Vol. 21, No. 7 May 2011

VMC celebrates ministry of Roy and Charlene KiserBy STEVE CARPENTERVMC Coordinator

At six feet, three inches tall, Roy Kiser(1930-1989) was a big man with a big heartand an even bigger personality. He and hiswife Charlene, through their tireless workand godly example, had a major impact ontheir church community, leading many toChrist and nurturing others in their faith.On April 9, more than 220 people gatheredin the fellowship hall of a Beachy Amishchurch in Stuarts Draft to honor them.

Roy’s widow, Charlene, still has atwinkle in her eye when she speaks ofhim. She and her four children—Randy,Linda, Roy, Jr. (Danny) and Jeff—welcomed friends and family to a joyoustime of celebration, reflection and singing.Earl Monroe, pastor of Mountain ViewMennonite Church, which Roy pastoredfor almost 20 years, led an invocation andblessing for the meal. Several combina-tions of family members shared theirabundant musical gifts. An a cappellamen’s quartet, comprised of Roy’s threesons and one son-in-law (DwightBurkholder), summed up Roy andCharlene’s legacy when they sang I WantMy Life to Tell for Jesus.

Roy had a deep sense of God’s call onhis life. At the age of 24, he was ordaineddeacon of the Stuarts Draft MennoniteChurch. Soon thereafter, he was ordainedfor ministry and began attending EasternMennonite College. In 1963 he graduatedfrom Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Whilestill a student he took on preachingresponsibilities in Catlett, a mission out-reach of his home congregation, StuartsDraft Mennonite Church. When theCatlett work was discontinued, Roybecame pastor of the newly-formedStaunton Mennonite Church. After gradu-

ation he served as Mountain ViewMennonite Church’s assistant pastor, aposition he held for two years beforebecoming the pastor.

Roy shared his gifts broadly. In 1969,he was ordained by lot to the office of bish-op in Virginia Mennonite Conference. Heserved as treasurer of Virginia MennoniteBoard of Missions & Charities, then assecretary of what is now VirginiaMennonite Missions. While in that role for11 years he visited workers in Jamaica,Trinidad, and Italy. In 1977, he went on toserve the Mennonite Church as a member,and later chair, of the Mennonite Board ofMissions in Elkhart, Ind.

In February 1983, he was diagnosedwith lymphoma; yet that fall he, Charleneand 37 other persons were sent from Mt.View Mennonite Church to beginWaynesboro Mennonite Church. He builtup that congregation, leading it in a searchfor land on which to build, and in designing

a new sanctuary. After a long struggle withlymphoma he died on February 4, 1989, atthe age of fifty-eight.

Many spoke of Roy’s passion for thegospel. His oldest son Randy, who emceedthe evening, said, “Dad’s main legacy washis love for people.” Paul Kratz, Roy’sfriend since college, told stories aboutRoy’s competitive and mischievousnature. He spoke of a trip they took toTrinidad and the mischief Paul causedwhen he surreptitiously smuggled a bottle

Jeff, Linda, Randy, Charlene and Roy Jr. (Danny) holding a photo of Roy and Charlene at the library of the WaynesboroMennonite Church in 1986. Photo by Steve Carpenter

LCC International University 2Cross-bearing forgiveness 3Givers and receivers 3Two remarkable surprises 4Francisco named in Top 25 list 4Bible quizzing teams compete 5VMC women on Shaping Families 5Jim Bishop: 40 years at EMU 6

2

Connections (USPS 007-205) ispublished monthly by VirginiaMennonite Missions and VirginiaMennonite Conference to connectcongregations with each otherand conference agencies.

EditorGloria Lehman

Assistant EditorJon Trotter

Connections is distributed free toeach household of supportingcongregations. Subscription rates:$5 per year, 2 years for $9.

Send subscriptions toConnections Circulation Manager,901 Parkwood Dr., Harrisonburg,VA 22802

Phone (540) 434-9727(800) 707-5535

E-mail info@vmmissions.orginfo@vmconf.org

Web www.vmmissions.orgwww.vmconf.org

POSTMASTER Send addresschanges to 901 Parkwood Dr.,Harrisonburg, VA 22802.Periodical postage paid atHarrisonburg, VA 22801.

LCC InternationalUniversity is a success storybeing realized. It was begun20 years ago in Klaipeda,Lithuania, through significantsupport of US and CanadianMennonite and MennoniteBrethren supporters combin-ing with visionary leadersfrom Lithuania. It is todayone of the most recognizedand successful Christian edu-cation institutions in Eastern Europe.Today the student body of over 600includes people from Poland, Belarus,Russia, Ukraine, Albania, Moldova, Latvia,and of course, Lithuania. Each year addi-tional students from North America attendunder study-abroad programs. Instructionis in English. While strictly speaking notMennonite, the Mennonite presence isunmistakable in this school that welcomesstudents from many religious back-grounds. This next year a friend of minefrom Lindale Mennonite Church willattend LCC.

