A better country Children's contest They also serve Do miracles still happen? PAGE 4 PAGES 12, 13 PAGE 14 PAGE 20

PM# 40009999 R9375 A Reformed Biweekly | 68th Year of Publication | July 28, 2014 | NO. 2989 | $2.50 News. Clues. Kingdom views.

Canadian doctors and nurses fight for refugees’ right to health care Dena Nicolai ners had something to cheer about are to pay themselves or go without. On June 16, doctors, nurses as Canada’s Federal Court declared The cuts also aim to delineate a and other healthcare practitioners the government’s cuts to be “cruel sharp line between what the gov- gathered in cities across Canada and unusual,” giving Harper’s To- ernment calls “bogus” refugees (a for the third National Day of Ac- ries four months to change them term first used by former Immigra- tion against cuts to federal refugee before the court would potentially tion Minister Jason Kenney) and health care funding. strike them down itself. The gov- “genuine” ones. Refugee claimants Bearing signs reading “Health ernment has vowed to appeal. – those seeking official “Govern- care is a basic human right” and ment Assisted Refugee” status – “No one is bogus,” they are pro- A reduction in care who are from countries Canada has testing the changes made two years The cuts were first introduced designated as “safe,” or rejected ago by the Conservative govern- by the Federal Government in claimants, fit the former category. ment to the Interim Federal Health June 2012, in a move that re- The only situation in which they Program (IFHP). ceived widespread condemnation can now receive funded care is if At the rally in Vancouver, nurse not only from health care practi- their condition makes them a threat Hadassah Moes opened with per- tioners but also all provincial and Vancouver health care workers, including Hadassah Moes (2nd from to public safety. This means that sonal stories from her work at the territorial health ministers. right), protest cuts to refugee health care. while treatment for a contagious Bridge Community Health Clinic One effect of the changes is the refugees. Now refugees sponsored sors to pay for prescription drugs, disease might be funded, a heart in Vancouver, a centre that pro- cut to supplemental benefits previ- by churches, individuals and other prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, vision attack would not. vides primary and preventative ously given to privately sponsored organizations must ask their spon- and dental care. The other options Continued on page 2 health services for refugees. She was followed by other health prac- titioners – representatives from Canadian Doctors for Refugee World Cup 2014 Care, nurses from other clinics A welcome break from international crises and representatives from the Van- couver Association for Survivors Mike Wevers ing could have been put to much of Torture (VAST), among others. For nearly a month, from the better use. And the games played Many of the organizations at middle of June to mid-July, most on regardless of world crises trying which the practitioners work ask of the world took time off from to supplant football’s stories of vic- that their employees not take a life’s usual challenges and enjoyed tory and defeat, of players rising to political stance or an overt a role the best of the “beautiful game” as the challenge of being the best or at rallies such as these. But com- the World Cup unfolded in Bra- failing miserably to achieve what pelled by what they see daily in zil. Football teams from around was expected of them. clinics and offices across the coun- the world were cheered by their try, they are increasingly speak- ardent supporters – whether fans Wildfires in the Middle East ing up in whatever ways they can. were still living in the country they Iran qualified to field a team They join together in protest be- hoped would hoist the World Cup in the 2014 World Cup, ensuring When the sun lit up Rio's famous statue, Christ the Redeemer became cause as Moes said in her opening or were the sons and daughters that the Arab world was well rep- the “unexpected star of the World Cup final.” speech, “Behind the statistics are of immigrants who had long ago resented in Brazil. Notwithstand- ing greater stability in the Middle of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, took people who have survived suf- left their native lands. The games ing that Iran played very well in East, it is surrounded by Sunni control of significant parts of Iraq, fering, yet still hope beyond hope played on regardless of the weather, the Group Stage, it was unable to adherents. Extremists within that and merged with rebel forces in for a brighter tomorrow. Yet with in blazing Brazilian heat or tropical advance to the round of 16 and group have intensified the call to Syria to extend the new caliphate these fiscally ‘responsible’ cut- rainstorms. The games played on was eliminated early. While this Jihad, a holy war, and proclaimed across its borders. backs, hope for holism and health regardless of pockets of criticism country, primarily a Shiite Muslim a new caliphate. While the world The United States, having with- seems like a mere façade.” within the host country that the nation, is trying to emerge as a was watching the World Cup, the drawn its forces from Iraq, was But on July 4, these practitio- cost was exorbitant and the fund- significant contributor to achiev- extremists, under the leadership Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 christian courier

News

Health care continued Many practitioners and others take is- go through, she was still considered a claim- sue with this line-drawing, saying the gov- ant, a situation which Moes and other health ernment is labeling as “bogus” even those care practitioners say would have labelled her claimants who are still awaiting court hear- as “bogus.” Suffering from severe anxiety and ings to determine their legal status in Can- depression both because of her experiences in ada. As nurse Moes told Christian Courier Eritrea and because of her fear of being sent in an exclusive interview, “when you’re back, she was prescribed medication by a seeking asylum, and you haven’t yet been doctor in Vancouver. Because she had arrived given definitive status [but are still called prior to June 2012, the medication was cov- “bogus”] – it’s saying you’re guilty before ered. Had she arrived just a year later, it likely you’ve even had a chance to state your case.” would not have been. Her undetermined status meant that she could not receive the kind of ‘No one is bogus’ documentation that would have allowed her Akberet Beyene, 50, is a refugee who to work or go to school, and she would have feels acutely what the IFHP cuts and the been unable to pay for her treatment. labelling as “bogus” can mean. Though now an official Government Assisted Refugee, The hidden cost of cuts she initially came to Canada on a fake pass- AJ Pau Cities and provincial governments are, port in 2011, having fled imprisonment and Beyene is grateful for the generosity of Moes uses humour to cope with the frustra- in some cases, trying to fill in the gaps cre- house arrest for her work as a journalist in Canadians, saying that doctors and nurses tion both she and her patients feel over cuts ated by the cuts, with Manitoba stepping in her home country of Eritrea. are great; "it's the system that hurts." to refugee health care. almost immediately and Alberta being the After being shot at as she walked over Vancouver with a fake passport. She cried I want to tell them right away.” However, the most recent province to start an investiga- the border between Eritrea and Sudan, she the whole way to Canada. “My intention was stress of her escape from Eritrea and Sudan tion into how its provincial government escaped to the capital, Khartoum, where she never to leave my country – I gave so much to had left her extremely ill, and it took her 10 can help. Private sponsoring organizations thought she might be safe. She was consider- it. But my world crumbled,” she says. days to recover, particularly as she was too and non-profits are also footing some of ing claiming asylum with the United Nations Upon arrival in Vancouver, knowing no afraid to go to the hospital. After she was well, the costs. But health care costs can quickly or the Canadian or American Embassies until one and with no money, a taxi driver took pity her hosts brought her to Immigration Canada, skyrocket, particularly beyond private/non- her contacts in Sudan told her there was an on her when she told him her story and asked who eventually referred her to a non-profit in profit organizations’ budgets. imminent risk of being kidnapped by repre- him to take her “to African people like me.” Vancouver that provides housing, orientation “We’re just going to see things go under- sentatives of the Eritrean government and He brought her to an Ethiopian restaurant and education to people in Canada’s refugee ground,” Moes told CC. “There are already re-imprisoned. “For three months I hid inside where the owners took her home and gave her protection system. This non-profit helped uninsured clinics operating, which is a this little dark room in Sudan,” she remembers, clothes and food. “I told them, ‘Take me to the bring her case before the courts. In July 2013, concern. We want to make sure that people “I only came out at night.” Out of options, police. I don’t want to do a crime,’” she says. she received a positive decision. get proper care.” her friends managed to put her on a flight to “I want to tell the police [I’m here illegally]; In the two years it took for her court case to Continued on page 6

World Cup 2014 continued sidelined into watching its Iraq achieve- appears Russia has until now lived up to its ments, as tenuous as they had been, dis- commitment to close its borders and make integrate with feeble resistance from Iraqi it difficult for Russian sympathizers to move forces. Now Iraq will likely be dismembered, into Ukraine’s east to stop the central govern- with the Kurds in the north proclaiming their ment’s troop advance. independence, the Sunni extremists sur- rounding Baghdad and Iraqi Prime Minister Russian acceptance Nouri al-Maliki left with nothing but a rump Although it is four years away, Russia has nation to govern. To try to stem further losses some reason to become less the pariah on the and total state disintegration, Iran and Russia world stage. It will host the World Cup in have come to the Iraq government’s assis- 2018. There is no time like the present to try tance. Even with that assistance, however, to re-establish some good will as countries it is uncertain whether the government can start planning to send teams and supporters regain much of the territory now under Sunni to Moscow for the next World Cup. FIFA, the extremist, or Kurdish, control. And unfortu- World Cup’s governing body, also urgently re- nately for the Baghdad government, this lost quires the Russian hosts to ensure everything territory includes much of Iraq’s oil wealth. goes smoothly for its next big event. FIFA is Christ is our only genuine hope when confronting the conflicts happening around the world today. already facing a significant challenge in deal- The high cost of revenge will further derail frail peace initiatives. down. The amount of blood-letting in acts ing with bribery and corruption allegations On the same day the World Cup started Palestinian forces launch missiles into Is- of revenge sometimes knows no bounds. regarding the 2022 World Cup, awarded to in Brazil, three Israeli teens were kidnapped raeli territory; Israeli forces retaliate to de- Qatar. Not to mention the stifling heat in that in the West Bank. While Israeli Prime Min- stroy the launching sites, often located near Ukraine resurgence country, which would make the hottest of ister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas residential areas, which has killed over 100 Although Ukraine did not qualify for the Brazil’s games appear like an oasis. So FIFA for the kidnapping, Palestinian President Palestinians so far (at the time of writing). World Cup finals, the success its new presi- does not need any anguish regarding the 2018 Mahmoud Abbas denied its participation. Because President Abbas will not call for dent, Petro Poroshenko, was enjoying in re- Russia World Cup. This pressure will hope- On June 30, the three teens were found, ap- a stop to attacks on Israel, Prime Minister establishing Kiev’s authority in the eastern fully assist in mitigating Russian ambitions to parently murdered soon after their capture. Netanyahu is currently massing Israeli part of his nation was more than a welcome extra-territorial dominance. Two days later, a Palestinian teenager was troops on the Gaza Strip border, threatening consolation for failing to get to Brazil. The kidnapped and killed. Palestinians called a ground offensive. The United Nations Se- Ukraine army has successfully won control Unexpected World Cup star for revenge for their teen’s murder. curity Council called for a ceasefire, asking back in swaths of territory surrounding the Viewers of the World Cup’s final game Two weeks later, avenging the lives both sides in the conflict to reinstate a previ- last rebel stronghold in Donetsk. Rebels were entertained by the football mastery of these four teens has escalated into an ous cease-fire negotiated by Egypt in 2012. there, fearing a major government offen- of two very capable teams. The skill of the outright battle for supremacy once again However, it is uncertain whether the sides sive, blew up infrastructure in a desperate German squad finally won out in the struggle between Palestinians and Israel, which will accede to pressure from allies and stand attempt to foil the government’s advance. It with Lionel Messi’s Argentine team on the My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

Christ @ Culture From the 11th JulyProvince 28, 2014 page 3 Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til Column

Toddlers to Teens From the Lab Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom Manipulating memories at the cellular level Last month I wrote about tioning reasonably well understood within in other contexts. The stories in science and

SU MO TU WE the stories that goodTH FR sci- the research community. Scripture form fabrics that show us in science Principalities SA Everyday Christianentists tell at conferences It is still a long step from fear learning in how God created the world and in Scripture & Powers – stories that illuminate rats to the memories I have of my parents, how God’s love enfolds us. Learning to listen David Koyzis Cathy Smith whole areas of creation. but we now have a link to understand- to God’s stories and how they are linked to I was reminded this past ing the mysteries of memory at a cellular our lives and actions today is an important month that one reason such level. With such knowledge and of course part of our walk in God’s world. stories are significant and valuable is further discoveries, perhaps someday we Rudy Eikelboom ([email protected]), Technically Speaking thatGetting they can beUnstuc linked togetherk to form can help people keep memories they need who is still learning about God’s story in larger bodies of knowledge, like jigsaw (such as those lost in the dementias) or lose his life, is a member of the Waterloo CRC Derek Schuurman piecesArlene snapped Van Hove together to reveal more memories that are harmful (such as in Post- and Chair of the Psychology Department at of the final picture. Here’s one example New study removed and then Traumatic Stress Disorder). Wilfrid Laurier University. of two science stories, or “puzzle restored specific memories in This article in rats using optogenetics. pieces,” being snapped together. Nature following ISRAEL TOUR Intangible Things FlowersAt May’s and conference Thistles in Montreal, one form the neural basis of generating and losing so quickly on the October 30 – November 9, 2014 Heidi Vander Slikke storyCurt I Gescheard hfeatured a new technique that memory, but they have never been able to link talk I heard in Mont- makes neurons light-sensitive. The new these changes to memories in a live creature. real demonstrates Tour Host: Dr.Gary H.Beesley technique, called optogenetics, uses genetic something in science Senior Pastor, Evangel Temple,Toronto manipulationsWords from to produce light-sensitive The memory switch that we also see in An unforgettable opportunity to explore the Country Living molecules in brain neurons. These molecules Now in the June 1st issue of Nature, Scripture: stories are Holy Land and visit significant places where turnWild light Horses into electrical signals (just like Sadegh Nabavi and his associates have linked. One aspect Jesus lived and ministered. Meindert Vander Galien whatWarkentins happens in our retina) so a laser light shown that “fear memory” in rats is based of creation has links Tour Price: $2895. – pp dbl, plus air taxes/fuel surch. can then “turn on” these neurons. on LTP and LTD. Using optogenetic mol- to other aspects, Then in early June I read that this opto- ecules that turn light energy into electrical and an insight into If you are interested contact us: genetics technique is being used to explore signals in a rat’s brain, Nabavi’s team could one part of the cre- VERSTRAETE TRAVEL & CRUISES Patchwork Words anOur important World aspectToday of our brain’s func- activate neurons by shining a laser light on ation tells us some- 300 - 14845 Yonge St, Aurora ON L4G 6H8 Reg. #3367728 tioning: memory. Each morning we wake them through an optical fibre inserted into thing about other Tel 416 969-8100 or 1-800-565-9267 Melissa Kuipers upBert from Hielema some form of unconsciousness but the brain. They then trained these rats in a parts. Scripture is email [email protected] St. Catharines Office: Tel 905-934-4414 or 1-800-405-6088 know who we are. This remarkable ability standard fear learning experiment, pairing the same: one story Visit us at www.verstraetetravel.com. to quickly go from complete unawareness stimulation of the light-sensitive neurons about God’s faithful- Office space available at 36 Secord Dr., St Catharines. to full functioning is possible because of with an electric shock. The next day the rats ness links and ex- Contact Ria at the St Catharines office. the information stored and accessed in our exhibited fear when the same neurons were plains what happens brain, a capability we call memory. Having again stimulated with light. By using studied memoryRealize extensively, the psychologists power differentCLARENCE parameters WEIMA ofCFP light stimula- and neuroscientists can tell us a lot about tion, theSenior researchers Financial Consultant then induced the psychologyof Group of memory benefits and where in the LTD [email protected] the neurons and found that brain differentYour business types ofis more memories appealing are with stored, a versatile the fear was gone. They then induced benefits package that helps attract and retain good (519) 455-3724 but they haveemployees. not understood Group benefits how from itInvestors worked Group LTP also and found the fear returned. An- at a neuron-by-neuronoffer a complete range level. of plan services designedother to round of LTD caused the fear Realize Researchersassist you have every long step ofstudied the way. two phe- to disappear, and a second round of Call now to find out more about how The Plan by nomena thatInvestors could Group™ form the can basis help both for memory,you and your LTP made it return. Thus they could the power of not in liveemployees animals, prosper but in now…and live neurons over time. dis- turn the memory on or off in rats by Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services sected fromInc. Insurancethe brains license sponsored of animals by The Great-West and Lifemain Assurance- techniques that induced LTD and Group benefits Company (outside of Québec). tained in™Trademarks a glass dish. owned by Long-term IGM Financial Inc. andpotentiation licensed to its subsidiary LTP, effectively demonstrating that corporations. Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (LTP) is aMP1607 relatively (03/2009) permanent increase in a in a real creature’s memory, the same neuron’s effectiveness that can be induced processes worked as had been seen with the appropriate electrical stimulation. in neural tissue studies. Nabavi’s When an organization and its employees Long-term depression (LTD) is the opposite, study directly links these two areas whereby a decrease in a neuron’s effectiveness and confirms experimentally that at work together, the sum is far greater than can be induced by a different set of electrical least some memories are based on its parts. Group plans – Group insurance, stimulations. Neuroscientists have long be- the specific changes in how neurons Group RRSP, Group TFSA – are beneficial lieved thatRealize these two types theof changes power may function (LTP and LTD), a func- for a company and its employees. World Cup 2014 continued Your business is more appealing with a CLARENCE WEIMA CFP Senior Financial Consultant pitch in Rioof de Janeiro.Group Television benefits viewers also had a spectacular view of Rio’s Christ versatile benefits package that helps attract Senior Financial Consultant [email protected] the RedeemerYour business statue silhouetted is more appealing by a settingwith a versatile sun as the game, and the 2014 World Cup, and retain good employees. And, when you [email protected] CLARENCE WEIMA CFP drew to abenefits close. packageIt did seem that helps the perfectattract and benediction retain to the month-long event. When good employees. Group plans – Group insurance, choose Group benefits from Investors Group, (519) 455-3724 the image was shown on the scoreboard inside the stadium,Senior Financial #ChristTheRedeemerConsultant 1-800-488-9817 Group RRSP, Group TFSA – are beneficial for a [email protected] you also get the assurance of a complete quickly trendedcompany worldwideand its employees. on Twitter And, when and you Instagram. choose It didn’t take long for media 519-871-7946 (mobile) outlet BuzzfeedGroup benefits to dub from the Investors statue theGroup, “unexpected you also get star(519) of 455-3724 the World Cup final.” range of plan services designed to assist Christiansthe assurance should ofwelcome a complete the range social of plan media services buzz created by the larger-than-life you every step of the way. www.deliberateplanning.ca statue of designedJesus blessing to assist theyou everyclosing step theof the game way. from high atop the nearby mountain. Call now to find out more about how The Plan by Call now to find out more about how The Plan More importantly,Investors Group™ we should can help proclaim both you that and Christ your the Redeemer who lives is ouremployees only genuine prosper now…andhope when over confronting time. the ongoing wars by Investors Group™ can help both you and and tribulation plaguing the world on so many different stages. your employees prosper now…and over time. Mike WeversInsurance is products a consultant and services distributedin Edmonton, through I.G. Insuranceretired Services from the Government Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance Company (outside of Québec). of Alberta. He and his family celebrated the Netherlands Third Place license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company (outside of Québec). Investors Group Financial Services Inc. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary Investors Group Financial Services Inc. finish, corporations.but yet again were disappointed that the country from which his ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. MP1607 (03/2009) family emigrated failed to win its first World Cup. MP1607 (03/2009) PAGE 4 christian courier

