Mennonites in France: beacons of hope in a secular land
The country of France is known for its secular culture, its magnificent cathedrals that attract more tourists than worshipers, and a catholic religion that has diminished in importance and influence in the past 50 years. Many people are unaware of the love for God, the power of the Holy Spirit and the faith in Jesus Christ that are shining lights in communities across the country.
The pagan blanket
Many know Venus Cote. Whether it's from watching Tribal Trails, hearing her speak at churches, prisons, and schools, or being welcomed into her home, Venus is known for her outpouring of love and testimony of God's power.
They call me Abd al-Haqq
♪ In my neighbourhood they call me Abd al-Haqq. It started because some of my friends couldn’t remember my name; others couldn’t pronounce it. One guy was calling me “Android” and another was calling me “Mustafa.” It was finally settled one morning when the guard from my son’s preschool definitively stated that I should be called “Abd al-Haqq.”
When helping is actually hurting
♪ Gordon and Sharon Skopnik have been serving South Sudanese refugees for 21 years and have seen for themselves that helping can end up hurting.
Testimonies of healing and transformation
“I came here thinking I knew a lot about God. Turns out I knew so little, and was so full of pride and unforgiveness. I came with so little faith, and had such a small picture of who God is... This three months [of discipleship school] has made me realize how little I know, how little I am, but also how BIG God is and how good his plans are!” - student testimony
How will they know if they have not been told?
In 1991, the Salem Express, a ferry boat, slammed into a coral reef and sank in the Suez Canal. Around 470 passengers and crew died. Harvey Thiessen recounts that night.
Mental health, presence and prayer
♪ The ministry staff I work with at Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) walk closely with many people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions and other challenges. We are not mental health professionals, but we encourage our staff not to underestimate our role as “boots on the ground” ministers.
We don't live for this world
♪ “During her cancer journey, I would often tell her that I’m jealous; jealous that she gets to be with Jesus before me.”
Sitting and hearing Ernie’s story reminded me of a foundational truth that I so often forget; eternity with Jesus is the hope that we cling to.
Dead trees and dead heroes
♪ If you go to the place where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers meet and converge, you won’t find the Garden of Eden anymore. You will, however, find a nicely manicured park with a large tree at the center.
Teaching women's value and health in a male-dominated culture
♪ In the area where we serve, the culture is male-dominated, and women believe they have no value. Without marriage they are nothing; whether never married or widowed. Without a husband, they have no value and are a burden to their relatives.
When being the ‘expert’ creates a barrier
♪ In recent years, SIL has felt it necessary to shift our approach in serving minority peoples. In the past we focused on languages; we now want to put “people before language.” This is a very welcome turn. I reflect briefly on my experience of these two approaches as I look back on my career with SIL (see sil.org/about).
A tragic loss: Belen is now in heaven
♪ On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Kiara Belen was crossing the highway on her bike five blocks from our home as she was coming home from school at 5:30 in the afternoon, when she was hit by a pickup truck and immediately was in the arms of her Saviour.
Character, competence, chemistry are needed
AS I READ newsletters, send emails back and forth, and have phone or Zoom conversations with EMC missionaries serving around the world, I have been inspired by several things. These are ordinary people from our EMC churches doing ordinary things in other countries.
Strength and service: Venus Cote’s ministry journey
THE ST. MARY’S First Nation, where Venus Cote lives and does ministry, is inside the city limits of Fredericton, New Brunswick. It is home to the Maliseet people, or “people of the beautiful river.” Although the proximity of the reserve to the city makes it seem like it would be culturally similar to Winnipeg, where her aunt Elvira Cote works, Venus says it is very different and therefore ministry looks different as well.
Responding to Foreigners as Scripture Instructs
“COMO NACIDO ENTRE NOSOTROS” (CNEN; “as born among us” in English), a network of Christian communities that responds to the migrant situation held its Encuentro (meeting) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, from January 30 to February 2, 2024.
Is the EMC Creating Dependency in Nicaragua?
Why do we continue to send money to Nicaragua when we haven’t had missionaries serving there since the early 1990s? Aren’t they self-sustaining yet? Couldn’t we use our funds for other ministries that are more valuable? Doesn’t this cause them to be dependent on us?
Heartbeat Hainburg: Hurry Up & Wait
Waiting is not one of my strengths. “Everyone” knows, time is money. Move quickly, be efficient, do more in less time: this is good stewardship.
A passion for filmmaking builds God’s kingdom
I’ve always loved filmmaking and made tons of little movies as a kid. As I left Bible college, I tried to shake that hobby and focus on ministry, working in the church and camps and with missions. But I’ve spent the last year seeing if I can combine my two passions.
Why are some missionaries silent?
Let’s talk about missionaries who rarely report in The Messenger or through any of our other publications. If you read any EMC missions publications, you will see occasional blank spots—maybe just an initial, no photo, no mission agency listed, no home church. And no details of the work they are doing, only general information about what to pray for. What’s going on? What’s the risk?
Zambia project completed!
This past March, we were able to finally complete a project in Livingstone, Zambia, that had been planned since before the pandemic. In just four days, with the help of a five-person team from a church in Virginia, USA (two men and three women), and some local people, we managed to build two shelters and complete three double toilet structures at several of the Open Schools Worldwide project locations there.