LCC “sells” itself through its strongacademic program, but especially throughits experience of a nurturing Christiancommunity. Unusual for many students,they find themselves drawn into a caringcommunity of faith that includes other stu-dents as well as faculty. Faculty are known

personally on a first-namebasis. LCC is development,education, and evangelism attheir best.

LCC’s connections toVirginia are growing. Steveand Betsy Dintaman (ZionMennonite Church) are serv-ing at LCC underVMMissions and MennoniteMission Network appoint-ment, Steve teaching in theol-

ogy and Betsy working in the library. Theycomplement these assignments with aministry of hospitality including students,other faculty and visitors in their homes.For nine years they have witnessed thegrowth of an institution and dramaticchanges in student lives.

This past year Jerry and MaryHolsopple (Immanuel Mennonite Church)were at LCC, he teaching and studyingthere as a Fulbright scholar. Jerry regular-ly leads EMU cross-cultural groups toLithuania. Allon Lefever (HarrisonburgMennonite Church) serves on the board ofLCC.

Virginia Mennonite Missions is addinganother connection. For a number of yearsstudents from Albania, including theAlbania Mennonite churches, have attend-ed LCC. With the intended beginning of aChristian high school in Albania this year

(Lezhe Academic Center) we hope to cre-ate a “feeder school” for LCC. In turn wehope graduates will return to teach atAlbania Christian School and serve theLord in other significant ways in theirhomeland.

The world is shrinking. As we go outinto the world, we also find the world onour doorstep. This summer Steve andBetsy will be attending VMC Assemblyand Steve will be speaking on “KnowingChrist” in the Friday evening session atEMHS. Come and experience a touch ofLithuania, and the rest of the world too.

Loren and Earlene Horst recently visitedLCC International University. They aremembers of Zion Hill Mennonite Church.

Connections May 2011

LCC International University, a success story being realized

Loren HorstPresident of VMM

Fin

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VirginiaMennoniteConference

Sept. 1, 2010 toMarch 31, 2011

expe

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VirginiaMennoniteMissions

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Sept. 1, 2010 toMarch 31, 2011

$235,722 $334,873 $714,546 $750,328

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In the April 2011 issue article by OwenBurkholder (p. 2), he incorrectly notedthat Ray and Emma Emswiler (pastor atValley View 1942-1973) farmed in theBergton area. Ray actually served as ateacher and principal in RockinghamCounty schools for 39 years! Thanks todaughter Irene Good for this correction.

Correction:

3May 2011 Connections

of rum into Roy’s luggage. The rum had arrived mysteriously at Christmas from aTrinidadian neighbor. Paul wasn’t going todrink it and didn’t know what to do with it,so he foisted it off on Roy. Paul knew Roywouldn’t drink it either, but gave it to himas payback for the mischief Roy perpetrat-ed on him.

In addition to honoring a remarkableman and his family, this Celebration ofMinistry banquet raised funds for VMCand for the Southern District’s MinisterialTraining and Trust Fund for the theologi-cal education of pastors and lay leaders inSouthern District.

This is the eleventh time VMC hashonored a key conference leader in keep-ing with the words found in I Tim 5:17“The elders who direct the affairs of thechurch are worthy of double honor, espe-cially those whose work is preaching andteaching.” To God be the glory!

Kiser celebration continued from cover

Cross-bearing forgivenessBy NICHOLAS

DETWEILER-STODDARD

Fording swollen rivers, climbing out ofsteep valleys with pack animals andtrekking to the remotest villages on footin order to distribute basic eye and dentalcare in Afghanistan requires a calculatedsacrifice of personal safety. The pursuit ofChrist’s peace in this world does not nec-essarily mean a “peaceful” life awaits. Thecall to follow Jesus and take up our cross,to gain our life by letting go of it presentsvery real possibilities for losing this liter-al earthly life.

In August 2010 we heard the story ofthe ten-member eye-care team fromInternational Assistance Mission (IAM)killed in Afghanistan, among whom was aMennonite worker from Pennsylvania,Glen Lapp. But Lapp was not the only per-son with connections to the VirginiaMennonite Conference community.

Brian Carderelli, 25, a member ofCovenant Presbyterian Church inHarrisonburg, Va., and 2009 graduate ofJames Madison University also chose tofollow after Christ and take up his crossrather than seeking to save his life. He

was in his first year in Afghanistan whenhe agreed to be the videographer for theremote IAM team.

While still a JMU student Carderellioccasionally joined community meals atPeace House, a VMC-supported ministry.His commitment to seek Christ’s healingin a wounded world took him to a numberof humanitarian development organiza-tions in Afghanistan and, ultimately, to theend of this life. Many articles commemo-rate how quickly Brian fell in love with theAfghan people.

