious correspondence to His life and character. It is to suggest He is not enough.

I once knew a Christian man who knew and quoted more Scripture by memory than anyone I knew. But the sad reality was of a man who abused his wife and children, forcing them finally to flee in terror from the chaos that was their home life. Thankfully he eventually came to his senses, repented, and was reunited with his family.

To misuse God’s name means to worship Him dutifully and without joy. Such worship by the folks who purport to be His people drastically devalues His worth in the eyes of others.

How many of us have known our own pitiful, insipid worship that reflects a stressed out, humourless existence that shouts that God doesn’t exist at all? We too, like the elder brother of the prodigal, need to humbly repent and return to our Father.

The misuse of His name occurs when God’s people shrink from the wonderful privilege of joyfully proclaiming His name among the nations that they might know His glorious deliverance from bondage. It argues that He is no Deliverer after all.

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What of our wealthy churches that cringe when yet another missionary comes seeking support or that discourages its youth from going to the ends of the earth with the Good News of Jesus? Are our internal struggles as churches often because we have become, like ancient Israel, so piously preoccupied with our needs that we have forgotten God’s greater purpose for us? Is this too not a misuse of the Name that is above every name?

What’s in a name? What’s involved in misusing the Name of the Living God? Listen carefully to God’s warning to Israel if they failed to keep this commandment: “If you do not… revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God…the Lord will scatter you among all nations… you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both day and night, never sure of your life” (Deuteronomy 28:58, 64–66).

Our Father, help us to hallow your T Name, and so grant us your peace! M

Rod Masterson, BRE, MA, is president of Peace River Bible Institute in Sexsmith, Alberta. He has served as a pastor of Baptist, Evangelical Free, and Evangelical Mennonite Brethren churches, and as a missionary-pastor in Mali, Africa.

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The Future of

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ver the course of my life I have done my bit in lectures and books to make 16th century Anabaptism visible to our people and time.

I have been and remain an advocate for the Anabaptist form of Christian faith as put forward by, for example, Pilgram Marpeck. The fact that my wife Ruth and I now worship and work in the Anglican church has done nothing to change that.

But I have grown increasingly uneasy, indeed, disturbed, by the now common designation of Mennonites as Anabaptists. We seem to think that in spite of our often uncritical cultural accommodation we can somehow preen ourselves with the bright feathers of a heroic tradition.

And then we go on to imagine that we can be like those who were part of that tradition those centuries ago by adopting the nickname their enemies gave them.

I suspect that all this is part of what we call multiculturalism. We celebrate our distinctiveness from others in church and world. It looks suspiciously like another brand of sectarianism.

Those of us who have studied and written about th 16 century Anabaptism, including myself, have not emphasized sufficiently that our 16th century forebears were not out to separate from the old catholic church of their day. Like the reformers Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and Thomas Cranmer, they were out to reform the One church and not to create another.

It was the lamentable consequence of an intolerant century that their efforts were rejected and came to nothing because Anabaptists refused to embrace the coercive methods of the other reformers. Their vision to contribute to the reform of the One church failed, as did that of the other reformers. Perhaps we can identify the Mennonite tradition as a long-term holding action in order that the original vision not be lost.

What especially characterized 16th century Anabaptists was that they stood consciously against and challenged virtually everything their Christian culture took for granted. They rejected all religious coercion, and insisted that governments had no role in the internal life of the church. They rejected the emerging capitalist economic system of the time primarily because it discriminated against the poor and defenceless. They refused to accept any justification for the use of force and killing in the defence of the gospel.

THE MESSENGER

the Anabaptist Vision Dr. Walter Klaassen

They paid an extremely high price for accepting through the darkness of their time to the light of his the baptism of believing adults as a sign of eternal kingdom. commitment to follow Christ because it was against It is a betrayal of Anabaptism to reduce Christian the law and often carried the death penalty. If faith to social activism as we are inclined to do. we in North America are going to call ourselves We are not called to change the world by our own Anabaptists, it would seem to me that there ought to efforts. We do not build God’s kingdom; it is a gift be some resemblance between us and them.

God gives us when we have faith in Christ and which th The Anabaptists of the 16 century are our we may, by God’s grace, receive. spiritual ancestors and we There are, however, th rightly celebrate their life, some Mennonites who What especially characterized 16 witness, and martyrdom may justifiably use the century Anabaptists was that they by rehearsing their story. name Anabaptist. They But that does not make us live in Vietnam, Colombia, stood consciously against and Anabaptists.

Ethiopia, and in other challenged virtually everything First, with very few places in the world their Christian culture took for exceptions, we are not where they were and rebaptized, for that is what granted. If we in North America are are being persecuted for the name means. We are not going to call ourselves Anabaptists, their faith by repressive persecuted and hounded governments and it would seem to me that there into prison and death for our therefore know what it faith. We are affluent and was like to be Anabaptists ought to be some resemblance conformed to this world in back then. between us and them. our enthusiastic embrace of And then there are also consumerism and therefore those who have come don’t have the singleness of heart which was into the Mennonite churches from churches that required of them for living faithfully in the face of still baptise infants, and who have been rebaptized. imprisonment, torture, exile and death.

These also have a right to be called Anabaptists.

Without doubt, we too are trying to live faithfully So, perhaps we could dignify all of these as modern in our time and place, but it’s hard because it costs Anabaptists, and the rest of us be content with being us virtually nothing to be baptized; baptism has called Mennonites, our old nickname. no life and death outcome for us. It is confusing If we are going to be faithful to the Anabaptist because we are no longer sure about our faith; its vision, then we will renounce all separatism and ethnic basis keeps shifting uncertainly for us as for other pride, and participate in the incomplete, ongoing Christians. Inviting to our institutions people like reform of the whole church to the glory of God and his T John Spong and Tom Harpur, and applauding their Son Jesus who prayed that we all might be one. M siren voices, is a sign that we are confused about Walter Klaassen, D.Phil. (Oxford), has long served as a what the truth is. professor of Anabaptist studies, and has written books such Anabaptists were human and did not always get as Anabaptism: Neither Catholic nor Protestant (Conrad things right, but without exception they knew that Press, 1981, rev. ed.) and edited books such as Anabaptism their faith basis was that Jesus Christ, the Son of Revisited (Herald Press, 1992). He is currently writing a God, had come into the world to save sinners, that biography on Pilgram Marpeck, an early Anabaptist leader. in his death they had forgiveness of sins, and that His father and grandfather were ministers. He grew up in his resurrection they had the light and power to in Eigenheim Mennonite Church near Rosthern, Sask. live the Christian life. They had confidence and trust Klaassen lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. in God’s love and judgement that would see them

August 17, 2005

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window on missions Lester Olfert

Dealing with retirement adjustments

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hat do missionaries face when they retire? Is their situation different from other persons that retire?

