2012 May

May 2012
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May 2012

One body, one faith

May 29, 2012
by Sarah Bixler
Conference Coordinator, Virginia Mennonite Conference

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 Arriving in Jamaica on March 1, I was immediately captivated by the blue-green sparkling waters, vibrant flowers and hot breeze. But even more fascinating than the tropical island was my experience as a fraternal delegate to the Jamaica Mennonite Church (JMC) 54th annual conference. A sense of …

Love and boldness for Christ’s glory

May 17, 2012
by Marsha Kanagy
VMM / EMM worker in Germany

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 The word “learning” greatly sums up my past year in Germany. Coming to a new language, culture, land, people, and work has made each day full of unknowns, surprises, challenges and all together constant learning. I came to Kaiserslautern in December 2010, as a missionary intern, desiring to learn the language, heart and people of this land and culture. My desire and delight is in relationship building, opening doors …

In Christ, the crooked made straight

May 15, 2012
by As told to Eva Eberly
VMM worker in Bari, Italy

“If you aren’t promoted at school this year, I’ll kill you!” As a child, I believed my father would actually carry out this threat since he punished me severely when I didn’t do my homework well or for other childish misdeeds! My Dad grew up in a family greatly influenced by the mafia mentality where violence was the means to gain respect and control. He attempted to instill this lifestyle in all of us, creating an atmosphere of fear, confusion, and distrust. He often humiliated me, saying that I was …

net·work·ing

May 13, 2012
by Emily Gingrich
VMM/EMM intern in the Czech Republic, returned to the US in March

net·work·ing noun 1. a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest Networking. This is the one word that can sum up what my role in the Czech Republic has been this past year. Being the first mission intern in Prague for EMM and VMM means my primary role is networking. Networking is defined as the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages such as job or business opportunities. You build relationships …

When waiting for God’s Spirit, who knows what might result!

May 11, 2012
by Mark Schoenhals
VMM/EMM worker in Thailand

Several years ago, I was sitting in a seminary classroom listening to Lawrence Yoder tell a story of missionaries in Indonesia who spent years learning language and culture before beginning to tell the stories of the Bible. When they did, the Spirit of God moved powerfully, the Gospel was shared effectively, and a movement to Jesus was begun. I was amazed. For years, the Life Enrichment Church (LEC), has been praying and waiting for youth to have greater involvement in the life of the church. A few months ago, seemingly …

Love causes Roberto to do an about-face

May 9, 2012
by Chris Riddle
VMM worker in Italy

When we first met Roberto*, he was a man with a bleak outlook on life and had no use for God. “How can God be good when bad things happen to good people?” “I am a good person and do good things, and if there is a God, he will let me into heaven.” This is what we heard as we met with him and his family regularly for meals. For more than three years we have met with Roberto. In the last six months there has been a noticeable …

Reflections on the city of rubble: a view through a bullet hole

May 7, 2012
by Harry Kraus
VMM/AIM worker in Kenya

Words do not come easily when I think of how to describe this city. Contrasts abound. A quiet sorrow hovers, a faint memory of a city, once great, now reduced to rubble. As we traveled from the relative safety of a car with tinted windows, my host pointed at mounds of concrete, skeletons of the past with rebar arteries bleeding from their surfaces. Her voice carries a longing of someone who has lost a love. She points. “There is the hotel where I spent my honeymoon. On that corner, the …

Medical team helps hundreds

May 5, 2012
by Haiti Medical Team

When our medical team arrived in Haiti in February, we had a difficult time getting through customs with 14 suitcases of medication. Officials checked expiration dates on the medications and asked many questions about what we were doing and what documentation we had. Fortunately, we were able to get through with everything we brought. Friday morning, we had our first clinic at Payen. We saw about 150 patients who had a variety of complaints. They had interesting ways of describing their ailments, and it was often challenging to interpret their …

God is good and showing the way in the midst of trials

May 3, 2012
by Nancy Marshall
VMM/EMM worker in Belize

Kristel Cajun, 14, is deaf. She likes to sign “God Is So Good” during worship at Jesus Deaf Church. It’s this song that came to my mind as I reflected on what God had done this year. Manuel Tosh, 21, (in photo at right with Nancy Marshall) has grown in confidence and faith, and now knows with certainty that God has called him to pastor our church. He is reading his Bible and watching the American Sign Language Bible video tapes. He is calling me with Bible verses that he …

God is raising up a new pastoral couple: Ramon and Kamla

May 1, 2012
by Richard & Margaret Keeler
Sangre Grande Mennonite Church, Trinidad

In 2006, during the first baptismal service our congregation in Sangre Grande had after we were installed as the pastoral couple, I baptized a couple who had received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We quickly noticed spiritual growth in Ramon & Kamla. They were humble and teachable. Before long they began participating in Friendship Bible Coffee (FBC) studies, and later became leaders of these studies, both in and out of the church building. They have accepted additional responsibilities in the church and it has been recognized that God has …

Virginia Mennonite Missions: Called. Sent. Transformed.

May 2012