wfn.org | Four generations maintain ties

[BethAH <BethAH@mbm.org>]

May 16, 2001
Beth Hawn
Mennonite Board of Missions
(219) 294-7523
<NEWS@MBM.org>

Four generations of mission family maintain ties to India

ELKHART, Ind. (MBM) – The children of Lloy and Elizabeth Kniss
have a deep connection to their childhood in India.  These
connections provide opportunities for future generations to
return to India over the years to take part in the ministry their
forebears helped to develop.

In 1926, Lloy and Elizabeth went to India with their infant son,
Paul, and a desire to serve.  They may have hoped that their time
in India would have an impact on themselves and the church there,
but they didn’t realize that their faith and commitment to the
Indian people would have a lasting impact on their children,
grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.  While they were in
India, Lloy and Elizabeth had two more children, Esther and
Mark.  Though they returned to the United States in 1942, the
children had already formed a close bond with the people and
culture of India.  Following a “homing call,” the Kniss family
members have maintained their ties to India by returning for
long- and short-term visits and mission trips.

Mark and Paul Kniss served in India with their families for
extended terms.  Paul and his family were in India from 1950 to
1989 (with some years off for furlough).  Mark served as a
medical doctor from 1959 to 1973 and believes that the seed for
service was planted during his youth in India.  “During my
growing-up years in India,” he said, “I was able to see in a
limited way the joy and burden my parents had for the salvation
of the people and also the growth of the Mennonite Church in
India.”

Mark lived in India with his parents until he was 15 years old.
He recalled watching his father treat sick people and observing
the doctors at Dhamtari Christian Hospital.  “It was at this time
that the desire to become a doctor and return to India was born,”
he said.  Eventually, Mark and brother Paul would work in the
same general area of Bihar, India.

After returning to the United States in 1973, Mark’s family
continued to maintain ties to India.  His children have returned
to visit and work in India.  His daughter and her husband, Lois
Ellen and Dale Jones, returned with their children to teach at
Woodstock School from 1987-1990 and have returned to visit more
recently.  Mark’s youngest son, Eric, and Eric’s wife, Brenda,
returned in 1998 to visit and to work for a couple of weeks at
Nav Jivan Hospital.

Mark has visited the hospital to work several times since 1973.
His most recent visit was in 1999.  “It has been very satisfying
to see the progress of Nav Jivan Hospital and help in the work
from time-to-time,” he said.

Esther (Kniss) Augsburger and her husband, Myron, have also
maintained ties to India.  Myron has been involved with missions
in the Indian church as well as visiting for Mennonite World
Conference and the 1999 centennial of the Mennonite Church in
India.  Esther has used her gifts as an artist to serve India
over the years.  She has been involved in conferences for
Christians in art and has created sculptures for the churches in
India commemorating the centennial and also one of Jesus washing
Peter’s feet.  Esther has continued to relate to Indian artists
over the years.  Their sons have also accompanied them on visits
to India.

While some children of missionaries may harbor resentment, the
Kniss children are thankful for their time in India and their
parents’ ministry.  “People often ask us what made the difference
in our feelings for India from some other children,” Esther
said.  “[Our parents] allowed us to be as Indian in our daily
lives as we wanted to.  They also never complained about the
hardships of life in India.”

Esther and Mark still have many friends in India.  Esther keeps
in touch with Indian friends she made as a child.  These
relationships have helped the Kniss family stay connected to
India.  “We all have much desire to go back and the people there
are very dear to us,” Esther said.

Elizabeth and Lloy not only provided service to the people of
India, but they also have given a legacy of service and an
openness to Indian culture to their family that has passed
through four generations.  “They always carried the attitude that
they loved it and that it was a real privilege to be there,”
Esther said.

* * *

Joni Sancken