Editorials

The power of weakness Looking for a better country Judy Cook concluded he was too weak to save himself from Bert Witvoet Typically the word “power” this intolerable fate. But instead, passive power, The best country in the world is Germany. The second- conjures up images of strength, or active weakness – the combination of these two best country in the world is Argentina. After that, it’s the control or even force – anything seeming opposites – is very intentional, rewarding Netherlands with Brazil trailing behind a close fourth. That but weakness. Power is heady; it without being addictive and commanded as the is, if you adopt the spirit of FIFA World Cup 2014, recently makes us feel we are capable and lifestyle Jesus modeled for his disciples and for us. played out in Rio de Janeiro. Okay, I’ll admit it. I was cheer- strong. We speak of power as a Nations of the world are increasingly aware ing for the men in orange to prove that my country of birth corrupting influence because, once tasted, it feels that the power of force is extremely limited for is the best country in the world. But, alas, it was not to be. like we need more of it – like a drug that makes us accomplishing peace in the world. So too is the Maybe you think I am over- feel good about ourselves and capable of effecting power of revenge, the exercise of economic power stating the importance of win- necessary change. Weakness does the opposite, or any other coercive power still being employed ning the World Cup. I should reminding us of powerlessness, of being incapable with less and less conviction for a good outcome. have said Germany is the best and helpless, unable to accomplish anything that Wars and terror continue to wreak havoc and suf- soccer country in the world, would command respect or admiration from others. fering but no one is convinced any longer that the right? Yes, but that’s not how And yet we, as Christ followers, know there is cost will equal the eventual benefit. the various soccer fans acted great power in weakness. In fact, we know that and felt. Every defeat felt like a God’s invitation to us is learning to be weak rather Passive but intentional descent into hell and every win than learning to be powerful. Of course the kind of For this reason, when news media reported re- like an opportunity to climb the weakness we are invited to emulate is not passive. cently Pope Francis had invited Palestinian leader golden stair to heaven. What does a better country look like? It can look passive, as Christ must have looked, Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli president Shimon Peres I’m reminded of how we Canadians acted and felt when Canada won for instance, when onlookers at his crucifixion to a “new journey” for peacemaking – that is, a prayer Olympic gold in men’s and women’s hockey in Sochi, Russia, earlier this meeting – news outlets expressed not only year. The men’s team played Sweden on a Sunday morning. I caught the incredulity but also a sense of hope that Pope first period of the game before Alice and I left for church. We had to be Francis was on to something. And of course, early because we were on the welcome team. he is. Pope Francis understands who Christ is Forty-five minutes before the service at 10, it was only the praise team and he desires to be an obedient follower of and the two of us who were in the building. At 9:30, half an hour before this Christ, and the world took notice. church started, the parking lot was practically empty. At 9:40, the game This should inspire all of us and espe- ended. Five minutes later the first cars started coming onto the parking lot. cially those of us who agree that the only From there on it was a steady stream of cars until 10 minutes after church power we can effectively yield in the name had started. And I thought to myself, “It’s quite a challenge practising two of Christ is the passive but intentional power religions at the same time.” of weakness. It is a mistake to think that only popes Respectable idolatry and presidents can effect real change. Every- I don’t remember what the sermon was about that Sunday morning, but one exerts influence on their surroundings later on, as I reflected on how from time to time we dabble in a “respectable” Last month, Francis hosted a prayer meeting be- by who they are and what they do in any kind of idolatry, I wondered, what if the pastor had preached on Hebrews 11? tween Israeli President Peres and Palestinian President given situation. Whether your sphere of in- Hebrews 11 talks about people who lived by faith and not by sight, who Abbas; on July 13, after violence broke out yet again, fluence is small or large is immaterial. If we realized that they were strangers and exiles on the earth and who desired he urged the world to pray for peace so that the two harbour anger or jealousy or greed within us, “a better country.” A better country when your team has a chance to win leaders would not have met in vain. it will be felt by those around us and have an Olympic gold or the World Cup!? “Transform our weapons into instruments of peace,” impact. If instead we get rid of malice, etc. Sometimes. I hear people say we live in the best country in the world. Francis prayed, “our fears into trust and our tensions and cultivate a spirit of forgiveness, love, A little bit of hubris there. It’s an odd thing to say really. How do we know into forgiveness.” joy and all the other things the Holy Spirit what country is the best in the world? What measure do we use for that? (and Paul of the Scriptures) invites us to What would a better country look like? Maybe before we ask that develop, the bond of peace will be extended question, we need to ask what a better country does not look like. For that to all those we come in contact with. question go to those who are at the bottom of the pile. Don’t ask the win- Christian Courier Good things begin somewhere and have ners. Ask the street people in Toronto what a better country does not look Founded in 1945 a way of radiating outward – like a pebble like. Ask the slum dwellers in Detroit. Ask the starving prisoners in North An independent biweekly that seeks to engage creatively in critical Christian journalism, connecting Christians with a network dropped in a still pond. May God bless Pope Korea’s death camps. Ask the victims in war-torn Syria. They know what of culturally savvy partners in faith for the purpose of inspiring all Francis as he chose to exercise his influence, a better country does not look like. They know that the country they live in to participate in God’s renewing work within his fallen creation. under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, by is by no stretch of the imagination that better country. They know there is EDITORIAL TEAM & PRODUCTION STAFF organizing something as simple as a prayer a problem. And I hope we have enough solidarity with them to know that Editor: Angela Reitsma Bick [email protected] meeting with other figures of powerful influ- there is a problem rather than glowing in our own good fortune, which Features Editor: Cathy Smith [email protected] Church News Editor: Marian Van Til [email protected] ence. He took the chance of being rebuffed we all too often claim is ours by right because we worked so hard for it. Reviews Editor: Brian Bork [email protected] and of being ridiculed by inviting fellow So what does a better country look like? The beginning of wisdom in Contributing Editor: Bert Witvoet [email protected] leaders to this seemingly powerless course of this matter can be found among those who are poor in spirit, those who Contributing Editor: Michael Buma [email protected] action, after peace talks through diplomatic mourn, those who are meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteous- Admin/ads/web: Ineke Medcalf-Strayer [email protected] channels had failed. May this invitation to ness, those who are merciful, those who are pure in heart, those who are Circulation: Rose der Nederlanden [email protected] Social Media Editor: Rachel Baarda [email protected] Palestine and Israel, and by extension the rest peacemakers, those who are persecuted because of righteousness. They Christian Courier is published by the Board of Reformed Faith Witness. of the world, lead all countries to embark on a understand the beginning of wisdom as to what a better country looks The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not imply new path of peace. I also pray that Christians like. They model it. agreement or endorsement by Christian Courier or the publisher. everywhere will join this pope by intention- Maybe we should imagine ourselves to be standing in the bleachers of Please contact circulation if you cannot afford the subscription price of $65.00 but want to receive Christian Courier. ally and prayerfully incorporating acts of the most important and biggest stadium in the world. I don’t know what the The paper is published the second and fourth Mondays of the month. weakness such as forgiveness and patience colour of our favourite team’s jersey is, but when you listen carefully you Christian Courier Tel: 905-682-8311 as part of our lifestyle, with an attitude of can hear the sound coming from one end of the stadium to the other, rolling 5 Joanna Dr 1-800-969-4838 humility and simplicity, in order to promote like a wave over the crowd onto the field. Do you know what they are chant- St Catharines ON L2N 1V1 Web site: christiancourier.ca We acknowledge the financial support peace whereever we are, with whomever we ing? Yep, that’s right, they are chanting, “Hup, kingdom of God. Hup!” of the Government of Canada through come into contact. Bert Witvoet ([email protected]) and family members the Canada Periodical Fund of the Judy Cook is a family therapist thoroughly enjoyed watching the U.S. versus Portugal game Department of Canadian Heritage. who lives in Hamilton, Ont. in a pub on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. July 28, 2014 page 5

Letters

Too much critique, not enough nuance Honoured to be friends Godliness requires Let me lay some irony on you: I’m about to critique two articles from the June 9 I was intrigued by Bert Witvoet’s article (“A repentance Christian Courier for being . . . well, too critical. It seems ridiculous, I know. But first memorable journey”) and how God opened a couple of words about critique in general. The first word: it’s easy to take potshots. the door for you to connect with two same-sex In the June 23 issue, Bert Witvoet writes To find error, room for improvement and even blatant wrong with any position, idea, couples. I am sure there will be responses with of meeting three homosexuals (“A memo- practice or policy is a fairly straightforward endeavour. We live in a fallen world, and differing opinions. rable journey”), discovering they are nice the evidence is everywhere. The second word is like unto it: you’ll always find support- I just felt compelled to write you and share – very nice! – and as a result he seemingly ers. On the whole, critique lacks imagination, which is perhaps why I’m doing it here. a similar experience. My husband and I own a decides that you can be actively homosexual First, Rita Klein-Geltink’s article, “More than Missional.” While I sincerely ap- cottage on a small remote lake. We have come and still be “godly.” preciate almost every attempt to keep the bride faithful to her bridegroom, I can’t to know a lesbian couple quite well and regu- Some years ago I had an encounter with help but think that Klein-Geltink’s effort does more harm than good here. Her article larly reconnect with them in the summer. They a Muslim who graciously invited me to reads like a clarion call for the church to abandon the Missional movement in favour have an adopted son (a distant relative of one of supper and then pronounced that, because I of what exactly? The way we’ve always done things? Put worship first and hope the the women) and are highly regarded on the lake. had shared a meal with him under his roof, people outside the walls of the church hear us and like what we do; abandon strategy, We have heard their story, and it is a traumatic I could always come to him for help. The except for the strategy of putting most of our effort and resources into worshipping one. We are honoured to be called their friends. man was nice – very nice! – but I did not “authentically”; something, I daresay, most CRCs already do. Just follow the money We began to attend a very small United conclude that he was, therefore, godly. if you don’t believe me. We need more than this if we’re to change. Church. Over the years we became acquainted Being nice does not make one godly. Moreover, her implicit suggestion that the Missional movement doesn’t take very with another couple through the church; in To be godly we have to repent from our seriously Jesus’ succinct summary of the commandments, “to love God above all fact, we witnessed the confession of faith from sins. A Muslim who continues to worship else, and love your neighbour as yourself,” is far from true. All the reading I’ve done one of the ladies who was Jewish by birth but a false god and a homosexual who con- on the missional movement suggests that it might, in fact, take those commandments converted and is now studying and interning to tinues to deny that God is sovereign over more seriously than we ever have in the CRC. be a pastor. She is a compassionate and gifted sexuality are both continuing in their sin. To be fair, perhaps Reverend Klein-Geltink is correct. Perhaps we will find out in woman, and her spouse is a “Martha” to the Acting as if niceness (or sincerity or com- the end that “Missional” is an ill-fitting suit for the CRC. But then again, it seems to predominantly elderly church community. mitment) can make homosexuality right is me so is the one we’re wearing now. Missional is not likely the answer to all of our I could never reconcile the often harsh and to enable sin. That is why Christian Courier woes in the CRC. And maybe it is a catch-word that will fade over time, but there’s painful judgement of “Christianity” in relation should not have published this column. also something delightfully simple and faithful about the Missional approach. to the LGBTQ community with the words and Bert Witvoet anticipated that his column Second, Brent van Staalduinen’s column, “I, Missiotourist.” As usual, a brilliantly writ- example of Christ. I have known families who, might be controversial, and thought that ten article with an equally brilliant, catchy title (I’d expect nothing less from my wife’s in the past, have disowned their children when his critics might accuse him of succumb- first cousin). It’s a strategically unbalanced piece meant to shock us out of our slumber, they disclosed they were gay. I have spoken ing to dementia. I don’t think his column and wake us up to the reality that short-term missions aren’t helpful. Point taken. But with gay individuals who would say, given the demented; I do think it sadly worldly. I can’t help wonder, is anyone still asleep? This is not news. I have participated in and choice, they would long to be straight. It is a Jon Dykstra helped lead two short-term mission trips, one in 2002 and one in 2010. At the beginning very tough way to go through life. Lynden, Wash. of each, and throughout, we were reminded that our impact on those around us would, Thank you for your openness. in all likelihood, be minimal, but that this shouldn’t deter us. These trips were designed Fena Van Loenen-Westerneng more for the students participating than for those they were serving. Does that mean they Tottenham, Ont. were worthless experiences, even in terms of their service in the Kingdom? Doesn’t Jesus make the point that even our meager attempts to reach out with love to our neighbour are Bonus book recommendation worth something in God’s economy? Let’s not so blithely dismiss short-term missions. After sitting with the column a while, I can’t help but think most of van Staaldu- Heidi VanderSlikke recommends inen’s critique is just knocking down the proverbial straw man. There is much about Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber short-term missions that we need to find a way to change, granted. But there is also Feminist. Skeptic. Agnostic. Everything Carolyn Drake much that we need to retain. In point of fact many of my friends and colleagues who are thought she had figured out was about to be turned upside full-time missionaries for CRWM and other organizations began their missions careers down by the God she thought didn’t exist. Surprised by Oxford with a short-term mission project. These projects ignited their young imaginations and is written with gentle humour, sparkling insights and poignant passions for Kingdom growth and for seeing the gospel take root around the world. honesty. Weber won the 2014 Grace Irwin Prize, Canada’s All in all I take exception to these articles less because they are critical and more largest literary award for Christian writers, as well as The because they are mostly, or completely, critical. Surely being citizens of God’s King- Word Guild Award in the Life Story category. I read the book dom requires more of us than that. Has my irony slipped into hypocrisy now? Maybe. earlier this year and I will probably read it again this summer. I’ll let you be the judge of that! – Editor’s note: My apologies to Heidi for accidentally Michael Koot omitting this book from the July 14 issue. Delta, B.C. Christian Courier Canada mail: U.S. mail: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40009999 Christian Courier (USPS 518-090) Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Second-class postage paid at Christian Courier Lewiston NY 5 joanna dr Postmaster: send address changes St. Catharines ON L2n 1v1 to: Christian Courier, Box 110 email: [email protected] Lewiston NY 14092 Subscriptions: Canada and USA Overseas one year (24 issues) $65.00 $100 two years (48 issues) $120.00 Advertising deadlines: display and classified advertising: Tuesday, 9 a.m. (13 days before publication date) See classified pages or web site www.christiancourier.ca for more details. (ISSN 1192-3415) Published second and fourth Mondays of the month. Address all correspondence to: 5 Joanna Dr, St. Catharines ON L2N 1V1 Tel: 905-682-8311 or 1-800-969-4838 e-mail: Advertising: [email protected] Subscriptions: [email protected] PRINTED IN CANADA PAGE 6 christian courier

News Follow-up: U.S. Supreme Court backs religious freedom in Hobby Lobby case

Marian Van Til, with files from cited the 20-year-old Religious Democratic Party, expressed “deep CNS, CT, CNA, WT Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), concern.” She said, “This decision WASHINGTON, D.C. – Private, passed by the Clinton adminis- takes money out of the pockets of “closely held” corporations can- tration, as protecting the corpo- women and their families and al- not be forced to pay for contracep- rations that sued over the issue. lows for-profit employers to deny tives for their employees as part of “We must ask whether the HHS access to certain health care bene- company-provided health insurance contraceptive mandate ‘substan- fits based on their personal beliefs.” if doing so violates their religious tially burden[s]’ the exercise of beliefs, the U.S. Supreme Court has religion,” the justices wrote. “We ‘Imposing beliefs’ ruled. The decision was announced have little trouble concluding that Many critics, including major me- on June 30 and caused both imme- it does.” The Mandate does not dia outlets, put forth the factually er- diate rejoicing and hand-wringing. use the “least restrictive means” roneous assertion that Hobby Lobby A “closely held” corporation is to promote the government’s in- was “preventing its female employ- one in which more than half the terest, as required by the RFRA. ees from accessing birth control.” shares are owned by five or fewer Pro-lifers and conservative Chris- Some insisted it was the beginning Pro-life demonstrators cheer at the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling. individuals. More often than not tians reacted jubilantly and with a of a slippery slope that would deny they are family-run companies. list, but objected to four abortion- ties – and Wheaton and numerous collective sigh of relief after a two- other coverage, lamenting, “What’s Hobby Lobby is one, owned by the inducing drugs required in the law’s other Christian entities, Protestant year wait. Said Tony Perkins of the next? Blood transfusions and vac- Greens, evangelical Christians from HHS (Health and Human Services) and Catholic – subsequently sued Family Research Council, “The Su- cines?” It was assumed by many crit- Oklahoma. The company has 579 Mandate. The ACA itself had no the administration over the issue. preme Court has delivered one of ics that the owners of Hobby Lobby hobby/craft stores across the U.S., requirement for contraceptive cov- The Hobby Lobby suit gained the the most significant victories for reli- were using “religion” as an excuse to with 16,000 employees. They are erage. It left it up to the Obama ad- most publicity, and was taken up gious freedom in our generation. We avoid providing contraceptive cover- closed on Sundays and are com- ministration to decide what services by the Supreme Court. (Wheaton are thankful [the court] agreed that age for their employees. mitted to “honoring the Lord in all were “essential” – and the HHS, in also just won its case.) the government went too far by man- On the other hand, Albert we do by operating the company in a controversial move in 2012, said dating that family businesses owners Mohler, a Reformed Baptist, sum- a manner consistent with biblical contraceptives – including abor- A substantial burden must violate their consciences under marized the view of many Chris- principles,” says owner-founder Da- tion and abortive drugs – had to be Administration lawyers argued threat of crippling fines.” tians: “The public debate revealed vid Green on the company website. included on that list. that there is no such thing as a On the other side, critics reacted all over again the fact that we are The Greens are pro-life, so af- Some overtly “religious” or- “Christian company” – that corpo- with everything from concern to in a great and enduring battle for ter the Affordable Care Act (ACA, ganizations and institutions were rations are inherently secular and “seething rage” among bloggers religious liberty, for the sanctity popularly known as Obamacare) granted exemptions. But Chris- should not be exempt because of and tweeters, as one opinion writer of human life, and for an entire was passed, they objected to having tian-owned companies and even their owner’s personal beliefs. In put it. There were charges of the range of concerns that are central to provide abortion-inducing contra- Christian colleges like Wheaton, a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court court “declaring war on women,” to biblical conviction. [This] deci- ceptives as part of their health insur- the well-known evangelical col- rejected that argument, saying, in of discrimination against women sion does not settle those issues, but ance for employees. They didn’t lege outside of Chicago, were not. effect, that citizens don’t surrender and their “right to abortion.” it does represent a much-needed object to the 16 other drugs and Hobby Lobby and another com- their religious freedoms because Rep. Debbie Wasserman defense of our nation’s cherished means of birth control on a required pany, Conestoga Wood Special- they own a company. The court Schultz (D.-Florida), chair of the ‘first freedom.’”

Health care continued from page 2 Refugees’ right to health care “What ends up happening is A plea to Canadians In many ways, provincial gov- clinicians end up muddled in “Once you see suffering, you ernments are stepping in to foot bureaucracy, trying to figure out don’t un-see it,” she adds. “I can’t costs they already were forced to who’s covered and who’s not and ignore being an advocate. Once take on as a result of the federal for what,” Moes says. She adds you’ve heard and once you’ve seen, cuts. As the Embassy News re- that all of the extra time taken to you don’t not stand up for these ported following an interview with determine the best course of treat- people. What is it – 75 cents per the founder of Canadian Doctors ment for each level of coverage Canadian to re-instate the funding? for Refugee Health Care, “Increas- means less time spent with pa- Even less now [in 2012, it was cal- ingly, refugees are being forced to tients, and poorer quality of care. culated to be 59 cents]. And it’s not use emergency medical services in Additionally, practitioners are like we have millions of refugees lieu of the primary and preventative noticing that even refugees who come in. That’s a misconception.” services they’ve now lost. Because are eligible are afraid to seek treat- Beyene echoes Moes. She says provincial governments foot the ment. They’ve heard about the cuts that when she criticizes the system, bill for emergency health expenses, but due to the confusion (as well as “Once you see suffering,” Moes says, “you don’t un-see it.” “I am speaking like a Canadian. But it’s a cost savings for the federal to language and educational bar- I want to say that I am grateful. I do government but not to taxpayers or riers) they have difficulty under- just return to that. “I would love nephew off as my son to get him feel that Canadians embraced me refugee-sponsoring groups.” standing whether or not they are the federal government to reinstate health care. But we have a duty to – they are so kind and generous. I affected. When they do seek help, the funding, but I don’t know if it’s care and duty to love.” She does not feel loved here, and protected. I can ‘Mass confusion’ even legal claimants are sometimes realistic,” she admits. condone unethical behaviour, and sleep in safety, as I couldn’t at home In addition to the hidden costs, rejected in the confusion. When asked about the concerns acknowledges that not all abuse of in Eritrea. The people are great. The the cuts have created what Cana- many Canadians have about people the system comes out of despera- nurses, the doctors – they help you. dian Doctors for Refugee Care Radical welcome abusing the system, Moes takes a tion. But she returns to the oath she It’s the system that hurts.” calls “mass confusion on the front Moes says that she understands generous stance, which she says took as a health care practitioner to Dena Nicolai lines.” The government has done a the government’s fiscal responsi- comes particularly from her Chris- “do no harm”: “As a clinician, it’s works at First CRC poor job of keeping those involved bility and the pressure it receives tian faith. “I think we, as people, are not my call to make as to whether in Vancouver as in primary care informed of how from many taxpayers. And, while called to a radical welcome. . . . If someone ‘deserves’ a vaccination – community connec- tions coordinator and when the cuts are taking place, the funding prior to the 2012 cuts I came, and I was fleeing violence, it’s about their health. That basic hu- and is completing a and a lack of information has left still had many holes, she would I might also do things like using a man right – you don’t negate people Master’s degree at health care providers scrambling. be happy if the government would fake passport, or trying to pass my the basic human right to health.” Regent University. July 28, 2014 page 7

News

Young Messianic Jews, Arab Christians gather to pray amid violence HAIFA, Israel (BCN) – “Dancing together with Arabs? an Arab Christian who grew up in Gaza and a young Messianic Laughing together with them? These are the people I hated Israeli shared their testimonies, it helped others to open up and my whole life,” said Chava, a Messianic Jewish girl who talk about what they felt, sharing honestly about what had hap- grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family in Israel. pened in the army, or with friends killed by terrorists. Chava was part of a three-day gathering of an estimated “As I washed the feet of my Arab sister, I was able to ask for- 1,000 Messianic Jews and Arab Christian youth and young giveness for the way my family and my people, look at them,” adults in Haifa. At a time when murderous kidnappings, said Chava. “To hear her say that she forgives me and loves violent riots and an escalating war in Gaza have brought me was so healing. It was the love from Yeshua [Jesus], noth- tensions to the boiling point, these young Christians arrived ing else. I never had an Arab friend. Now I have daily contact at the conference still reeling with all the raw emotions of with my sisters in Ramallah, Jordan and Lebanon,” she smiled. the Arab-Israeli conflict. “After hearing my story,” continued Chava, “an Arab girl “These young people came carrying a lot of hurt because came up to tell me that she hated religious Jews whenever of all the recent violence here in Israel,” says Rick Ridings, Chava, a Messianic Jew, describes the Arab Christians she met as she saw them. This was her first time meeting with someone the “lost brothers and sisters I have been looking for all my life.” organizer of the annual Elav conference. “Many of them who came from an Orthodox religious background. She ran thought that they had dealt with these feelings, but because of be together during such difficult times. “I didn’t know if any to me and asked for forgiveness and asked me to pray for her the kidnappings and killings they are in pain, on both sides.” of the Palestinian Arabs would even be able, or want to come. that she would have more love for my people.” For Chava, who grew up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish ghetto, Yet almost miraculously, given the heightened security, about Ridings said that the vision for these gatherings is “to it was the first time to be in such close quarters with Arabs. “I 50 Palestinian believers were able to come,” he said. provide a safe environment for Jewish, Arab and Palestinian used to walk with my family to the Wailing Wall and pray that “These were some of the most meaningful times I have youth and young adults to have personal encounters with the bad things would happen to the Arabs,” she recalled. “We have seen at the conference,” Ridings told Israel Today. “Per- Lord, to wait on him through worship and prayer, to grow in this view that Arabs are bad people. But when I saw them pray- haps the situation forced these young people to get over unity and to be challenged to minister the Kingdom of God ing to God, and heard them worshiping in Hebrew and then in the things that normally cause problems. This was real, not into every area of society.” Arabic, God touched my heart. These are the lost brothers and just some canned program.” On the last evening of the gathering, a young Messianic sisters I have been looking for all my life,” she said. Jew told of spending three months in Syria helping war Ridings, who has been organizing these gatherings since Softened hearts refugees. The conference concluded with a call for the young 2007, was not sure that any of the young Arabs or Jews – re- For many of the young believers this was the first time they people to go and share the powerful testimony of what Ye- gardless of their shared faith in Jesus – would even want to had ever had a meaningful encounter with the other side. When shua can do for our broken world.

Calvinists on a Jesuit campus, though that was not a theme of CRC campus ministry connects Calvinists with Jesuit Loyola the gathering. David Fitch, professor of theology at Northern Seminary and author of several books on being missional, was the invited speaker. (You can read his Anabaptist take on Calvin College professor Jamie Smith’s thoughts in the blog “Knitting While Detroit Burns: The Reformed ‘Both/ And’ vs the Anabaptist ‘First/Then.’” ) “The ministries in the CR Campus Ministry Association are very different from one another,” said one campus pas- tor. Some serve in places in which Kuyperian ideas are still fodder for Reformation-minded graduate students. Some are witnesses inside student communities of the question- ing. Some witness within community colleges; some in public research institutions; some in private universities. Other campus ministers work mostly with international students, or student athletes, or particular campus clubs. U.S. campus ministries rarely have offices or an official standing on the campus. Canadian campus ministers are frequently official university chaplains who report to their university as well as to their classis and CR Home Missions. “But,” explained the campus pastor, “however different our campuses, we all think about walking with students during their college years. We all are trying to encourage spiritual formation, trying to expand their concept of a Christian world- and-life view, trying to encourage a living faith and leadership development.” Campus ministry measures fruitfulness with lives that follow Christ, Christians who mature in identity Seventy people attended the conference in Chicago, including the 40 campus ministers and convictions, and believers who become ready to step into affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church across Canada and the U.S. leadership in the church and their communities. Virginia Lettinga Despite that, likely no one in those early years ever For some campus ministers, 2013-14 was a particularly CHICAGO, Illinois dreamed that in 2014 there would be a Christian Reformed challenging year. Paul Verhoef of the University of Calgary – Almost 75 years ago campus minister serving on the campus of Loyola University served students and staff through mourning and shock when the Christian Reformed in Chicago, the famed Roman Catholic Jesuit institution. Yet a graduate stabbed and killed five others at a post-exams Church first affirmed Mike Moore has been such a minister for five years, and in party. The Kuyper Centre at Western University in Ontario an ordained minister May 2014 he hosted the Annual Christian Reformed Campus is still reeling from a serious accident involving their sab- Sara Gerritsma-DeMoor, Associate to serve at a secular Ministry Association (CRCMA) Conference. batical intern. The annual CRCMA conference is the op- Chaplain at U of Toronto, talks with university. In the sub- About 40 men and women involved with Christian Re- portunity to share burdens and wrestle through challenges. a student between sessions. sequent decades of formed Campus Ministries attended the conference on the “I always appreciate the time with friends who ‘get’ what serving as “salt and light” in the academic world, more than western shore of Lake Michigan, enjoying the vista of the this work is about,” said another campus minister. “Sharing 40 secular university and college campuses in Canada and lake spreading to the horizon, and the campus buildings joys and sorrows together is a necessity for me. Everything the U.S. have hosted Christian Reformed campus ministries. against the shore. And enjoying the irony of being a crowd of else is negotiable.” PAGE 8 christian courier

Columns ‘Unless the Lord builds the house’ When traveling through the Netherlands last year, I noticed that in the mid- dle of every village and along many of the city canals were church build- ings. They are wonderful testimonies to the church of the ages. It was very moving to stand in the pulpit of my great-grandparents’ church building, which had been modified from Roman Catholic to Protestant. Each building has a story. They speak of heritage and a time when the Westwood CRC was a labour of love for my dad. church was the centre of community life. I Do I love my kids see them as testimonies to the past; many they buy the building when the group leaves Gathering Light are now museums, art galleries and music the denomination? more than halls. This shift is happening more across Church building is in my blood. Shortly Emily Wierenga North America too. before my birth in 1956, my father built I love Jesus? In the summer of 2009 I taught in Zam- the Westwood Christian Reformed Church A tiny casket lowered into what is the resurrection without death? And bia and walked around the city of Ndola. building in Kalamazoo, Michigan (see the sullen dirt and the sky what is praise without sorrow? Blessed are One area had a central circle of churches. picture). He was a carpenter, and this was was swollen with grief. those who mourn for they will be comforted. I recall five churches of different denomi- a labour of love for the church he loved. In The parents stood to the Some things in life are really, really nations, each facing out to the commu- the early 1970s when the church decided to side, watching their baby hard. And we’re not supposed to be able nity but with its back to the others. The build a new building it broke my father’s girl being buried in a box to comprehend the pain of losing our chil- West brought Christianity and, with it, heart. We soon transferred back to the old and my scarf was soaked dren. It’s supposed to be heart-wrenching, their Christian brands. Did Zambia need all family church downtown. I remember him with tears. I kept stealing glances at my because otherwise God sacrificing his own these Western church buildings and names? quoting the beginning of Psalm 127, “Un- friend, wondering how she was still stand- son wouldn’t mean much. When I was working with two new less the Lord builds the house, its builders ing. Wondering how to comfort her, be- This past winter I travelled to Uganda churches, each one – within the first year labour in vain.” How does one know if the cause there is no comfort any human can and Rwanda, where I met women who’d – acquired a building. Since they were not Lord is building the house? give for the loss of a child. lost multiple children. I met children who’d traditional churches, neither were the build- I still have their daughter’s picture on lost their mothers and fathers; death was a ings. One was an old grocery store, so our Houses my fridge and I tear up when I look at her reality for everyone there. mission statement was about “restoring.” This is the issue King David had. At first delicate face, this baby born with a rare But God was a greater reality. The other was a closed auto dealership. We he thought there was no question. The Ark genetic disease to a couple that tried eight He rose off the face of every person I met; kept the external “service” sign. Remodel- of the Covenant was to be brought back to years for a child. he rose triumphant and joyful; he rose with ing these buildings was a tremendous com- Jerusalem, and he was to build a house for it. “If it has to be something, give me can- the promise of an eternity filled with life. munity project that built the church more The first attempt did not go well, especially cer or let me lose my house but please don’t Jesus says to love him more than we love than the building. for Uzzah. Still David was convinced that take my kids,” I pray at night. “Please God, our sons and daughters. this is what he was called to do. Leaders don’t make me go through that.” Jesus says a lot of hard things. I’m a sin- Buildings build buildings (just ask college presidents). Getting pregnant was hard for us too. We ner saved by grace and it’s all I can do some My wife and I play a game when we are At first the king’s advisor, Nathan, agreed, were told we would probably never have days to repent. But I want to want to love driving. When we see a church building in but then God spoke to his prophet. The Lord children because of my anorexia, and then a him more than anything in this world. I want the distance, we try to guess its denomi- asked whether he had ever asked for a house pastor prayed over us on national television for God to be a greater reality for me than death. national affiliation. We are surprisingly to be built for him. No. He had tented, taber- a son within the year – and we conceived a son accurate because church buildings often nacled, with his pilgrim people. Now as they within the year. And now we have two boys. Surrender reflect a theology or ecclesiology in their were settling in the land their God wanted But I’ve also lost two babies, while they And I know that I don’t serve a heartless architecture. to create a home for them. God would build were in the womb, and it’s near-wrecked me. Saviour. When I commit my children to him I now live in David a house, a royal lineage, leaders that Those miscarriages bore stillborn faith and for in prayer while seated at the scratched wooden Most church and bike around were to create a home for God’s people. awhile it was all I could do to just keep going. kitchen table, my sons watching Thomas the buildings Kansas City, Mis- Do church buildings create homes? Sanc- I didn’t know, before having kids, the Train in the background, I don’t commit them are used very souri. There are tuaries or auditoriums are not homes. Pews agony of giving birth to your heart and not to just anyone. I commit them to their Maker. so many church are neither good couches nor beds. Some being able to protect it. And when I pray that Jesus would be glo- inefficiently. buildings! On one church buildings are community centres, day rified both in my family’s living and dying, street I counted six cares, food pantries and counseling offices, A greater reality I know God weeps – not only out of joy for in a row. Some are modern mega-churches. but most church buildings are used very It’s excruciatingly painful to send your the surrender of our hearts, but out of pain, Others are old stone buildings. There are red inefficiently. They often consume people’s vulnerable little heart (with his puppy-dog knowing how hard it is to give up a child. brick churches of the 1950s, like the one my giving and limit their mission. They can backpack) into a world full of sin, and I “I just wish I could be there to show her father built and the one the new Christian become liabilities and stop churches from don’t know how to love Jesus more than I around heaven,” my friend said to me fol- Reformed Church here bought. There are adapting their ministry as needs change. love my children. lowing the funeral of her baby girl, her eyes house churches and store fronts. There are Churches could possibly create more I don’t know how to love him enough to say, blurry with tears. “It’s such a big place. I the colonial structures of Presbyterians, homes if we rented auditoriums and built “Anything Lord – whatever your plan is, what- just worry she’ll get lost.” Methodists and Baptists. These buildings houses for the poor, old, sick and unedu- ever it is you want to use my children for, what- Oh friends, these mother hearts – they’re are now becoming a major source of conten- cated. We have often done this in other ever your will is for this family – please do it.” meant to ache with the thought of loss. tion as mainline denominations dwindle and ways, of course: Habitat for Humanity, I’ve heard of parents giving God the glory But this earth is but a glance, and then divide. Who will take care of the building retirement communities, hospitals, schools. when their children die and I want to be that we have forever to spend with Christ and when the church disbands? Who owns the Maybe these – more than our Sunday morn- person, yet I also believe in grief, because with our children. Hallelujah. building when the church divides? How will ing sites – are the real church buildings. Emily T. Wierenga is an award-winning journalist, blogger, artist and author of five books Dr. Wolthuis is a Christian Reformed pastor who was the Co-President of ICS, including the memoir, Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I Thought to Look (Baker taught at Calvin and Dordt colleges and served churches in Michigan and Iowa. Books). She lives in Alberta with her family. For more info, please visit emilywierenga.com July 28, 2014 page 9

Reviews The ins and outs of Calvinism

Brian Bork “causes people to suffer,” only to send Jesus along to patch things back up. For Austin Fischer, Calvinism is a matter of There’s something beautiful and true about raising the crucified Christ as the standard bearer cosmic concern. It’s a black hole – or at least it for Christian theology. That doesn’t mean that the conclusions Fischer draws from that insight postulates a God who behaves like one. According have the same truth and beauty. In fact, that’d be my core criticism of the book: Fischer offers to Fischer, the Calvinist God is a being of unfet- a few eloquent insights which then become the foundation for some sketchy conclusions. tered sovereign will, heaven-bent on displaying Maybe that’s to be expected from a slight, 109-page treatment of weighty issues such as these. his own glory, even if it requires the damnation of Fischer’s complaints are familiar complaints. Some of them are caricatures, too (though I’ve countless souls. Nothing escapes the all-consuming, no doubt that along the way he’s heard self-styled Calvinists unwittingly caricature themselves). inscrutable, eternal counsel of this God, especially Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed It’s also heavily-travelled terrain, so I’m reluctant to embark on a point-by-point response not the comparatively minor strivings of the human here. Still, it would’ve been nice to see Fischer do a bit more homework before embarking on by Austin Fischer, Cascade Books will. Fischer, a pastor at Vista Community Church this project. Had he explored the terrain more diligently, he’d know that most Reformed folk in Temple, Texas, used to consider himself part of the Calvinist crew. After reading John aren’t ardent supralapsarians who affirm double predestination. Had he acquainted himself Piper’s Desiring God as a teen, Fischer came to see that the scriptures – Romans 9 especially with the history and development of the Reformed tradition, he could’ve avoided making – unequivocally describe God as a reprobating, foreordaining, predestinating sovereign. rather groundless assertions about Calvinism’s inability to “naturally produce disciples,” (An awareness of this Piper fellow is key to Fischer’s story, because Piper is arguably because of its dim view of human initiative. Such an allegation ought to sound strange to the most significant leader of a rather recent – trendy, even – expression of Reformed Dutch Reformed folk who know well the deep personal devotional habits of our tradition, theology, popular among erstwhile evangelicals in the United States. It’s an expression and the Kingdom-heralding institutions and endeavours they’ve worked to build along the that finds some deep resonances with the Dutch variety many of us have inherited, but way. Had he pushed deeper in his exploration he would have uncovered – and this is where there are some fairly significant differences, too. These young, restless and Reformed I get the most defensive – that the Reformed tradition is so much broader than a particular folk might not be keen on infant baptism or have a Kuyperian Kingdom vision, but boy soteriological scheme. The Calvinism of John Piper and Mark Driscoll isn’t the whole deal. do they love talking soteriology – or in lay terms, the doctrines of salvation). That said, reprobation, election and predestination are part of the Reformed tradition, and they Once an attractive doctrine, it’s that emphasis on God’s sovereignty that ultimately sent require our reckoning, especially since they can seem so horrid on the surface. Fischer’s brief Fischer on his journey away from the Calvinists. For him, it’s an over-emphasis, one that work can be helpful with that reckoning, insofar as it gives a fresh voice to the age-old ques- leaves little room for human freedom and initiative in the drama of salvation. Reproba- tions. Of course, his alternative theology isn’t without its own problems either, and I would’ve tion and double-predestination are “one hell of a problem,” but – perhaps most damning appreciated hearing more from Fischer on that score. Folks who convert to a different tradition of all – Calvinism seems to create a rupture in the Trinity itself. Fischer has a hard time rarely turn the same critical gaze onto that new tradition as they did on the old. Fischer can reconciling self-giving, self-sacrificing, crucified Messiah he sees in Jesus with God the affirm human initiative or free will as if they’re a sufficient riposte against Calvinist theology, Father, who decrees damnation before the foundations of the world. but then he has to come up with some way to comfort the little Baptist girl who anxiously goes Fischer insightfully argues that the crucified Jesus ought to be the “foundation and to the front of the church at each altar call because she’s not sure she loved criticism of all Christian theology.” Our theology ought to be “subjected to merciless Jesus enough that week. At the very least, the Reformed tradition, besotted interrogation in the shadow of the cross,” implying that a theological scheme at odds as it may be with God’s sovereignty, brings with it the good news that he is with the picture of the crucified Christ ought to be chucked out. Otherwise, we end up heaven-bent on rescuing us, in spite of ourselves. with things like the “awkward dilemma of Calvinism,” where God the sovereign Father Brian Bork is CC’s Review Editor and a CRC chaplain at the University of Waterloo and Sir Wilfrid Laurier University. Less than meets the eye Tom Smith isn’t a real priority, but, again, don’t worry about it because – explosions! If you grew up in the 80’s and early 90’s In order to make this iteration of the Transformers films easily accessible, new star you might have a special place in your heart power and currently popular actors have been brought in to carry the dramatic load. Ac- for the Transformers brand. Just say “Auto- tion movie veteran and sometime-Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg replaces troublesome bots” and I guarantee a part of your inner self Shia LeBeouf as a more masculine male lead with tested box-office credibility. Never is hearing that beep boop bop sound of a big asked for much thespian range in this film, Wahlberg provides a familiar face to relate Transformers: Age of Extinction rig truck shifting into a towering robot war- to if not much emotional depth. Kelsey Grammer plays the underhanded CIA agent with rior. If not, then we might not understand each the requisite amount of smugness. The true scene-stealer in this film is Stanley Tucci, other very well. I remember Christmas Eve as a kid and seeing my father struggling for what otherwise known as Caesar Flickerman to all Hunger Games fans. He plays R&D execu- seemed like forever attempting to find the trick of those frustrating action toys – the intricate tive Joshua Joyce and is at all times irritating, enthralling, funny and charming – which engineering of a Transformer was notoriously difficult to discover. My brother, on the other hand, is feat to pull off in a film not concerned with character development. could hold that 12 inch Optimus Prime toy and have it transforming in a heartbeat. He just got This movie is not going to garner Academy attention in any category but it is still fun to it. Watching the fourth installment of the Transformers filmsAge of Extinction, it is very clear watch. Seeing sleek modern vehicles and stunning muscle cars transform into 40-foot tall producer and director Michael Bay also gets it. He has demonstrated the golden touch when fighting robots is always thrilling and the spectacle of these gigantic gladiators duking it it comes to summer blockbusters. With the previous Transformers movies, recent big budget out with one another makes the little boy with the action-figures in me grin with glee. Still, action flicks like Pain and Gain, and modern classics like The Rock and Armageddon all on there’s the unnecessary inclusion of swearing on the part of the Transformers themselves, his resume, it is obvious Bay knows how to move the movie-going masses into the Cineplex, oddly childish dialogue from the robots with frequent references to “killing” each other, and preferably with popcorn and 3-D glasses in hand. Does the success of Michael Bay’s style more guns and bullets than I would imagine alien super warriors would require. Morality of big-budget, explosion-y, thrill ride movie mean that Transformers: Age of Extinction is an amounts to shooting your enemy before he shoots you; even Optimus Prime, the paragon especially good film? Not really. Was it fun to watch? Of course it was; that’s the entire point! of leadership and honour in this universe, discards his oath to never hurt a human when he While there are several competing strands of story-line in the film, the basic plot of has the chance to finish off a particular enemy. Call me old-fashioned, but I want the white- Transformers is that the protagonist Autobots are being targeted and destroyed by a cynical hats in these modern western gun-fight movies to keep their promises and be able to walk CIA operative, with the help of a Transformer assassin named LockDown, who is working off into the sunset (or fly off into outer-space) with their dignity intact. on behalf of the shadowy alien “Creators” of the Transformers. The murdered Autobots are Transformers: Age of Extinction is a summer blockbuster to its core and, ostensibly, its given over to a research and development firm to create homemade versions in exchange only job is to make you pay for your ticket and receive a few thrills in return. Having parsed for weapons and technology needed to hunt the alien warriors and protect America. At out the shortcomings of such a film here in brief I can’t heartily recommend it. Nostalgia the same time, a stalwart Texan father must fight against the powers arrayed against him may colour this somewhat, but playing with those Transformer action fig- to protect his teenage daughter from being caught by the renegade CIA outfit. If you feel ures with my brother back in the 80s, my father overseeing our good, clean like that might be too much story to jam into one movie, don’t worry too much. This is a fun, provided us with more wholesome storytelling than any of today’s summer Blockbuster directed by Michael Bay. The formula for such a movie is loosely popcorn flicks can provide. A movie may have a big budget, film stars and underdog versus almost unstoppable adversary, guns and explosions at every turn, sex- an enthusiastic audience, but if it doesn’t use all these to raise the bar of our appeal wherever possible, stock characters like the “stoner surfer,” product placement, entertainment it’s better to stick with the kids’ toys. and American flags fluttering in the background. Oh, and aliens. Well-rounded storytelling Tom Smith is a teacher in Barrie, Ont. PAGE 10 christian courier

Features How do we sing the Lord’s songs in a strange land? James Dekker In a recent Christian Courier (April 28, 2014), I described my January 2014 visit to the Christian Reformed Churches in Cuba. There I also offered some historical background on the Mision del Interior de la Iglesia Cristiana Reformada (Interior Mission of the Christian Reformed Church). Even now, 29 years after my first visit to the island, many people shake their heads in disbelief and say, “I didn’t know churches existed in Cuba. Weren’t they were stamped out after Fidel Castro’s revolution?”

A long path from desperate isolation to small ecumenism For almost a decade after Castro’s victory, a well-founded fear paralyzed the mission work of more than a century by the sponsoring American Protestant churches. In the mid-1960s, though, the World Council of Churches (WCC) carefully and shrewdly developed channels of communication with isolated Cuban denominations belonging to the small Cuban Ecumenical Council (CEC). Though a suspect organization among conservative North American churches, the WCC accomplished over a number of years what few sending missions had considered trying, namely, to broaden the presence of CEC member churches. WCC critics believed that the price to be paid for better cooperation among isolated, indi- vidual denominations would be a watered-down theology. They also feared creating a fellow- ship umbrella too wide for the more rigid – or perhaps sectarian – boundaries within which Rev. Erelio Martinez, daughter Loyda and wife Sara next to the new part of the CRC they thought “Truth” resided. What’s more, WCC invited state churches into its fellowship parsonage in Jaguey Grande (Aug. 1985). and encouraged all Christians to respect their governments, while working privately to push cancer. His wife occasionally attended worship at the church. She asked Pastor Obed to pray at against the narrow government borders restricting religious freedom. To critics, that smelled her husband’s bedside. He did so, only days before the man died, the three of them joined in a of pandering to totalitarian governments, as powerful an accusation as theological weakness. circle, holding hands. Such examples of spiritual courage and perseverance take years to develop, My own experiences and those of Cuban Christian Reformed colleagues from 1985 to the action by action, prayer by prayer as God’s Spirit breathes hope into once-desperate people. present sketch a picture of improved church-state relationships that grew directly from patient ecumenical solace and presence. Hearing the Lord’s songs in a strange land I first visited Cuba in August, 1985 to lead a youth camp. My hosts in Jaguey Grande were Early rigid limitations to religious life Rev. Erelio Martinez, his wife Sara and their children, Obed and Loyda. One Saturday after- After the January 1, 1959 revolutionary victory, Cuba’s new government strictly limited noon a member from the Torriente CRC, 14 kilometres away, called. “This morning a traffic churches. Christians were permitted to worship only in their homes or church buildings; no accident killed 19-year-old Katarina Gomez. Katarina’s cousin came to my house, Erelio. She open air evangelistic services, no knocking on doors. Neighbours could ask Christians about has asked you to visit the family.” Christ; Christians, however, could not speak about their faith without being asked. Violators In minutes we were heading for Torriente in Erelio’s Lada station wagon. As a Christian courted arrest. pastor, he was not permitted to visit people who didn’t attend worship unless they specifically Churches shrank. The flight to Miami had begun. By the late 1960s, the CRC in Alacranes requested it. I stayed in the car during his half-hour visit. Returning, he said, “They’ve asked levelled off at two adult members – Maria and Aida. These two women met at church two me to lead tomorrow’s funeral.” evenings a week to pray and study Scripture. On Sundays they led worship, taught classes to I was astonished. The Communist Party had commissioned a member in every town to their children and a few of their children’s friends. Every two months a visiting pastor preached. conduct weddings and funerals. “Won’t that be a slap in the face of the authorities?” He replied, By the mid-1990s, various denominations were cooperating and not competing – having “People may ask whomever they wish to lead a funeral. I’m not allowed to preach an explicit taken WCC counsel to heart. Churches and Christians were slowly winning respect in Cuban gospel sermon in public, and I abide by those rules. Maybe you’d like to come along?” society and thus enjoying more tolerance from federal, provincial and municipal governments. The next day, Pastor Erelio accompanied Katarina’s family ahead of the casket from the Restrictions were easing. This past winter in Alacranes, late arrivals worshipped on the church funeral parlour to the cemetery. Some 500 townspeople and I followed; most were not church- porch. More than 45 adults are full members; some had been Sunday School students in the 1960s. goers. With Katarina’s coffin resting on ropes that would lower it into the grave, Erelio spoke briefly: “We have all just taken a journey that many of us have walked before to bury friends A bold song sung and echoing for years or family members. Today Katarina took that journey for the last time – not walking, but be- Various Cuban CRCs and other churches were singing the same song as these two coura- ing carried. Everyone will someday take Katarina’s journey. How will you walk every day till geous women in Alacranes. Some stanzas sounded darker minor notes, echoing times of near- then? Will you try to walk alone? Or will you walk with someone else who has walked with tragic confrontations. The entire song, though, played out for years in counterpoint to federal people for thousands of years?” policies for religious organizations. Within a year and a half after the revolution, an official Erelio never mentioned the Scriptures or spoke the name of Jesus Christ. But he preached the from the Religious Affairs Ministry obligated regional church leaders to attend a meeting. He Gospel publicly that afternoon. In the 1980s he led four or five funerals a year, never mentioning explained the new rules: “Our government has taken over everything you used to do. There Jesus by name. By 1999 his son Obed was leading more than 150 funerals annually in towns will be no private church schools anymore; we will teach our youth. There will be no need within 60 kilometres of Jaguey Grande where he had become pastor. By then, both preachers were for soup kitchens; we will feed our people. We will watch churches eventually wither away.” openly calling people to repentance and faith in official church services and in public funerals. By the mid-1960s the small CRC in El Estante was withering indeed. Regardless, three local Communist Party members were not as patient as their superiors in Religious Affairs. They Singing the Lord’s songs locally marched into a mid-week prayer service and ordered the 15 worshippers out. They wanted to Obed Martinez’ own pastoral experience had to pass through crucible years (see p.16 for kill the church with intimidation tactics, not let it just “wither away.” accompanying article). As a Christian, he was not permitted to attend university. Responding The next day a church member hitchhiked 70 kilometres to Jaguey Grande to tell Rev. Erelio to God’s call, he studied at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Matanzas. In 1989 he Martinez what had happened. On Sunday Erelio made his monthly trip to El Estante to lead was named pastor of three CRCs, one of which was in Navajas, 20 kilometres from Alacranes, worship. He opened the building as if nothing had happened. As he prepared for worship, the where he spent one weekend a month. “Navajas” means “knives.” How fitting for “cutting same three Party members barged in. They ordered him to close the building. Erelio quoted edge” Christianity! Cuba’s constitutional clause guaranteeing rights of worship and assembly. They laughed and Within minutes of his arrival on his first Saturday morning, two police officers entered the started hauling him away. church. They searched his briefcase and the building. They were doing their job – maybe too Before they got out the door, local police arrived, having been called by church members. well. They found nothing untoward. As they left, they ordered, “Whenever you arrive, first The police jailed Erelio overnight in protective custody. After hearing his story, they contacted stop at the station.” the provincial Religious Affairs Ministry. Erelio was a law-abiding Christian pastor. They Obed did just that for 10 months. Each time police searched his briefcase – always in order. released him and drove him home, apologizing for the trouble. The over-zealous agitators had After 10 visits he said, “I’m not coming here anymore. You can find me at the church.” No broken the law in trying to close the church and were disciplined. The El Estante congrega- police honoured Obed’s invitation while he pastored in Navajas. But he had taken a gutsy tion? It did not die. step, claiming the freedom that the Cuban constitution officially granted, even though many By the mid-1990s, Erelio Martinez’s son, Obed, was pastoring the El Estante CRC. More officials openly challenged that right. During my recent January 2014 visit to Navajas, I had than 150 worshippers overflowed the building every Sunday. New construction plans were coffee with the congregation’s permanent pastor and toured the new church building dedicated underway. At that time one of the three Party members who had threatened Erelio was dying of in the fall of 2013. July 28, 2014 page 11

