Global Glimpses
THAILAND
After a seven-month delay, MB Missions/Services missionaries to Thailand Fritz and Susi Peters left the USA on May 1 headed for Bangkok to begin their first term of service. The Peters were appointed in August 1995, but due to a lack of openings at the language learning centre at Lopburi, MBM/S decided their time would be better invested working with the Fresno (Calif.) Khmu MB Church. During their time in Fresno, their fourth child, Alexis Chantel was born on March 2. After approximately one year of language training, they hope to move near MBM/S missionaries Russell and Elizabeth Schmidt in northeast Thailand, working among the Khmu people. Several new groups of believers have emerged there in the past two years, and many villages are asking for a gospel witness. Fritz will strengthen leadership training efforts among Khmu and also work in assisting community development.
INDIA
At the 75th anniversary celebration of the Mennonite Brethren Bible Institute of Shamshabad, India, in March, leaders took note of the fact that over 1500 persons have been trained by the institute for pastoral and other ministry. Many former students returned to the campus for the event, and many former missionaries sent greetings from abroad. General Conference liaisons to India, Werner and Elsie Ann Kroeker, reported that, "It was touching to see aged men, some having served as pastors for more than 60 years, stand alongside this year's young graduates." A large number of women graduates stood and sang praise to God. Dr. R.S. Lemuel told the gathering how he especially appreciated the commemoration in view of the fact that he had graduated 25 years ago and his parents had graduated 50 years ago.
FRESNO
With incoming funds still lagging 7% to 8% behind last year as of March 31, Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services has frozen capital expenditures and has begun trimming $200,000 from its anticipated 1995-96 spending. Despite a strong appeal from MBM/S Board chair Neil Fast, which appeared earlier this year in the Herald, no actual gains in income occurred. MBM/S General Director Harold Ens also sent out a spring appeal letter to each home in the constituency, but response was relatively light. With tight spending controls and cuts in place, MBM/S still has a chance to close the fiscal year on May 31 without going into the red. However, the slowdown in giving--one of several over the past five years--leaves the mission with little room to advance the gospel beyond existing boundaries.
GUATEMALA
MBM/S missionary to Guatemala, Juan Martinez, received his Ph.D. in world mission from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif. in May, culminating nine years of part-time research and writing. His research focussed on Protestant Hispanic church planting in the United States. For the past four years, Martinez has served as the rector of the Anabaptist Seminary of Latin America (SEMILLA), which serves a community of 450 Mennonite churches in Central America, Mexico and Cuba, offering a B.A. in biblical theology as well as a diploma for basic studies. To qualify for a degree program, an applicant must have served in pastoral ministry for five years and have two years of Bible Institute training. During Juan's tenure, the number of students seeking the B.A. degree has increased from 80 to 125, and he is aiming for 200 by AD 2000. A core of about 15 faculty provides the bulk of the instruction in 31 required courses and nine electives. Martinez hopes to start a Bible institute in Cuba, where he visits regularly without much restriction. A dedicated group of recently converted medical students, won through the influence of a young neurologist who is a pastor's son, could form the nucleus of the trainees.
Return to the M.B. Herald Vol. 35, No. 13
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