Brian’s story of self-sacrifice is apoignant enough glorification of Christ andhis call to bear the cross, but even afterBrian’s death his family continued to wit-ness to the power of Christ’s loving call tolet go of our lives. At his graveside,

Brian’s mother Sharon expressed the depth of the Carderellis’ commitment toreconciliation in Jesus Christ as she read astatement from the whole family: “As afamily, we want to publicly say today thatbecause God, through Christ, has forgivenus, we forgive the men who killed Brian.”

In Brian Carderelli’s commitment tolay aside his own life in service of Christ’swork in the world and in his family’s com-mitments to lay aside their own desire forretribution, the peace-making love of ourLord Jesus Christ shines out into theworld. May we all follow in their footsteps,letting go of our own lives and hefting ourcrosses to the glory of God and the healingof God’s creation.

When we receive those little “return envelopes” addressed to Virginia MennoniteMissions with a check inside, sometimes a personal note is enclosed. I find some of thesenotes a gift in themselves. One donor wrote:

Praise God for all the GiversBy serviceBy prayingBy financial meansBy words of encouragementWhatever way

For the Kingdom of God.

This gift of poetry expresses what mission is all about—a poetic mission statement! We, at VMMissions, do praise God for you the “Givers,” you who so generously give inso many ways. Thank you for making it possible for others to receive and experience theGood News! We invite all of you to remember the work of VMMissions in your giving—in whatever way for the Kingdom of God.

Janet StutzmanDirector of Development

Givers and receivers

Feel free to contact us: Phone:

Janet Stutzman, Director of Developmentjanet.stutzman@vmmissions.org

(540) 434-9727 • (800) 707-5535

David Yoder, Development Associatedavid.yoder@vmmissions.org

Financial giving options available:• Online giving • Automatic withdrawalsGo to vmmissions.org and click on “Give to VMM”

Or mail your check to VMM, 901 Parkwood Dr, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Additional ways to give:We invite you to talk with us about contributing to VMMissions through property or estategifts, life insurance, annuities and endowments. Whether it is a gift in your will or as a gift inyour lifetime, your gift will live on through lives changed as a result of your giving.

4 Connections May 2011

Two remarkable surprises signal thehome going of Betty KingBy EUGENE K. SOUDERFormer member, Crusaders Quartet

The King family spent almost 20 yearsin mission service in Cuba and Mexico.After returning to Harrisonburg, Virginia,Aaron and Betty were actively working in aSpanish-speaking ministry with Hispanicsin the area. For about 30 years they werechaplains in prisons throughout Virginiaand surrounding states. They were vibrant-ly engaged in a lifelong mission of sharingGod’s grace in Christ.

On September 15, 2010, two daysbefore the death of Betty King atRockingham Memorial Hospital inHarrisonburg, most of Betty and AaronKing’s family were gathered aroundBetty’s bed. They were together in whatthey expected to be her last hours onearth. Her children spent an extendedtime of singing some of Betty’s favoritegospel songs. Paul Swarr and EugeneSouder, Crusader quartet members, wereinvited to sing along with the King family.Aaron, Betty’s husband and first tenor inthe Crusaders, in failing health, had saidhis parting goodbyes to Betty in the morn-ing and so was not present. Roy Kreider,the bass in the quartet together with hiswife, spent time sharing with Betty in spe-cial prayer and conversation that morning.

About 5:30 p.m. that same day sudden-ly they heard a knock on the door. Heidi,one of Betty’s five daughters, went to thedoor but no one was there. Shortly after,there was another knock. This timeMichael, the eldest, opened the door andagain no one was present. He quicklywent up and down the hall to see if a nursecould have knocked and slipped away. Butagain no one was there.

After returning to the room, Betty,who all that day was hardly able tosqueeze your hand, suddenly raised uphigh her right arm and at the same timeshe opened her eyes and expectantlygazed upward to the far corner of theroom. Puzzling over the sequence ofevents, some in the family felt there wasalmost a sense of an angelic visitor at thatmoment! After that experience, Betty

closed her eyes and went into a coma.Less than two days later she took her lastbreath at 3 a.m. Friday.A second appearance

This second appearance happened atRoy and Florence Kreider’s home inBroadway, Virginia, early Friday morningas Roy and Florence were sleeping. Royshares the story here in his own wordswhich he says is “for the encouragementof faith.”

“At 2:30 a.m. Friday, September 17, Iawoke, at once recalling those final hoursof prayer in what we all knew to be Betty’sfinal hours of life with us. Fully awake, Ifelt urged to pray again for the Lord’speace for Betty and His comfort for Aaronand each of the family.

“At 3 a.m. a picture came clearly inview. Florence and I were sitting togetherin conversation with a guest who was con-firming that Betty had heard all that wassaid and prayed during our Wednesdaymorning visit. Betty said the words hadministered encouragement and comfort toher spirit. When I asked this guest, ‘howcould this be known with such certainty?Are you one of RMH’s medical person-nel?’ I was startled by her answer. ‘I amnot a staff person. I am the angel commis-sioned by God at the time of Betty’s birthto be her lifelong guardian angel. At thismoment Betty is being released from herphysical body. Also now someone veryspecial to you is about to enter the room!’