Features

Singing the songs politically Regardless of such hard-won spiritual victories, past sufferings are never easily forgotten. Habits formed from fear of government policies live long. During those dark years, Erelio and other Christian leaders discerned that their own attitudes of suspicion and hatred were sinful. They were claiming to be in the Light, but were disrespecting people who were also made in God’s image and who might eventually be their brothers and sisters. Instead of seeing the government as an enemy, CEC member churches began to look for op- portunities to approach officials in the Religious Affairs Ministry. That was how I met Segundo Armengol in August, 1985 at the youth camp. Armengol headed the Matanzas Province’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. Erelio had invited him for supper at the Presbyterian Church where the camp was held. At supper, Erelio welcomed the lifelong communist, quipping, “You probably feel like a lion in a den of Daniels.” To his credit, Armengol laughed, understanding the allusion. He com- mented, “You Christians are making a big contribution to this nation because of your attitudes. You are honest, dedicated, hard-working people. We admire that, even in Christians who do not consider themselves revolutionaries.” When Armengol died in the late 1990s, Erelio was Half of the congregation in Templo Bethel-L CRC in Jaguey Grande (Aug. 1985). David invited to speak at his funeral. Lee, Jr. (left, front row), Loyda, (left, 3rd row) and Sara (far right, 3rd row).

Taking the harps off Babylon’s willows at least for Christmas Singing the song in higher education The long, slogging Christian march for rights and acceptance within Cuban society demanded Holidays are one thing. Equal rights to public education are quite another. Rev. David Lee wisdom and daring patience, recalling Paul’s admonitions to the young churches in Asia. Soon was a pastor in the CRC in Cuba for almost 48 years. He and his wife Haydee raised two sons after his victory, Fidel Castro signed trade pacts with the Soviet Union. Cuba’s sugar industry there, David Jr. and Jonathan. Now adults, the brothers are still as close as the biblical pair for was the keystone in the agreement. Cuba produced sugar for the Warsaw Pact nations, and in whom they were named. return got subsidized prices for goods and arms. The sugar harvest is in full swing in December. David Sr. attended that November, 1998 meeting of President Castro and religious leaders. So, ostensibly not to lose even a day of harvest rhythm, the Cuban government cancelled During the discussion about December 25, President Castro asked the Christian Reformed the Christmas national holiday in 1962. Many older Cuban Christians say their Babylonian delegation their opinion. David was their spokesperson. In a Holy Spirit-baptized response, Captivity began then. David said, “Mr. President, it’s well and good to talk about a Christmas holiday, but that’s only It’s only a day, but the day stood for so much. Removing the Christmas holiday symbolized one day a year. What about all those days of all years that my sons are not permitted to attend the oppression of Cuban Christians. The state controlled everything – jobs, buildings, educa- university because they’re not Young Communists?” tion. Religious Affairs required churches to submit all planned activities for the next year for Some gasped – you don’t try to make every way straight for the Lord all in one day. Nor approval. The government would be able to use the building on unscheduled days. Soon, savvy do you talk about yourself. President Castro recognized David from previous meetings. He church leaders planned classes or meetings nearly every day. One pastor told me, “We almost responded, “Rev. Lee, we’ll talk about this after we finish discussing December 25.” always got approval. We could always cancel an activity, but we’d never get approval on the Several hours later, President Castro joined the three Christian Reformed pastors. He asked spur of the moment. We played by the rules – creatively.” specifics about why David and Jonathan Lee and other Christian youth were still not allowed Until 1997, December 25 was a day like every other in Cuba. Then, in honour of Pope John into many universities. The official policy had changed, permitting entrance, but not all officials Paul II’s January, 1998 visit, President Castro declared December 25, 1997 a one-time national were complying with the changes. holiday. He knew the power of a symbol. By mid-1998 every Christian in Cuba and many Fidel took notes, promised action – as only an autocrat can. By then David Lee, Jr. had outside of Cuba were wondering what would happen next. attended seminary and was a pastor. His brother Jonathan was chief driver for the CRC’s In November Castro called a meeting with representatives of all Cuban religions – the fourth small fleet of minivans used for church programs throughout Matanzas. By 2000, members of time since 1992. He began, “Today we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages for our Christian churches throughout the nation were enrolled in university courses from pre-med to government and people of declaring December 25 a permanent national holiday.” architecture, biology and more. For eight hours the conversation moved among Castro, pastors, priests – and one rabbi. Finally, Castro addressed that leader of Havana’s Jewish community. “Comrade Doctor, what Singing the song by The Book do you think of re-establishing the historical Christian holiday? Your people have suffered All these stories trace a trajectory from desperation to hope, of bold, careful action resulting greatly over the centuries from Christian persecution.” With great aplomb, the rabbi joked, in growing spiritual maturity. Christians know that such growth develops only from the seedbed “Mr. President, why should I ever complain if our land would again celebrate a Jewish baby’s of Bible knowledge and biblical living. But what if Bibles are in short supply? In Cuba, until birthday?” The auditorium cascaded with laughter. about 1990, Bible shortages were a way of life. The next day Castro declared December 25 a permanent Cuban holiday. It’s only a symbol, Cuban Christians treasured the Bibles they had. As described above, non-Christian fami- but symbols stand for reality – a dream and hope of ever greater things as God’s harvest replaces lies often sought out pastors to lead funerals. Sometimes the family asked the pastor or other the sugar harvest at least one day a year. Christians to visit later, frequently requesting a Bible. Before Bibles became readily available in Cuba, the CRC used several versions: the “Few New,” the “Few More Used” and the “Tattered, Nearing-Retirement.” Prospective church members would receive a “Nearing-Retirement” Bible. If they attended worship, took classes and joined the church, they received a new Bible – if available. If the new member quit participating in Christian community life, eventually leaving the church, church workers asked for the return of the gift Bible. Salvation is by Grace everywhere, but Bible ownership was by merit. That’s taking God’s Word seriously. That’s how churches regained strength after decades of meagre spiritual rations, but rations that managed to multiply, if not extravagantly like five loaves and two fish, at least enough to sustain life. In recent years, the Cuban Council of Churches has shipped in containers full of Bibles. Used Bibles are on sale in open markets. To North America, the question of Bible scarcity seems passé. With the magic of marketing, Bibles have become a consumer item. I can access dozens of Bible translations with a stroke of a key on my laptop. This question has nagged me for years: Are Bibles so available that we don’t take God’s Living Word seriously enough to be hungry for that Word, to nourish ourselves on whatever rich crumbs fall from the Master’s table? That’s a profound question for our gluttonous society. It’s a temptation to replace devotion to joyful, risky biblical living with an abundance of Bibles and a famine of critical discernment. Jim Dekker served with CRWM for nine years in Costa Rica, Guate- mala, Venezuela and Cuba. Since 1986 he pastored CRCs in Edmonton, The congregation at the CRC in El Estante in Aug. 1995. Thunder Bay and St. Catharines. He retired on June 30, 2013. PAGE 12 christian courier

Features

Christian Courier is delighted to announce the winners of the unclean. The story shows creativity and spiritual maturity.” Witvoet noted, “[The author ]offers Fifth Annual Children’s Short Story Contest. The finalists were us a realistic picture of suffering and doubt. Her style is mature and her knowledge of what makes judged by Angela Reitsma Bick, editor, Cathy Smith, features a Jew unclean is a good example of good theological insight. The ending is almost a bit over editor, and Bert Witvoet, contributing editor. We congratulate the top in terms of spiritual maturity, but not enough to spoil the effect of a well-crafted story.” Renessa Visser, our Intermediate Category winner, and Sarah The judges offered these remarks about Sarah Williams’ story “The Cool Reading Place.” Williams, our Junior Category winner. Renessa was a winner Reitsma Bick commented, “In the richly imaginative world of this story, a tree is lonely and a last year as well! Both girls will receive a $50 Chapters Gift girl needs a cool, quiet place to read. These simple but universal longings drive the narrative, Card. We at CC were pleased with the number of excellent which is enriched by its credible dialogue and plucky protagonist.” Smith said, “I like Sarah’s entries and commend our young writers for their creativity! poetic vocabulary – phrases like ‘weary path’ and ‘droopy tree’ are nicely metaphorical – and Renessa Visser’s story “Waiting for Hope” prompted the following assessments from the her inclusion of a subplot. That’s quite sophisticated for a young writer.” Witvoet responded, judges. Reitsma Bick said, “This young author breathes life into a familiar story – one in which “‘The Cool Reading Place’ has a good plot and the writer cleverly solves the problem of having life and breath matter very much – by telling it from a new perspective. The writing shines in all willows cut down. She needs to be more careful with language, as in ‘blisters from the days its believable detail, rising tension and stirring conclusion.” Smith commented, “Narrating the that were so blistering.’ The simile of a ‘shelf as big as a tractor shed’ is not effective. The writer story in the first person point of view, by an author of a similar age as Jairus’ daughter, gives it definitely shows good skills in telling a story.” appealing authenticity. There is a praiseworthy effort to ground the story in culturally appropriate Winners of the Adult Short Story Contest will be announced in our August 25 issue. details, such as the Hebrew names for mother and father and the fact that the dead were considered Cathy Smith, Features Editor Waiting for hope Renessa Visser my bed. The sun was shining through the I had always known how sick I was, and that one day I would die early, but I never knew window. Ema and Abba sat by my bed, cry- how awful it would be to die. Ever since I was little, I watched the doctors come, shake ing and laughing at the same time. A strange their heads, and turn away. They couldn’t help me, they said. They couldn’t figure out what man was holding my hand. I have found a was wrong with me. Abba (Daddy), Jairus, was well known in the synagogue, being a ruler man who has healed many miraculously. there, but still, he could find no one to heal me, his only daughter. Abba’s words sounded in my head. It was The year I turned 12 – as we all began to realize – would be my last. My strength was him! I hadn’t believed that anyone could failing fast, and eating was very difficult. One day Abba burst into my hot little room, heal me. I hadn’t had any hope. beaming with happiness. Tears filled my eyes. “I’m sorry,” I “Ariella!” he cried. “There is hope! I have found a man who has miraculously healed choked. “I didn’t believe in you. But you many –merely by the touch of his hand! The people say he is a prophet from long ago.” led me back to a new life anyway!” “The people will say anything,” I said, trying not to sound irritated. But seeing how “Always have hope,” he told me. “Never disappointed Abba was at my reaction, I said. “But maybe he can try to heal me.” turn away.” He clapped his hands. “Have hope, Ariella,” he said, “I will go and get this man tomor- It was the same voice who had called row.” I wanted to say, do not bother, no one can heal me, but he was out the door and I was me back to the world. I looked at his hand, overcome with a spasm of pain so great I did not say anything. which still held mine. And yet it was unclean That night the pain was unbearable. I would shiver uncontrollably and then become for a Jew to touch a dead person! I looked exceedingly hot, all from the deathly fever. Ema (Mother) and her servants sat around me at him in wonder. all night, trying to soothe me, but it was no use. At midnight I was vaguely aware of Abba “Thank you!” I cried. “Thank you! You coming into my room and whispering to Ema he was going to leave so he could get that became unclean, to save me?” I asked in disbelief. great healer man as soon as possible. Then he left. “Daughter,” he said, “I love you.” I felt my breathing get tighter and tighter, and as dawn broke, Ema left, weeping silently. Love! He loved me! It was not only life in the world he had given me, it was spiritual The door creaked and shut behind her, and everything went dark inside of me. life. He had called me out from my darkness, and brought me into the light. He had healed I was in a place of peace. There was no pain anymore, only happiness. I felt like I was float- me – the one no one else could heal. What love! Only God could give me so much love. I ing and dreaming some fantastic dream at the same time. Such happiness I had never known! swung my legs up out of the bed, smiling like I had never smiled before. “Get up!” “Ema! Abba!” I cried. “I’m back!” I vaguely heard the words, yet it sent an electric shock that shivered through my very I never suffered like I had during those early years of my life again. I grew up being, and without hesitation I knew he was speaking to me, calling me to leave the happy like any other Hebrew girl. I could laugh and dance and talk. Wherever I went, place and return to the painful, painful world. I did what Jesus had told me to do. I had hope. I never had any reason to doubt I didn’t want to travel the long road that led to the painful world I had come from. But my worth in him. He was always there for me. It was up to me to have hope in the voice that called me was so kind, so wise, it was impossible to resist. I was going back. him and believe. I opened my eyes. No pain. My breath was light and easy. No fever. I blinked. I was in Renessa Visser is a 13-year-old homeschooled student living in Burlington, Ont. The cool reading place Sarah Williams read don’t you?” It was a super-hot day in Ecuador, Brazil. It was so hot that a girl’s ice cream cone turned to Sure. Lily liked to read. Just not in the burning hot weather all year round. soup. The girl’s name was Lily, and she was eight years old. Lily was wearing a bright red pair “Sure. I like to read. But I have nowhere to read.” of shorts and a purple tank-top. Whew, thought Lily. It sure is scorching today. Ah, what am Her mom smiled, “We will find a place.” I thinking? Every day is baking. I already have blisters from the days that were so blistering. Far away by a forest there was a pond. By the pond wept a willow tree. “Oh, Willow, no “Lily!” one wants to read under your branches,” said Wood. “Everyone likes me because I am a home Crud! to many.” “It’s time to come home.” “Someone will come. I have faith,” assured Willow, for that was the weeping willow’s “I’m coming, Mom,” replied Lily. name. Willow was a very optimistic tree, so she did not get down easily. She stomped into the house with her melted ice cream cone still in her hands. She threw “Pffffft. I know that no one will come,” replied Wood. “No one.” it out and grabbed the utensils from her mom’s sweaty hand and set the table. Later when Willow sighed. Wood would never learn. her dad came home from work, Lily gave him a big sweaty hug. Their dog, Blister, jumped Back at Lily’s house, Lily found herself looking on her mom’s shelf for a book. She up to lick Dad. When they all settled down, her mom broke some really good news. “Lily, sighed. Her mom’s shelf seemed as big as a tractor shed, so she assumed she would never find guess what your school assigned you to do?” a book. Lily’s hands whizzed past all sorts of books until she stopped at a particular one. The “What?” asked Lily. book was called The Wind in the Willows. “Now that’s a book I want to read,” Lily smiled. “The school said that the Grade Three students weren’t getting enough reading practice, Back by the pond, Willow looked sadly at the pond, wondering when someone would so they’re assigning you homework,” replied her mom. come. I know someone will come, thought Willow. I know. “What? Come on.” “No, I am not going to read it on the bus!” yelled Lily. “I will throw up once I get to school!” “No, no, Lily. You’re going to like this,” assured her mom. “It’s reading. You like to “You will not!” yelled her mother. They were having a big argument over where Lily July 28, 2014 page 13

