A life lived to the fullest

Jacob’s Journey: From Zagradowka Toward Zion. The Autobiography of J.M. Klassen. Private publication. available directly from J.M. Klassen.

Autobiographies are sometimes used to set the record straight. For others they are a recounting of experiences for family and close friends. In some cases they are an opportunity to provide untold stories for the next generation, to reveal and make available behind-the-scenes information. In my opinion, it is the latter two reasons that compelled J.M. Klassen (or JM as he is known) to write his autobiography.

Jacob’s Journey begins with a vivid personal picture of JM’s early life and subsequent career. A year after his birth in Ukraine the family immigrated to Canada. He recounts his early life growing up in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These early experiences are sobering, humorous and certainly give a less than romantic picture of the struggle to survive in the midst of the Depression. Nonetheless, the stories are not depressing or without hope. There is joy. But there also are life experiences, such as living with grandparents and sleeping on the couch, that only new immigrants would put up with. It is a good reminder that the new immigrants to Canada who live in our communities, struggle in similar ways to build their lives in their adopted home.

The book has three interspersed foci: family, church and MCC (the largest portion). The many family stories are not uninteresting to the casual reader who may have no ties to this family. However, for family and close friends, they are a veritable gold mine of information. Social historians will find the book of interest in that it delves into important family relationships and ties that are the lifeblood of communities and careers.

When it comes to church issues, JM is gentle but also forthright. Such controversial issues as the church split within his home congregation of River East are addressed, as is the Mennonite Brethren Conference issue of women in ministry. There is no doubt that the author loves the church, but grieves at times over its management of controversial issues.

As already noted, outside of family stories, the most important part of the book relates to JM and his wife Katherine’s work with MCC. There can be no doubt that his passion was family and MCC, though other careers, such as teaching and hospital administration, are interspersed.

Since I work with MCC, I have used the book to explore certain themes and issues, to find out how and why certain decisions were made, and how specific goals and programs were achieved. Here the autobiography is helpful in some instances, and not so helpful in others. For example, on the matter of MCC being the first non-governmental organization (NGO) to sign an agreement with the federal government to bring Asian refugees to Canada following the Vietnam War, only a few details are provided. Yet, this move on JM’s part as Executive Director of MCC Canada inspired our congregations, and many other church bodies, to bring thousands of refugees to Canada. It changed the nature of our home missions, conferences and congregations dramatically. It was one of MCC’s most important activities in Canada. Yet, very few details of this historic program are provided.

In other cases, good personal detail is provided on MCC’s work and worker experiences. JM recounts in vivid detail his and Katherine’s work with the poor in Korea following the Korean war. He describes the misery of a boat trip to the island of Ulnung Do to bring food and relief supplies to some desperately hungry islanders. Of interest to the reader is the fact that there is yet another chapter to this story that the author certainly did not know when he wrote the book. Just this past August, at a reunion of MCC service workers who had worked in Korea, a Korean worker related that the aftermath of MCC workers risking life and limb to bring food to the island was a strong church whereby the island is now 95% Christian. The islanders attribute their dramatic growth to the yearly visit of MCCers who visited them with essential supplies and Bibles. The islanders wanted to be Jesus-followers such as these young men. JM and Katherine were responsible for developing this work.

The book is worth reading and keeps one’s interest throughout. It portrays life lived to the fullest. It deals openly with family issues such as cancer and the eventual death of a spouse. In some sense the book could be read as an encouragement. It tells of passion, work, and the balance of theology in both private and public life. There is an honesty that comes through that is unusually charming. I can think of numerous other autobiographies I have read that imply modesty, but fail to achieve it. Here is a story that includes blemishes and frailty that places value on family, church and ministry. I highly recommend it to anyone, especially those contemplating writing their own autobiography.

JM’s book closes in a most unusual way. The last page is a fill-in-the-blanks postscript where the reader must fill in the details on the author’s death and funeral information. Here is an autobiography in which the writer has lived a full life, made peace with it and contemplates his eventual passing from this earth. I found this brief postscript a poignant and touching closure.

Ken Reddig is Major Gifts and Planned Giving Coordinator for MCC Canada. He attends McIvor Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg.