Stories of Mission

Marine, Mennonite, Missionary

People often tell my wife and me that our story is incredible. From our perspective, however, our tale is simply what it looks like to come face-to-face with the gospel. It is characterized by Jesus’ words recorded in Mark 1:15: Repent and believe.

Bike Shenandoah’s Five Rides Support Four Organizations

Ninety-five cyclists enjoyed the 16th annual Bike Shenandoah ride on September 21, 2013, pedaling beautiful country roads of the Shenandoah Valley and enjoying community to benefit neighbors near and far. The event raised approximately $20,000.

VMMissions Welcomes Intern

Lori Doll is serving as an intern while in her second year at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. From Hartville, Ohio, she spent five years in missions and service, which included two years term in The Gambia, in an EMM business initiative for women.

Motorcycles on the Road for Missions

Motorcycle for Missions, a new two-day cycling event that planners hope will become an annual fundraiser for Virginia Mennonite Missions, left Powhatan June 24, stopped in Roanoke for the night, and arrived at Virginia Mennonite Conference Assembly in Harrisonburg on June 25.

Our Community Farm Internship Opportunity

Our Community Farm serves as both a residential drug and alcohol recovery community for up to eight male adults and a sustainable farm. Jonathan and Joel provided much needed mentorship and lay counsel to those coming to the farm.

Virginia Mennonite Missions Selects President

Aaron M. Kauffman of Harrisonburg, Va., was chosen by the board of VMMissions as the next president. Kauffman has extensive mission experience, serving most recently on staff as Global Ministries Director and Advancement Associate since 2011.

Signs of Life Team Visits Maranatha School for the Deaf

Signs of Life church members went to Maranatha and conducted a seven-day Bible school on the book of James with the Maranatha students. All eight members of this team can communicate in American Sign Language, a first for a short-term mission team.

Park View’s Blitz Packs 1,500+ Kits

A lot of congregations put school kits together for distribution by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). But how many produce more than 1,500? Nearly a hundred assembly-line volunteers packed a total of 1,562 kits at Park View Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Learning Through Faith

Our main goal during our current term is language learning. We have a language tutor (and dear sister from the church), Vera (which means ‘faith’), who comes to our home twice a week and teaches us for one hour each-while the other parent watches the girls.

Start Here

Seven years ago VMMissions became intentional in providing a “doorway into missions.” People could start with VMMissions and go virtually anywhere that Mennonite missions has been involved, and beyond. The old mission “field” language is obsolete when referring only to some remote exotic far-off location.

First Graduation at LAC, Bible Camp and Summer School Follow

LAC’s first graduation went off without a hitch. Sam Scaggs was our main speaker and additional comments were given by board member Elaine Moyer, Principal Klementina, and senior class president Xhild.

Egypt’s Big Role in God’s Story

To know the story of Egypt is to know the whole Christian story at once—a story of personal calling, of provision, and of the promise of salvation. Although Christians number only ten percent of the population in Egypt, Angie has a deep sense of pride.

Orientation for tranSend Interns Held at VMMissions

Orientation for service is multi-faceted; it includes heart, mind and soul. Each morning, participants listened for God’s voice in silence, watched for him in nature, and reflected on what God said to them in various settings, encouraging them to seek God heartily.

Why Short-term Missions?

If you or your congregation are thinking of a short-term mission experience, get in touch with us at VMMissions. We can help you turn a good idea into an excellent experience and avoid the kind of mistakes that have sometimes given short-term missions a bad name.

Taking Bold Steps of Faith and Obedience in Palermo

As these two young people have grown as believers over the past couple of years, they both desired to be baptized as an expression of their faith in Christ. As Manuel and Aurora took this bold step, the church was filled with family and friends from throughout Sicily.

Forming Missional DNA in Our Congregations

“If you want to dig a new hole, don’t dig the current one deeper,” shared Alan Hirsch at a resource event on May 16 in Lancaster, Pa. Hirsch’s central thought is that God has implanted a missional DNA in every church that seeks to follow Jesus in any time and place.

Our Journey of Vision in Vasto

When we first arrived to Vasto, the church had been here for almost twenty years but was almost dead. There was no young group, no actual ministries, and little biblical foundation. We started discipling young people in the church. Now there are 25 young people in the church.

Caleb Benner teaches at Lezha Academic Center in Albania

Our Journey of Breaking Through

This year, God is moving and providing us more opportunities to talk directly about our faith through our classes, informal interactions, and Bible Club. Many students are approaching us with questions and they are eager to develop their spiritual understanding.

A Journey to Find the Meaning of ‘Mennonite’

Mennonite means different things to people in Germany. Sect. Heritage. Irrelevant. Faithful. Traditional. We have been learning what the label means to those who are from a Mennonite background, those who were, those who are not, and those who have nothing to do with Christianity.

A Journey of Mutual Sharing and Prayer

It was more than just an ordinary afternoon of coffee, cake and conversation as ladies gathered recently at Lezha Academic Center (LAC). Instead, it was another stepping stone in principal Klementina Shahini’s vision of sharing God’s love with the women of Lezhë, Albania.

English is Italian for ‘Outreach’

If we wanted, we could be full-time English teachers here in Bari even though we have never had a single lesson on how to teach English! Our mother tongue has opened doors for us to be able to share our faith with many people in our community.