Believing that they face unique challenges, a re-entry retreat for missionaries was held August 23–25, 2005. The purpose was to help them deal with the difficulties of leaving colleagues and friends far behind; adjusting to a changed home culture; and re-connecting with family, friends and church relationships.

others now for the support and counsel needed.

Missionaries are third culture individuals. In their country of service they adapted to their host culture and through the years adopted it. Returning to their home culture, to their surprise they discover they do not feel at home. This is frustrating, but it is normal.

One needs to celebrate the way life has been enriched by the diversity of culture.

Ask for the ancient paths…the good way…and walk in it. Do not try to find your way through on your own. Find friends from whom to seek advice. Ask the church to walk with you. Search the scriptures for the unchanging principles that you have depended on for a guide rule. The Change is not a new church should be patient and not experience. Roles, expect the missionary to immediately take on major responsibilities. relationships and All the participants were locations change, but enriched by the retreat discussions, our mission does not. sharing and reflection. Ron Penner (Conference moderator), Ruth Penner (BOM member), and Len Barkman (BOM general secretary) joined in the wrap-up and closing The location was St. Benedict’s Retreat Centre, just celebration service. It included Communion led by Ron north of Winnipeg on the banks of the Red River. Dr. Penner, reminding us of Jesus’ sacrificial death and the Lois Edmund, professor at Menno Simons College and hope of his return. Missionaries were encouraged to professional counselor, was the facilitator. walk in the way trusting the Spirit to guide, confident in The theme verse chosen by Dr. Edmund was the plan that God has for each one, and in this way find T Jeremiah 6:16, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask rest for the soul. M for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The following are some of the key lessons learned.

Stand at the crossroads and look. Retirement is a time of transition. Transitions have a mix of joy and sorrow, negatives and positives. If one acknowledges the negative (grieves the losses) it will be easier to find the positive. Pause to celebrate (the missionary recognition supper did this). Do not rush into new commitments.

Friends and churches can help missionaries by giving them opportunities to tell their stories.

Change is not a new experience. Throughout life we have dealt with change, some minor and others major.

Roles, relationships and locations change, but our mission does not. God’s faithfulness carried us through before and we can trust Him to carry us through now The participants were Doris Friesen, Darlene and Lester Olfert, Elsie and again. Just as we counted on the support of others Ernest Funk, Peter and Anne Wiebe, Kathy and Peter Friesen, and Catherine (family, friends, and church) before, we can look to Thiessen.

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THE MESSENGER

with our missionaries Lesotho, Africa

A Noah-complex and an interesting predicament Those of you who know Melvin well also know that he always has a project on the go if not two or more. Well, this project started with a boat motor that he found at one of the mountain clinics.

The big question was what was the motor doing there in the first place? And

Evangelical Anabaptist Seminary Program Equipping men and women for the ministries of the church in the evangelical Anabaptist tradition

FALL COURSE 2005 Offered on the Canadian Mennonite University campus 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB The Church and God’s Mission Ray Bystrom, D. Min. Tuesday–Saturday, October 11–15 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

EASP Courses may be taken for credit ($460) or audit ($150) FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Website: www.ambs.ca/easp Pierre Gilbert [pgilbert@cmu.ca] or Anne Friesen [annefriesen@cmu.ca] or call 204-487-3300 Sponsored by Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and MB Biblical Seminary and fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

September 21, 2005

then, how long had it been there? And whose was it? The more the questions were asked, the more it became clear that the motor had probably been there a long time; so long, in fact, that no one could remember why it was there and to whom it actually belonged. So Melvin asked if he could have it and they said yes.

Well, if you have a boat motor then you need a boat. It didn’t take Melvin long to put two and two together and soon some fuel drums and leftover steel from the hangar renovation became a raft. He just added wood planks for a floor and steel tubing for railing and it was done.

The next dilemma was getting it to water. He would need a trailer of some kind to manage that. Well, the answer to that question came when a friend asked him to help dismantle a car wreck for parts. Melvin agreed to help if he could get the rear axle. With a bit of welding and a couple trips to the scrap-metal yard, Melvin had a boat trailer. Oh, and it needed a couple tires. No problem.

You must understand that by this time Melvin was getting a lot of ribbing from his friends. He was beginning to get a Noah-complex. He had a boat, but what was he planning to do with it? You see, Lesotho is a mountain country. There are no bodies of water on which to float a boat. There are no lakes, no large rivers, nothing—except two dam reservoirs and that water belongs to South Africa. Access to this water would mean getting through a lot of red tape, but Melvin pressed on.

After a couple phone calls to a certain engineer from our church the process was begun in typical African fashion—very slowly. When Jim realized that Melvin’s inquiries were serious and that he did, in fact, have a boat that was already in Lesotho and ready for use, the ball really started rolling and Melvin was given a temporary permit to have his boat at Mohale Dam. In return Melvin helped Jim out with a “small job”—putting out marker buoys for a two-kilometre rowing course for the high-altitude training centre. This in turn led to a bigger job: Moving furniture to the new resort built on one of the islands

in the reservoir.

Now the big question for us has been, “Why, God? What are you doing here?

Why is this happening?” This sequence of events is not the result of coincidence.

This is the way God works in our lives— one thing leads to the next till we find ourselves exactly where God wants us to be—in the perfect position to see him do something miraculous.

We cannot keep the money that Melvin has made from this boat job—Revenue Canada says so. God knows that too, so what does he want us to do with it?

An interesting predicament, don’t you think?

Kari Peters

Kari and Melvin Peters (La Crete) serve in Lesotho with Mission Aviation Fellowship.

21st Annual EMCup Hockey Tournament

November 11–13, 2005, at Steinbach, Man. There is room for 20 teams.

Interested churches can contact Russ Dyck at 204-326-6503.

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Four missionaries

recognized on August 25

Anne and Peter Wiebe, Catherine Thiessen, and Doris Friesen were recognized on August 25, 2005, for their missionary service at a special supper sponsored by the EMC Board of Missions, held at Steinbach EMC in Steinbach, Man. Doris Friesen served in Nicaragua and Paraguay (1973–2005), Catherine Thiessen in Mexico (1974–2005), and Peter and Anne Wiebe in Mexico and Canada (1994– 2005).