“Betty appeared and I saw a mostbeautiful and youthful-looking Betty, radi-ant with the light of Jesus. Betty was seat-ed with Florence, me, and the angel, withBetty expressing to us her gratitude forthe spiritually-enriching friendship—those many faith strengthening conversa-tions and the many prayers across theyears. She continued to speak blessingson us. Betty ended up by asking us to prayfor Aaron and the family. Then shedeclared joyfully, ‘In an instant I will bestanding in the glorious presence of God.And I will be seeing Jesus face to face! Butsoon we shall be gathered into his gloriouspresence! What a day of rejoicing that willbe!’

“Then at once Betty was gone, and sowas the angel! I was fully awake duringthis whole experience. It was severalhours later on that Friday morning that wewere told of Betty’s home going at 3 a.m.,the exact time the Lord gave that awe-some visual revelation. Thanks and praiseto Him!”

On this note of praise, Roy ended thevivid description of the vision of Betty andher lifelong angel. Roy says no reason forthis visitation was given to him. It represents a mystery sent by God.Further, he adds, I’m reminded of thesong, “God moves in a mysterious way hiswonders to perform...”

Betty Detweiler King died Sept. 17,2010. Aaron Martin King died January 3,2011.

Dr. Natalie A.Francisco servesas co-pastor ofC a l v a r yC o m m u n i t yChurch and co-founder ofCalvary ChristianAcademy inHampton, Va.,

alongside her husband, Bishop L. W.Francisco III. Recently, she was named tothe “Black Christian News Network’sList of the Top 25 Most Influential BlackChristian Female Leaders in the Nation.”

Natalie has her fingers and gifts inmany worthwhile endeavors, all support-ing women, families and dynamicChristian leadership. Her book, A Woman’s Journal for Joyful Living:Successful Steps to Holistic Health, alsomade the February 2011 “Top 50 BlackChristian Independent PublishersBestsellers List (Non-fiction).” Publishedby St. Paul Press, it is available for $12.99.

Natalie Francisco frequently speakson Third Way Media’s Shaping Familiesprogram. You can hear Natalie on theShaping Families program which aired theweekend of March 19, 2011 online.

Francisco named to “Top 25 Black ChristianFemale Leaders” in nation

5May 2011 Connections

By MELODY DAVISThird Way Media

Both Edith Shenk Kuhns, Waynesboro,and Rose Shenk, Harrisonburg, were featured on the Shaping Families radioprogram April 3 (available online at shapingfamilies.com) telling about theirintense and dual walks through grief afterthe accidental deaths of their husbands inseparate accidents on separate continentsin 2005.

Edith and her first husband, JosephShenk, were long-term mission workerswith Eastern Mennonite Missions inTanzania, east Africa, for many years andthey also co-pastored Weavers Mennonite

Church for a number of years. Edith and Joe’s daughter, Rose, also

lost her first husband, Reuben, in a vehicleaccident about the same time. Joe’s acci-dent occurred first but he did not die untilnine days after Rueben, due to a previous-ly undiagnosed aortic aneurysm. TheShenk family held memorial services forReuben one Sunday and Joe the next inHarrisonburg. Rose says on the program,“I remember kind of living through thosedays and it felt a little bit like my life wassome tragic foreign film, happening tosomebody else.”

Edith and Rose have both remarriedbut share how they made quilts and scrap-books to help them on their separate but

similar journeys, and talk about ways toheal from grief. Joe’s brother-in-law, OmarEby, compiled letters which Joe wrotehome from years of mission work. Thebook is entitled Rafiki: Letters to Omar,and it is available from xlibris.com.

The program with Edith and Rose canbe heard at the website, downloaded toany listening device, or a free transcriptprinted. A study guide usable by Sundayschool classes is also available. ShapingFamilies radio program airs each weekendon 17 local radio stations and online atwww.shapingfamilies.com. ShapingFamilies is produced by Third Way Mediathrough Mennonite Mission Network.

Edith Shenk Kuhns and Rose Shenk on Shaping Families

By MATT TROSTQuizzing Coordinator

The story of Joseph in the second halfof Genesis, and the book of Esther wereused as the text for this year’s Biblequizzing season. Both stories wereintriguing and had many connections withour own experiences of family, hardship,trust, and faith in God. The knowledge ofhow God worked through the people inthese stories is truly a blessing that wecan use as we seek to follow the Lord inour lives today.

Starting in early January, three teamsof youth from five churches inRockingham and Augusta counties inVirginia met on Sunday afternoons to quizover selected passages. Each Sunday welooked at the next several chapters, goingsequentially through each book, and thefinal Sunday of quizzing was a review of allthe material. The teams did very wellthroughout the season, and had a lot of funtesting their memory with one another.

