A season of growing and learning

Through IVEP, Sobdjolbo served as a housing assistant with Project PLASE in Baltimore, Maryland. “During this year I have been doing social services, which has changed my life to work toward helping people and causes I am passionate for. My dream is to help people to not suffer, particularly people lacking ample shelter and employment. I was surprised to see a high number of homeless people in the U.S.”

“The skills I have put into practice the most were flexibility and patience. In addition, I discovered that I love teaching science and health to seventh graders at the local school.” In the future, she writes, “I would like to share everything I have learned and encourage people to step out of their comfort zone.”

“Interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds exposed me to different worldviews and perspectives, fostering empathy, tolerance and respect for cultural differences. … By witnessing firsthand challenges and strengths of another society, I gained a fresh perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of my own nation.”

“I am currently halfway through my law degree. My plan upon returning to Guatemala is to continue studying and graduate within two years. I am passionate about being around lawyers and seeing the significant impact you can make in people’s lives. This experience has definitely impacted my professional life; I feel inspired to give my best and become a great lawyer in my country. Regarding my church and community, I want to continue growing and sharing my experience in the U.S. to help many people seek God and grow professionally in various areas.” 

"It’s beyond what you can learn about Jesus during a church service; it’s how you see him outside of it. It’s understanding what Jesus preached about while you are teaching kids math or Spanish, or just seeing Jesus through different eyes. I love seeing him through those small things.” Reflecting on his role in global citizenship and peacemaking in a yearbook entry, he writes, “For me it has meant a lot. I have been able to see the love of God in this entire process, how to see Jesus through what we do by putting our hands, our talents in the service of others. The conclusion I came to was that it is wonderful to see the impact that our service leaves on people. To see the children play, grow and feel how the love of God is in the simplest things.” Read more about his year.

“My faith, political opinions and my imagination for the future were all much smaller before this experience.” She also reflects that, “I am relying on Christ’s promise of justice and redemption in new ways. When the death and devastation in Gaza seems unending, and the ripple effects of this are felt throughout the rest of Palestine, this hope has never been so difficult to maintain, yet it is essential. I have had the opportunity to worship and serve in several churches, both Arabic- and English-speaking, and have been exposed to Christian faith traditions very different from those I was raised in.” 

“I am blessed and grateful to have an opportunity to serve others, especially people with dementia.” Missa served as an intern for Garden Spot Village’s memory support community, Meadow View. Read more about her role.

“I think I’ve really had to internalize the concept of 'accompaniment' that MCC talks about so often. Being a white male volunteer in Guatemala is a scenario with a lot of room to harm the people I’m trying to help, or at the very least, offend them. I feel I’m learning every day what my place is here and how best I can respect and walk with others instead of inadvertently insulting them, or worse. I certainly still have a long way to go.” 

“Being a visitor with a role as a nurse and teacher, differentials of power became evident quickly on assignment with my students, patients and team members. Becoming aware,” she reflects, “of the deep cultural nuances of being a global peacemaker allowed me to approach Christian service afresh, wearing humility and a deepened posture of curiosity.” Also, she writes, “I have learned the value of inviting Christ into moments of pain, confusion, injustice and advocacy. Brokenness and sin exist. More so, Christ is also in these places. This is where hope, creativity and love can take root. This is shalom, and this is the reality of Christ in our world. Hallelujah.” 

“I am eager to advance my education by pursuing a master’s program in agroforestry. I intend to share with my church and fellow youth about sustainable land use and how taking care of God’s creation is part of our calling to serve God.” She reflects that, “Interacting with fellow volunteers, locals and visitors from various backgrounds at the farm helped improve my ability to communicate effectively across cultures, and exposed me to different customs and traditions. I also acquired hands-on knowledge of regenerative farming techniques, soil health, crop rotation, etc. I applied and improved my forestry management skills like working with forest ecosystems, tree planting and other forest improvement practices - I’ve learned to care for my body through proper nutrition, rest, exercise and connecting to nature.”

“I especially want to encourage them to take up skill development and volunteer work.” He also writes that, “After almost a year of cross-cultural experiences and living in a different environment, I feel like God wants me to work for Him. In particular, I feel God is asking more of the youth in His work.” 

“This tradition has shown me how people prioritize their faith and recognize God as the cornerstone in their lives.” Warkentin goes on to note that the “four-plus hours of church have tested my stamina, but I’ve grown to love seeing familiar faces and singing worship songs during church services. I had the privilege of joining the church choir and even preached a short sermon on Christmas day.”

“Having the same goal makes it easier for people to co-exist, take time to listen and know one another.” Inspired by how he has seen people come together to help others as he worked this year with Mennonite Disaster Service, Ndlovu-Mathuthu reflects that for his future plans, “I would like to try to inspire young people starting from my church to stand and start contributing to helping out in their community in whatever way they can to those who need the help.”

“The journey of faith that I followed here was extraordinary. I had a host family who were very close to God and really adhered to God. Likewise, when I was at work, the staff brought a small speaker to listen to sermons and spiritual music, which created new enthusiasm and strength to get through the day and increased personal growth in faith for myself. It was not only in my department. All the televisions in the hospital always broadcast sermons and Christian spiritual music every day, so it also motivated me to be close to God.”

Interested in serving through an MCC young adult program, or know someone else who may be? Learn more.