General Secretary Len Barkman welcomed about 80 people—honoured guests, their families, and wider church family. Former General Secretary Henry Klassen read how Paul rejoiced when Christians are partners in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1); he led in a prayer of thanksgiving.

Lester Olfert, Foreign Secretary, read Scripture. He spoke of how workers commented positively on being involved within a missionary re-entry retreat held earlier in the week in Winnipeg, Man. Through the retreat presenter Dr. Lois Edmund, he was reminded of how we need others in our times of transitions; just as ministry is a team effort, retiring workers still need people.

Special music was provided by Cliff and Pauline Loewen and family of Blumenort EMC. Board chairman Ernie Loewen gave a devotional. Does terror reign? No, our God reigns, he emphasized. When growth happens in missions, it isn’t because of EMC 10

strategy, or name brand, but because “our God reigns.

He will reign forever and ever. Amen,” said Loewen.

Tributes were given to the workers, a PowerPoint display was presented on each ministry, and responses were given by missionaries. Gifts were presented of a mantelpiece clock soapstone carving with the inscription, In appreciation for your years of faithful service with EMC Missions 2005.

Terry M. Smith

Lester and Darlene Olfert present Doris Friesen with a gift of appreciation for years of service under the Board of Missions.

THE MESSENGER

Tribute to Catherine Thiessen

Cathy Thiessen served two years at Los Jueyes Clinic (Quellen Colony), Mexico, and was accepted on February 1, 1974, as a career missionary, when she began serving in Chihuahua. She was involved in church planting efforts in Chihuahua City, working with Edward and Leona Friesen.

She served in the Efrata church, where she worked with Randall and Faith Krahn, Peter and Louise Hiebert, and Arnaldo and Rebecca Gonzalez.

After furlough in 1998 she relocated to Oscar Soto Maynez, where she worked with five rural churches. Here she served for seven years. Over the years Cathy had a strong involvement and commitment to VBS and camp work, sometimes running the programs with less-than-adequate help from others.

Cathy also taught Sunday school and worked with youth.

A great contribution to leadership with the national church was her mentoring of Arnaldo Gonzalez, pastor and National Directiva member.

Cathy will also be remembered for her adult Bible study programs and her faithful visitation to the elderly or the shut-in.

Mount Picacho overlooks much of the area Cathy ministered in. Her own constancy and dedication in service might be characterized by the permanence of Mount Picacho. We pray that the fruit of her labours will continue for many years to come, even though she is no longer there physically.

We also pray that she will have the strength and the Lord’s enabling to be able to climb any other mountains that might present themselves to her in the future as she adjusts to her new life in Canada.

God bless you, Cathy, for your many years of faithful service, and may He continue to use you here in the furtherance of his kingdom.

Ernie Koop, BOM member and former colleague

Tribute to Doris Friesen

Doris Friesen was accepted

by EMC Missions in 1973. She had graduated from Steinbach Bible College in 1968 and as a registered nurse in 1971.

She began serving in Nicaragua in 1974. Her main assignment was to establish rural health clinics and thereby minister to their spiritual needs and assist church planting efforts.

The first clinic was started in San José where church planting was in progress. It was connected with Provedenic, a Nicaraguan Baptist organization focused on primary health care.

Four rural churches were established in areas where clinics operated. Doris has always been concerned about people’s spiritual as well as physical needs.

September 21, 2005

Doris lived through the turbulent years of the Sandinista Revolution and was evacuated June 1979. Two months later she returned and served another four-year term. With improved health care under the Sandinista government, Doris terminated her ministry in Nicaragua in June 1983.

Doris investigated the need for a primary health care program in Paraguay and volunteered to head up that ministry.

She encountered numerous challenges. Some Paraguayan leaders did not have the vision for clinics to be part of a church planting effort. Some clinics were established and promoters were trained and continue to serve.

A ministry in preventative health care opened through the nutritional use of soybean flour. She developed a widelyused cookbook, and is affectionately known in Caaguazú as the soybean lady. As always Doris has used this to emphasize spiritual well-being.

Doris also served in children’s Bible classes in public schools, correspondence Bible lessons to follow up the contacts in the schools, Vacation Bible Schools, and Sunday school teacher training seminars. A one-liner she uses is, “It is easier to build boys and girls than to mend men and women.”

Through God’s grace Doris has touched many lives-children, women, young people, and men. She will be missed in Paraguay and she will miss her many friends.

Lester Olfert, Foreign Secretary and former colleague in Nicaragua

Tribute to Peter and Anne Wiebe

Over the last ten years we have gone to Mexico to visit almost every year. Whenever we were there we tried to visit some of the missionaries and found this to be a very enriching bonus to our visits. We attended Christmas gatherings, went to de Prips for pie and coffee and participated in some of the ministries. One of the couples we enjoyed visiting was Peter and Anne Wiebe.

Our friendship with them went back to the time when sat across from each other in a Region 1 Convention and discussed the opportunities of Low German ministry in Southern Alberta.

Something in our discussion triggered a desire in Peter and Anne to move to Taber and begin a visitation ministry in 199?. I soon found that Peter was a real church planter: the word impossible was not in his vocabulary. In a few months a group was meeting on Sunday mornings. Not long after that they rented a church building and the group purchased a place to meet.

When Peter and Anne moved from Taber to Mexico I was not surprised. They were simply continuing to serve a people that had become dear to them. Their passion for this ministry had grown deeper and soon a new building was on the way beside a hill near Los Jayes. The church has grown and their ministry there completed.

When we lunched with Peter and Anne a while ago I sensed that, although this was a time of retirement, it was actually more like a transition. The ministry would continue—somewhere.

Don Thiessen, former EMC Conference Pastor

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Burkina Faso/Canada

Siaka Traore: Thank you for being ‘fools for God’ “I think I am a reward for you,” said Siaka Traore on August 19, 2005, at a breakfast gathering of Africa InterMennonite Mission supporters, held at Smitty’s Restaurant in Steinbach, Man. “This day my heart is full of joy to be one in…this one body.”

Traore, chairman of AIMM’s international council and vice-president of the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso, spoke of how he moved from Islam to becoming a Christian through reading, but, like the Ethiopian leader in Acts 8, needed help to better understand. That help came from missionaries. Now a minister, he also sells books, an idea for which he gave the credit to “our father Ben Eidse,” a long-time EMC missionary in Africa.