New quizzers and churches participat-ed this year, with a team composed ofyouth from Staunton Mennonite andSpringdale Mennonite churches quizzingfor their first season ever (some memberspictured at right). Each of the three teams

were verycompetit ivewith oneanother bythe end of theseason, andtwo of theteams madeplans to go tothe tourna-ment inLancaster, Pa.Held March25-27, 47teams fromPennsylvania, 28 teams from Ohio, plusour teams from Virginia participated in thetournament. The quizzers and coachespictured above are standing in front of thetournament bracket after the final matchwas held—258 matches occurred at thetournament between Saturday and Sundaymornings. A team from Pennsylvania wonthe tournament on the final question ofthe final match.

The team from Community MennoniteChurch in Harrisonburg participated inthe tournament for the first time, and theteam of quizzers from CrossroadsMennonite in Broadway and Mt. ClintonMennonite in Mt. Clinton was eager to

build on their previous experiences at thetournament. Both teams came away withvictories and are looking forward to nextyear already.

The text for the 2012 season will bethe gospel of John, from the NIV (1984).West Liberty, Ohio, will host the tourna-ment over the weekend of March 23-25.They have asked the churches fromVirginia to staff a room at the tournament,so we’ll be making preparations and ask-ing folks to help later this year. With theexcitement and satisfaction so fresh in ourminds, we truly are grateful and thankfulfor such a fun and successful season ofBible quizzing.

Va. youth Bible quizzing teams compete on Joseph & Esther

Jason Gerlach, VMC Youth minister and Marian Buckwalter, coach, stand with teams in frontof the bracket after the final match of the tournament. Courtesy of Matt Trost

6 Connections May 2011

40 years—a biblical number and my experience at EMUBy JIM BISHOPPublic Information Officer

E a s t e r nM e n n o n i t eUniversity pouredwisdom and knowl-edge into my thickskull as a student for

four years, 1963-67. While I may not haveabsorbed and retained much of it, I tried toshow my appreciation by returning thefavor for another 40 years.

EMU has definitely given me morethan I’ve been able to give back over thistime span, even as I stop and ask, how didI arrive at this [senior citizen] stage of lifeso quickly? In about two months, I will bidfarewell to the extraordinary place whereI’ve invested my gifts and energy since1971 in telling the university story as pub-lic information officer.

It’s been quite a journey, a thrill ridewith obstacles and snares at times, butfraught with much satisfaction and fulfill-ment borne of observing students as theycross the platform, receive their diplomasand go out as alumni to make a differencein this teeming, fragile planet. As an alum-nus turned employee these many years, Iwill soon anticipate the next steps in itsexhilarating history from a different van-tage point as a retiree.

Having worked closely with a host ofamazing faculty, staff and students for so

long, I am convinced—call me biased, I’llaccept that—that Eastern MennoniteUniversity and its sister Mennonite insti-tutions are on the cutting edge in the high-er education arena. EMU “seeks to educate students to serve and lead in aglobal context” while holding to core val-ues of Christian discipleship, community,service, sustainability and peacebuildingWhat other school has Micah 6:4 in itsmission statement and works to infuse alldisciplines with this worthy aspiration?

I believe, from firsthand experience asa student and then as a behind-the-scenesstaff member, that the undergraduate—and graduate-level—education studentsreceive at EMU is every bit as good—better, in fact—than in more “prestigious”institutions. Small classes with 1:1 men-toring with professors and opportunitiesfor original research are among the rea-sons that academics at EMU are so strong.A cross-cultural experience is a gradua-tion requirement. Ninety-one percent ofEMU grads find work or pursue furthereducation in their field within a year. And,it’s been documented that graduates ofour Mennonite schools are more likely toremain closely involved in the largerchurch and its programs.

My time at EMU as a student in theturbulent 1960’s was among the most sig-nificant, life-changing period of my life—itdidn’t hurt either that I met the fair youngdamsel my sophomore year who has been

my loving, supportive spouse for nearly 44years. Looking back, I realize how thoseprofessors and fellow students trulyshaped me in profound ways for what Godintended me to become—career-wise andotherwise.

I leave this sacred space with gratitudefor the privilege of having played a smallpart in the university’s mission of helpingstudents to “do justice, love mercy andwalk humbly with God.”

Jim Bishop, a member of CommunityMennonite Church, Harrisonburg, will conclude 40 years of service at EasternMennonite University on June 30, 2011.

Think Ahead for Summer Resources

Would you like to explore a new and intriguing areain your summer reading? Will your family need someactivities, video/CD resources, or children’s books?Does the church budget require some creative sum-mer Christian Education—using DVD and VBS materials to create your own program?

The Congregational Resource Center, convenientlylocated just off the lobby of Eastern MennoniteSeminary building, has more than 3,000 possibili -ties to meet your needs.

