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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #474)
Women in Missions
by Rosalie Kent (from Issue #474)
Flexible, dedicated, compassionate ... whether energetically out-going or
quietly in the background, NCEM women are using their God-given gifts and
abilities in reaching Canada's First Nations.
And every situation has its unique set of challenges and blessings...
 When Joanna
married David Bouck in 1995, she had already served with NCEM for eight years in
Prince Albert and Winnipeg. Having grown up on a farm, the isolation of northern
Canada does not bother her. She describes
the people as very friendly and welcoming, and says she feels quite at home, though she admits,
"Maybe it's partly because this is the
only home David and I have had together."
With one-way airfare from Montreal costing approximately $1400, travelling in
and out often isn't an option. The Boucks count only on yearly visits from
Field Directors, Phil and Grace Welch, and pilot Allan Giesbrecht. They have,
however, flown out each summer for a few weeks.
December's darkness is hard on Joanna. "My first December here I was
shocked when the sun set at 2 p.m." Mix in the extreme cold and it becomes a
good month to hibernate! Although far from family, Christmas is "okay" with
lots of community games during that week to take part in. When she does feel the
need for some "down south" encouragement, there is always the phone and
e-mail.
Last fall Joanna started teaching Creation to Christ (Firm Foundations
curriculum) two days a week to children K to Grade 4 at the local school. At
least that was the plan. A late start and the loss
of some teaching days since Christmas has put her behind in her goal for the
year.
Besides visiting the ladies, Joanna helps with weekly Bible studies that
David teaches. Teaching the truth of the Word of God is often a huge challenge
in most northern communities. Frustration and disappointment take their toll.
The biggest difficulty for the Boucks is the false teaching that comes in from
outside the community.
People go to the meetings out of curiosity and after the emotionalism dies
down, confusion sets in. Joanna believes that discernment is very much needed
and says, "We are thankful that some are exercising it." In spite of
setbacks in their ministry, she is encouraged. "The greatest blessing is to
see faces light up when people understand the truths of the Bible for the first
time, or in a deeper way."
 Missionary moms are always on call. The pressures of balancing family demands
and personal quiet-times with urgent ministry needs, along with cultural
differences, can be daunting.
Ulli and George Hertwig have served with NCEM since 1983. Three of their four
children were born during their five years in the Northwest Territories. That gave Ulli much in common with most of the women.
"Having babies made it easy to start conversations and gave us good
language learning material," Ulli relates. "Native moms taught me how to
make a baby swing and beaded baby moccasins. They liked that we took our babies
everywhere - family and hunting camps, boating and ski-dooing, wood-hauling,
visiting - and I gained a better understanding of other mothers and their
children."
While the children are a definite asset to their ministry, there were also
challenges. Ulli's pregnancies took their toll physically. "I found it very
hard to go on our outreach trips, to set up and cook for our special seasonal
feasts, or even to visit. Regular activities, visitors and Sunday services in
our home all resumed as soon as I got home with each new baby, giving us very
little private family time.
Sometimes the drunkenness and violence encountered by missionaries can affect
their children. Ulli says that these frightening experiences caused one son to
have panic attacks. Also, she notes that in the more isolated places, MKs often
miss out on fun activities found in larger centres, as well as regular visits
with grandparents and other relatives.
Their fourth child was born in 1990, around the time the Hertwigs moved to
serve in Alberta. Until 1997 Ulli home-schooled - a choice that some other missionary parents
also have made - and the children took part in all aspects of their parents'
ministry. They now attend a Christian school and the oldest is in a public high
school. Although they don't always accompany their parents on ministry visits
now, Ulli says, "They still show a real interest in and concern for Native
people and our ministry to them."
Over the years Ulli has also been involved in counselling, discipling
believers, and lots of camp work alongside George, mainly cooking and supply
support. "Our children love to join in and have been a great help with
counselling, praying and just being friends. "People have told me," she
says, "that our kids provide a great role model for their children."
 Children do eventually leave home, freeing up moms for more concentrated
ministry opportunities. For over 35 years Cathy Hill has faithfully served
alongside her husband, Carroll, and raised their children while ministering on
reserves in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. From 1988-1995 she served
as NCEM's Candidate-Secretary and Office Manager.
"Carroll and I worked together as a team and he took his turn at watching
the children to free me for ministry," reflects Cathy. "It's a partnership
and I think every couple should sit down and plan what they can do to enhance
the other's ministry, and still not neglect the children ... I feel that any
mother can have a fruitful ministry both in and outside the home if she has a
husband who does what he can to help make it possible. She needs to use her
spiritual gifts -- which I'm sure are different from her husband's -- to do
that which he might not be able to do."
Now, with the responsibilities of raising children and Mission administration
behind her, Cathy has found an exciting and fulfilling ministry to the ladies on
their station in Manitoba.
Each Wednesday night up to a dozen ladies have been meeting for Bible study. "This has been one of the most rewarding ministries I've ever had," she
says. "It is such a pleasure to teach these ladies and grow in our Christian
walk together."
With many new converts, Cathy has an active phone and counselling ministry.
She also teaches a children's Sunday school class and helps with the Friday
night youth group.
The seed planted by other missionaries over the years has made their
community a great
place to minister. "We have seen a hunger for the Word here and it is exciting
to teach those who want to learn. It is not unusual to hear someone say, 'I
don't know where I would be today if you and Pastor Hill had not come.'