He thanked Siaka Traore missionaries and supporters for being “fools for God,” used to bring him and others to Christ; and the task is not finished yet, he said, referring to Philippians 1:6.

Burkina Faso has a population of 12 million people, with about 20 percent identified as Christian; the remainder are Muslims or practice folk religions.

“As Mennonites, we want to face this challenge,” he said.

Recently AIMM has gone through structural change. The Burkina Faso Partnership Council allows for greater decision-making together by both Africans and North Americans; this is what is wanted, he said.

The BFPC desires to shift efforts to plant churches in urban areas (while maintaining rural work) and to nurture young people who have moved there.

It wants to work in translation, health, agriculture and economic areas. It desires to share the source of peace

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(Christ) and to start a peace centre in a city. Help is needed to begin this project, both in people and money. “We are one body, the same body,” he said.

Traore is also MCC’s West Africa coordinator of peace and reconciliation.

His work has taken him to Sierra Leone.

Len Barkman, EMC General Secretary, earlier welcomed people and mentioned how the North American churches need the gifts offered by African churches: The sense of gratitude, worship traditions,

hospitality, and sense of joy. He hoped churches will have the humility to accept such gifts.

Rod Hollinger-Janzen, AIMM executive coordinator, said Paul’s description of the church is that “to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12).

On September 20 Siaka Traore spoke at a breakfast meeting at Blumenort EMC. Terry M. Smith

EMC General Secretary Len Barkman, Rod Hollinger-Janzen, Siaka Traore

On July 3, 2005, during convention, Iglesia Cristiana Ebenezer (Ebenezer Christian Church) in Brandon, Man., was received as an EMC congregation by moderator Ron Penner. Church representatives were Margarita and Eduardo Pitta (left), pastoral couple Ester (Mayte) and Luis Antonio Pitta (right) and Ricardo Medina (not pictured).

THE MESSENGER

Project Macedonia ’05: 10 go to Paraguay Ten people, four days of orientation involving sessions and extensive mime and singing practice, and a delayed flight later, Project Macedonia Paraguay ’05 was underway.

Our team met for the first time at Steinbach Bible College to begin orientation on July 11. Team members were Dallas and Tara Wiebe, Betty Neufeld, Janelle Penner, Jessy Neufeld, Juanita Wevursky, LeRoy and Faith Siemens, Mathilde Niessen, and Sara Bergen. We got acquainted and were inspired in missions by speakers Lester Olfert, Diane Koop, and Ken Zacharias.

The ladies get their hands into the chipa dough.

A constant theme was “It’s not better or worse, just different.” On July 14, we left for Paraguay.

Upon our arrival, we were introduced to Paraguayan culture. Our first five days were spent with the Roque Alonso church and missionaries in Asuncion, where we spent the majority of the time with the youth. We toured the local market, and held an outreach evening where community youth were invited, and an evening program, where we presented mimes, songs, and testimonies together with the church youth. We also spent a day doing work projects, with six of the girls painting at Alto Refugio (High Refuge), a ministry to people living with AIDS; the rest of the team helped begin work on a wall around the church.

We were then split up into different missionary homes in other parts of Paraguay (Caaguazu, Tres Palmas, and Lucero) to experience missionary life and then into a Paraguayan home for two days. Here we were exposed to the way Paraguayans live and relate as families and were shown much hospitality.

During our time in these homes we visited a church in Camp 9. This church was a great encouragement to us. Here we saw national Paraguayans and German Mennonites working together to reach out to their community. We spent an afternoon in a nearby neighbourgood handing out invitations to an evening program. We

The 2005 Project Macedonia team: (back) Jessy Neufeld, Faith Siemens, LeRoy Siemens, Juanita Wevursky, Dallas Wiebe, (front) Betty Neufeld, Mathilde Niessen, Janelle Penner, Tara Wiebe, and Sara Bergen.

September 21, 2005

performed mimes interchangeably with the Camp 9 youth and talked with people.

It was exciting to see a church planning a church plant in this neighborhood and how we were able to be involved in the beginnings and see how connections can be made.

Another highlight for many team members was the week we spent at Camp Lucero. From there we went out to various ministries, including playing at a daycare, visiting a church, painting at the camp and at the hospital, visiting Santa Theresa (an Mbýa reservation set up by Paraguayans) and going into school classrooms. In the school we performed mimes and Gil Rempel, an EMC missionary, explained the way of salvation. Even though we didn’t say anything, we felt that we were able to help in touching these young lives with Christ’s message.

Other team members were affected by their visits with missionaries. These were times of questioning and of looking into the possibility of this being their calling also. Another team member was greatly affected by time spent with the youth in Caaguazu. Yet another was prompted to take time away from work and look into future ministry.

While not everyone on the team came away from this experience saying, “Yes, I want to be a career missionary,” we all came away from it with a greater awareness of another part of the world, the great qualities of its people, and a greater heart for reaching out to others, whether that be at home or in another country. Our hearts were touched by these people of God and we now have a bond with more of our brothers and sisters.

Dallas and Tara Wiebe

Jessy Neufeld, and Faith and LeRoy Siemens record programs at Radio Mensajero for Friendship Day.

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Colombia/Canada

‘Here we can live in peace’

Every night before Colombian refugee claimant Diego de la Torre climbs into bed, he prays for his wife and young daughter. He has not seen his family in over five months.

He prays they are safe from violence in their home country of Colombia.

Drug lords, thieves and criminals, and shootings are among dangers in his country. He prays they will soon be able to join him in Kitchener, Ont., a city that took him in after gunmen threatened to hunt him down back in his homeland.

“My body is here, but my mind is there,” Diego says, as he gazes at three framed photographs of his young family. “It is terrible to wait for them.

Time is my enemy.”

He is one of 10 refugees living at Welcome Home in KitchenerWaterloo. Welcome Home, a ministry of International Teams, offers a safe

environment for refugees: Short-term housing, orientation to the culture, support in a faith-based community, Bible study and discipleship, as well as volunteer support from the outside community. Welcome Home accommodates up to 15 people.

People housed here have come from difficult situations and have experienced great loss as they have traveled what we call the “Refugee Highway.”

When he commented about his stay in Welcome Home he said, “For us, this is the best; it’s quiet and we have nice people to try to help us.

Most importantly, here we can live in peace.”

There is no peace in the home that he left. In his home city of Palmira,

when you can be killed.”