Linda Alley, Director of the Center, is willing to helpyou locate something you can use. She is generally

at her desk between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Othertime periods may be scheduled if you’d like to bringin a Christian Education task group or your family.

Whether it’s personal spiritual growth, fun and inter-esting things to do, serious Bible study, retreats,mentoring, Anabaptist authors, worship planning, orsome other topic, we can help you.

One new resource that I would like to highlight iscalled “Mississippi Remixed: A fresh look at racerelations in the Deep South.” It is a film about blackand white relationships from the perspective of awhite, female, Mississippi-born Baby Boomer. Afteryears of living in Canada and answering questions

about her Mississippi heritage, she returns toexplore and learn what she did not recognize whilegrowing up. An excellent study guide accompaniesthe film. This could generate good discussion fromjunior high through adult groups.

Make use of the CRC. It’s here for you!

Linda Alley, Director(540) 432-4698alleyl@emu.eduCatalog: crc@emu.edu (click on catalog)

1181 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg VA 22802

Congregational Resource Center

Dan Nafziger, sophomore biology major (ZionMennonite), Brendon Derstine, history and social science major (Franconia Mennonite) and JamesSouder, junior environmental sustainability major(Lindale) ride in the back of a jeep through Wadi Rumduring their spring semester 2011 Middle East cross-cultural. Photo by Aly Zimmerman

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m fo

rth

ese

resp

onsi

bilit

ies,

ingo

vern

men

t offi

ces

or w

ithA

lban

ian

chur

ch le

ader

s.

Pray

for t

he p

lann

ing

and

wor

ship

com

mit-

tees

as

they

wor

k on

all

the

deta

ils fo

r Virg

inia

Con

fere

nce

Ass

embl

y to

be

held

July

28-

31. A

s w

e “p

ract

ice

for

the

futu

re”

may

God

giv

e H

is c

lear

gui

danc

eto

His

Chu

rch.

Thi

s ev

enin

g an

dto

mor

row

, the

Boa

rdof

VM

Mis

sion

s m

eets

for

deci

sion

-mak

ing.

Tha

nkG

od fo

r th

eir

care

ful w

ork

and

ask

Him

to g

uide

the

disc

ussi

ons.

Thi

s w

eeke

nd S

is.

Lydi

a Ja

rret

t is

lead

-in

g a

child

ren’

s co

nven

tion

on “

Chi

ldre

n at

Ris

k” in

Span

ish

Tow

n, Ja

mai

ca.

Pray

for

Lydi

a’s

stre

ngth

and

insi

ght,

and

pray

that

man

y w

ill b

e to

uche

d by

God

’s h

and

of m

ercy

ther

e.

The

pas

tors

and

wiv

es o

f Men

noni

teC

hurc

h of

Tri

nida

d &

Tob

ago

mee

t tod

ay fo

rsh

arin

g an

d pr

ayer

. May

God

mee

t the

m in

a r

eal

way

, giv

ing

wis

dom

, gra

cean

d jo

y fo

r th

e im

port

ant

wor

k th

at th

ey h

ave

to d

o.

Plea

se a

gree

inpr

ayer

with

the

Men

noni

te H

ispa

nic

Initi

ativ

e, th

at G

od w

ill

prov

ide

for

thei

r fin

anci

alne

eds

and

give

wis

dom

as

they

pla

n fo

r fu

ture

prog

ress

.

Last

mon

th, L

inds

eyN

ice

orga

nize

d a

spor

ts d

ay fo

r th

e st

uden

tsat

the

Mar

anat

ha S

choo

l for

the

Dea

f in

Jam

aica

. Giv

eG

od th

anks

for

Lind

sey’

sab

ility

to m

anag

e th

is fu

nan

d su

cces

sful

eve

nt.

Mal

erie

Pla

nk s

erve

sas

a n

ursi

ng s

uper

vi-

sor

at H

ospi

tal E

vang

elic

oSi

guat

epeq

ue in

Hon

dura

sw

ith tr

anSen

d. M

aler

ieap

prec

iate

s an

d lo

ves

the

staf

f tha

t wor

ks w

ith h

er.

Pray

with

her

as

she

mod

els

conf

iden

t lea

ders

hip.

Thi

s w

eeke

ndM

enno

nite

Chu

rch

ofT

rinid

ad &

Tob

ago

are

seek

-in

g G

od’s

insi

ght f

or th

efu

ture

of t

he c

hurc

h. L

onni

e&

Ter

esa

Bos

hart

Yod

er a

rese

rvin

g as

res

ourc

e pe

rson

s.A

sk fo

r th

e H

oly

Spir

it to

guid

e ea

ch a

spec

t.

Chr

is &

Mel

ody

Rid

dle

and

fam

ilytr

avel

to th

e U

SA to

day

tobe

gin

a ho

me

assi

gnm

ent.