Features

was going to read. “I’ll find a place to read it. Don’t you worry!” called Lily as she walked out of the house. “Don’t you worry!” Lily walked down the road and sat on the curb. She had to think. Now let’s see. I can’t read at school. No, no definitely not there. Aha! thought Lily. I’ll go read by the pond! So Lily walked down the weary path near her house to the pond. Willow looked up to see a little girl walking down the dusty road to the pond. “Look! Someone has come!” Willow yelled happily. “Yes, come and venture in my woods,” said Wood. “Oh, we’ll see about that,” replied Willow. By now the mysterious girl was standing right next to Willow. “Oh perfect! There’s a willow tree here. I’ll read under it!” exclaimed Lily. “I have finally found a place to read! And a willow tree! I love willow trees!” Willow smiled. Lily settled under the droopy tree and started to read The Wind in the Willows. “See,” said Willow with triumph. “I told you someone would come.” “Humph!” Lily ran off the bus. She didn’t stop until she got to Willow. “I have bad news, my Willow smiled. Wood finally would learn. friend. My parents are cutting down all the weeping willow trees!” Willow’s heart skipped Lily came to Willow the next day. And the day after that. And every day! One day Lily came a beat. “You may be the only survivor,” Lily continued. “But don’t worry, I’ll find a way!” My Window Seat homeThe toPublic find her Squar mom standinge at the door grinning. “What’s the good news?” Lily asked. She sat down to think. Mendelt Hoekstra Harry“Oh, Antonidesit’s something your dad and I discussed.” Lily came home with a plan. It would only work at night. She set the table immedi- Lily gulped. This wasn’t going to be good. ately and wolfed down her dinner. Then she went to bed, but she stayed awake until her “What?” Lily couldn’t believe her ears. Was this true? parents were in bed. She quietly went down the stairs and snuck up to her parents’ laptop. Fr“omYes,” the her 1 mom1th said, reading her mind. “It’s true. We are going to cut down all the She turned it on. All I need to do is delete their offer. They haven’t accepted it yet. Now Christ @ Culture weepingProvince willow trees.” I have to hope. Lily smiled. Lloyd Rang Marian“But why?” Van Ti Lilyl fought back tears. Lily came home from school, went to read and to assure Willow every- “Because,” said her dad, “our boss said we will get $1,000 for getting rid of them.” thing would be okay. When she sat down for dinner, her parents, who were “Do you always do what your boss tells you to do?” muttered Lily. grumpy, said, “This may be good news to you, Lily. But somehow our “Excuse me?” offer was deleted. So we won’t be cutting down the willow trees after all.” Toddlers to Teens Fr“Nomothing.” the Lab Lily smiled. All it took was a little thinking and a little action to save Willow was so happy. She finally had someone swinging on her branches and reading her Willow from destruction. Denise Dykstra inRudy her shade. Eikelboom Finally, someone had come. Sarah Williams is a Grade 5 student at Trinity Christian School in Burlington, Ont.

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA ‘Houseless heads and unfed sides’ & Powers Everyday Christian David Koyzis Cathy Smith The next scene, set in Shakespeare’s own So what’s this? Nostalgia? English teach- Elizabethan era, launched the play proper. If er misses Shakespeare class? Actually, the A few weeks ago I saw you don’t know the story, it’s a tragedy both director’s shrewd introduction plunked this King Lear at the Stratford intimate and immense. The aging King Lear ancient tragedy smack dab, uncomfortably, Technically Speaking Getting UnstucFestival.k The opening has decided to abdicate and divide his king- in my own time and place. I’m not con- Derek Schuurman Arlene Van Hovescene was unexpected! As dom among his daughters Goneril, Regan fronted by homelessness in Wyoming, but theatregoers were still find- and Cordelia. Staging a grand farewell, he I’ve seen the makeshift camps under over- ing their seats, a number invites them to profess how much they love passes driving through Cincinnati on the way of raggedy individuals in him – with the size of their inheritance hang- to Florida. In Bradenton, near our mobile Intangible Things haphazardFlowers clothesand Thistles milled about on stage. ing in the balance. The two older daughters home park, panhandlers daily plant them- This Vancouver park bench transforms into They engaged in mimed conversation. Some oblige their father with obsequious flattery. selves, ironically, in front of Home Depot. a small rain shelter. Heidi Vander Slikke interactionsCurt Gesc wereh friendly and some were Cordelia, however, refuses to participate. These “houseless heads and unfed sides” It will also mean confronting my preju- menacing. The audience settled down quick- She won’t be manipulated into a showy pro- make me, yes, uncomfortable. dice. I need to remind myself that all my ly,Wo intriguedrds from and puzzled. This is not how testation of love for material gain. Enraged, blessings come from God. If I’ve grown up Country Living King Lear, the official version, begins. The Lear disinherits her, leaving himself vulner- Being ‘more just’ in a stable home with loving parents, if I’ve lightsWild dimmed. Horses The anonymous band lit a able to the evil spite of Goneril and Regan Recently I read a blog post by Angie been blessed with passable intellect and good Meindert Vander Galien fireW arkentinsunder a shadowy bridge. Dogs yapped in with devastating consequence. Hocking on the sculpture called “Jesus the health, if I’ve been placed in a strong com- the distance. Other muted sounds intruded on Eventually Lear loses his kingship, his Homeless” by Canadian artist Timothy munity with excellent role models for a posi- the quiet. The wind in the trees? The hum of family and his sanity. Flailing about madly Schmalz (groundmotive.net). The figure tive work ethic and responsible citizenship, if Patchwork Words distantOur Wcars?orld The T odayhomeless had gathered for on the moor in a fiendish storm, he rips off concealed under a blanket on a park bench is I’ve received a first-rate education, I may not the night . . . but where and when was unclear. his royal robes and wails against a disordered identified as Jesus only by the wounds on his pridefully attribute my successes to myself. Melissa Kuipers Bert Hielema universe. He is stripped of all but his human- bare feet. Hocking describes a weekend that Like Lear, I must know myself as “unaccom- ity, an “unaccommodated man,” no differ- she herself spent as a “homeless person” in modated man,” no more or less loved by God ent from the beggar, Tom o’ Bedlam, or the a poverty simulation exercise. Utterly spent, than any other human being created by his nameless tramps in the opening scene. Thus she is elated to find an unoccupied bench hand. And, if I’ve been so richly blessed, it’s reduced, he is convulsed with pity and guilt on which to sleep for a few hours. She then only to be a blessing, to faithfully and grate- about the “poor naked wretches” who are discovers to her dismay that the decorative fully do something with my “talents.” similarly trapped in the maelstrom: armrests in the centre of the bench have been A park bench in Vancouver says “Find How shall your houseless heads and strategically placed there to prevent anyone shelter here.” It has a lift-up cover for protec- unfed sides, from reclining. A purposeful design with an tion on rainy nights, a “mini-roof” on which is Your loop’d and window’d raggedness, unequivocal message: “No trespassing.” inscribed the address of a local shelter. It’s an defend you Like Lear, I confess “I have ta’en / Too little unexpectedly apt metaphor for the Christian From seasons such as these? care of this.” I’m chastened by Shakespeare life: to be an available, welcoming, everyday Lear reproaches himself: “O, I have ta’en / and by Homeless Jesus. So what can I do? I pew for Homeless Jesus or any other of the Too little care of this!” He rebukes the nobility can show the heavens “more just” by shar- “least of these.” for neglecting the poor, beseeching them to ing from my “superflux.” For me, that won’t Cathy Smith (cathy@christiancourier. Colme Feore as King Lear in a role he'll “shake the superflux to them” and “show the mean handing out change, but it will mean ca) is Features Editor with CC. play at Stratford until Oct. 10. heavens more just” by sharing their wealth. digging a little deeper for diaconal ministries. She lives in Wyoming, Ont. My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Christ @ Culture Province Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til

Toddlers to Teens From the Lab Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA & Powers Everyday Christian David Koyzis Cathy Smith

Technically Speaking Getting Unstuck Derek Schuurman Arlene Van Hove

PAGE 14 Intangible Things Flowers and Thistles christian courier Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch Columns

Words from Country Living Wild Horses Meindert van der Galien Kenny Warkentin Getting un-busy

Sometimes people ask Release me why we live in When the day of the funeral came, I had Patchwork Words Our World TodayWinnipeg. The winters nothing left to do other than a few house- My Window Seat The Public Square can be brutally harsh; keeping items. So during the service, the Melissa Kuipers Bert Hielema spring is usually grey flood gates of grief washed over me. Well, Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides and muddy; summer it was more like a tsunami of emotion. I can be filled with bugs, realized that I had bottled up my grief in especially mosquitos, order to cope with everything that needed Singing the ‘They also serveSpeak -who Write and autumn – our most beautiful season to get done, short-changing myself from Christ @ Culture Truth – is far too short. authentically feeling the emotions when Paula Warkentin Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til only stand and wait’ I grew up in Manitoba and have lived they had first shown up. The day after here my whole life, except for a brief the funeral, the emotions again erupted Recently my husband and I read the story of Elisha and Naaman. Recall that hiatus of six years when I lived in British as I was preaching at church. Afterward I Naaman was the commander of the Aramean army. “He was a great man in the Columbia. I loved the west coast and the thought of Jesus, Mary and Martha and the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given temperate weather, but community and whole notion of getting un-busy in order Toddlers to Teens From thevictory Lab to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy,” says 1 Kings 5:1. family drew me home to Manitoba. to sit with the Lord. During the transitions The Arameans (Syrians) and Israel were regularly at war during the period This past year was a particularly hard of the week, what were my priorities? It Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom of the kings of Israel and Judah. Bands of raiders from Aram had taken some winter. It was long and cold; we pined for isn’t wrong to get things done well, and Israelites captive, among whom was “a young girl” who was brought into Naaman’s house- the heat of summer. Even with the bugs, in a crisis we need to sometimes put aside

hold as a servant to Naaman’s SUwife. It is that unnamed Israelite girl and later several Aramean the hot days of summer are what we live our emotions in order to accomplish im- MO TU WE TH Principalities male servants of Naaman’s – lowly andFR SA inconsequential, all – who pique my interest. for. It’s when our bodies thaw out. It’s portant matters, but I’m finding that I can & Powers EverydayThe Israelite Christian girl was ripped from her own parents, family, culture – and God. Yet she had a time to get outdoors and visit parks, work against myself when I don’t stop in David Koyzis notCathy only adjustedSmith to life as a captive in a foreign culture but was faithfully serving Naaman’s beaches and friends’ backyard gatherings. the midst of the planning to get alone with wife. There was rampant idolatry in Israel then, but the girl must have had believing parents. As I was thinking about the changing Jesus for a while. She knew God, and she knew that the true God had a true prophet; she even knew where seasons in Manitoba, I thought of the Just as I need to sit and reflect on the Elisha lived: Samaria. And she had no doubt at all that he could cure Naaman of his leprosy. significance of change in our everyday changes of seasons and the things that Technically Speaking SGettinghe didn’t withhold Unstuc thatk information just because she was in Aram with Naaman and his lives. We all go through transitions, mov- did and didn’t work for us as a family as wife against her will. She volunteered it – eagerly so, implied by her words, “If only my ing from one thing to the next. Yet how we plan for the next season, this recent Derek Schuurman masterArlene would Van Hovesee the prophet.” many times do we stop and acknowledge experience was a good reminder for me to So Naaman tells his king (likely Ben-Hadad II). And the king says, “Go! I’ll write you what we are going through? I have to see how I cope emotionally through tran- a letter for Israel’s king.” Was it natural for an ancient king to think that another king with admit that I can be so busy with what’s sitions. I don’t know about you, but I’ve a powerful god could affect such a cure? Or did Naaman neglect to mention the prophet? happening in my daily routine that I don’t realized that I need to ask myself some Intangible Things OrFlowers did Ben-Hadad and Thistles assume that Elisha was under the King of Israel’s control? Whatever the stop and reflect on what God is doing in questions after particular transitions. case, Ben-Hadad sends Naaman off to see Joram, King of Israel; and not empty-handed. my life and my heart. It is often takes a Have I authentically felt the things I Heidi Vander Slikke NCurtaaman Gesc takesh along a gift, a bribe as it were: 10 sets of clothing, 10 talents of silver, 6,000 crisis to highlight the important things. need to? Has my heart been closed off? shekels of gold (NLB: 750 pounds of silver and 150 pounds of gold!). In our faith community recently, a How can I balance the busyness of a gentleman passed away after a lengthy season with the necessary need to get un- FearlessWords fr adviceom illness. He was a father figure to many busy and be with my Lord Jesus? Country Living WildJoram Horses was a son of the notorious Ahab and Jezebel. He, like his parents, “did evil in the people, deeply loved. Even though we As we have transitioned to the summer eyes of the LORD” – but wasn’t as bad as his father and mother (2 Kings 3:2). Joram was knew that this day would come, it still season and all that it brings, may we take Meindert Vander Galien Warkentins an idolater but he knew enough of the true God to be thoroughly dismayed at Ben-Hadad’s triggered a “get-busy” reflex in me – time to reflect on how we’re doing. May letter. He tears his clothes, exclaiming, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life?” He I had a need to just get things accom- our prayer to the Lord be one of getting immediately assumes Ben-Hadad is trying to pick a quarrel with him. plished. There were a lot of events and I un-busy for a while to enjoy him, and the Patchwork Words OurElisha W orldquickly Today hears about the incident (he seems to have had an amazing communica- needed to get a lot done. When emotions abundant life he brings. tions network). He chides King Joram for his failure to realize that God rules over life and came to the surface, I quickly brushed Kenny Warkentin is Associate Pastor Melissa Kuipers deathBert –Hielema and has a prophet in Samaria. them aside and thought of my tasks rather at Trinity Baptist Church in Winnipeg, You know the rest. Naaman is angered by Elisha’s instructions – not even face-to-face, than taking the time to sit with the emo- where he lives with his wife Paula and but through his servant – to wash in the Jordan River seven times in order to be cured. And tions I was feeling. their daughter Phoebe. He blogs at here’s where those other servants come in. They work for Naaman, and bravely step into kennypwarkentin.blogspot.com. the breach, as the Israelite girl had done first. They boldly chide Naaman (don’t forget he has life and death power over them). They reason with him audaciously. If Elisha had asked something hard, you’d do it, they say. How much more something as easy as washing in the Jordan? Naaman shows his righteous character by listening to his servants and taking their advice. And, as we know, he is cured. I find the actions of the Israelite girl and these servants instructive. Socially they are the next thing to slaves. Morally and spiritually they are people of integrity, and God uses them all out of proportion to their human-presumed importance to enact the outcome he desires. This makes me think of John Milton’s famous sonnet on his blindness. He wonders whether God has a place and service for one so “useless” as he, whose “light is spent,” who cannot function in polite society. Then in a beautiful, biblical manner he answers his own doubts, having Patience personified speak these famous, insightful, encouraging words: “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts: who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed Marian Van Til (mvantil@ And post o’er land and ocean without rest: roadrunner.com) is a former CC They also serve who only stand and wait.” editor living in Youngstown, N.Y. She blogs at ReformedRevelry. wordpress.com. May summer bring the chance to enjoy time with the Lord. My Window Seat The Public Square Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Christ @ Culture Province My Window Seat The Public Square Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til Mendelt Hoekstra Harry Antonides

