Tribute

Our Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa was reunited with his dear wife, Pauline, on the morning of January 22^nd.  Peter Ernest Hanks lived a life of service, generosity, and care for those around him.  He was born March 24, 1926 to Fred and Sadie Hanks in Maitland, Australia.  Peter was the oldest sibling, followed by sister Jean, brothers Stewart and David, and then Elizabeth.

In 1942 Peter studied to become a ‘fitter and turner’ (or machinist).  From an early age he enjoyed tinkering and working with his hands.  Motorcycles, racing cars and movie projectionist work provided opportunity to do that.  Peter and his friend, Colin McDonald (who later married Dad’s sister, Jean) volunteered with a small missionary organization helping with youth events and his desire for international missionairy work was ignited.  In 1955, Peter travelled to India with World Evangelical Crusade (WEC) to attend language school.

During his training there he met a beautiful, young woman who caught his attention.  A chaperone was needed to go with the women into the local villages and practice their language skills. Dad was happy to accompany Pauline and the girlfriend she was with.  One thing led to another, and Peter and Pauline were married April 1957.  For the next 2 years, Peter was involved in church planting, running of the dispensary and fixing every broken thing on the hillside.  They were excited to welcome their first son, Graham, in April 1958 and then Neil in October 1959.

In 1961 they returned to Canada, Dad leaving WEC, and the family began to travel across North America raising financial support.  TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) commissioned them as a couple, and the family returned to North India.  Peter began working in radio program recording and continued to fix things.  In 1968 Peter and Pauline moved to Western Nepal and took over the running of a hospital started by Dr Young, while Graham and Neil began boarding school at Woodstock School.  Peter did all the maintenance work for the hospital, trained personnel, and walked 140 kms regularly into the closest town to purchase supplies.  He chatted with villagers along the way, became well known with the government officials, and made friends everywhere he went.

Every five years the family took home assignments, the first being in Esperanza, BC, followed by Victoria, BC and the third in Shelton, WA, with a stop in Australia each time.   In total, Dad spent 13 years working in India and 22 years in Nepal.

They returned to Canada in 1981 for Graham and Sheryl’s wedding and again in 1988 to celebrate the arrival of their first grandson, Jonathan, and Neil and Cheryl’s wedding.  In 1989 the government asked Dad and Mom to leave Nepal and they returned to Abbotsford.  They enjoyed the arrival of two more grandchildren when Bethany and Kimberly were born.  Peter’s desire to return to Nepal lead the couple to take short trips back on visitors visas in 1990, 1991 and 1997 helping at the TEAM hospital and guest house.

When Dad and Mom settled permanently in Abbotsford they moved into AWANA Housing.  Peter became busy volunteering with M2/W2 Prison Ministries, Helping Hands, and driving for Meals on Wheels.  He also did small maintenance projects at Central Heights and attended numerous prayer meetings.  When Pauline passed away in October 2012, Peter lived with each of his sons for a number of months and then moved into Menno Pavilion.  He continued volunteering at Central Heights greeting people with a big smile every Sunday and duplicating sermons for those who could not attend church.  Dad helped residents at Menno Pavilion providing rides, fixing things, talking with friends in the coffee bistro or lobby, and putting up bulletin announcements throughout the building.   Peter enjoyed Sunday lunches with his family after church and the ongoing arrival of his 4 great grandchildren, Zander, Reylynn, Noah and the newest born in November, little Charlize.  Dad was healthy to the end, he walked faithfully with God. and was ready for heaven to be with his Saviour and reunited with Pauline.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Far East Broadcasting Canada.  For donations by mail, kindly send donation cheque (payable to FEBCanada) to # 3200 – 8888 Odlin Cres., Richmond, BC V6X 3Z8
or online at febccanada.com.