Pray

for

safe

ty in

trav

el a

ndfo

r ad

just

men

ts a

s th

ey

prep

are

to v

isit

cong

rega

-tio

ns a

nd s

hare

thei

r st

orie

sof

God

’s w

ork

in It

aly.

Tod

ay is

the

wom

en’s

ret

reat

at

Cen

tro

Aga

pe, P

aler

mo,

with

wom

en fr

omM

enno

nite

and

oth

er e

van-

gelic

al c

hurc

hes.

The

reso

urce

per

son

is fr

om th

eO

pen

Doo

rs m

inis

try.

Pra

yfo

r a

bles

sing

to to

uch

all.

Join

Gra

ce S

chro

ck-

Hur

st in

pra

ying

that

God

will

lead

her

to a

chur

ch c

omm

unity

in h

erpl

ace

of s

ervi

ce in

Sout

heas

t Asi

a. T

his

will

be a

sou

rce

of s

tren

gth

for

her

as s

he r

elat

es to

the

poor

est o

f the

poo

r.

Stud

ents

are

now

regi

ster

ing

for

Alb

ania

n C

hris

tian

Scho

ol,

open

ing

in S

ept.

in L

ezhe

.Pr

ay w

ith K

lem

entin

aSh

ahin

i as

she

mee

ts w

ithpr

ospe

ctiv

e st

uden

ts a

ndpa

rent

s. T

hank

God

that

reno

vatio

ns h

ave

gone

wel

l.

Eac

h da

y br

ings

new

chal

leng

es to

Mar

k&

Sar

ah S

choe

nhal

s in

Tha

iland

. Pra

y fo

r th

eman

d da

ught

er H

eidi

as

they

mee

t with

chu

rch

lead

ers

and

neig

hbor

s an

d fr

iend

s.

Tod

ay M

icha

el &

Rut

han

d ch

ildre

n ar

rive

inth

e U

S fo

r 5

mon

ths

ofho

me

leav

e fr

om th

eir

assi

gnm

ent i

n So

uth

Asi

a.A

sk G

od to

giv

e th

em e

ner-

gy fo

r fa

mily

res

pons

ibili

ties

and

stam

ina

for

trai

ning

ses

-si

ons

and

chur

ch c

onta

cts.

Pray

for

Stev

e &

Bet

sy D

inta

man

as

they

ant

icip

ate

a su

mm

er o

ftr

avel

and

spe

akin

g en

gage

-m

ents

. Loo

k fo

r th

em a

t Va

Con

fere

nce

Ass

embl

y. H

old

them

in p

raye

r to

day

asth

ey a

ccom

plis

h m

uch

for

God

’s K

ingd

om.

7

1213

1410

1920

2118

17 24

16 23

15

11

Dav

id S

henk

,tra

nSen

deri

n Q

uito

,E

cuad

or, r

ecen

tly ta

ught

peac

e pr

inci

ples

to c

hild

ren

with

act

iviti

es th

at th

eyen

joye

d. T

hank

God

for

Dav

id’s

cre

ativ

ity a

nd h

isco

mm

itmen

t to

peac

e.

5

22Pr

ay fo

r th

e Le

onZi

mm

erm

an fa

mily

as th

ey te

rmin

ate

thei

r m

is-

sion

ary

serv

ice

in A

lban

iath

is m

onth

. Pr

ay fo

r sm

ooth

tran

sitio

ns fo

r the

fam

ily a

sw

ell a

s th

e ch

urch

cou

ncil

atLe

zhe

as th

ey p

rovi

de

ongo

ing

lead

ersh

ip.

Tha

nk G

od th

e vi

sa fo

rE

mily

Gin

gric

h ca

me

thro

ugh

and

she

is n

ow in

the

Cze

ch R

epub

lic. E

mily

serv

es jo

intly

with

tranS

end

and

EM

M’s

YE

S pr

ogra

m.

Pray

with

her

as

she

ente

rsla

ngua

ge le

arni

ng a

ndbu

ilds

rela

tions

hips

.

9

Pray

for

all f

rom

VM

Cw

ho a

re m

akin

g pl

ans

to a

tten

d M

C U

SA c

onve

n-tio

n in

Pitt

sbur

gh Ju

ly 4

-9.

May

this

be

a tim

e fo

r yo

uth

and

adul

ts to

sha

re w

ithea

ch o

ther

aro

und

build

ing

brid

ges

amon

g G

od’s

peo

-pl

e.

2526

2728

A c

hild

ren’

s co

nven

tion

is b

eing

hel

d by

Jam

aica

Men

noni

te C

hurc

h to

day.

Song

s, B

ible

mem

oriz

atio

n,co

mpe

titio

ns a

re a

ll pa

rt o

fan

em

phas

is o

n sp

iritu

algr

owth

of c

hild

ren.

Tha

nkG

od fo

r th

e co

ordi

nato

rsw

ho lo

ve a

ll G

od’s

chi

ldre

n.

