Pastor Morris Baker, President of the Jamaica Mennonite Church

MONA, JAMAICA—Pastor Morris Baker died on February 15, 2012, ending a five-month battle with cancer. He led the Alpine Mennonite Church in Red Hills, Kingston, for many years—the same church where he also grew up in faith.

In March 2011, he was elected president of Jamaica Mennonite Church. He graduated with a degree from Jamaica Theological Seminary. His wife, Elaine, and daughters, Janice, April, and Stephanie survive him.

Funeral plans are being arranged.

I have the unusual privilege to visit church sisters in the Caribbean region several times a year. Talking with the women in their settings is heart-warming, and sometimes heart-rending.

Sis. Babes in Trinidad explains how to cook local foods, patiently demonstrating making roti or pelau. While cooking, she tells me about her interactions with Muslim neighbors; the light of Christ shines through her in acts of kindness.

Sis. Liza, also in Trinidad, is a lay leader in a congregation there. She not only has administrative skills but is a gifted preacher too. I am enriched as I observe their consistent Christian witness to those around them and learn about the tight family bonds in the culture.

The women in Jamaica impact me with their enduring patience in a country full of complexities. Sis. Janet, a trained counselor, meets young adults and shares their concerns and joys and encourages them to use their gifts in outreach. Her spiritual depth inspires me.

Sis. Lydia, a diminutive woman in physical stature, has a spirit that is steadfast. She enters slum areas with confidence, taking food items to hungry families and inviting the children to activities at the church. Even though she has challenges of her own, she consistently serves the needs of others. She tells me that she won’t be discouraged because she is following Jesus in her work.

One global sister has migrated to the US, Sis. Sydna. She earned a degree from the University of the West Indies, moved to the US, started over getting a driver’s license, training for a job as a medical assistant and taking various temporary jobs until a more long-term job became available. She has told me of her challenges; she has not given up and she relies on God’s strength to carry her through the tough spots.

These and many more global sisters show me that holding onto faith is imperative in this uncertain world. When I may think that my life is too demanding or too difficult, I reflect on these sisters and absorb faith and hope from them. I thank God for the global sisters in my life.

But a problem intervened. He vomited blood. I looked in his stomach with a scope and found a large ulcer and evidence of recent bleeding. So now we have a dilemma. He needs blood-thinner medication to treat the leg clot, but the medicines will make it much more likely that he will have a fatal bleed from his stomach ulcer.

In the West, we immediately stop the blood thinner and place a “filter” in the large vein leading up through the body towards the heart to catch any clots on their way to the lung. I looked in our donated store and actually found a few filters. Shall I use up a rare resource? I decided to stop his blood-thinning drugs, treat the ulcer with medicine and wait until the following Monday to repeat the ultrasound study.

On Friday morning, I found myself with extra time for making rounds. When I came to my patient’s bed, I took time to ask him about his relationship with Christ and whether he was ready to face eternity. He honestly admitted that he was familiar with Christianity, but was not “saved.”

I was tempted to order a chaplain consult and move on, but after briefly explaining the gospel to my patient, I asked if he wanted to pray to invite Christ into his life. Again, I tried to give myself an “out.” I told him I could ask the chaplains to come by and he could pray with them, but mentioned that he could pray with us right then if he wanted. He indicated that he was ready to pray.

We paused on our rounds. I prayed in English and my patient in his native tongue, before moving on to our other patients.

The next morning, he was not in his bed. “Where is my patient?” I listened to the explanation with a growing thankfulness that we’d spent time with him the previous morning. He developed chest pain during the night. The nurse put him on oxygen, restarted his IV, and promised to check on him in a few minutes. When she returned, he was already dead. I suspect a fatal pulmonary embolism.

Was his prayer a true reflection of a repentant heart born from above with a gift of faith? Will I see my patient again in Heaven? God only knows. I can only say that the experience left me wondering about my hesitation to turn this privileged work of gospel presentation and praying to the chaplains. I am humbled, thankful, and emboldened with a sense of the urgency of eternity.

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Harry Kraus performs a patient checkup. Courtesy of author

The world has watched as his young son, Kim Jong-un, is being elevated into leadership. This is a good time for us to be reminded that God’s Spirit is alive and present with the people of North Korea through these turbulent times.

I visited North Korea just 10 days before their president’s death. I joined five other volunteer builders from the Georgia-based Fuller Center for Housing. The intent of our mission was to build houses for the workers in a large tree nursery in the countryside outside of the capital Pyongyang. The Fuller Center had imported large building blocks made of concrete and recycled polystyrene which would yield highly insulated walls for the cold winters. While Fuller has projected to build many houses, the deeper goals are also to build trust and to build peace between us and the people of North Korea.

Virginia Mennonite Missions has been supporting this project with prayers, counsel, and the channeling of some funds. Anyone interested in offering support should contact VMM.

Our team discovered a spare, wintry countryside with many people walking to and from work on foot. Heating fuel is in short supply, so some of our meetings were held in frigid rooms. But the spirit we sensed from people there was warm and eager for friendship. When we offered the Korean greeting, “Anyong hasimika,” we received many curious gazes and warm smiles.