Diego’s own life was put in jeopardy last year when he discovered a string of thefts while working for a branch of the government that oversees pharmacies and medications. It was not long before he was in the middle of a scandal and hard choices in regards to his own integrity. He had to say no to what was happening, which meant death or flight. He fled, and so began his journey and his family put into hiding. Life becomes very difficult as a refugee.

Life is difficult as a refugee. When refugees finally arrive in Canada, the journey still is not over. They are faced with lawyers, paperwork, culture shifts, and more. This is where believers, the church and facilities like

The world is coming to us and we have the opportunity to bring the gospel to the world on our own doorstep. We must not forget our brothers and sisters in need. in the southwest, violence occurred regularly as drug wars raged. He remembers the day his neighbors were shot to death. Diego was just 15 at that time and heard the gunshots ring out in the house next door. Later he saw armed men gun down a stranger as he walked along the street. Deigo was half a block away and ducked into a nearby business for shelter. That is life in Colombia, he said. “You never know

Welcome Home can make a difference for people like Diego.

At this time, Welcome Home houses people from Sudan, Colombia, El Salvador, China, Iraq, and Iran. The world is coming to us and we have the opportunity to bring the gospel to the world on our own doorstep. We must not forget our brothers and sisters in need (1 John 3:17).

Gordon Skopnik

Management Issues for Churches and Charitable Organizations A seminar for church leaders, and church board and committee members October 15, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Rosenort EM Church Rosenort, Man. October 29, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cornerstone Fellowship Church Swift Current, Sask.

Please pre-register at the EM Conference office, 204-326-6401.

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Gordon Skopnik (Wymark) is director of Refugee Ministries in Canada and Welcome Home program director through International Teams.

THE MESSENGER

with our churches

Eight baptized in Joubert Creek Pansy, Man.: June was a month of celebration for many of our senior youth. Church leaders hosted a hearty barbecue and fun party for 12 grads—a record for us.

And then came baptism. For the first time a choice of location was offered, and so just a few stone throws away from the church, in the overflow of the then-swollen Joubert Creek, eight young people were baptized. Surrounded by luscious greens in a beautiful setting, the whole crowd felt deeply moved, rejoicing in God’s goodness. We wish each candidate courage and strength for the journey, even when that, at times, is challenging.

As a church we have again gone through some transitions, but God is so faithful. After much prayer, ballots and interviews, we now have three new elder couples in place: Jim and Rose Funk, Dennis and Betty Ann Braun, and Allan and Doris Penner. We are thankful. The plan also calls for forming cell groups under this new direction. We are trusting God for His wisdom, His leading and blessing in all these things.

Our elders previously were Bernie and Pauline Schlamp and Ed and Sandi Falk. Thank you for your years of hard work and faithful efforts!

Betty Barkman

SBC offers Intro to Psychology I November 14 – December 21

Monday & Thursday 7–10 pm Weekend Counselling Course

“Dealing with the Demonic”

Pastor Leonard Barkman, Rebecca Wood, Rachel Klassen, Natasha Gresiuk, John Senkiw, Brianne Doerksen, Ashley Braun, Seth Goertzen, Steven Preteau, Pastor Ed Giesbrecht and Pastor Dennis Friesen. Barkman and Giesbrecht did the baptizing, while Friesen gave the welcoming handshake.

Different journeys, same God EFC (Steinbach, Man.): On Sunday, June 26, 2005, our church family shared in the joy of baptism.

It was held at Bob and Debbie Giesbrecht’s place on William’s Lake, a gravel pit just northeast of Steinbach.

There we heard testimonies from two believers, two sisters in Christ. Their stories were different, yet the same; God is calling people to himself. The past might be distinctive, but God is the same.

After singing we heard from Amy Peters. Amy shared with us her journey of taking her parents’ faith and making it her own. Having always been the preacher’s kid made the quest more challenging.

She shared her struggles and some ways in which God taught her about himself.

It was a special moment as her father (Pastor Ed Peters) baptized her.

We then heard from Marnie Marceniuk, a new believer. Marnie shared of her search to fill the void, the emptiness.

It was through a group of ladies with whom she played volleyball that she found the answer. Jesus filled the void.

She felt peace and joy. The journey is not complete. There are continual struggles, but God is there. It was touching to watch pastors Ed Peters and Mo Friesen baptize her. The joy of Jesus shone from her face.

Diane Koop

November 17-19, 2005 Thursday & Friday evening 7–10 pm Saturday 9 am – 4 pm

For more information contact Christal Penner 204-326-6451•800-230-8478 admissions@sbcollege.mb.ca www.sbcollege.mb.ca Amy Peters and Marnie Marceniuk were baptized on June 26, 2005.

September 21, 2005

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Grad plans and God’s guidance Abbeydale (Calgary, Alta.): On June 24 we celebrated with our church’s high school graduates at an evening planned

by Dennis, Irene and Trevor Plett with help from ACF’s Grade 11 students.

Chris Verge: I plan on finding a good job so I can spend some cash on Chris Verge things I’ve really wanted for the past 10 years.

Then, saving up a little extra for Mount Royal College, which I hope to apply for next fall, and applying for a diploma in Broadcasting!

Karla Kolman: I am Karla Kolman going to work for a year.

Hopefully by then God will have shown what I’m supposed to do next.

Melissa Kamphuis: I will be working this summer and fall and then in January, I Melissa Kamphuis am heading down to Capernwray in Australia for six months. I’m really looking forward to this experience, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for me. When I get back, if I come back David Schindel (wink), I’m thinking of attending Olds College for their Equine Studies program.

David Schindel: I plan to get my license and then I seriously plan on planning.

Zane Kroeker: I plan Zane Kroeker on working for a year and after that we’ll see what gives. I’m thinking of chef’s school.

As a church family we wish them God’s guidance and richest blessings as they embark on accomplishing their goals.

Brenda Dick

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VBS at Anola Anola, Man.: On July 4-8, 2005, Anola Fellowship Chapel held its annual Vacation Bible School. This year the week’s theme was Good News Clues.

Each day’s lesson revolved around two themes joined together: Searching for clues and the wordless book.

The kids knew that as soon as they arrived each evening that whatever colour the staff was wearing fit the theme of the night. For instance, Monday we talked about sin, so the colour was black; on Tuesday we learned about The Lord’s Supper, and the colour was red.