From the 11th Toddlers to Teens From the Lab Christ @ Culture Province Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom Lloyd Rang Marian Van Til

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA Toddlers to Teens From the Lab & Powers Everyday Christian David Koyzis Cathy Smith Denise Dykstra Rudy Eikelboom

SU MO TU WE TH Principalities FR SA Technically Speaking JuGettingly 28, 2014 Unstuck & Powers Everyday Christian page 15 Derek Schuurman ColumnsArlene Van Hove David Koyzis Cathy Smith

Intangible Things Flowers and Thistles TheTechnically naming Speaking of Getting Unstuck The joys of higher Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch theDerek Sc cowshuurman Arlene Van Hove education Hearts pounding. CowsWords practise from Synchronized Grazing for the next Olympics. Adrenalin pumping. Country Living Intangible Things Flowers and ThistlesNerves a-flutter. Wild Horses “Okay, Joan and Jennifer – I see you’re roped up, so let’s go,” the Meindert Vander Galien Warkentins Heidi Vander Slikke Curt Gesch group leader calls out while guiding them forward. “He’s not kidding, is he?” mumbles Joan under her breath. “No,” murmurs Jennifer. “There’s no way out now. We have to climbWords and fr jump!”om Patchwork Words Our World Today Country Living Wild“I can’t Horses believe we’re doing this,” the two say in unison. “But I like Melissa Kuipers Bert Hielema Meindert Vander Galien Warkentins the excitement,” Jennifer admits as they begin to climb the 30-foot pole, which seems to sway slightly as they move upward. Around five years ago, my ate)Patchwork a wide-headed, Word smuscly, sex-mad bull. Our“Aren’t World there Today better ways to get to wife Betsey and I arranged WeMeliss boughta Kuipers him from Cathy H., who had knowBert yourself?”Hielema pants Joan. to buy our first Dexter cow, named him Arnold. Well, “Arnold?" What a “I hear climbing the pole is more and got a calf thrown in. I plebeian name! She had other animals with fun than therapy,” chuckles Jennifer. had no training in naming great names like Lester the Molester and “It’s not climbing the pole I’m cows. I couldn’t imagine Ungebunden, but Arnold? All we could think afraid of. It’s letting go!” groans how people came up with of was Arnold Schwarzenegger. So we de- Joan as both scramble onto the small things like Sir Campbell-Martin’s Phoenix cided to name him Mini-Schwartz, Schwartz platform. “I am so out of my comfort or O’Reilly’s Shangri-la – the sort of things meaning “black” in German, which helped zone!” I found in herd book listings. We did know the complexity of the name. “We are supposed to have strong that dairy farmers often had names for at least feelings up here, so you’re doing some of their milking cows. One of the most Brains or brawn? great!” encourages Jennifer as she common was Betsy, which often accompan- As soon as Schwartzie got off the trailer straightens herself and eyes the sus- ied an old Holstein-Frisian with a dragging we realized that we could have thought a pended object in front of them hang- undercarriage. Another was Dolly, after Dolly while longer and named him Escape Artist, ing at a slightly higher altitude. Parton – and not for her voice. Fence Ducker, Slinker or Stinker. I think he “Ready?” someone shouts from We thought something more common, but was also known as Little Scheiss (to put it in below, followed by an encouraging not embarrassing, would be good. Something German) back at Cathy’s house for his ability cheer from fellow students. generic. Since we already had a cat named to go where he wanted, including stomping “Ready?” the girls ask one an- Cat and a rooster named Rooster, our dun cow through the tulips, no matter the restraints. He other. They both nod. “On the count became Cow. And the calf, a lovely heifer, wiggled under an 18" bottom, 2 X 6" wood of three we go?” suggests Jennifer. became – after we saw how she followed her gate, went through four-strand barbed wire Joan nods again. mother around – Patty, as in cow patty. fence without injury, and ducked under hot “Okay, we are going on the count In the past we boarded a bull named wires. Guile, not strength seemed the central of three,” Jennifer calls to those McMeyer. He was a Scottish Highland, skill of our Schwartzie. below. owned by Steffen Meyer. McMeyer returned Schwartzie would go through a fence, then “Ready! One, two, three!” home after completing his duties. His daugh- come back slowly and smell the hot wire They both leap up from the plat- ter we named Andere, the German word for to be rewarded with a Crack! and a jump form and stretch their arms forward “the other one,” or “another.” backward. Doing this over and over showed and high above their heads towards Jennifer's hands clamp onto the metal bar. McMeyer was gone and we needed a bull, a me, a former teacher, that he had a learning the swinging trapeze. Jennifer’s Dexter bull. Because I was visiting my daugh- disability. You’ve heard of students who can hands clamp onto the metal bar. Joan misses. ter in Calgary, a short jaunt brought us to only learn by doing, not by reading or cog- Both swing: Joan lands in the safety ropes held taut by her fellow classmates below Applejack Ranch in Bashaw, where I decided nitive analysis? Schwartzie was obviously while Jennifer rests confidently in the rhythm of the moving trapeze. to buy two bull calves. One was dun so we the opposite. So I sat down and gave him a named him Done Well. He was soon spoken lecture. He refused to take notes but began The above activity is part of a Challenge Course – a requirement for a Masters’ for by two friends who needed beef to eat. to get the point. Degree in Leadership at a local Christian university in B.C. For Joan, Jennifer and The other, the one we kept, was a black bull. The test came when he was in a new pas- fellow students, the objective of this course is “to become more aware of how you Pondering long and hard over his primary task ture with only electric fence. Schwartzie respond to yourself and to others.” It is an activity that demands teamwork, encour- in life, we named him Sperman. He was fertile. passed his test with flying colours. No escapes agement and strength, whether you’re 30 feet in the air or on the ground. at all. When I called the cows into the yard Honorary mention for their evening grain, Schwartzie walked Risk-taking and trust Time goes on. We had a calf born on our towards me in his proper place in line: last. After the experience, the students analyze their roles and discuss why certain neighbour Mrs. Meyer’s birthday, so we Almost there, and – just for old times’ sake, strategies did or did not work for them. They focus on the group’s communication, wanted to name the cow Andrea after her. It I guess – he walked through a barbed wire leadership and teamwork, but also on one another’s ability to trust, take risks and was a bull calf (and soon a steer), however, fence and then back without getting snagged. adapt to change. Needless to say, they may learn some things about themselves they so we named him Andreas. We also were I rewarded him with positive reinforcement would rather not know, but in a supportive environment that too can be worked blessed with a Dexter calf with white mark- of the grain variety. through in a manageable way. ings which we named Witvoet, Dutch for In short, the exercise teaches its participants to recognize the necessary compon- “white foot.” After all, Bert Witvoet was the Curt and Betsey Gesch think they could ents of an effective learning community. And while we as Christians talk a lot about editor of Christian Courier when I started my have taught Adam a thing or two about names. They live in Quick, B.C, where community, there is no harm in asking ourselves once in a while whether we are journalistic efforts. Our Witvoet was neither three more calves will soon be born. in fact the supportive, trusting, encouraging and challenging community we hope editor nor writer but a very lovely little heifer. Enter the naming contest by sending your to be. It’s a tall order. But it’s clear by this glimpse into the above hands-on and Just recently we got our new bull calf. suggestion to [email protected]; practical exercise, we are definitely working in that direction. He was a nine-month-old stripling, soon to winners will receive a short piece of Arlene Van Hove ([email protected]) is a therapist and member of the Fleetwood become (if his body structure proved accur- broken electric fence wire and a photo. CRC in Surrey, B.C., seeking to spread peace among the people she encounters. PAGE 16 CHRISTIAN COURIER

News

Against all odds, God’s word flourishing in Cuba today

Obed Martinez Lima teacher, not because I didn’t believe or didn’t know some Translated by James C. Dekker answers. Rather, churches and Christians were living in I’m writing from the “depths of Jaguey Grande,” as the tough situations, what with misunderstandings and out- poet Agustin Acosta called our city in the southern part of right discrimination. For example, Christian young people Matanzas province. Here is where God has placed us to were not allowed to study psychology or many other uni- preach the gospel of salvation and eternal life. versity courses. As a result Christians were isolated from I will never forget one of the texts that my father once the day-to-day march of Cuban life. Regardless, I knew copied for me – Jeremiah 33:3, which spoke deeply to me that the Lord was much more powerful than the harsh re- for years: “Cry to me and I will answer you, and will tell alities of our daily life. you great and hidden things that you have not known.” I In any case I kept wondering about that teacher and always wondered what those great and hidden things were why he questioned and attacked so much about the that I yearned to see. Would it be the case that the Word of church. He mocked the Bible’s stories about Adam and God would disappear in Cuba? That the churches would Eve, the teaching of the virginity of Mary and especially close because people would forget the Gospel? the resurrection of Jesus. Finally I told him that I believed I want you to know that in the last 20 years there’s been he was profoundly mistaken and that the churches would Recent conversions a revival in the church and among the people of God. A never become museums or mere historical memories. The And now I’d like to tell you more about the miracle resurgence of God’s Word among the Cuban people has church wasn’t a human institution run by pastors; it was of salvation in Christ to continue the witness among our worked like the resurrection of the Lord, which I bear wit- of Christ. I asked that he quit mocking me for my faith. friends. One of my closest friends in my high school resi- ness to with these stories. In those years there were very few people in church and dential program was Ramon Duarte. I often spoke with most of them were elderly. Logically, humanly-speaking, him about the Gospel but he teased me mercilessly. A year No praying allowed it seemed likely that my teacher would turn out to be right. ago I got a letter from him in Miami where he is living When I was 12 years old and my sister Loyda 11, we with his family and he made a point of saying that years were enrolled in a residential school near Jaguey Grande. God’s miracle in the Cuban church ago at school he had surrendered to the Lord because of One day word leaked out that Loyda and I were Christians, When I finished my pre-university course I decided to my persistence and God’s irresistible grace entering his a rare occurrence in those days when few teenagers in go to seminary to become a pastor to preach the Word of life in a very difficult time. Related to that is the remark- Cuba confessed Christ as Saviour. At that time neither God wherever in Cuba God might give me that opportun- able fact that after Ramon’s conversion, he and I preached Loyda nor I owned Bibles; there were very few Bibles ity. As time has passed, there are indeed museums in Cuba the Gospel to a classmate, Vladimir Estenos. Two months in Cuba since the victory of the Cuban Revolution on but also – thanks be to God – churches. Today we’re able ago Vladimir and his youngest daughter began to attend January 1, 1959. My father gave us a notebook in which to get Bibles for Cuban churches, build new churches and the congregation which I pastor. he had copied a number of Bible verses that encouraged hold youth camps, as several denominations are doing – What’s more, during my sister Loyda’s and my years and strengthened us to deal with the many temptations all possibilities given to us by God. in school a woman director of education often tried to and conflicts regarding our faith. God gave me the privilege to be the son of a pastor convince us to forget about the gospel and the church. Of course, it was difficult to find any devotional time in and to be a preacher of the Gospel of the Lord in Cuba Today her mother is a member of our congregation and this school. Once in a while my sister and I would come for more than 27 years; to be an instrument of God by her nephew is a leader in the Pentecostal church in Jaguey together to pray, but we had to do that in secret because holding discussions with representatives of the Cuban Grande. no kind of religious or spiritual practice was permitted. I government, to give witness on behalf of the churches in In sum, I bear witness that we begin to live the resur- found it really difficult to have to sit at table at mealtimes Cuba, to obtain authorization to have Bibles and Christian rection of Jesus from the moment we surrender to the and not be able to pray aloud, as we did at home. At this materials shipped to Cuba, and to visit brothers and sisters Lord. Thanks be to God for his sacrifice and his resurrec- time the Cuban Constitution said we could profess our in other nations to tell them in the name and for the glory tion, which continue to be real for the church everywhere. faith, but at the same time it declared that all education in of God and by God’s Grace that there is a living church in Philosophies and ideologies have become history and mu- our society would be done according to Marxist-Leninist Cuba today. In 1999 we began to hold publicly advertised seums; we are convinced that the church will never turn principles. and celebrated worship services during Holy Week and into a museum. What remains for us to be faithful to the Besides this, we often found ourselves labelled ex- Christmas and to broadcast monthly by radio a worship Word of God and blessings will be added upon blessings tremists by some teachers and school administrators who service. Though we’re not satisfied with only these spaces as God chooses. attacked Christianity. I still remember with considerable for the Gospel, I believe that God has blessed us greatly, anxiety that one day a teacher came and asked me many considering where we were and where we are now. This questions. He had been Roman Catholic, but left the has been God’s miracle in the Cuban church. Obed Martinez has been a pastor in church because it was deceitful. He said, “In a real social- Over the years I’ve discovered the large number of sis- Christian Reformed churches in Cuba for ist society eventually churches will become museums.” ters and brothers who lifted prayers to God for the Cuban more than 27 years. That shook me to the depths of my 12-year-old heart. church over all these years. You can be sure that the bless- That night I wept; I had no idea how to respond to that ings of today are the fruit of those millions of prayers.

Main entrance of CRC in Agramonte, Cuba, after the Jim Dekker & Obed Martinez in Playa Giron, Bay of Pigs Plenary session of all-day "Confraternidad" (a semi-an- (March 2010). The blue Lada station wagon is the same car nual day of worship, teaching and celebration of the CRCs church and neighbouring parsonage were totally reconstructed in the late 1990s. Obed's father drove in 1985, shown back on p.10 (at that from Matanzas and Havana provinces) in 2010. time, it was red). JULY 28, 2014 PAGE 17

Classifieds

Anniversaries Obituaries

Toronto,1954 Barrie, 2014 With joy and thankfulness to God January 6, 1937 July 13, 2014 Steenwijkerwold Vernon We rejoice with our parents, Hoogeveen, the Netherlands Grimsby, Ontario Overijsel (Holland) British Columbia Trust in the Lord with all your heart Melis Koomans August 9, 1938 June 14, 2014 and lean not on your own understanding; Fred and Jane de Haan in all your ways acknowledge him, (nee Mulder) It is with sadness and thanks- Rose Kryger (nee DeBoer) and he will make your paths straight. giving that the family of Melis Prov 3: 5–6 In the celebration of their Went home to be with her Lord. 50th Wedding Anniversary Koomans announces his Predeceased by her husband, Jack on August 15, 2015. passing at McNally Hospice in Grimsby on July 13, 2014 in his on December 3, 2003. An Open House will be held 78th year. Deeply missed by her children, On Saturday, August 16, 2015 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. from 2–4 p.m.at Beloved husband for 54 years of Rehoboth United Reformed Church Lydia (nee Jongenotter). Lovingly remembered by her siblings: † 77 Glancaster Road, Ancaster. Dear father of: Dick and Lucy DeBoer – Wiarton, ON Jane and Jack† Fokkens – Brampton, ON You are invited to join us on that day. Eric – Ottawa, ON Linda (Greg) Marcus – St Paul, MN Hank DeBoer and Sandy Hedin – Warner, AB † † With love from their children, Paul (Karen) – Emo, ON Andy and Helen DeBoer – Squamish, BC grandchildren & great-grandchildren Elisabeth (Steven) Van Hoffen – Burlington, ON Gerry and Rennie DeBoer – Prince George, BC Home address:1292 Glancaster Rd Dearly loved Opa of Lydia, Sophia, Zachary, Lucas, Caleb, …and many nieces and nephews. R.R.# 2 Katrina, Erica and Emma. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing Ancaster ON L9G 3L1 In memory of Melis, donations may be made to Shalom compared to the glory He will give us later.” Manor. Romans 8:18 Vacations & Cottages “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not Family ads and recently run job ads are Holiday accomodation in Holland so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a also posted on our website: with vehicle rentals and tours. place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, christiancourier.ca www.chestnutlane.nl I will come back and take you to be with me that you also Click on the Classifieds link. With thankful hearts we announce the may be where I am. You know the way to the place where 60th wedding anniversary of our parents, I am going.” John 14:1-4 Have an event? Send the information to grandparents and great-grandparents [email protected] and we will Correspondence: Lydia Koomans Willem and Madeleine deWinter 21 Governor`s Road, Grimsby, ON L3M 2Y3 post it on our website. (nee Koppenol) Their children: You are invited to the 9th annual Maranatha CRC of Bowmanville, Ontario, Charles & Ann deWinter – Gilford, ON Dutch Hymn Sing Rebecca at Westmount CRC, 405 Drury Lane, Strathroy, ON will celebrate 50 years of God's faithfulness Bill & Miriam deWinter– Vineland, ON on Wednesday, August 27, at 1:30 p.m. on September 13 & 14, 2014. Chris & Rachel, Nora – St Catharines, ON Former members and friends are invited to join us Darren & Amber – Calgary, AB You will have an opportunity to sing your favourites! for a special program and worship service. Cody & Courtney, Penny – Calgary, AB Come and join us! Bring your friends! For details contact the office at 905.623.2192; Gary & Gerda deWinter – Newmarket, ON For more information please contact Marianne Kingma at email: [email protected]; Ian & Holly, Owen – Newmarket, ON 519-245-0139 or [email protected] or visit maranathabowmanville.ca. Kevin, Zoey – Holland Landing, ON Clarence deWinter & Sue Collitz – Bond Head, ON Clean 2 & 3 bedroom Courtney – Aurora, ON self-catered cottages approximately 2014 Cassidy – Calgary, AB 90 minutes north of Toronto. Highlights of China Peru and Ingrid & Chris Wilkins – Orillia, ON and the Yangtze River the Inca Trail Aiden, Kiera, Ethan Starting at $755.00 weekly. Congratulations may be sent to: 705-756-2462 15 days $3850 12 days $4490 316-270 Hurst Dr, Barrie ON L4N 0Z3 www.hallscottages.com departure Oct. 18 departure Oct. 25 Incl. airfare, deluxe hotels, taxes, host and most meals. Single Suppl. $995 GOSPEL MUSIC CRUISE