Join

in a

skin

g fo

r G

od’s

wis

dom

for

Skip

Tob

in,

VM

Mis

sion

s U

SA m

inis

trie

sdi

rect

or, a

s he

com

es a

long

-si

de V

MC

chu

rch

plan

ters

and

deve

lops

a c

oach

ing

rela

tions

hip.

4

8

36

21

“This

is th

e me

ssag

e we

hav

e he

ard

from

him a

nd d

eclar

e to

you:

God

is lig

ht; i

nhim

ther

e is

no d

arkn

ess a

t all.”

1 Jo

hn 1

:5(N

IV)

This

mon

th’s

pray

er c

alen

dar i

s sp

onso

red

by

Irv H

ersh

ey

Sun

day

Sun

day

Mon

day

Mon

day

Tues

day

Tues

day

Wed

nesd

ayW

edne

sday

Thur

sday

Thur

sday

Frid

ayFr

iday

Sat

urda

yS

atur

day

Pray

for W

illar

d an

dE

va E

berl

y as

they

prov

ide

lead

ersh

ip th

is s

um-

mer

at t

he C

entr

o K

oino

nia

cong

rega

tion

in B

ari.

Pray

for

the

task

of g

row

ing

the

cong

rega

tion,

dis

cipl

eshi

pfo

rmat

ion,

and

em

pow

erin

gIt

alia

ns a

t all

leve

ls o

f co

ngre

gatio

nal l

ife.

Pray

for

Dr.

Har

ry a

ndK

ris

Kra

us a

nd s

onSa

m a

s th

ey a

re m

akin

gpl

ans

to g

o to

Ken

ya th

issu

mm

er in

med

ical

min

-is

trie

s. M

ay th

ey e

xper

ienc

eG

od’s

gui

ding

han

d as

they

wor

k ou

t det

ails

for

this

term

of s

ervi

ce.

2930

A C

hurc

h C

ounc

ilw

as r

ecen

tly fo

rmed

in th

e Le

zhe,

Alb

ania

, co

ngre

gatio

n. T

his

give

sm

ore

Alb

ania

ns in

volv

e-m

ent i

n le

ader

ship

. Pra

yth

at th

ey m

ay h

ave

wis

dom

as th

ey le

ad.

31

MAY

2011

MAY

2011

Pray

er C

alen

dar

Pray

er C

alen

dar

Conn

ectio

nsCo

nnec

tions

Mennonite Women of Virginia: celebrateAnnual Missions Day, Saturday, May 7, ParkView Mennonite Church, 1600 Park Road,Harrisonburg, 8:30-2:30 around“Missions: One in the Spirit.” Worship,mission needs offering, and Bible studywith Jennifer Davis Sensenig are high-lights. Lodging for Friday night and child-care for Saturday are available. To requestthese, call Pam De Young, MWV president(757) 930-0002. Bring a group of womenfrom your congregation and be blessed,and bless others!

Join Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center forthe 17th Annual Golf Classic: Thursday,June 9, 2011 at Kiskiack Golf Club inWilliamsburg, Va. Captain’s choice format.Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Brochureswill be mailed in April or visitwww.wcrc.info. New for this year: consid-er a Tournament Sponsor opportunity.Contact wcrc.development@att.net formore information. Not a golfer? Be asponsor!

Big Spring Mennonite Church in Luray, Va., willcelebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday,June 19, with worship at 10 a.m. followedby lunch and afternoon celebration. JamesRissler and Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler willbe guest speakers. A special invitation toYoung Peoples Christian Association(YPCA) members from EasternMennonite University and all others whohave touched the life of this church overthe past 50 years. For more information,contact Mark Sours at (540) 743-3239 ormsours@embarqmail.com. Visit thechurch website at bigspringmennonite.org

Virginia Conference women of all ages! Markyour calendars for the Women’s Retreaton October 28-30, 2011, at Best WesternWaynesboro. Come join us as AprilGunderson, Associate Pastor atHarrisonburg Mennonite Church, helps usexplore how Jesus quenches our thirstwith More Than Water! Additional detailsmay be found at www.vmconf.org by click-ing on “Mennonite Women VA” tab.Questions may be directed to Pearl Lantzat (540) 433-1591. Invite a friend andwatch for registration brochures inAugust!

Water is life. Something we can take forgranted makes an enormous difference tothe wellbeing of persons and communitieswhere it is absent. This year, Penny Powerwill benefit VMM and Mennonite CentralCommittee water projects that bringclean, safe water to Haiti and Tanzania bydrilling wells and building sand dams. Yourspare change can make a huge difference!

Registration is open for VirginiaMennonite Conference Assembly. New for 2011: register and pay online atwww.vmconf.org

Announcements

Connections (USPS 007-205)Virginia Mennonite MissionsVirginia Mennonite Conference901 Parkwood DriveHarrisonburg, VA 22802-2498