As it turned out, when we were there, the weather was too cold to permit our pouring concrete footers for houses, so we had to settle for demonstrating how to cut and stack the imported blocks like huge Lego blocks. Our hosts of the Academy of Architecture seemed quite pleased with the new technology. We hope other teams will carry the project forward.

In this very controlled society, we were surprised that they granted our request to visit a local market in the capital city. Being surrounded by hundreds of shoppers—ordinary folks buying noodles or tofu for supper, or gloves or pliers for their work—my heart was moved deeply for the people of this isolated and little-understood land.

My eyes met the eyes of a smiling red-smocked saleswoman and I wondered, “What had her father experienced during the Korean War back in the early 1950s?” Pyongyang and all the towns and cities of North Korea were leveled by bombs and napalm at that time. Thousands of American soldiers and several million Korean people died during that war. And now here are the children and grandchildren of the survivors of that war. “Oh God, I pray, never, never, never again let there be warfare between our people.”

We were unable to visit the one or two Protestant congregations in Pyongyang since our stay was shortened by a visa delay. But our hosts knew that our visit was sponsored by people of faith who believe that God intends goodness and wholeness for all people.

Sometimes our nations seem to believe that increased fear and threats will elicit respect and good behavior from others. But more often we see that a climate of fear only prompts defensive or even dangerous responses. This mission to reach out, people-to-people, assumes the opposite premise: that a reduction in the climate of fear and suspicion may allow us to find new paths of trust and working together for the well-being of us all.

Earl Martin, a Harrisonburg carpenter, worked many years in Asia with Mennonite Central Committee and is member of Shalom Mennonite Congregation.

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David West, member of the Fuller Center team, demonstrates the insulated concrete blocks to members of the North Korean academy of architecture. From center left: civil engineer Kim Yung Jing, structural engineer Pak Un Hong, architect Ri Il O, and translator Jon Chang Hyon. Courtesy of author

At 8 p.m., Nancy Marshall’s house became “the place to be” to celebrate the arrival of 2012. Young people arrived and enjoyed the food that Nancy had prepared-fresh tortilla chips with cheese dip, vegetables and pizza. Then the fun began with a game of charades. Deaf people dramatize very well, and soon all were entertained by various antics. Each charade was the name of a movie and there were lots of laughs as it became evident which movie was being described in actions.

Close to midnight, the group went downtown to the center of Orange Walk and the countdown began: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—Happy New Year! All around fireworks exploded on the ground and in the air! There wasn’t a central location for the fireworks show; everyone put off fireworks as they wanted.

Nancy was concerned that perhaps all the late festivities could keep persons from Jesus’ Deaf Church on Sunday morning. Thankfully, a strong group of Deaf attended the worship service and praised God together for the New Year.

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At the New Year’s Eve party with the Jesus’ Deaf Church, Sulmi dramatizes a movie title while Nancy Marshall and Mario observe closely. Photo courtesy of Galen Lehman

At the end of November, the teachers begin planning for the Christmas program at the Maranatha School for the Deaf. It is important to hold a good program so that the parents, grandparents, aunts and cousins who attend will feel like the students have presented the true meaning of Christmas and have done well. Eve Knepp, VMM tranSender, gave leadership to the program planning. After 6-year-old Audia welcomed all the attenders with careful signs, the youngest students performed “Joy to the World.” Each grade level did a song: “Silent Night,” “Away in a Manger,” and “O Come all ye Faithful.” Then all the students acted out the Christmas story as Shamoye, playing a grandmother role, explained the story to her “grandchildren.”

Masks with animal faces and costumes for shepherds and angels depicted the account of Jesus’ birth. A culminating piece was “O Holy Night” signed by the oldest students—quite moving! Pastor Christopher Kennedy moderated the program.

William George Broughton, chair of the Maranatha School board, thanked the teachers and staff for their good work with the students. Gifts from the students’ sponsors were given to the students and they were received with great anticipation and happiness! Everyone: students, staff, teachers and Board members—are grateful for the strong support they experience from their friends in the US. Every Christmas is memorable because of the love and care shown to “the least of these.”

Three students need sponsors. Can you share $40 a month to assist with good nutrition, strong Biblical teaching, and appropriate academics? If you can join the 20 other sponsors in this endeavor, please contact Gloria Lehman at gloria.lehman@vmmissions.org or (540) 434-9727 or (800) 707-5535.

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Camille and Omar played the roles of Mary and Joseph in the Christmas program.

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Students joyfully sign together after the play “Christmas Hope.” Photos courtesy of Galen Lehman

This was our first opportunity to be part of the “International Missions Association,” an affiliation of friends who carry threads of missional connection with each other and with recently retired EMM president, Richard Showalter. Mother Khong disarmed everyone with her ready hugs. She abandoned the reserved Thai “wai,” insisting on her preference for the affectionate American practice. I was delighted to see these ladies acquiesce so deftly to cultural challenges in our Indonesian host family. Without any sign of complaint, they ate the breakfast that was provided (milk and toast) while our hosts ate rice and fried fish in the kitchen. Halfway through the week, they managed to politely communicate that they would be more than happy to eat the “regular fare.” Happy indeed; they detest milk!

