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Veronica “Roni” Bowers, an American missionary with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, and her seven-month-old daughter Charity died instantly from gunshot wounds when the Cessna 185 they were on was attacked April 20 by a Peruvian military jet. Roni’s husband Jim and their son Cory, 6, were not injured in the attack. Veteran missionary pilot Kevin Donaldson was shot in both legs and was forced to land the small floatplane on the Amazon River, where they were rescued by villagers. Peruvian officials say the military mistook the plane for one used for smuggling drugs. According to reports, both Peruvian and American military planes were tracking the Cessna before the attack. Donaldson underwent two surgeries and is expected to make a full recovery in about a year. It is estimated that over 100 Christian foreign missionaries die every year in the field. – Evangelical Press News Service
Flooding from the Pungue River in central Mozambique has impacted over 400,000 people; thousands have fled their homes. Many of them have found shelter in refugee camps they had previously occupied a decade earlier as refugees from Mozambique’s civil war. On April 17, Mennonite Central Committee and its partner the United Church of Christ distributed 950 MCC blankets and quilts, 45 bales of used clothing, over 450 school kits and 95 50-kg sacks of cornmeal. This assistance, worth $68,000, is part of the $540,000 MCC has committed for emergency aid in Mozambique. The Mozambican government is encouraging the fleeing villagers to relocate to higher ground. – Mennonite Central Committee
Rallies in North America, Europe and the Middle East were held April 7 to mark more than 30 massacres of Palestinians by Israeli army units during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The worst massacre occurred on April 7, 1948 in Deir Yassim, where 100 Palestinians were killed and the rest of the population evicted. Over 700,000 Palestinians became refugees in 1948, with the creation of the state of Israel. Currently, about 3 million Palestinian refugees are registered with the United Nations. Mennonite Central Committee has been assisting Palestinian refugees since 1950. One of MCC’s current partners is the Badil Refugee Centre in Bethlehem. Badil (Arabic for “alternative”) is pursuing peace and reconciliation proposals which would offer three options to Palestinian refugees: to return to their homes in Israel, to resettle in their current host countries, or to relocate to a third country such as Canada. – MCC
Since Western countries began forgiving Uganda’s debts in 1997, school attendance in that country has increased by as many as 2 million children, and HIV transmission rates have been reduced. – MCC
Four Peruvian evangelical Christians who had been wrongly convicted of terrorism were freed in March. Peru’s President Valentin Paniagua signed the pardons for Daniel Roberto González Cóndor, brothers Edil and Cliver Panduro Saavedra and Edith Peña Romaina. All four became Christians while in prison. Cóndor was 17 when police arrested him July 24, 1992 and accused him of collaborating with the Tupad Amaru Revolutionary Movement, the group that stormed the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Lima in 1996. Police tortured Cóndor until he confessed; he was sentenced by a hooded judge to 15 years in prison for terrorism. Peru’s Supreme Court later reduced his sentence to 10 years. The Panduro Saavedra brothers were arrested in April 1994 and accused of being political commanders of Shining Path, Peru’s largest rebel group that wreaked havoc during the 1980s and early 1990s. Police tortured confessions out of them. Peña Romaina and her husband Daniel Ramos were arrested in April 1991 and accused of working with Shining Path; both were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ramos received a pardon last year. – Compass Direct
Retail sales in Ten Thousand Villages stores and at festival sales across Canada were up 15% from last year. Retail sales totalled $5.85 million for the year ending in February 2001, while festival sales brought in $930,000. Ten Thousand Villages ended the year with a surplus of $10,000, up from a loss of $340,000 the year before. The increase in sales can be attributed in part to four new stores that opened in Canada in 2000. Ten Thousand Villages provides fair income to Third World artisans by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. There are over 180 Ten Thousand Villages stores across North America, including ones in every major Canadian city. – MCC
Ninety men and women from over 30 Hutterite communities in Manitoba registered for a class taught at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. The class, held in four sessions (Feb. 27, March 6, March 13 and March 20), was part of a pilot education project begun as a cooperative effort between the University and the Hutterite communities. The initial course, “Anabaptist and Hutterite History and Beliefs”, was taught by John J. Friesen, professor of history and theology. – Canadian Mennonite University
