Pioneer Christian Monthly - October, 1997

A Few Words From The Eastern Prairies
Bill Zwiep

It is a privilege to once again communicate with you and let you know what's been happening in the eastern prairies. A number of things have been happening. Winnipeg managed to survive the flood of the century, but areas immediately to the south were not so fortunate. What really touched us as members of the Elmwood Community Church was the shared feelings , emotions, and generosity of members of the Reformed Church elsewhere in Canada. At the latest count, August 16th, a total of $57,000 had been received by our board of Deacons.

Through contact with members of our congregation and their families, two of our deacons, Wayne Silk and Chris Garner, set out on a quest to visit people who had been referred to them. This quest became a ministry which turned into a roller coaster of experiences and emotions of which Chris will write a later account. Wherever they went and wherever they stopped, they were met by people who were depressed, deflated, frustrated, and sometimes angry. Wherever they left their financial gift from the Reformed Church in Canada, they were greeted with feelings of gratitude, deep emotions, and often tears. In all cases our, and your gift, was a mere drop in a bucket, but it provided a beginning and a feeling of hope.

Gifts of $4000 were given to the following:

* The Siemens family in Rosenort. It helped them restart their chicken operation.

* The Hedley family of Verinette (Grand Point)

* The Loran family of Vermette

* William Sokol of Vermette, who felt there were others who needed it more than he, but gratefully accepted after urgings from Chris and Wayne

* The Cleland family in St. Agathe, who saw their home destroyed when the flood waters came in through the back door of the community, over a railroad track that had served as a dike

* The St. Agathe Roman Catholic Parish church, whose spiritual leader, Father Gerald, was speechless and could only utter "00 LA IA, so generous" over and over again, with tears in his eyes

* The Cretain family from St. Adolphe

* The Moroz family from Winnipeg's St. Mary's road, who watched their nursery business wash away into the flood waters

* The Jarvis family from St. Norbert

* $10,000 was donated to Habitat for Humanity to assist them in their effort in the flood.

Our Congregation also underwent a truly emotional experience when one of our own, Anton Bouw, was ordained as a pastor in the Reformed Church, in his home church. The church's sanctuary was packed to a standing room only capacity with members and friends of both Anton's home church, Elmwood Reformed, and the church he had served for almost two years during his internship, Calvin Presbyterian Church. Those who came to witness his memorable event did so in 30+ temperatures, Pastor Mike van den Berg from St. Albert led the service, assisted by the Reverends Ron and Randy Opmeer. Their witnessing through the Word and through song was like another "Draw near to God" experience. It was a memorable June weekend.

We were also happy to see Sharon and E.J. DeWaard finish their required studies at Providence College and accept a calling to Surrey B.C. May the Lord bless both these young men and their families in their new churches and congregations. Our loss is their gain.

Our Vacation Bible school experienced a positive growth. Starting with 30 children on a Monday, the number grew steadily each day, and by the end of the week, our teachers were witnessing to over 55 children from the immediate neighbourhood.

The Church received a request from a lady who had just moved to the neighbourhood to start a Christian fellowship group for women in the neighbourhood. Although she, herself, was Baptist and attended her own church in another Winnipeg neighbourhood, she felt called to witness in this way. She would like to use our church and was more than willing to work through and under the supervision of our pastor.

For several years our church had entertained the thought of this kind of outreach but had always lacked the manpower to do so. God continues to nurture and develop the seeds that man has dropped. All it needs sometimes is the fertilization of prayer.

Randy Opmeer performed at the last Lighthouse evening to both teens and adults. All present enjoyed his ministry in song. The Lighthouse was an attempt by a group of young adults to attract teens and young adults to a more contemporary type of worship service. It is too early to tell whether it was successful. The group is looking at continuing the experience sometime during the fall.

We look forward to communicating with all of our churches in Canada. We appreciate the Pioneer as a vehicle for such communication. Please let us hear from you. Sometimes we feel a bit lonely and need that contact with other churches. In the meantime, may the Lord bless you and your activities.

Bill Zwiep is a member of the Elmwood Community Reformed Church and a Regiional Correspondent for The Pioneer.

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