It was an eye-opening week for me. I learned that the Sumatran Mennonite churches are known for being loving communities who care about reaching out. The logistics of this international meeting had been handled almost entirely by young adults who are being trained in outreach and service within the churches. One after another, these young adults shared with us their sense of call to serve cross-culturally. For ten years, Lianta, to her parent’s chagrin, has treasured a call to be God’s witness in Tibet. They say, “Why don’t you let us find you a husband?” Mae, who recently returned from serving among Indonesian workers in Hong Kong, has a heart for Muslims in northern China. Ria served in Ache and is now turning her eyes to North India. We met a young man who greeted us in halting Lao; he has been studying language in Vientiane, and is trusting God to keep the door open for him there. Another couple questioned me about Cambodia. “How can we serve?” they asked.

I can hardly wrap my head around the irony that God calls these passionate young people, themselves from one of the largest concentrations of the world’s least reached, to go…somewhere else! Is this madness? And is there a method to this madness?

The madness, I realize, is what is called “missional impulse.” Far more than youthful imagination, it is something that originates in the very heart of God who sees the brokenness of the world he made, who hears the anguished cries of complaint, who responds by coming as love personified, and who draws us into the story by sending us out with a brave invitation meant for everyone the world over: to look to Jesus for salvation.

As to the method? It is beyond what my small human mind can appreciate. There’s nothing pragmatic or popular about this sense of being sent. It will express itself here, there and everywhere; apparently, healthy followers of Jesus all suffer the same disturbing malady! I found myself asking, “What can I learn from this picture? How can I welcome and cooperate with this wonderful confusion?”

As we headed home across the lake that morning, to the wonder of the other sleepy-eyed passengers, my Thai friends were unabashedly singing out their praise in perfect synchrony with the exceptional beauty surrounding us:

Do come! Do come! Take hold of Jesus!
This One of unsurpassed value
He gave His very life for us
Committing His spirit to the Father
Whenever we feel alone or abandoned
He is there to help
He’s not slow to respond.*

(* translated from Thai)

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The gathered group in Indonesia, representing 15 nations. Can you find me and the Thai women (note: Joy is showing her Thai manners by sitting on the floor!) Photos by Javier Soler

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Joy and Mother Khong giving thanks for the meal they are about to receive in this crowded Sumatran restaurant.

Following prayer time each morning, we enjoyed a free, relaxed schedule until 5 p.m., when we gathered together with great expectancy for the highlight of the day. Celebrative worship and music expressed joyful gratitude stirred up by daily Bible studies around the theme Extreme Makeover:

• “From Condemnation to Grace”
• “From Darkness to Light”
• “From Death to Life”
• “From Religion to Relationship”
• “From Bitterness to Forgiveness”
• “From Loneliness to Fellowship”

God used His Word and personal testimonies that vividly illustrated each presentation, to touch and renew us. One participant spoke for everyone when she commented, “I saw myself in every presentation!” Another
person shared her faith story publicly for the first time, although a believer for many years. A teenager openly committed her life to Jesus and requested baptism.

Workshops were a new, much appreciated feature this year: chorale with Maurita Eberly and Jonathan Greco; “Dangers of the Internet” with Nicola Cippone; “Handcraft artistry” with Mara Colonna. Christian films and soccer games added variety to after-dinner, late-night activities. Spending an entire week together encourages unity and creates indelible memories of fun, praying and sharing together, giving and receiving counsel.

Again this year, persons participated who haven’t yet experienced spiritual transformation. May they desire Extreme Makeover in their lives and join us in experiencing grace, light, true life, forgiveness, fellowship and relationship found only in Jesus!

NOTE: This annual event not only ministers physical and spiritual refreshment but also offers opportunity for service, discipleship and gift development.

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Smilling faces mirror the joy of retreat. Courtesy of author

As my German language ability has greatly increased, I can now relate to the youth on a personal and deep level. This current team arrived not even two months ago, and I have been awed by God’s work in me to them. Where I once used to be a helpless baby-chick linguistically, I am now a sort of spiritual mother to these youth.

Our weekly Monday seminars, Bible studies, evening conversations around the table, and worshipping together has brought up past struggles and desperations from the youth. I have had the opportunity to listen, walk with, and counsel, to a degree, many of these youth. They have become dear to my heart and I am very passionate about seeing them grow in God’s healing, freedom and love.

I also love to worship and am given weekly opportunities to lead worship with our youth and church body on Sundays. In surrendering all of ourselves through worship, we discover God’s freedom, healing and reverent love for us. Being immersed and working in German culture, I know their cultural mindset and need for structure, order and tremendous control. Only in giving it all up, however, can we really be open to His love and freedom. I am passionate about encouraging this freedom in worship.

In discerning my future, I feel God calling me to stay here for a while longer. I am passionate about seeing discipleship growth in the German youth, building deeper relationships with my classmates who I learned German with, and being a part of God’s ministry in this city. I thank you and ask for your continued support!

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Marsha (center) with youth she relates to in Germany. Courtesy of author