A group of Russian Christians from Buryatia, an autonomous republic of the former Soviet Union, met with church leaders from five churches in Ulan Bator, the capital of Mongolia, during March. The goal of this trip was to make contact with the Mongolian believers and invite them to a missionary congress in October. Leaders from two Baptist churches and one Presbyterian church in Mongolia expressed interest in this conference. The youth from these churches were invited to attend an interregional youth conference May 9 in Ulan-Ude, the capital of Buryatia. Also considered was the participation of Mongolian churches in evangelistic efforts in Buryatia. The two groups have similar customs, and many Mongolians understand Russian. As well, interest was expressed in planting a Russian-speaking church in Ulan Bator. Currently, there are about 50 foreign missionaries working in Mongolia; however, none are from Russia, Mongolia’s northern neighbour. It is estimated that Mongolia has about 15,000 Christians, but there are only about 50 believers in Buryatia. – Logos Canada
A census in India, held Feb. 9-28, 2001, allowed Dalits (untouchables) and other low castes to mark only Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist as their religion. It is estimated that 65% of Christians in India are Dalits. Dalits fear that if they tell the government they are Christian, they will have their identities permanently erased and will be refused state benefits. Dalits are attracted to Christianity because it promises them human dignity. – CD
Police arrested three Hindu militants suspected of burning a Bible during a Mar. 22 prayer meeting in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. A group of 16 people stormed the dais, slapped the pastor, snatched his Bible, tore it and burned another Bible. The mob then warned the church leader not to hold prayer meetings. The pastor said the police had granted permission to hold the meeting. The mob accused him of converting Dalits (untouchables) to Christianity. He had been preaching in the town of Chevalla for over a year; this was the first attack on the church. In a separate incident, a group of suspected Hindu militants attacked a Campus Crusade team at the end of March while they were showing the Jesus film in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar. The group beat the Campus Crusade team members with sticks and destroyed the film and equipment. – CD
Although the death penalty is still legal in Uganda, there have been no executions there since President Museveni was elected, and many prisoners have had their death sentences commuted. In Upper Prison, a high-security institution near Kampala, there are over 200 prisoners on death row. Of these, 90 have become Christians and have formed a choir with homemade instruments fashioned from scraps of wood and leather, twine and tin cups. – Prison Fellowship International
The government of the Netherlands officially legalized euthanasia April 10, making it the first country to do so. Under the new law, terminally ill persons who are suffering may ask their doctor to die. If the doctor agrees that euthanasia is the best solution for that person, and a second doctor concurs, the physician-assisted suicide may proceed. Critics of euthanasia say that while that practice has long been tolerated in the Netherlands, the new law creates a “licence to kill” for doctors, relatives and friends of the ill. An estimated 5,000 people a year have died in this way in the Netherlands over the past decade, usually in their own homes after being given lethal doses of barbiturates. A study by the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force argues that over 60% of these “suicides” were carried out without consent of the patient, and that some of the “patients” were not ill. – EPNS
An Easter evangelistic crusade that was cancelled days before it was scheduled to take place in Khartoum, Sudan, drew thousands of people anyway. Planned by Christ for All Nations and evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, the April 2001 Celebration was scheduled for a public, open-air venue, but government officials changed the location, citing security concerns and threats from Muslim extremists. The new indoor site was deemed too small and too close to mosques and the headquarters of extremist groups. Bonnke held a similar crusade last year in Khartoum’s Green Square that drew about 200,000 people. CFAN officials decided to cancel this year’s event rather than relocate it. According to unconfirmed reports from International Christian Concern, Khartoum police used lethal force to dispel the crowds gathered for the cancelled crusade. Two days later, at a gathering of Christians to pray and to consider staging a protest in response to the cancelled crusade, police used tear gas to break up the meeting. Five people were injured, and another 100 people were arrested. Of those arrested, 53 Christians (including four women and two children) were flogged on April 12 for rioting. The women and children were given 15 lashes and then released. The 47 men were given 20 lashes and three-week jail sentences. – EPNS
Bhutanese Christians travelling to church services April 8 were stopped by police, who then recorded their names. (Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas.) Baptist World Alliance reports that police have rounded up pastors for interrogation, interfered in evangelism efforts and closed down Christian churches. Bhutan has a few thousand Christians. Both Nepalese and Indian Christians have been instrumental in evangelizing Bhutan. – EPNS
