by Keith Blank and Felixa V. de Kunkle
We had the privilege of being a part of the annual assembly of the Evangelical Garifuna Mission (EGM) last week, March 6–8. EGM is a network of sixteen congregations spread across the US who are also a part of the LMC movement. This was our first time connecting in this way. We felt like we were a part of a large family reunion. For Felixa, it was like returning to her country of origin for a couple of days. Meals felt like eating in her mother’s or grandmother’s dining room. For Keith, it also felt like going home to a Spanish-speaking context like the village in Oaxaca, Mexico where he grew up. We were given a very warm and affectionate welcome!
We heard from several leaders throughout the time together, including Bishop Omar Guzman; one of the first Garifuna pastors in Honduras, Nilsa Solano; pastor Selmalie Jaime; and Keith as an LMC Bishop Elder also shared about how EGM is a key part of LMC as they model to us what movement really looks like. We experienced worship in both Spanish and Garifuna, times of meditation and prayer, and Holy Communion and foot washing.
Presentations and reports were shared from Evangelical Garifuna Mission (EGM), Women’s, Youth, and Finance ministries, and the Garifuna Community Services ministries. Felixa was impressed by the community services ministry because of all the work they do to help Garifuna people navigate legal issues, such as immigration. She also admired how they stay united as a nation, seeking to do the work Christ has placed in their hearts.
Keith was able to see this network of churches in action and was inspired in his work as a Bishop Elder in LMC. He was particularly impressed with their willingness to tackle difficult issues by calling all of us to integrity and a life that is led by the Spirit. God is on the move throughout LMC and this experience helped us to see this in a new way. Thank you to all of our brothers and sisters in EGM for hosting us and showing us what movement looks like!
Keith Blank serves as one of the Bishop Elders for LMC and as a Bishop for the Landisville-Manor District. He is co-vocational, working also as a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty. He was born in Mexico where his parents served as missionaries. Keith and his wife Brenda have been married for more than thirty-eight years and have three adult children and five grandchildren.
Felixa V. de Kunkle is LMC’s Office Administrator and Prayer Intercessor. Born in Honduras, she now resides in Lancaster with her husband Dean and son Ben. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and German. Her and her family enjoy hosting friends and family, travelling, cooking, reading, and having a good cup of coffee with friends. They attend Millersville Mennonite Church.