Rose Mtoka found herself reflected in the values and mission of Mennonite Mission Network on their website. That’s why she applied to work as the Human Resources assistant. “It felt like a homecoming,” Mtoka said.
Mtoka, along with Trisha Handrich, are the newest additions to Mission Network’s team. Both are graduates of Goshen (Indiana) College. Mtoka graduated in 2005 with a degree in Business, and Handrich in 2011 with a degree in Communication with a focus on Broadcasting, and a Business Administration minor.
Originally from Musoma, Tanzania, Mtoka is no stranger to mission. She has done multiple service terms with Youth With a Mission, is an alumna of Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) International Volunteer Exchange Program, and also worked for MCC as an administrative assistant. She hopes to bring her gift of cross-cultural understanding to her new role at Mission Network, and feels that loved ones as well as previous experiences have helped to bring her to this point.
“I am very grateful to my family, family friends, missionary workers, colleagues, and the Church for their huge support. Education and leadership training opportunities have been made possible by these kind-hearted people that God has put in my life. And I am ever thankful,” said Mtoka.
Outside of Mission Network, Mtoka lives with her husband, Thomas, and 8-year-old son, Daniel, in Goshen, and is excited to have more time to be involved at College Mennonite Church. Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, church has always been an important and meaningful part of her life. She also likes to be outdoors, travel, and watch a good PBS documentary.
Handrich, a Goshen local, has been working with the Mission Network team as a development associate since Aug. 25. She is excited to meet new people and form relationships with donors. “There are just such great stories to hear and learn from. It’s fascinating,” she said.
For the previous two years, Handrich lived and worked in Algona, Iowa, as an assistant news director and on-air announcer of KLGA, a variety music radio station. Back on her old stomping ground in Goshen, she is thankful to reconnect with the community and attend her home congregation, Silverwood Mennonite Church.
“I’m passionate about being a global citizen,” said Handrich. In 2012, she accompanied others from Silverwood Mennonite to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to visit a sister church. She hopes to possibly return on the congregation’s next visit.
When Handrich isn’t in the office or visiting constituents, she is always up for a volleyball match or a great sci-fi read. A self-professed “super nerd” due to her love of science fiction and fantasy, after returning from the Newton, Kansas, office last week, she was pleased to have acquired two new books from the used bookstore across the street.
