MVS was a great stepping stone for me after college. It gave me the opportunity to move to a new place and interact with many different kinds of people who have helped me grow in all aspects of life. Also, it provided me with a wonderful community and support system that I still am a part of.
Alisha Bender, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Washington, D.C.
"I got to know God from a whole new angle. He has so many different character
traits and reveals himself to me in many different ways. I also learned that
serving others doesn’t mean that I have to do something the whole time.
Sometimes it’s just about being there.
traits and reveals himself to me in many different ways. I also learned that
serving others doesn’t mean that I have to do something the whole time.
Sometimes it’s just about being there.
Ines Binfet, Service Adventure, Philippi, W. Va.
"Serving overseas is sort of like straddling a cultural line. One foot is
firmly planted at home, and misses the comfort and familiarity there. The other
foot develops a new appreciation and love for the culture and new relationships
it encounters. It’s a blessing to be able to experience the newness,
frustration, excitement, and love of people in a new culture, and a truly unique
opportunity.
firmly planted at home, and misses the comfort and familiarity there. The other
foot develops a new appreciation and love for the culture and new relationships
it encounters. It’s a blessing to be able to experience the newness,
frustration, excitement, and love of people in a new culture, and a truly unique
opportunity.
Kristin Petersheim, Radical Journey, South Africa
"My expectations coming to Alaska were that I would grow closer to God and be
on a spiritual high, but I’ve found that it has been more of a struggle
spiritually and I’m noticing more of my faults as a Christian then I ever
thought I had. I seem like a terrible Christian, but the amazing thing God is
revealing to me in my shortcomings is that he still loves me. Yes, I do need to
work on all my downfalls as a Christian to truly glorify God and be a disciple
in his name, but I find comfort and peace in the fact that as I still continue
to struggle with my human nature, God still shows me love, grace, and
forgiveness."
on a spiritual high, but I’ve found that it has been more of a struggle
spiritually and I’m noticing more of my faults as a Christian then I ever
thought I had. I seem like a terrible Christian, but the amazing thing God is
revealing to me in my shortcomings is that he still loves me. Yes, I do need to
work on all my downfalls as a Christian to truly glorify God and be a disciple
in his name, but I find comfort and peace in the fact that as I still continue
to struggle with my human nature, God still shows me love, grace, and
forgiveness."
Marlene Allebach, Service Adventure, Anchorage, Alaska
"Service is a daily choice. Sometimes my cup may feel empty and I can’t give
anymore, but we’re called to serve anyway. In those weak moments, God has the
opportunity to use us despite our weakness. [I also learned that] the church
needs to be like a small service community. People may do the wrong things,
fail, or test our patience, but we need to stay committed to each other on our
common ground of faith in Jesus Christ, and work toward loving each other
more."
anymore, but we’re called to serve anyway. In those weak moments, God has the
opportunity to use us despite our weakness. [I also learned that] the church
needs to be like a small service community. People may do the wrong things,
fail, or test our patience, but we need to stay committed to each other on our
common ground of faith in Jesus Christ, and work toward loving each other
more."
Matthew Alwine, Service Adventure leader, Johnstown, Pa.
"My year in MVS taught me many things about the world around me and myself. I
was privileged to get to know and be a part of a small community of migrant
farmworkers. Through my work in this community and the relationships we built, I
learned that I was capable of doing many things that I previously doubted."
was privileged to get to know and be a part of a small community of migrant
farmworkers. Through my work in this community and the relationships we built, I
learned that I was capable of doing many things that I previously doubted."
Melissa Kauffman, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Kansas City,
Kan.
Kan.
"[I learned that] I’m only one in 7 billion, but I have a voice, and many
times it’s less about singing loudly and more about singing the right song in
harmony with others."
times it’s less about singing loudly and more about singing the right song in
harmony with others."
Sarah Hofkamp, Radical Journey, Paraguay
"Serving with MVS taught me the importance of community, the joy in
simplicity, and the courage to overcome life’s challenges."
simplicity, and the courage to overcome life’s challenges."
Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Madison,
Wis.
Wis.
"MVS has helped me find a new city to explore and gave me a community to help
me through the transition. I was very lucky in getting a placement [at the
Wisonsin Historical Society Press] that may lead to a job and that has given me
lots of connections."
me through the transition. I was very lucky in getting a placement [at the
Wisonsin Historical Society Press] that may lead to a job and that has given me
lots of connections."
Ted Maust, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Madison, Wis.
"I’ve been learning that God actually does know me. He knows what I need to
grow. He knows what will cause me to be a better version of myself… I’m also
learning that God doesn’t care if my life is easy, but he does seem to care if I
am moving closer toward His light."
grow. He knows what will cause me to be a better version of myself… I’m also
learning that God doesn’t care if my life is easy, but he does seem to care if I
am moving closer toward His light."
Theresa Wolf, Service Adventure leader, Johnstown, Pa.
"My two years in Kansas City were a valuable exposure that will shape the
rest of my career and life choices. I truly loved the work I was doing, and I’m
now committed to living in urban areas where I can continue to engage with
refugee communities, local food systems, and the many other interconnected
issues."
rest of my career and life choices. I truly loved the work I was doing, and I’m
now committed to living in urban areas where I can continue to engage with
refugee communities, local food systems, and the many other interconnected
issues."
Rachel Friesen, Mennonite Voluntary Service, Kansas City,
Kan.
Kan.
