Hide Article Text (OCR)
Epps Will Return toReligious Leader Shapes Christians Of Heathen FolkShaping Christians out of heathens is a full-time job for Rev. and Mrs Eldo Epp who have dedicated the greater part of their adult life to ^he missionary field in Belgian Congo.R**verend Epp, who is the son of Mr and Mrs. P. C. Epp of Shaffer, is visiting his American home again, but plans on returning to the f)ark Continent again in August after terminating a year-long furlough, his aecond in 13 years of service in Africa, in this coun • ry.A down-to-earth missionary* fleverend Epp is not too concerned about the uprising of the blacks in Africa so much as .the effect that the rebellion might ‘have had on the missionary work in his field. J-fe attributes the uprisings to the CommunistsHome to Reverend Epp. his wife and their four children is a spot called Rlukwa Station in the Bel-gian Congo It is located comparatively near I.akr Albert and stands about 65(H) feel above sea level.Tem|M-rate ClimateOf temperate climate, the area is located about on* the -Ecuador and thr* seasons are chalked off by wet and dry periods, rather than spring, summer, fall and winter.Reverend Epp and his w ife, who arc homesick for their- African work, hegan their dedicated mission in life on the same assignment.Epp, who began his religious faith in Shaffer, and Verna Paulsen. who came from Rlooming Prairie, Minn., joined the Africa Inland Mission and found themselves sailing from New- York on Mar. 2, 1938, on the same boat.They were part of a group of missionaries hound for the darkest corners of the Dark Continent. The future Mrs. Epp, who was assigned to girls’ work and the medical dis|xnsary. was stationed at least 200 miles from her husband-to-be.However, in August, 1939, the distance between the couple was eliminated when they were married at Arna, West Nile district of Uganda. During the follow ing seven years, three children were hornRev. and Mrs. Eldo Epp and their children — Anna Marie, Peter, Lois andin l§26 and Bakersfield High School in 1930, Reverend Epp went on to the Bible Institute of Los ; Angeles for his religious training.He credits his initial calling to the inspiration generated by his early Sunday School teacher. G. G. Siemens, one of the pioneer growers of the Maple-Shafter area and who today is one of the loaders of the Shaffer Mennonite Brethren Church.Primary Target In Africa. Reverend Epp’s work is interdominational and the primary target is “to win them (thenatives! for Christ.His w’orkAfrica was a long way from Epp s home in Shaftet, but he said he felt the desire to enter the missionary field in that continent after' hearing other religious teachers dr scribe the need for dedicated Workers among the tribes of that distant land. He was sparked, too. by the need for missionaries in Africa in the books and magazines he read about the field.Rev. Epp could easily have taken « congregation in America, for in 3937 he was ordained in the Mennonite Brethren Church, but as a minister of the gospel for the mission field. His route, like his calling. had been pre-ordainedA graduate of Richland Schoolis inspired by the Scripture passage in The Acts, 26th chapter, 18th verse, which reads:“To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satin unto God . . His tribe, the Walendus. are pastoral by nature, being*agriculturally inclined except for those tribesmen who work in the nearby mines or are attached to the coffee plantationsReverend Epp's job is primarily that of overseeing the native evangelists who have scon and practice the light ataC directing their individual program*The missionary’s job is a primary function, apparently, for in guiding the natives toward a life with Lord” they utilize indirection. They teach the natives basic rudiments in education and attempt to show, by example, the proper way of life.Reach Natives By the simple expedient of teaching the natives, the missionaries feci they are accomplishing a great deal, for it is only though education are they able to reach ! them spiritually. ,In the early phases of village religious work, the believers, usually led by a native evangelist who has been trained by the missionary j workers, build a small mud chapel, i Eventually, pride and the basic bc-| lief in Christianity changes the mud chapel into a regular church also handmadqffEven, the Epp'» homo is a handmade model. The very bricks that went into the three-bedroom house are handmade. The bathtub was shaped from a hollowed log.Living accommodations. Reverend Epp admits, are rugged, but the white families living- in the Congo make the most of it. 'f'hc Epps obtain the water they use lrom a natural spring, they utilize a cesspool to advantage and they grow their own vegetables.But their work keeps them going. The older children, Lois, 13; Peter, 11. and Anna Marie, 9, attend a missionary school some 60 miles from Blukwa Station. The youngest boy. Timothy. 4, will be going to school soon tooBefore returning to Africa, the missionaries will travel to Illinois to visit with Mrs. Epps’ friends and family. They will embark for “home'' again in August.(EDITOR’S NOTE — This Is the first of two articles on the Rev. Waldo Epp family and Its missionary experiences la Africa.)Second Spot Battle LoomsBennett’s Cafe held a tight grip on the second place spot in the Major league bowling tournament at ttie—spommafTs Ait^y last Thursday night.Bennett’s took 2 games to 1 over the Richfield Oil Co. team, which dominates the league spotlight, while third place Barnett's Used Cars was pushing Sportsman’s Cafe out of competition 3 to 0.With a score of 2622, Bennett's polished off the three-game scries, taking the singleton with 924 pins. Individually, Gordon Bennett and Harry Mayes shared the three game series with 564 points each.With 247 points, A1 Hagenston took the individual game.More About . . .Richland
Newspaper Details
Shafter Press
Shafter, California, US
Thu, Mar 19, 1953
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 15 Mar 2025
Other Publications Near Shafter, California
Shafter Progress
Shafter Press
