Thank you for giving us this opportunity to share something about who we are as Mennonite Brethren, and what we are about -- both as a provincial organization and as individual churches.

We are still in the development stages of this site, so if you have any suggestions, please contact the web site coordinator. We're more than happy to receive your input; we want to make this site the best that it can be. Please send your comments to webmaster@mbcm.ca.

 

What's New at House Blend Ministries this week?

Here's the latest update from our summer intern Elisa:

I've been reading through a sermon Rachel wrote a couple years ago about the value of living and worshiping in the same neighborhood versus driving in and out for worship. I find this sermon incredibly appropriate for today because having our House Blend home has allowed us to see the wisdom of her words[1], first hand. I have pulled out parts of her sermon that have spoken to me this week and wish to share them with you before I tell you about our neighbor Gwen.

“Past experience has made it clear that in order to have the greatest impact in a neighbourhood it is not enough to simply drive in and worship there. The greatest impact occurs when we live or work in a neighbourhood AND we worship there.

One person who has been actively engaged in the heart of our city for over a decade said to me, “If you Mennonites want to become involved, I can give you a long list of projects. But I can also give you a long list of people who simply need someone to be a friend. If you want to do that you could really make a difference.”

I’m not sure why, but we tend to be quick to want to create programs. We want to do needs assessments and then create programs to meet needs. By focusing on meeting needs, we send the message that getting to the problem is more important than getting to know poor people so that we can work together to solve the problems.

When we start with a need, hoping that we will one day get to form personal relationships with poor people, we are more likely to be found 10 years later, still addressing the need. We are welcome, even necessary, outsiders, but outsiders nonetheless.

On the other hand, when we start by developing relationships with poor people, we are more likely to get to the problems, together with the poor. The “work” typically starts slower and looks less impressive when relationship is prioritized before attention to need, but it is more likely to be owned and reproduced by the poor themselves and, as a result, has a much longer lifespan.”

I have found Rachel's words to be true. One person who has taught me this lesson is a woman who I will call Gwen.

Gwen and I met at the beginning of summer. She's been having a really hard year since the loss of her husband and needed to have tests for cancer last month. Gwen had made 3 different appointments to get tested but had canceled them all because she had been too terrified to go alone. Just the thought of having to go to the tests by herself brought back too much pain of the emptiness she feels since her husband died. She expressed this to me with remorse, along with her fears of possibly being diagnosed with cancer. It was clear to me that Gwen needed a true friend with her at the appointment. I asked her if she would like it if Rachel or I went with her to her cancer tests and her stature changed. Her face lit up and she grabbed my arms and said, “YES! I would love that! No one has ever offered to do something like this for me before!” I wrote down the appointment date, time, and address.

Rachel and I were able to make sure that she wouldn't be alone at her appointment. Unfortunately she left her cancer testing early and didn't go through with anything other than a blood test. She is too afraid to find out whether or not she has cancer. The fear of the unknown is still too great. Test results may give bad news.

One advantage of living in the neighbourhood is that I keep bumping into Gwen. Recently she told me that she just wants to be with her husband. She's even tried stepping out in front of cars to end her life.  I listened and told her I would pray.

Yesturday, Gwen opened up telling me that she had two daughters who were given up for adoption and that she would love to find her younger daughter, just to have someone in her life to love and be loved by.   Well, Rachel and I love Gwen and she’s starting to see that. In a world full of people trying to use and abuse, there are glimpses of love, hope, and friendship. I know Rachel and I have crossed paths with Gwen for a reason. I look forward to inviting Gwen over to our house for potlucks so she can meet an entire household of people who will love her.

Gwen also told me something that surprised me. Gwen said that she isn't killing herself because she looks forward to the time she spends with us!  I believe that being present in this neighbourhood has opened doors to relationships that would not be possible otherwise.

The need for true friendship seems clear to me. Gwen needs someone to talk with, to hear her stories about life with her husband as she grieves and processes his death. She also needs a friend to walk alongside her as she waits for the results from her blood tests. Her fear of cancer is real. By living in this neighborhood, we have the opportunity to be present with Gwen during this hard time. And as conversations arise, we can be someone who will help her work out the answers to some serious questions: “What if I have cancer? Does that mean I will die? What will happen to me if I die?” “Is there a heaven?” “Will you pray for me?” “Will you pray with me?”

God is active and present in this neighborhood community, and it is a gift to walk alongside our friends here, praying for and with them and loving them as much as we can.

Thank you so much for your continued interest, support, and prayers. Please pray for Gwen, for me, and for the rest of the House Blenders. You can read more about House Blend Ministries at http://www.houseblendministries.com/

 

“He touched me”

 

The Messengers are coming!

The Messengers quartet is singing at two benefit concerts for Simonhouse Bible Camp. Come and enjoy a wonderful evening of gospel music.

 

Saturday, September 25, at 6:00 pm

Banquet and concert at McIvor MB Church,

200 McIvor Ave. Winnipeg.

For tickets, call (204) 594-3050 or email dorothea@mbcm.ca by Monday, Sept. 20.

 

 

Sunday, September 26, at 7:00 pm

Concert at Winkler MB Church, 120 Pineview Dr.

All are welcome. No tickets needed.

 

Both events are free. Consider a generous

donation to Simonhouse Bible Camp. Your gift will support summer camps for northern kids and teens.

 

Don’t miss the Messengers!

For more info, call (204) 594-3050.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: The Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba is searching for an Executive Director. The Executive Director reports to the MBCM Leadership Board; and will give direction and leadership toward the MBCM's mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The successful candidate will be gifted in leadership as a visionary and collaborative leader with good communication and interpersonal relational skills. Strong administrative skills and financial knowledge are required. Applicable post secondary education is preferred. The successful candidate will be of mature Christian character and demonstrate love for God and the Church. Application deadline: June 30th ... read more