Those are encouraging words!"
Is there a down side for Cathy? "The only difficulty about ministering
here," she says, "is that we are so far from our children and grandchildren."
 Ardys Winger is another empty-nester. She has served with her husband, Gary,
since 1983 in northern Saskatchewan and northern Quebec, and now as
Central-Field Directors. Although they live in Prince Albert, they are more
often visiting missionaries somewhere in Saskatchewan, Manitoba or northwestern
Ontario. When at home, they stay in touch with the workers by phone and e-mail.
"I really enjoy visiting the ladies, helping in the kitchen and with their
children, going for walks, or going with them as they visit the village women,"
says Ardys. "When they need a listening ear, ask questions, or request prayer
for specific needs ... I try to encourage them. Many times I can identify with
their joys and struggles, as I recall my years as a missionary wife and mother.
I often pray for them as we travel."
Ardys has a special interest in MKs. "Our children had the privilege of
growing up in another culture with its unique challenges and opportunities. It
was interesting to see how God used the joys and struggles to work in their
lives - and ours. God is giving me the desire to pray more for our MKs and for
missionary families, as they seek to live for Christ."
For Ardys, encouragement is a two-way street. "I was asked to share at a
Bible study on one visit where I met some new believers. It was exciting to see
so many eager to study God's Word, pray together, and share how God was
working in their lives. I thank God for the privilege of serving Him and the
missionaries, and for what He is teaching me through these experiences, and
through study of His Word."
 If missionary moms and wives can relate better to the family issues of Native
women, is being single in ministry a disadvantage? "It depends on the needs of
the people," says Vikki Lukasewich who, along with her ministry partner Doris
Erickson, have been with NCEM since 1981.
The two became close friends as roommates during three years of Bible school
and found themselves teamed up for five weeks of summer ministry after
graduation. "It is true I am single," explains Vikki, "but not alone. God
has blessed me with Doris - a unique friend and co-worker. We can pray together
and share ideas, workload, fun times, and expenses."
Vikki also feels that being effective in ministry has more to do with
relating one-on-one and taking the time to really listen. "Being single helps
me to be dependent on the Lord -- Philippians 4:10 is a great encouragement."
Vikki and Doris worked their first seven years in the Yukon. For Vikki, it was an adjustment to move from a structured task-oriented
job in Edmonton to semi-isolated villages where she was basically in
charge of her own day. It was a challenge to work among people who wondered why
she was there and when she was going to leave.
In 1988 Vikki and Doris faced a big change in ministry. They moved to BC, to a city of 65,000 with 17 nearby reserves. Sunday evening
services, Monday and Wednesday night Bible studies and visitation keeps them
busy. It is hard making inroads to the Native community because so many are
involved in Native religion and caught up in addictions.
However, Vikki says, "We have a small group of believers that are committed
to the Lord, whose prayer and desire is to witness." Having worked in both
village and urban areas, Vikki believes it is easier - and more personal -
getting to really know people in a village. "We may feel isolated because we
are away from things," she explains, "but in the city it is more an
isolation of individuals.
"It is in this setting that our hope and prayer is to meet people, build
relationships with a desire and opportunity to lead them to Christ."
+ + + + + + + + +
Flounder, Float or S.W.I.M.?
Strengthening Women in Ministry
by Rosalie Kent
 Whether
single or married, ministry is often tough for women, and it can sometimes be a
daily struggle to just stay afloat. Recognizing this, Bonnie Knight, wife of
NCEM General Director, Philip Knight, responded to the Lord's nudging to do
something to encourage NCEM ladies in their ministries.
"I had often thought there was still a need for someone to encourage the
ladies in ministry - both on the fields and in departments," she says. "I,
too, have experienced the need for another woman's listening ear and words of
encouragement while on the field and even in the home office."
About three years ago Bonnie heard Paula Cowan, a missionary with NAIM, talk
of her assignment as encourager to her fellow missionaries. It fostered Bonnie's
desire to carry on the same kind of ministry to NCEM's ladies.
With the number of ladies there are in the Mission, the task is not easy and
Bonnie admits, "This type of ministry is not my natural inclination so it is a
matter of trusting the Lord to enable me to do it.
"But as Paula put it, 'We want to encourage healthy priorities for family
and ministry and keep these women and their husbands effective in the work.'
My aim is that we '...encourage each other and edify one another' " (from
1 Thess. 5).
With assistance from Field Funds, Bonnie has bought Christian women's
magazine subscriptions for the ladies. Special occasion cards and notes, message
tapes, and "just because" gifts have also been well received. Her newsletter
Strengthening Women in Ministry (S.W.I.M.) contains household tips, simple craft
ideas, book reviews, etc., along with lots of encouraging words.
Bonnie has been greatly encouraged by the response from the ladies. "One
missionary wife hugged me and tearfully said, 'I've never received a letter
of encouragement from a fellow missionary before. Thank you. It means so much.' "
If you would like to know how you can participate in this ministry of
encouragement, phone or send your enquiries to Bonnie at NCEM's mail or e-mail
address.
 Rosalie
Kent serves at NCEM's Headquarters
in Prince Albert. Rosalie is the Mission's bookkeeper, but took time from her
work with numbers to write the 2,224 words in this article.
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