Our Life Together Vol. 3 Nr 28 July 15, 1975, Part 1

Ken sets forth one of the basic differences that were discussed in the Settler/Pioneer Theology; sin is wanting to turn back. Ken was a very gentle person. Even though many from outside pictured him as domineering, this was not his manner at all. He did, however, call everyone to a life of total commitment. He was totally committed to the life in Christ, as seen in our community. He expected us to be just as committed.

He states that once we have tasted this life we are never satisfied with any less. I think that this is true. I no longer live in a community household, but I look for deeper relationships. I cultivate this in my personal life and in the life of my church. I guess I even still live in a sort of community since Linda and I live with my daughter, her husband, my three grandchildren and two extra teenagers. Some people say, "Wow, how do you do it?" I doesn't even seem strange to me. I love it. Ken was right.
Larry and Bud discuss their visit to Marion, Kansas. They had a great ministry time with the community there as well as with some of the officials of Tabor College, located in the same town. Kevin Cope was also along on this trip and made quite a few comments on Facebook. Kevin was our main musician. He continued to fill that capacity (and much more) until the early 80s. He now is the worship leader at a Lutheran Church in Oregon (he is also an ordained American Baptist Pastor).

Larry also mentions Helen Fast. She had been a Mennonite missionary to Zaire. Then she came to live in our community (she lived in Westby house while my family was there). She was also a Canadian. We liked to joke that she was a Canadian Mennonite missionary to our community. Helen had a beautiful voice and she and I were on some of our traveling teams later on. When I would speak I would always start with, "What does a Mennonite Missionary Nurse have in common with a LCDR in the US Navy?" Of course, then I would go on and discuss the Lord and how we live in community.

My team also ministered in Marion Kansas later in 1979.

This second article by Ken discusses one his experiences on the trip. This was also an important belief of his; not believing is choice that we make. We can chose to believe or not to believe.

Penni Wilson (now Penni Neely) was new to our church at this point. Later she became the director of our Pre-School. I (along with Dan Stolebarger) had the privilege of officiating at her marriage ceremony. She and Dale have been married over 25 years and still live in the Chula Vista area.

I have to also mention the neat little graphic. I loved our artwork.