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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Former Congo missionary’s autobiography focuses on people

Ernest Dyck

Diamonds in the Sand Katy Penner. Winnipeg, Man.: Windflower Communications, 2001. 260 pp.

The author, who now lives in Kelowna, B.C., was a long-term missionary in Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre) under MBMS International, the mission agency of the Canadian and US MB Conferences. This is her autobiography describing the people and events she encountered primarily in the Congo. While relating numerous events and encounters, her focus is on the people she met, some of whom she refers to as “diamonds”, and their impact on her and others. The book is not meant to be a historical review of either a missionary work or a nation.

The book is an excellent source of information for those wanting to know about missionary work and life in a low-income country, both in terms of culture and living conditions. Since it includes fairly recent circumstances, it will be a surprise to those who assume that everything has changed dramatically over the last century.

Having served in the Congo with my family during a good portion of the author’s service, I found the book an easy read. Most of the events and places were familiar. During a recent visit to the Congo, I witnessed the maturity of the church under the leadership of those trained by Penner and her co-workers.

Ernest Dyck is a member of the Elmwood MB Church in Winnipeg, and administrator of the Manitoba MB Conference. He and his family served as missionaries with MBMSI to the Congo for 14 years.

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Last modified August 13, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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