 we invite you to join us on the Carnival Conquest, embarking out of Fort Lauderdale, Feb. 7-15, 2015  we sail to 4 amazing ports of call in the Caribbean: St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan & Grand Turk  great Southern Gospel concerts Festival istian Conce with the Chapelaires, plus Matt hr 25th Anniversary rt Martin, an award-winning Elvis C Tribute Artist and Pastor  an excellent opportunity for Ontario Christian Music Assembly spiritual and physical refreshment Leendert Kooij, Director Frisian Weekend  while supplies last, Inside Staterooms (Category 4B) are available for Special guests include: Saturday, the low price of $787 US per person Andre Knevel, Aug. 23 1:00 p.m. o price is based on double occupancy and includes the 8 night cruise, Adolfo De Santis port charges and taxes, and gratuities Liselotte Rokyta, Tillsonburg Fairgrounds o PLUS, each room that is booked with our group will receive an Beatrice Carpino, Frisian Horses onboard credit of $75 US, and a keepsake group photo Michael Ciufo Refreshments available. o other room categories are available at higher prices OCMA Vocal Quartet, Playground and swimming  travel arrangements are provided by Your Travel Your Way TPI Toronto Brass Quintet for the children. Hansen Trio o Direct Line: call Doug Watson at 519-854-7304 Contact Edna Salverda E-mail: [email protected] A variety of great Christian Music, inspiring gospel songs, exciting Choruses o 519-842-5684 Friday, November 7, 2014 - 7:30 p.m. th Frisian Service TPI Office: 4 Robert Speck Parkway, 15 Floor, Mississauga, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto Tickets: Sunday August 24 ON L4Z 1S1; Phone: 905-896-6948; ON Reg #1576226 Order tickets from: Ontario Christian Music Assembly $50.00 at Maranatha CRC in 90 Topcliff Ave, Downsview ON M3N 1L8 $40.00 Woodstock with $25.00 Phone: 416-636-9779 Email: [email protected] Pastor John Hellinga. PAGE 18 CHRISTIAN COURIER

Advertising

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 27 Dutch Service will be held in the Ancaster Christian Re- formed Church at 3:00 p.m. Rev. John Klomps will be preaching. Aug 23, 24 Friesian Weekend. Horse show at Tillsonburg Fair- grounds Aug. 23 at 1PM. Church service in Friesian at Maranatha CRC in Woodstock with Pastor J. Hellinga. Aug 27 Dutch Hymn Sing at Westmount Christian Reformed Church 42 1:30 p.m. Sept 13, 14 Maranatha CRC or Bowmanville, Ontario, will celebrate 170 50 years of God's faithfulness 270 Nov 7 Christian Festival Concert, Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. See ad. Where there’s a Will, there’s a way... Fred Hagen Broker To help your family AND benefit charity, Low Interest Rates? 905-648-4451 contact CSS for a free, confidential visit. Providing personal, professional Ever considered a charitable real estate service in the Hamilton area for over 35 years. GIFT ANNUITY? Email: Sex and Age Rate /amount Charitable receipt Tax Free Taxable [email protected] 1-800-267-8890 | [email protected] www.csservices.ca Male 70 5.97% $1,194 $5,791 $1,084 $110 www.fredhagen.ca Female 75 6.20% $1,240 $6,010 $1,202 $38 Amount based on sample of $20,000 Sample for joint life annuity (payable as long as either person is alive) Classifieds s 43 YEARS OF SERVICE s Male 75 & Your funds will be invested in Christian Reformed Church Female 75 5.59% $1,118 $4,889 $1,045 $73 DEADLINE Christian Courier is and Christian school building projects in Canada. published on the second and forth Call or fax for an explanatory brochure and/or confidential no-obligation quote. Mondays of the month. Deadline is Rates to September 30, 2014 13 days prior to publication date. We pay 2.75% on CRC deposits. SUBMITTING YOUR AD: Earn approx. 3.2% on RRSP/RRIF/TFSA e-mail – Write: Christian Reformed Extension Fund [email protected] “...serving Christian Mail: 2 Aiken St. Reformed churches 45 Harriet St, Toronto ON M4L 2G1 St. Catharines ON L2N 1V8 and Christian schools Email: [email protected] Phone: 416-410-4244 I Fax: 416-465-6367 I www.linkcharity.ca Online: christiancourier.ca since 1970" Call: 416-461-1207 Fax: 416-465-6367 1-800-387-8146 I 45 Harriet St, TORONTO, ON M4L 2G1

GARY VAN EYK, CMA RAMAKER'S IMPORTS INC. Certified Management Accountant AKKER Business & Service We specialize in B Directory DUTCH FOOD / CHEESE / CHOCOLATE / BARRISTER & SOLICITOR 50 Lakeport Rd. Ste 201 TEXTILES & GIFTS 1 Keefer Road St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 6K4 Our directory ads are only $25. 579 Ontario St. Fax: 905-934-3344 St. Catharines Email: [email protected] Contact [email protected] St. Catharines ON L2N 4P7 Tel: East of Lock 1 - on site parking Ontario L2N 4N8 905-934-6454 We at Christian Courier appreciate Email: [email protected] 905-688-9352 all of our advertisers. Bus: 905-646-7331 Fx: 905-646-0951 E-mail: [email protected] Albert J Bakker MERRITT FUNERAL HOME R. HAALBOOM, Q.C. Hulse & English 287 Station St. Barrister Solicitor Notary Funeral Home Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 Richard Rijk Haalboom, Q.C., B.A., J.D 75 Church St. St. Catharines Serving Families 118 Wyndham St. N. Guelph for 4 Generations 905-684-6346 - 24 Hours 519-822-4690 Director: Thomas C Merritt 7 Duke St. West Ph: 519-579-2920 Ian H. Russell - Director Suite 304 Fax: 519-576-0471 760 Upper James St., Hamilton Holly Rousseau - Managing Director Fax 905-957-1371 Ph: 905-957-7031 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6N7 905-383-2981 Serving the community over150 years Website: merritt-fh.com E-mail: [email protected] For all your [email protected] MEESTER Serving Beamsville St Catharines > 905.646.0199 INSURANCE CENTRE Meester printing needs. and area since 1969 Beamsville > 905.563.7374 Insurance Centre Burlington > 905.643.6978

Home • Auto • Farm • Business • Life  Complete Collision Repairs o/b P.V.& V. Insurance Centre Ltd.  The Village Square 295 McNab St. N. Quality Refinishing Regional Rd 20, P.O. Box 299 Hamilton, ON Jerry Gerritsen 5529 Regional Rd. #81 L8L 1K5 Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 Alan Gerritsen Beamsville ON L0R 1B3 Tel: 905.957.2333 • Fax: 905.957.2599 www.dykstrabros.com 905.570.1119 Kathie & Brian Bezemer DYKSTRA BROS ROOFING LTD, R.R.#1 BEAMSVILLE ON L0R 1B1 Toll Free: 1.800.465.8256 Phone/Fax: 905-563-7702 JULY 28, 2014 PAGE 19

Classifieds

‘Do miracles still happen?’ . . . continued from p. 20 if you don’t subscribe to that un-Christian to the Father, “Not my will, but yours be ery and knowledge went up. But the great worldview and instead believe that God is done,” he was reminding us by his own ex- Christian leaders have always cautioned intimately involved in every second of the ample that this is our Father’s world and the us to follow Jesus rather than miracles. world’s history (yet veiled from our sinful restoring of creation is our Father’s prom- Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky and rebellious eyes), then miracles aren’t ise. Too often Christians lose faith because wrote that it’s not miracles that generate an interruption. Then they are only what their loved one didn’t get the miraculous faith but faith that generates miracles. So we call God’s deviation from his “normal” healing/job/relationship that everyone was we have a choice to make: who or what course of activity. praying for. But miracles are never a tool will we follow? M. Scott Peck says that we don’t often (or a magic wand) that we use to control the Albert Einstein put it another way, say- recognize miracles because our frame of universe according to our desires. Miracles ing that there are only two ways to live reference expects God to act too dramat- are always for God’s purposes. your life – as though nothing is a mir- ically. Rather than looking for the burning That’s why the miracles in the Gospels acle or as though everything is a miracle. bush, the parting of the sea or the voice are always about the restoring of creation. Without faith, there will always be enough from heaven, we should be grateful for the our God who continues creating each step Miracles are signs that God is repairing his evidence to disbelieve God’s presence or ordinary, day-to-day evidences of God’s of the way. And those times in history world – they are normal processes sped working in the world. With faith, every miraculous relationship with his hell-bent where miracles tend to be concentrated (the up, as St. Augustine said. Miracles don’t breath our sinful selves breathe before a creation. Similarly, the late Dallas Willard New Testament, the mission field, etc.) are happen according to our timeline. They’re holy and just God is a miracle of grace and said that sometimes we get caught up with the cutting edges where God’s redemptive always surprising. Miracles are the flashes divine patience. what God can do but we lose sight of what reign is advancing in new ways. of divine activity in the world. God actually has done. In North America, Rev. Mike Wagenman many have food instead of famine, law- ‘Not my will but yours’ Who or what will you follow? is Director of the Kuyper abiding neighbours instead of riots and war, A second lesson on miracles can be Charles Darwin wrote in his journal Centre at Western University hospitals and medicine instead of death by learned from Jesus praying in the garden that after being raised a Christian his belief in London, Ont. diarrhea. These are miraculous gifts from the night of his arrest. When Jesus prayed in miracles went down as scientific discov- (kuypercentre.ca).

Job Opportunities

Worship Coordinator (part-time)

Rehoboth Fellowship CRC in West Toronto, is seeking an experienced person to be our part-time worship coordinator (5-6 hours per week). We are looking for someone to encourage and in- is currently seeking a spire us to grow closer to God through our worship. Now Hiring DZ Drivers Responsibilities will focus on worship planning, creating weekly Ministry Coordinator services, organizing music and musicians and working alongside Part Time Year Round U.S. Runs Available our pastor and worship team. We Offer: Paid Straight Time, Team Driving, Sundays Home! Mountainview Christian Reformed Church is We Require: Experience or Certified Training, Clean Abstract, dedicated to biblical teaching, compassionate For further information, Cross Border Clearance, Manual Transmission Skills. stewardship, and community service. As an en- contact us at 416-622-9647 thusiastic community of believers, we seek to or email us at [email protected] Contact: [email protected] serve our Lord and Saviour by REACHING UP or phone 905-774-8044 ext. 4010 to God in worship, REACHING IN to disciple, www.rosaflora.com and REACHING OUT to the community with Come Grow With Us! God's love. To assist us in reaching these goals we are currently looking for a Ministry Coordinator. The opportunity will suit a Christian leader who has extensive administrative experience. The successful candidate will have the ap- propriate combination of a passion for ministry, leadership skills, interpersonal skills and an Graceview Enterprises, is seeking a motivated and accomplished set of administrative skills. An committed individual to fill the position of Safety Co- enabling style and a people orientation will as- ordinator. We specialise in the construction of sist this person in fulfilling the responsibilities of institutional projects: churches, schools, community the position. Graceview Enterprises, is seeking a motivated and centres, etc in the London, Woodstock, and St. Thomas More information about the opportunity can area. Job Requirements would include leading weekly committed individual to fill the position of Site be found in the Job Summary posted at toolbox talks and monthly Health and Safety (H&S) Supervisor. We specialise in the construction of www.mountainviewcrc.org/ministrycoordina- Meetings at each job-site, job-site inspections, institutional projects: churches, schools, community torsearch. Applications for the position are to maintenance and updating of H&S Program, purchasing centres, etc in the London, Woodstock, and St. Thomas include a letter of interest and curriculum vitae. of H&S Supplies. Maintaining good standing with industry area. Job Requirements would include supervision of sub trades and own forces, commitment to health and safety, Nominations for the position are also welcome associated programs (i.e. IHSA – Safety Group, IHSA – and should address the candidate’s suitability. COR) carpentry, layout, co-ordination and scheduling of work. Kindly direct applications and nominations in confidence to: email to [email protected] / Fax Resume to 519-269-3574 Fax Resume to 519-269-3574 / email to [email protected] or mail to: or mail to: Ministry Coordinator Search Graceview Enterprises Inc. Graceview Enterprises Inc. Sue Kikkert, Human Resources Team R.R. #1 (50432 Yorke Line) R.R. #1 (50432 Yorke Line) 290 Main Street East Belmont, ON N0L 1B0 Belmont, ON N0L 1B0 Grimsby, ON, L3M 1P8 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.graceview.com Email: [email protected] Website: www.graceview.com

From VISION… PAGE 20 CHRISTIAN COURIER From VISION… …to REALITY Feature …to REALITY Redemptive windows

Welcome to a new series in Christian Courier! We asked you, our readers, to send us tough questions Our vision of a Christian retirement community about faith. Why? Because the new atheism is forcing Christians to give evidence for what we believe. withinOur vision York of Region a Christian is now retirement becoming community a reality. Because our neighbours and our kids have tough questions and we can’t rely on pat answers. Because we Constructionwithin York Region is anticipated is now becoming to start soon a reality. and may be faithful-but-doubting ourselves. anConstruction excellent choice is anticipated of suites to is startstill available.soon and Over the next seven months, we will be printing seven responses written exclusively for CC by Campus an excellent choice of suites is still available. Ministers in the Christian Reformed Church. Each minister chose a question from among the wide-ran- We expect suites will sell out once the ging and provocative ones sent in by CC readers. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question. Keep buildingWe expect process suites commences.will sell out once the your eyes on this space to see if yours has been picked. building process commences. It is my prayer that this series will help us all make use of “redemptive windows” – those everyday, We eagerly look forward to our Spring 2016 ordinary windows of witness. – Angela Reitsma Bick, Editor We eagerly look forward to our Spring 2016 anticipated occupancy. anticipated occupancy. Question 1: To become part of our exciting new community, Tocontact become us partat 905 of 591-3491our exciting or visitnew ourcommunity, website. ‘Do miracles still happen?’ See howcontact you too, us atcan 905 become 591-3491 part or of visit ‘The our Meadows’. website. See how you too, can become part of ‘The Meadows’. Mike Wagenman York Region Christian Senior Homes Inc. Reflection, debate and curiosity have always 15600York Leslie Region Street, Christian Aurora, Senior Ontario Homes L4G 7C4Inc. surrounded miracles. By definition, miracles are 15600 Leslie Street, Aurora, Ontario L4G 7C4 mysterious. They resist air-tight definition. Like www.themeadowsofaurora.com jello, they can’t be nailed down. meadows aurora Young adult author Lemony Snicket said that www.theinfo@themeadowsofauroraof .com 905 591-3491.com miracles are like meatballs because nobody can [email protected] 905 591-3491 exactly agree what they’re made of. He also said that miracles are like pimples, because once you start looking for them you find more than you ever dreamed you’d see. This is not the place to give a final answer on Hospitals and medicine are miraculous gifts from all the debates about miracles, if that were even God. But that's not the only way God works to possible. But three things are crucial to consider repair his world. . . when we ask whether miracles still happen. arm’s-length relationship with creation today and that the return of Jesus is just that – a “return” Creation continues from a place far, far away – then miracles as inter- Your perspective on miracles depends a lot ruptions in the ordinary course of the world are A Christian Seniors Lifestyle Community on your worldview. If you believe that God cre- always going to be a faith problem for you. But A Christian Seniors Lifestyle Community ated the world long ago in history, that he has an Continued on p.19

A Christian University in Hamilton, Ontario

I know the world can be transformed. Redeemer is helping me see that while I can’t do everything, through God’s grace, I am doing what I can do now to facilitate change locally and globally.

-Brent McCamon International Studies Major, Windsor, Ontario

ReAd mORe at MyRedeemer.ca/Brent