A History of the Mennonite Brethren Church, Ja Toews

established on all stations. Because of the problems of transportation, children received board and room in "hostels" on the mission compounds. In addition to reading and writing, children learned gardening, housekeeping, sewing and the like, and became part of the church life of the community. In addition to the elementary schools, other schools were established to meet growing educational needs. By 1950 the primary schools were enrolling 2000 pupils, the middle schools 900, and the high schools 200. These schools proved to be a great asset in building the indigenous church. To meet the need for trained church workers a Bible school was established in 1920. In the early years the missionaries Pankratz and 404 HISTORY OF THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Bergthold were in charge of the school. From 1930 to 1945 it was continued at Shamshabad under the able leadership of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Lohrenz. One proof of the usefulness of the Bethany Bible School (as it is called now) is the fact that by 1950 it had trained some 400 workers for service in the churches and community. The medical work has kept pace with the schools in meeting urgent needs. India has to cope with leprosy, malaria, bubonic plague, cholera, typhoid, ulcers, parasites and a multitude of skin and eye diseases. Epidemics spread quickly among people already suffering from malnutrition. Hospitals and clinics were established at Wanaparty, Shamshabad, Deverakonda and Gadwal, but the facilities were inadequate to meet growing needs. The founding of the Jadcherla medical center in 1952 by Dr. Jake Friesen was an answer to a long- felt need. The ministry of missionary doctors and nurses to inpatients and outpatients has been an effective avenue of evangelism through the years." The production and distribution of Christian literature, and the proclamation of the "good news" by means of radio have also been important means in building the church and reaching the multitudes of India. Because of the general poverty of the people (mostly "untouchables" and people of low caste) who composed the membership of the M.B. Church in India, the work had to be heavily subsidized until recently by the Mennonite Brethren of North America. A ttaining Maturity Great and revolutionary changes have taken place in India since the country achieved independence in 1947. A rising nationalism and opposition to foreign influence have also affected the pattern of M.B. missionary involvement in India. In God's providence these winds of change have aided in the indigenization of the M.B. Church in that country. The mission station pattern has given way to a church-centered ministry. Mission property has been transferred to the national church as rapidly as possible and advisable. The administration of churches, schools, and hospitals was turned over to national church leaders. Although the new and larger financial responsibilities appeared to be beyond the