ELKHART, Ind.–Doctor Elvina Martens was a healer. During a brief illness, following a stroke on April 5, prayers were offered for Martens on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. People in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States, who had been touched by Christ’s love through Martens’ medical care, asked God to restore her health. Longtime friend and coworker, Charity Schellenberg, wrote to Martens from Kinshasa, Congo’s capital city: “We pray for healing, just as you healed so many.”
When Martens, 86, died at Greencroft Healthcare in Goshen, Ind., on April 11, messages again came from Congo.
Joly Birakara, vice president of the largest of the Congolese Mennonite denominations – Communauté Mennonite au Congo, said that the sadness of his church communities was that of losing a family member.
“Our Mama [a title of honor in Congo] was a servant of God throughout her life,” wrote David Ishingu, head doctor in Ndjoko Punda, one of the hospitals where Martens served. Last year, Ishingu began working in Angola, a country that borders Congo.
Martens was born Feb. 11, 1926, in Chicago to Catherine (Wiens) and John T. Neufeld. She graduated from the University of Illinois Medical School in 1950 and married Rudolph (Rudy) Martens the following year.
At the Council of International Anabaptist Ministries’ annual meeting in January, Elvina and Rudy Martens were honored for their 18 years of service with Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jim Bertsche, a longtime missionary coworker and AIMM administrator, said that the Martens couple – Elvina, a medical doctor, and Rudy, a seminary graduate – was considered a “prize catch” when they arrived in Congo in 1953.
During their first two terms in Congo, the Martens worked first at Ndjoko Punda, then at Mukedi. In both locations, Elvina Martens oversaw large medical programs, including the administration of all eight Mennonite church hospitals in Congo, while Rudy Martens directed and taught in teacher-training schools.
In 1960, following the mass evacuation of missionary personnel during Congo’s struggle for independence, the Martenses gave themselves to a decade of ministry in rural areas of the United States, Elvina as a physician in local medical practice, and Rudy as a pastor. They served in Fairview, Mich., and Wayland, Iowa. Returning to Congo in 1970, they were placed at Kalonda to continue their ministries in medicine and education.
In 1980, health issues forced the Martenses back to the United States. Here, they were called to work among the Cheyenne/Arapaho Indians in the area near Hammon, Okla. In 1986, they moved to Illinois to serve as pastors of the West Sterling Mennonite Church. They retired in 1993.
“Given their training, the Martenses could easily have opted for more lucrative careers in the States,” Bertsche said. “They will, however, always be remembered on both sides of the Atlantic for their unassuming manner, their compassionate spirit, and servanthood stance.”
Martens was a member of the Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., and the Mennonite Medical Association.
Martens is survived by her husband, Rudy; a daughter, Elizabeth (Cleon) Claassen of Moses Lake, Wash.; two sons, John (Danile) Martens of Mishawaka and Philip (Janet Liechty) Martens of Champaign, Ill.; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; a sister, Edith (Steve) Michelovic of Philadelphia, Miss.; and a brother, Ernest (Lila Penner) Neufeld of Mountain Lake, Minn.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Esther Kressly and Helen Coon.
A memorial service was held at Silverwood Mennonite Church with Pastor Ron Guengerich officiating. Gifts may be made to AIMM, Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, PO Box 744, Goshen, IN 46527.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact Andrew Clouse at andrewc@mmnworld.net, 574-523-3024 or 866-866-2872, ext. 23024.