Spring 2001 Facing Bench

A Friend's Perspective on the Earthquakes in El Salvador

Rusty Savage joined 17 North Americans working with Friends Disaster Service as they traveled to El Salvador in April to help rebuild a Friends Church.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat...A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quite, be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!”

A furious squall recently broke over the boat in the small Central American country of El Salvador. On January 13, 2001, an earthquake shook the nation. Exactly one month later on February 13, 2001, another, more deadly earthquake struck, killing an estimated 1,500 people and leaving literally thousands of others homeless. On my recent trip to El Salvador I witnessed the devastation that this terrible disaster brought. I saw tent cities with hundreds of homeless families trying to survive the rainy season. I viewed homes and churches destroyed, streets and roads ruined, and bridges collapsed.

When I saw these things my reaction was not too different than that of the disciples. Jesus seemed to be asleep. My heart and head were crying, “Teacher, don’t you care what happens to these people.” His answer came from the Salvadoran pastor of Maccaraena Friends Church. ( I won’t attempt to spell his name correctly.) With the help of a translator I had the opportunity to talk to this pastor. He began to tell me about his church. He recounted earlier days when his family was joined by only a handful of other parishioners on Sunday morning. So they began to pray. As they prayed God sent revival and soon their small church was not big enough to hold all of the new believers. So this pastor asked his congregation to knock down the back wall of their church and make the building larger. The money needed to do it was simply not there, however. So they began to pray. As they prayed, two of the worst earthquakes in El Salvador’s history rocked the nation, destroying the church. With a smile the pastor looked at me and said, “God did not knock just one wall down...He knocked all four down.” And today, with the help of North American Evangelical Friends, the Christians in Maccaraena are getting a larger church (Which they will need to fit the nearly 40 new believers that have come to Christ since the quakes!)

My Salvadoran brother taught me a great lesson about faith that day. All I saw and heard were the winds and the waves crashing against the boat. All he heard was the voice of Jesus saying, “Quiet, be still.” Did God send an earthquake to knock down a church building? No, I don’t believe so. Can God take something so terrible and turn it around for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose? Absolutely!

I took a picture while I was in El Salvador of an entire block that had been demolished by the earthquakes. When I got the picture developed, I noticed one building in the background standing high above the rubble; the cross of Christ extending straight into the air from its steeple. Amongst the destruction stands a church. Amongst the grief stands a hope that cannot be destroyed by any storm. Next time I go through the storms of life I will remember that pastor and his church. Won’t you, too?

Submitted by Rusty Savage,Youth Pastor,
Winona Friends Church, Winona, Ohio.

Camp Gideon Banquet - A Time for Celebration

Camp Gideon’s Work Day ended with the dedication of the New Ampitheatre and a ground-breaking ceremony for the new pool.

May 19th began with committed workers cleaning up around the camp. Everyone was welcomed with coffee and donuts to get them started. “We had a really productive group,” explained Area Superintendent John Ryser. “They cleaned and mulched the trails, weeded the flower beds, finished work on our ropes course, readied the volleyball courts for summer activity and cleaned up around the camp. Knowing we can count on these faithful people who come out year after year to help prepare the camp for summer usage is a real blessing.”

After a day of productive work, everyone gathered for the Camp Gideon Banquet. The Banquet was especially fun as those attending were able to enjoy the new ampitheatre area for the first time. The Oakes Family team of Galen, Melinda, Joy and Nolan Oakes gave a glimpse of what they’ll be presenting during every Parent/Child Weekend Retreat as they sang and performed drama. The day concluded with a ground-breaking ceremony for the new pool.

Announcing Faith and Practice for the New Millennium

A newly revised edition of the Faith and Practice was completed this spring. We wish to thank the Discipline Committee: Connie Bancroft, Sherman Brantingham, Dane Ruff, and David Stall. They have worked very diligently to incorporate all the approved changes for the past five years. Charlie and Ida Mae Bancroft also helped regularly with careful proofing. A special thank you to Connie Bancroft, who has not only chaired the committee, but typed the entire revised version on computer and set up a new numbering system which will be a great aid to us as we use the Faith and Practice.

Because there are major changes in this edition, usage of the earlier editions will be severely limited. Therefore, it will be important that people who want to have a copy of Faith and Practice should have a copy of the 2000 Revision. Copies may be purchased for a reduced, introductory price of $3.30 per copy through The Lion and Lamb Bookstore in Salem, Ohio. To reach the bookstore, call 1-800-537-0269.