|  | |
Previous | Next Fresno, Calif.
Four former missionaries pass away
Julius Kasper |
Julius Kasper, who served with MBMS International in India 1946-1963, passed away April 13. As a young man, Kasper felt called to be a missionary to India. After graduating from Tabor College in Kansas and teaching at Herbert (Sask.) Bible School, he and his wife Eva decided to follow through with their passion to serve in India.
In India, Kasper was involved in village evangelism and leadership training.
“He was a sincere, knowledgeable missionary with a real heart for evangelism as well as for teaching God’s Word,” said Dr. Jake Friesen, a former co-worker of Kasper’s.
Kasper’s son David recalled, “He loved to interact with people. He would go out of his way to share Christ with others. However, this was not done without spending time in prayer and in the Word.”
Tragedy, however, came on a trip to a neighbouring village when the barge the Kaspers were on capsized, leaving Kasper to mourn the loss of Eva and son Julius.
“He considered this the darkest day of his life. It was only his faith in God and his calling that carried him through,” remarked David.
Kasper later married Mary Doerksen, a nurse serving in India. They had two children, Betty and David.
“What I miss most about my father was his constant faith in the midst of any situation,” recalled David. “His life was filled with change – fleeing Ukraine during the Russian Revolution, settling in Mexico and then in Canada, moving to India, losing his wife and son. Yet, in the midst of this turbulent journey, he was steadfast like a rock. Crises would arise around him, yet he would not sway. His faith was not shaken.”
Ben Wedel, a church planter with MBMS International in Mexico 1987-96, passed away Aug. 26 in Dodge City, Kan. Ben was committed to working alongside the Mexican Mennonite Brethren until they established an MB conference. His wife Fran remembers that shortly after beginning their assignment, he was asked, “Ben, even if it takes 10 years to solidify our conference, will you stick by us?” By the time Ben and Fran left Mexico, the Mexican MB Conference had emerged.
“Ben was so personable,” recalls Ron Penner, personnel director of MBMSI. “He had a heart for people, a strong sense of vision and a commitment to prayer and evangelism. Those are things you just remember about him.”
“Regardless of the situation, Ben always persevered,” recalls Fran. “I remember the beginnings of one of the Mexican churches. Each Sunday we would join together at the home of one of the new believers to haul all the furniture from the living room to the bedroom, transforming the room into a sanctuary. Once the service was over and people had heard the good news, it was then time to move furniture again.” Shortly before the Wedels left Mexico, the church built a permanent sanctuary.
After their term in Mexico, the Wedels returned to Dodge City, where Ben became involved in a jail ministry until his health began to fail him. Fran remembers him saying, “‘Something is going on in my body, but I’m not sure what it is.’” After numerous doctor visits and hospital stays, Ben asked to be placed under the care of Fran at home.
A memorial service was held in Mexico.
Erna Funk |
Erna Funk passed away April 19 in Corn, Okla. She was 82. She was ordained for missionary service on Nov. 2, 1947 by her church in Corn. Two months later, she and her friend Anna Goertzen headed to Belgium. After taking a course in tropical medicine, the two friends left for what was then the Belgian Congo. Erna was a health provider, specializing in midwifery, under MBMSI, 1948-60.
“Her love for Jesus spilled over to the Congolese women,” recalls former missionary Martha Willems. “This love is best expressed in these words: Love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me. Let the mighty love of God flow out of me.”
In a report on her work, Erna wrote, “It is a privilege and joy to be in the Lord’s service . . . There are many encouragements as well as discouragements. The healing touch of the Master’s hand is frequently evident. There are those who have a hungry heart for the gospel.”
In 1960, Erna’s term was cut short by a civil rebellion in Congo. Along with other missionaries, she sought refuge in Angola and then returned to the US. Although she wanted to return to Congo, she found she no longer had the strength. Instead, she ministered in Kansas City, Mo., until her parents and brother needed her care in 1972.
“While Erna was not a woman of many words, we remember her as a loving sister who loved the Lord,” recalls her brother John. “She was interested in each of us and her love also encompassed missionaries and others she grew to know.”
Herb Krause |
Herb Krause passed away July 30 in Reedley, Calif.
In 1950, Herb, his wife Rosella and their two-year-old son Lynden made the long journey to India. They served with MBMSI for three years.
Just a few years prior to their departure, the J.N.C. Hiebert family (former MB missionaries in India) played a significant role in encouraging them to serve in India.
“Working in India had its joys and frustrations”, commented Krause in his memoirs. “The dedicated faculty was above all what made my experience at the Kodaikanal (Boarding) School one that I fondly remembered.”
According to Rosella, what people remember most about Herb was his positive and fun nature. “He was an easy guy to love and always had something humorous to say.”
Rosella recalls, “We enjoyed the people in South India immensely. They taught us about hospitality, generosity and kindness.”
After a total of 23 years in India, they moved to New Jersey and then to California, where Herb continued to teach and administrate until retirement in 1985. During this time, their home became a haven for guests, especially those who had connections with India.
Not only did his family experience his love, but so did his students. “He loved junior high students, and they loved him,” Rosella comments, “Now this is quite a testimony.”
Herb Krause pictured with some of his students at the Kodaikanal school in India.
MBMS International photo |
Previous | Next
Last modified January 5, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.
|