The Anabaptist-Mennonite Scholars Network connects professors, graduate students and others interested in theology, Bible, church history, religious studies, and, more recently, the social sciences and humanities. Begun in 1998 by Lydia Harder, the Network maintains a database of scholars, publishes a newsletter and organizes events. It is administered by the Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre. (The TMTC is owned by Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ont.) The Institute of Mennonite Studies in Elkhart, Ind., is a co-sponsor of the Network. Membership is open to anyone for a small fee. More information about the Network can be obtained by contacting TMTC at (416) 978-6078 or tmtc@chass.utoronto.ca – Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre
Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Sask. will be hosting “Attack 2001”, a co-ed residential volleyball camp for those who have just completed grades 7-12, Aug. 5-11. The theme for this year’s camp is “Attitude” and will include topics such as “Dealing with distractions” and “Staying in control”. More information can be obtained by contacting Bethany by phone (306) 947-2175, fax (306) 947-4429, e-mail bethany_bbi@QLO.com or by visiting its Web site www.bethany.sk.ca. – Bethany Bible Institute
The average attendance at Protestant churches in the US is 90 adults, the same as last year. However, according to the survey by the Barna Research Group, this is a 10% drop from 1997 and a 12% drop from 1992. The median value of pastors’ salaries, allowances and benefits is $38,214 US, up 9% from 2000, but up only 19% from 1992, less than the inflation rate. The median annual income among pastors of churches with an average adult attendance of over 250 is $56,429; on average, pastors of churches with fewer than 100 adults earn $29,808 annually. – EPNS
A dairy co-op run by Mexican Mennonites and set up two years ago by Mennonite Central Committee is improving after a rough start. In 1999, farmers on the Campo 4 colony near Cuauhtemoc bought 200 heifers from New Zealand with assistance from MCC. However, the animals were undersized and produced poorly. That fall, 78 heifers from Manitoba were added that produced better than the New Zealand cows. Milk production at the co-op has improved to 22-24 litres per cow on average, almost double the original amount. The co-op sells the milk to a local cheese plant. – MCC Canada
Promontory Community Church in Chilliwack, B.C. has changed its phone number to (604) 793-4149. Postal address is Box 2512 Sardis Stn. Main, Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 1A8; e-mail office@promontorychurch.org. Pastor couple is Brian and Becky Wiebe; their home phone/fax number is (604) 858-8503. – Promontory Community Church
The Bible, in complete or partial form, is now available in 2,261 languages, an increase of 28 in the year 2000, reports the United Bible Societies. The complete Bible is available in 383 languages, 13 more than a year ago. Five of the new Bibles are in languages spoken in Asia and four in languages spoken in Latin America and the Caribbean. The New Testament has been published in 987 languages, with 274 translated languages in Africa, followed by 241 languages in Latin America and the Caribbean and 221 languages in Asia. Estimates put the number of languages spoken in the world at 6,500. – EPNS
School officials in Orono, Maine forced a third-grade pupil to turn her sweatshirt inside out because it bore the inscription “Jesus Christ”. School officials also made the student change a T-shirt with the same inscription. The Thomas More Center for Law and Justice, a legal organization which defends religious freedom, promised to sue the school unless the girl’s constitutional right to express her religious faith was honoured. On March 2, the school backed away from its policy and provided written assurance that students would be permitted to wear clothing that reflects their religious views. – EPNS
“Seeing Salvation: The Image of Christ”, an art exhibit in London’s National Gallery, drew an average of 5,000 visitors a day in 2000. The exhibit, which featured 70 portraits of Jesus by various artists, was the fourth most visited art exhibit in the world last year. In comparison, exhibits at other galleries featuring work by high profile artists received an average of 1,000 visitors per day, according to the London Telegraph. – EPNS
A survey of 1,700 students in the US found that 33% of all male students and 15% of all female students bet on sporting events at least once a week. The American Journal of Public Health (September 1999) estimates that 6% of children under 18 have a serious gambling problem. A similar study of New Jersey high school students found that 30% admitted to gambling at least twice a week and 90% admitted to betting at least once a year. The increase in student gambling may be linked to easy access to the Internet; over 300 Web sites are devoted to on-line gambling – up from 15 sites just three years ago. Another reason for increased student gambling is the availability of credit; the average college student receives 25 credit card solicitations per semester, and the average credit card debt of college graduates is $2,200 US. – Focus on the Family