But the theme was also set as a mystery—each day was arranged like a different room in a house—almost like walking through a giant game of Clue. There were a lot of people from our church cooperating to make this VBS happen. Many thanks to

people involved in organizing and running it, including the pre-planning, registration, decorating, music, skits, Bible lessons, crafts, games, team leaders, snacks and more.

We had 69 kids registered, and about one-fourth of the families had never come before! Since only onequarter of the families were from Anola Fellowship, it was exciting to see how many kids could learn about God possibly for the first time. I recommend to you that if you have a chance in the future, volunteer at a VBS near you.

It so much fun and a valuable way to invest your time!

A group of six youth and three adults helped at Pembina Valley Bible Camp, where we (yes, I was one) groomed trails and did other miscellaneous jobs for a few days. We faced hurdles such as mosquitoes, extreme heat, poison ivy, as well as some frustration and discouragement. However, we did manage to have fun, joke around, and get to know each other better. We also learned how blessed we are to be able to take showers, wash our hands with soap, and be indoors whenever we want. God is so good to us!

Jessica Wichers

Caleb was among the many children who enjoyed games each VBS day.

Karleen, Katlyn, and Sarah made pottery.

Bible lesson time was at the heart of Anola’s VBS.

THE MESSENGER

writings shared Terry M. Smith

Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide, G. Lloyd Carr and Gwendolyn C. Carr (Herald Press, 2004), 167 pp., $15.99.

M

y family has been damaged by suicide at least four times.

I ordered the DVD Fierce Goodbye for our national library for EMC churches and members to use— then a member of my family died.

The DVD was useful as I worked at my grief.

Later, as I approached a loved one’s death anniversary, I turned to the book of the same title. Just as the DVD is helpful, so is the book.

Lloyd and Gwendolyn Carr write about the suicide of their daughter-in-law Katie. They speak of their grief. At this stage in my walk and pain, Fierce Goodbye is a gripping, readable book—short chapters, brief poems, and careful thoughts.

Lloyd, now retired from teaching biblical and theological studies at Gordon College, Mass., examines Bible passages, church history, and pivotal scholars (Augustine and Aquinas) for what is said about suicide.

A detailed appendix is included.

“Are we still caught up in the ‘unforgiveable sin’ mentality? Are we still caught up in the false theology that if we have enough faith we will never have the problems that our less believing brothers and sisters have?”

Carr’s conclusions are that within Scripture suicide is viewed as another death and the bodies of those who died are treated normally. Suicide, though since Augustine’s time held by some to be a damnable sin, does not in itself separate a person from Christ: “It is an act that we do not want to condone or encourage, yet there is no evidence that it brings eternal damnation” (p. 103).

Gwendolyn Carr introduces each chapter with a September 21, 2005

short poem. While not a keen reader of poetry, I found the poems to be fitting, touching, and helpful.

The Carrs counsel patience by suicide survivors as we grieve and adjust.

They also counsel openness by the church in discussing such matters. After Katie’s death, they discovered friends who, unknown to them, had suffered a similar loss. Lloyd Carr asks, “Why had no one told us? Why had no one shared? Why do we want to hush up the event, bury the scandal, deny the reality, and torture ourselves for years? Is it because we are the only (or at least the very rare) Christian family that has had a suicide?”

The book also asks us to examine our assumptions about suicide. “Are we still caught up in the ‘unforgiveable sin’ mentality?

Are we still caught up in the false theology that if we have enough faith we will never have the problems that our less believing brothers and sisters have? Do we actually believe, deep down, that bad things really don’t happen to good (truly spirit-filled) people?”

Fierce Goodbye was first published as After the Storm (date unclear), Carr says, to mixed reviews. It was re-released in conjunction with the DVD by Mennonite Media.

In an afterword, the Carrs tell of speaking frequently about suicide—with individuals, and in larger and smaller group settings.

They say, “One of the saddest things that we have observed in our working in this area, is the inability of those coping with suicide to be able to talk openly of their loss, and in many cases, even to admit it” (p.

127).

A footnote quotes the statement, “No man, with suicide especially, is an island unto himself, or, more pithily, suicide is the skeleton left by the deceased in the survivor’s closet” (p. 130).

The DVD is available through our national office, and the book can be ordered (ISBN 0-8361-9267-2).

Both can be tools used by church leaders, church groups, and hurting families to move past the silence.

There is a website with resources at T www.fiercegoodbye.com. M 17

MARY GIESBRECHT (nee REMPEL) 1920–2005

On Saturday, June 11, 2005, at the Portage District Hospital, after a stroke on June 4, 2005, Mom passed away at the age of 84 years and eight months.

Mom was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Anna Rempel, her husband Abe, her infant son Donald; four sisters, Annie, Helen, Margaret and Leona; three brothers, Pete, Isaac, and Corny.

She leaves to mourn three children and their families: son Ed (Vi) Giesbrecht of Oakville, with grandchildren Vanessa (Richard) Klassen and great grandsons Tristan, Liam, Xander, and Marius; Cindy

ANNIE (ANNE) KLASSEN 1925–2005

Born on April 19, 2005, in Schoenenburg, Russia, to Frank and Nettie Isaac, Annie was the youngest of three siblings to survive infancy. Her parents, along with herself and her brother Frank and her sister Nettie (the oldest), immigrated to Canada when she was six months of age.

While she was raised in a rural community near Gretna, Man., her parents had three more children, Jake, Herman, and Menno.

She attended grade school at Silberfeld School, then Elim Bible College, and Mennonite College Institute (Gretna, Man.); she got her teaching certificate at Winnipeg Teacher’s College in 1948.

Annie then taught at Arran School in New Bothwell, Man., and continued teaching fulltime for the next 14 years at various schools

18

Giesbrecht and great-grandson Justice; Chad (Brittany) Giesbrecht and Alyssa (Tom) Hudel; daughter Elsie (Ike) Banman of Morden, with grandchildren Jason (Lori) Banman and great-grandchildren Naomi and Jordon; Carolyn (Brent) Qually and greatgrandson Luke; son Vic (Linda) Giesbrecht of Oakville, with granddaughters Jen, Lindsey and Amy Giesbrecht.

Also surviving is one sister, Elfrieda (Jake) Baerg of Abbotsford, BC; sisters-inlaw Margaret Rempel, Sarah Giesbrecht, and Tina Giesbrecht; along with many nieces and nephews.

She will be sadly missed by family and many friends.

