BEIT JALA, West Bank — Say the word “Mennonite” here and the first thing many people think of is eggs. At least 2,000 “Mennonite eggs” a day are produced at an open-sided chicken barn on the campus of Hope Secondary School and distributed to restaurants, grocery stores and school cafeterias in the area.
Since the Syrian war began five years ago in March, Mennonite Central Committee has spent about $34.6 million to relieve the suffering of Syrians, Iraqis and people in neighboring countries who have been impacted by violence. It is the organization’s largest response ever.
WINNIPEG, Man. — Though Yhya Al Kurdi doesn’t know much English yet, he enthusiasically says, “Hello, hello, hello!” to visitors to his apartment. It has been a long time since he has had a safe home to invite anyone into.
NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Robert S. Kreider, an educator and historian who championed causes of peace, service and cooperation through Anabaptist engagement with the world, died Dec. 27. He was 96. Driven by limitless curiosity and optimism, Kreider’s life spanned Civilian Public Service leadership as a conscientious objector during World War II, postwar relief leadership for Mennonite Central Committee in Europe, the presidency of Bluffton (Ohio) College and diverse historical interests that included a successful inter-Mennonite effort to acquire 300-year-old Martyrs Mirror printing plates.