The Cycling Connection, based in Abbotsford, B.C., organizes cyclathons in support of not-for-profit organizations. The Cycling Connection provides cyclists with jerseys, meals, accommodations and staff support during the rides. The first scheduled ride is a 250-km ride in B.C.’s Fraser Valley on July 20. The second, to be held on the August long weekend, will be a 400-km ride through the Okanagan. Funds raised at these cyclathons will go to support various projects of the following organizations: Amasa, a ministry of Canadian Sunday School Mission to reach the disabled with the gospel; New Beginnings International Christian Society, a humanitarian group caring for the lost, the afflicted and the needy; Athletes in Action, a ministry dedicated to sharing Christ with athletes, coaches and fans; M2/W2, an organization that matches Christian volunteers with prison inmates; U-Prep Educational Society, a group providing mentoring services for Christian students at the University College of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford campus; MCC Supportive Care Services, an agency working with persons living with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities; Youth for Christ (Abbotsford office), a Christian organization mentoring young people; The Gleaners, a group distributing left-over produce from farmers and greenhouse growers to the needy throughout the world; MCC Social Housing Society, an affiliate of MCC B.C. that builds housing projects for the poor; and Canadian Food for the Hungry International, an organization helping to educate churches about poverty in the Third World. In addition to these rides, MCC B.C. is organizing the MCC Central Fraser Valley Relief Sale Ride in Abbotsford on Sept. 15. For more information about this ride is available by phoning MCC B.C. at (604) 850-6639. – The Cycling Connection
The Year 2000 Gospel Movement, an endeavour to reach Taiwanese with the gospel by the year 2000, increased Taiwan’s Christian population by 40%. Taiwan Christian News reports that 280,000 people became Christians, but that is less than 20% of the goal set in 1990 by the Movement. Organizers also wanted to plant 7,000 new churches, but only 861 were planted. Hsia Chung-chien, the movement’s general secretary, said, “The Movement’s planning became like a faith pledge, which arose out of a single meeting and focused on numbers from the start. The goals were set without recourse to detailed research.” – World Pulse
Bill C-11 is a new immigration and refugee bill under consideration in Canada. Mennonite Central Committee has criticized the bill because it does not include a provision for people to sponsor their siblings unless the siblings are single and under age 19. MCC has asked the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Citizenship to amend the bill to include siblings of all ages under the definition of family. MCC also is asking concerned citizens to write the Committee reviewing the bill as well as their MP. – MCC Canada
Concern for refugees worldwide will be addressed at a World Evangelical Fellowship consultation in Izmir, Turkey. Over 300 Christian leaders will gather Nov. 15-18 to discuss how to network existing ministries and agencies in order to help refugees. The theme of this event is the “Refugee Highway”, a symbol of the land, air and water migration routes refugees use to escape war or persecution. – Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
The Welcoming Place is a new orientation and meeting centre at Mennonite Central Committee headquarters in Akron, Pa. Under construction since May 2000, the $2.4-million facility will offer accommodations and meeting rooms for over 1,500 visitors annually, most of whom will be MCC volunteers and staff preparing for assignments. The new facility, which replaces a 50-year-old converted tobacco barn dorm, is a collection of four housing units that create a village-like setting. Each unit has 11 bedrooms, a gathering place, an efficiency kitchen and a porch. Each unit reflects a separate continental décor: Asia, Africa, the Middle East/Europe and the Americas. At the edge of the village is the Meeting Place, a multipurpose facility with two large meeting rooms, several smaller conference rooms and a children’s orientation centre. The Welcoming Place will be dedicated June 15, with an open house festival June 24. – MCC
Quest, a choreographed-drama team from Summerside Community Church in Edmonton, performed at “YC-2001-Transform a Nation” at the Skyreach Centre in Edmonton Apr. 6-8. Quest was the only Alberta group selected for YC, an annual youth conference that attracted 12,000 youth from across Western Canada. The church ministry team performed “Shackles”, communicating the freedom that can be found in Christ. Natalie Dyck, senior youth leader, stated, “We were excited that God led us [to YC] because we try hard to have a ministry-based youth group, not just fun and entertainment for kids. We strive to get the message of Jesus to other teens.” Quest has also responded to invitations from church groups in Edmonton and Calgary.
King Road MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C., performed an Easter drama based on “The Story of the Great King” by Gordon Nickel (MBH, Dec. 1, 2000). Simone Klassen, assisted by others, adapted the story as an English language drama. Agnes Schmidt organized the costumes and stage props. Albert Janzen provided technical direction. The drama was performed during two services on Palm Sunday; a third performance was held Apr. 22 at Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship in Coquitlam, B.C. The story is about a powerful Arabian king who disguises himself as a commoner in order to identify with them. In 1993, Nickel adapted the story from a folk tale as a way to present the gospel to Muslims living in Pakistan.
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Last modified July 9, 2001.
© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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