Mom was born September 25, 1920, in Gruenfeld, Russia, daughter to Jacob and Anne Rempel. She had five brothers and three sisters. In 1923 at the age of three she came to Canada, settling in Hochfeld, Man., south of Winkler, and then on a farm in Manitou.

She had a great gift of hospitality and generosity, and expressed it by her baking that she often shared with others. Mom enjoyed having her family over and always had our favourites for us. Mom’s hands were never idle. She was either digging in the ground, mixing dough, or doing needle work.

Her funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., at Highway Tabernacle Church. Pastor Glenn

Loewen, of Portage Evangelical Church, led the service. Ed Giesbrecht, Mary’s oldest son, shared the obituary and Jake Schmidt gave the eulogy.

Granddaughters Alyssa Hudel and Vanessa Klassen sang In the Garden. The congregation joined together in singing God Will Take Care of You and On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, with Vi Siemens presiding at the piano.

Family and friends gathered together immediately following the service in the lower auditorium for the reception served by the Portage Evangelical Church ladies.

The flowerbearer and pallbearers were grandchildren Jason T. Banman, Chad Giesbrecht, Vanessa Klassen, Cindy Giesbrecht, Alyssa Hudel, Jen Giesbrecht, and Carolyn Qually. Mary was buried beside her husband Abe at Oakville Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Portage Evangelical Church Building Fund, 502 – 5th Ave. NW, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0E6, or to the Gideon Bible Plan Representative, 705-8th St. NW., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3L4. A tree will be planted in Mary’s memory, by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, who was in care of arrangements.

Her Family

through rural Manitoba and one year in Picacho, Mexico.

In 1963 she met Daniel Klassen and married that year and resided in Lac Du Bonnet, Man., where Daniel farmed. In 1965 they adopted two infants, Mark and MaryAnn. In 1969, Daniel sold his farm and they relocated just outside of Portage la Prairie, Man. It was here that they opened up their home to receive numerous foster children. In 1974 they relocated to Mexico for 10 months, in the service of the Lord, along with their two adopted children.

Upon their return to Portage la Prairie, Daniel and Annie released her first publication, The Tribe of Dan (1975), which chronicled their pre-Mexico experiences and then Mountains Removed (1976), a sequel primarily of the mission trip to Mexico.

Subsequent books followed: Great Things He Hath Done, Cleansed by His Blood, Under God’s Wings and 30 Christian Plays.

During those years, Annie worked for home care and was involved in many church-affiliated organizations, including Christian Women’s Club and Friendship Bible Coffee. Annie and Daniel worked together within the community, ministering to others through Portage Evangelical Church and independently from their home, with a focus on visitation to the elderly. They also hosted a public access television show that centred

on their faith and sharing the gospel.

In the summer of 2004, Annie’s health deteriorated rapidly, but she continued to be a blessing to all those around her, from her six-month stay at Portage General Hospital, to her stay at Douglas Campbell Lodge where she passed away 10 months later.

Annie was a devoted and loving wife and mother and a caring friend to many. She will be best remembered for her love for Jesus, her kind spirit, her modest and loving nature, and her love for others (especially children).

Her Bible storytelling will not be forgotten, nor her zeal to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all whom she came in contact with.

Her desire to see others blessed by God and happy in their lives always took precedence.

We love you, Mom. We will not forget you. Your words, friendship, kindness, and laughter will always live in our hearts.

Her funeral service was held at Highway Tabernacle on Sunday, July 17, 2005, at 3 p.m. Pastor Glenn Loewen led the service.

Interment followed at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Family and friends gathered together for the reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall, served by the ladies of Portage Evangelical Church.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Annie’s memory to the Gideon Bible Plan or to the Portage Evangelical Church Building Fund.

Her Family

THE MESSENGER

shoulder tapping Executive Position A church planting director is required for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. The position requires a passion for church growth and development. The Director will work closely with regional churches to encourage and initiate new church plants. Strong written and oral skills are essential. This is a .5 position. For a job description and information, please contact the office at 204-326-6401 or e-mail emconf@mts.net.

Anola Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a full-time pastor to bring solid leadership and teaching to our church family of approximately 130 people.

This person will help equip the people in our church family to reach out in their area of influence and lead others to Christ. AFC is a rural church located 25 minutes east of Winnipeg and is comprised of people from diverse cultural and church backgrounds. Contact Orville Friesen at 204-3719922 or ofriesen@nutrihealthgroup.com.

Mount Salem EMC in southern Ontario seeks a full-time senior pastor. Education flexible and some pastoral experience preferred. Services are in English. Attendance is around 150 with much room and potential for growth. The pastor will work with two lay ministers and two deacons.

Contact Isaak Fehr at 519-773-2564 or Bill Siemens at bhsiemens@sympatico.ca.

Inner-City Youth Alive, a holistic Christian ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks an administrative assistant/receptionist (full-time permanent). Fax resume to 204-582-4729 or mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave. Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7; or email icya@mts.net. Pastoral reference required.

Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a parttime youth director with a strong personal spiritual foundation who is able to build strong relationships with youth. Must have the ability to work alongside a team of youth sponsors in discipling youth, and be creatvie and energetic in planning regular Bible studies and organizing fundraisers. Contact Pastor Vern Knutson at 204-837-9490. Resumes can be forwarded by e-mail to finkswpg@mts.net or by mail to Crestview Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink, 271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.

La Crete Christian Fellowship seeks a full-time youth pastor, an energetic leader with vision who has a geniune love and passion to reach out to young people and the ability to be a partner with us to build a strong ministry with the young people in our congregation and community.

To find out more about La Crete and the church, see www.lacretechamber.com; www. telusplanet.net/public/lccfc; e-mail: lccfc@telus. net or lfem@telus.net; phone: Frank Winsor at LCCF, 780-928-3783.

Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.

Inner City Youth Alive, a Christian ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks a workshop program director (full-time, permanent with support-raising required). Fax resume to 204582-4729; mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7; or e-mail icya@mts.net.

Pastoral reference required.

Winkler Bible Camp seeks a full-time discipleship director who is passionate about discipling and teaching young adults (ages 18–25) over an eightmonth period as a part of the post-secondary discipleship ministry of WBC. The Cross Current Discipleship Program strives to be a balance of academic and practical learning. Gifts in teaching, shepherding and administration as well as postsecondary training are preferred. Contact Dale Wiebe at 204-325-9519; fax 204-325-0091; e-mail crosscurrent@winklerbiblecamp.com; check our website at winklerbiblecamp.com; or Box 2340, Winkler, MB R6W 4C1.

