MCC LGM July 2012 Newsletter.pdf - Mennonite Central Committee ...

MCC LOW GERMAN NEWSLETTER
Volume 6, Number 16, March 27, 2012
MCC Canada, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, Man. R3T
5K9
Compiled by John Janzen, LGM Coordinator
(johnjanzen@mennonitecc.ca)
Ph. 204-261-6381
“Do all the good you can. By all the means
you can. In all the ways you can. In all the
places you can. At all the times you can.
To all the people you can. As long as ever
you can.” - John Wesley.
June 2012 Low German Program Networking @
CMU in Winnipeg
very full but meaningful day. Thank you to
ALL the participants and helpers!
The remaining days were spent with
presentations, touring the Mennonite Heritage
Centre, examining the challenges and
opportunities for
the Low German
Program, engaging
in round table
discussions,
informal visiting,
sharing stories and
insights, surrounded
by great coffee breaks, local entertainment and
delicious meals. This year we were privileged to
have the MCC country reps from both Bolivia
and Mexico, Cesar and Lizette Flores Mranda
and Ricardo Torres and Marion Meyer
respectively, present to share their vision and
connect with the Low German staff and
constituency.
The following pictures illustrate the many
faces, voices and places encountered during the
Low German Networking meetings.
2012 LOW GERMAN NETWORKING
PHOTO GALLERY
From June 6-9 some 64 individuals from
Bolivia, Mexico and Canada participated in the
Low German Networking meetings held at the
Canadian
Mennonite
University
campus.
The group
toured parts of
the East and
West Reserves
including the
original
Red/Rat River
landing of the
first
Mennonites to
Manitoba, the
Mennonite
Heritage Museum in Steinbach, a drive
through some Mennonite villages in the East
and West Reserves,
a stop at the Eden
Mental Health
Centre, concluding
with a delicious
Mexican meal in
Winkler. It was a
Peter Zacharias, bus tour leader with 43 day sightseers.
Presenters: Dave Penner, John Friesen, Peter Hiebert
Presenters: Royden Loewen, Isaak Klassen, Leonard Doell
and Dick Braun
Entertainment: Hank and Anne Neufeld, Keenagers’
Quartet
Presenters: George Epp, Tina Fehr-Kehler, Peter Enns

Parts of Mexico face what some are calling the worst
drought in 70 years. Crop yields last year were below
normal and many farmers in the colony have already
sold their cattle to generate income. Farmers that still
have livestock must pay high prices for feed.
Visits to Steinbach Museum and Carl Zacharias’ yard,
Reinland.
Sharing good times together
Drought Durango Update: MCC extends food
distribution in Mexico
More than 1,000 families in Durango State, Mexico,
are now
receiving
food and
blankets, as
part of
MCC’s
response to
widespread
drought.
MCC is working with Servicios Integrales
Menonitas, on the distribution in both Durango
Colony and Durango State. Servicios Integrales
Menonitas is MCC’s agency for the Low German
Program in Mexico. The projects will cost $105,000.
Donations are invited. Cheques should be made
out to Mennonite Central Committee and
designated Mexico Drought. They can be mailed
to your nearest MCC office. Contributions can
also be made by calling your nearest MCC office
in Canada at 1-888-622-6337.
Additional Note: Everyone in Durango Colony is
very thankful that the July rains have now come
and seeding is taking place that will hopefully
alleviate the severe drought by the end of
September when the new crop is anticipated. This is
the time for us to help our brothers and sisters in
Durango through this most difficult time. Thank
you so much for the help you have provided and
will provide in the next weeks!
MCCC staff
planning for
Durango drought assistance with some members of the Durango Colony.
Packets containing beans, rice, oil, corn, lentils,
noodles and sugar will be distributed to families in
the villages and hills in the Nuevo Ideal area.
Families will also receive canned meat and MCC
blankets.
This assistance is in addition to projects already
underway for residents of the Low German-speaking
Durango Colony. It was established 130 kilometres
northwest of the city of Durango in 1924 by Old
Colony Mennonites coming from Canada.
About 250 households in Durango Colony are
receiving food packages. Sixty-four families are
receiving cattle feed to help maintain their herds. In
addition, 47 families will be provided with seeds so
they can plant a crop.
MCC distributing a food packet in Durango Colony.
Forest Hill Christian School in Texas requests
the services of a teaching principal for their Old
Colony School of 32 students for the school year
scheduled to begin at the end of August. The teaching
principal will teach the upper class of 4 students and
supervise the other staff and students. Accommodation
is provided by the school board. For more details and
information contact the Chairman of the Board, Jasch
Doerksen, at 903-783-9181 after 5 pm or John Janzen
at 204-261-6381 during MCC office hours.

MCC Canada Positions in the Low
German Program
Within the next year MCC Canada will
need Voluntary Service Program
Directors and Managers for the work
in northern Mexico.
For this fall MCC Canada needs Low German
Program Directors in Cuauhtémoc Mexico. This
position would best be filled by a couple with a strong
personal commitment to Christ, the capacity to work with
conservative Mennonites, ideally able to speak
Low German, English and Spanish, and willing
to relocate to Cuauhtémoc, Mexico for a three
year term.
More information is available directly from John
Janzen, MCCC Low German Coordinator, Ph 204-
261- 6381 or email johnjanzen@mennonitecc.ca. A
complete posting is available at
www.mcc.org/serve/positions. Enter Mexico for
the specific listing.
Qualifications:
Strong personal commitment to Christ and a
willingness to work within a conservative Mennonite
setting.
Ability to listen and to give counsel when asked.
Able to integrate North American and Mexican
views of change and development.
Administrative and leadership skills including an
ability to initiate programs and to communicate
effectively.
A compassionate understanding of the Low
German Mennonites and a willingness to work
closely with people of a wide spectrum of beliefs.
To be non-judgmental and willing to adjust life
style to work effectively with the Low German
Mennonites.
Willingness to travel extensively among the
Mennonite communities in Mexico.
Ability to communicate in Low German and High
German, speak some Spanish, and be fluent in
English. Language training prior to beginning the
assignment is available.
Organizational skills and the ability to work
effectively with other MCC workers involved in the
program yet without close supervision.
Ability to provide leadership and support to other
MCC workers in the program and a willingness to
host visitors.
Assignment Description:
The person assigned to this position would report
directly to the Low German Program Coordinator in
MCC Canada and would be responsible for
implementing and helping to reshape or adjust the
program outlined below.
The Program Director will be expected to guide
and supervise the work of the MCC personnel
working with the Low German Mennonite
communities in Cuauhtémoc, Casas Grandes,
Durango and La Honda, both full and part time,
and to connect with other colonies in Campeche.
The person in this position is expected to
implement the broad goals and objectives of the
Low German Program for this region. These goals
and objectives are:
Assist the Low German-speaking Mennonite
communities in Mexico in their efforts to become
healthy, literate and viable communities.
Encourage and assist the colonists to preserve
their faith and to rejuvenate their Anabaptist
heritage.
Encourage the exchange of ideas in the area of
education, religion and civic affairs helpful to the
development of viable communities.
Ability to assess and prioritize needs, and to
develop programs which will be helpful to colonists
in the areas of education, spiritual life, economic
and social development, and health. Programs are
developed with the Low German Mennonites in a
manner that will not alienate any significant
segments of the Mennonite communities in
Mexico.
I look forward to talking with any leads I get
so that the good work that has begun can
continue. Volunteer to come to Mexico or
suggest someone that could be that helping
hand for our brothers and sisters in Mexico.
John Janzen, Low German Coordinator Ph
204-261-6381.