Kleefeld EMC, a church of about 300 members in Kleefeld, Man., is seeking an associate pastor. The primary focus would be to work with the youth program in a discipling and mentoring capacity, involving youth and youth workers. This position would also include one other major involvement— depending on the applicant’s giftedness—such as Christian Education resource, music ministry, etc.

We are looking for a leader to join us in catching the vision and excitement of a growing church community. Send resumes to Ron Harder, Box 4, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; e-mail camohead@hotmail. com; phone 204-377-4248.

Eden Mental Health Centre seeks a nursing unit coordinator (head nurse) with formal training, current registration, and experience in psychiatric setting and in supervision. The coordinator will provide leadership, support and direction to ward staff in order to ensure the provision of a high standard of nursing care in the centre’s 40-bed inpatient unit.

EMHC is located in Winkler, Man., and is a service of Manitoba Mennonite churches and the RHA-Central Manitoba. Direct applications to Personnel, Eden Mental Health Centre, 1500 Pembina Ave., Winkler, MB R6W 1T4; phone 204-325-4325; fax 204-325-8429; e-mail edenment@edenhealth.mb.ca.

High Level Christian Fellowship (EMC) welcomes applications for full-time pastor to our church.

We are a congregation (average attendance 150) of diverse and multi-cultural people located in a thriving community in northern Alberta.

Expectations of education and experience are flexible. To find out more about our community and church, contact Doug LeMoal at 780-9264679 or lemoal@telusplanet.net or; Marie Derkson (church secretary) at 780-926-4177 or hlcf2sec@telus.net; www.town.highlevel.ab.ca.

September 21, 2005

Roseau River Bible Camp (CSSM), in southern Manitoba, seeks a camp director to start October 1, 2005. Qualifications: managerial experience,

strong background in Christian camping, proven record of staff and volunteer recruitment, ability to program events, work well with the public and have maintenance skills. The ministry-minded leader is to have a vision for future programs and facilities.

RRBC has a strong summer ministry to children and youth, and a retreat ministry throughout the year. Annual salary is negotiated. Send applications (official form available) and resumes to CSSM Ministries (MB Branch), Attn: Director, 200-189 Henderson Hwy. Winnipeg, MB R2L 1L7. Phone 204-668-2776, fax 204-667-1496, Email mb@cssm. ca.

MCC Canada seeks a director of communications (Winnipeg), to be salaried between .8 and 1.0 FTE. The director leads staff in the department. Previous experience in journalism or public relations required. All MCC workers are to be committed to personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership, and nonviolent peacemaking.

Contact Marsha Jones at 204-261-6381 or mgj@mennonitecc.ca. Job description at www. mcc.org.

A registered nurse is needed for Lucero Hospital in Paraguay. The 12–bed hospital is operated by Tres Palmas EMC and ministers to a multicultural population (Guaraní/Spanish, Indigenous, Brazilian, German). A minimum four-year commitment is required; the first year involves Spanish language studies in Edinburg, Texas.

Inquiries and application should be made to EMC Board of Missions. Contact Ken Zacharias at 204326-6401, emconf@mts.net.

MacGregor EMC is looking for a youth pastor with a love for God and students to serve approximately 30 junior and senior high youth and their friends of our church family. This is a new, currently half-time position for our church; however, we would assist the leader in finding suitable complementary work. Contact Bruce Unger at bunger@mpi.mb.ca or send your resume to Box 133, MacGregor, MB ROH ORO. Leamington EMC is seeking a senior pastor (to start January 2006) or an interim pastor (who could start January 2006 for six to twelve months, should a senior pastor not be found). We have a Low German and English worship service. We are looking for someone who has experience leading as a senior pastor; education is flexible.

Salary meets conference guidelines and housing is available. Please contact Andy Fehr at 519-7379281 or Abe Klassen at 519-816-1840.

weddings KLASSEN–SAWATZKY: George, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaak Klassen, and Nettie, daughter of Ben and Nettie Sawatzky of Aylmer, Ont., were married on August 20, 2005, at Mount Salem EMC with Jim Froese officiating. The couple lives in Aylmer, Ont.

19

kids’ corner Loreena Thiessen

Do you like CHANGE?

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PAGE 20

something. If you have a new teacher this year you will get to do all the great things she has planned. Without her you would miss this chance. Meeting a new friend is an opportunity to get to know and have fun with another person.

Changes can be beautiful. In summer we enjoy the brilliant green grass, the vibrant colors and fragrant smells of flowers and the bluest sky. In fall we marvel at the warm shades of yellow, red and brown of leaves changing. Then it gets colder and suddenly one morning the whole world around us is sparkling dazzling white.

Each change brings beauty.

Changes are useful too. A sudden rain drenches the earth. It soaks the roots and is a drink for the flowers and grass. The heavy winter snowfall that covers our backyard, the playground and the farmer’s fields acts as a blanket. It protects the roots of plants and trees. It helps keep the animals warm as it covers the burrows and tunnels where they hibernate. We can skate on frozen lakes and rivers.

In the north, frozen lakes become roads for trucks to carry supplies over. And when you meet someone Unscramble the following words new you may discover something you never knew before. This is another way you can grow.

1. dunplgrayyo Changes make life interesting 2. olscoh and we can learn new things.

But not everything changes.

3. etehrac God does not change. In Malachi 3:6 God says, “…I am the Lord, 4. nearigd I change not…” What does 5. empbSeetr this mean? It means that God’s character does not change. He 6. ptrmecou is who he says he is; he keeps his promises. His love does not 7. nhlcu change. He knows who you are— 8. morwheok that does not change. He cares for you, he protects you. This does 9. kcbacpka not change.

10. hamt As you enjoy new things this T year remember Malachi 3:6. M

School Unscramble

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Changes make life interesting an d

o you wish that summer would stay year round? Do you change the posters and pictures on the walls of your room? Would you paint the walls a different color? Do you rearrange your bookshelf?

What about at school? Are you in a new classroom? Do you have a new teacher?

Do you like change? Or do you wish that things would stay the same?

Changes are natural. The yellow down of ducklings and goslings on the pond has turned into brown feathers.

Now they look just like their parents. In September they gather on the pond with all their friends and relatives and prepare for the long flight south for the winter. They flap their wings to exercise them. They eat to get stronger.

When the pond begins to freeze they take off together.

Changes bring new experiences or a new chance at

.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914