Word and Deed

An interesting dichotomy has been argued in Christian mission. Should the Christian’s mission in the world focus on verbal witness, or should acts of care and compassion be our priority? Word or deed? I answer the question with a resounding, “Yes! Both!”

My Journey to Embrace the Unexpected Turns

I came to Belize seven and a half years ago to plant a Deaf church and train leadership. In my prayers I reach up to God asking, “Are we there yet?” And God replies with Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you the ways you should go.”

My Seven Mile Journey to Emmaus

My experience in Albania has taken me on a path very similar to the road that two disciples traveled after Jesus’ death, seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. I learned two valuable lessons on my seven-mile journey that drastically changed the way I trust God.

My Journey With Complete Trust

When we lived in the US, I thought I trusted God fully, but I’m finding now how much I didn’t. You see, living in rural Jamaica, there are no ambulances to come if something bad were to happen. Our theme verse before we came to Jamaica was Proverbs 3:5-6 and it continues to challenge me today.

The Gospel Poured Out: A Celebration of Willard and Eva Eberly

On December 27, 2012, VMMissions held a celebration for Willard and Eva Eberly for their forty years of ministry in the Mediterranean region, presenting them with a handmade pitcher symbolic of the treasure of the gospel that has been poured out and given freely to others.

Maya Knepp and Kimberly Brown at Maranatha School for the Deaf

Telling the Christmas Story, Even If You Can’t Hear

Most Maranatha School for the Deaf students were involved in this year’s Christmas play, “The Brand New Star,” directed by worker Eve Knepp. The Christmas story was reenacted by students, and the climactic moment came when the lit star moved across the front of the chapel as the wise men followed.

Giving One’s Life

During our Christmas holidays my five year old granddaughter came to me and said, “Do you know what, Grandpa? I gave my heart to Jesus.” Bless that little heart! She told her mother, “When Jesus knocks, you must let him in!”

Encouraging Our Brothers and Sisters in Trinidad

At a gathering of MCTT leaders, we addressed transactional vs. transformational leadership, dream-based coaching, leading change and other topics. The entire time was exciting and stimulating. To see firsthand what God has done and is doing in Trinidad left us energized.

‘Sweet Sorrow’ as Eberlys Retire From Italy Ministry

Willard and Eva served in Italy with great energy and passion for the Word of God. They gave much of their lives to the growth and development of the church and its members. People shared their memories, showing the influence that they have had many over the years.

The Consequence of Christmas

When I think of consequences my mind first goes a rather negative direction. We call it the fear of consequences and are reminded that we reap what we sow, or are warned, “be sure your sins will find you out.” There are, however, good consequences.

Esther Augsburger in a pottery class in Albania

A True Presence for the Kingdom of God in Albania

Flying into the beautiful mountains of Albania, Esther and Myron Augsburger knew we were there for a new kind of mission. Esther was asked by the LAC board to stimulate an interest in a school art program. Myron met with church leaders and spoke in churches.

Mission and the “Ports of Paul”

Paul spent most of his life in seaports. The early church west of Palestine thrived primarily in port cities of the Mediterranean. This environment is where most of the mission drama occurs and the majority of Christians in the Roman Empire lived.

Zooks Teach English at Lezha Academic Center

Our task was to enhance language preparation for incoming 9th and 10th graders who will need to pursue all of their studies in English. While we worked on some foundational grammar and vocabulary, most of our class activities emphasized conversational communication.

Centro Koinonia Celebrates Historic Milestone With Ordination

“What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” is an important key for church growth and multiplication, given by the Apostle Paul. Centro Koinonia truly has reason to celebrate a significant milestone.

Bike Shenandoah riders prepare to depart

Bike Shenandoah Sees a 55% Increase in Riders

One hundred and seven riders, a 55% increase from last year, enjoyed a trek through the Shenandoah Valley on a beautiful fall day. Bikers chose between a challenging 100-mile journey and an easy five mile jaunt, or something in between, as they traversed area back roads.

MDV group with kids at Casa del Padre, Mexico

God’s Love Flows in Colotlan, Mexico

Members of Manantial de Vida traveled to Casa del Padre in Colotlan. This mission was founded by the Rosales family, who migrated to Harrisonburg more than 30 years ago. The Rosales became born-again Christians as a result of the Christ-love testimony they received.

Trinidadian Mennonites Celebrate Freedom in Christ at Annual Meeting

The Mennonite Church of Trinidad & Tobago (MCTT) held its annual general meeting on “The Church in Jubilee,” reflecting the 50th anniversary of independence for Trinidad & Tobago. While the country celebrated independence, the church celebrated freedom in Christ.

Something Different in Italy

Pastors from Palermo, Vasto, and Bari taught on how we are different when we are transformed by Christ living in us. These lessons not only had an impact on the participants of the conference, but also on other guests and staff in the hotel. The hotel director said, “There is something different about you all.”

In Ecuador, an Amazing Reunion

My heart skipped a beat. I recognized that clown in the picture and I recognized that title. “I met you in Colombia,” I said. “You were at a meeting that I attended while I was on a Witness for Peace delegation. Do you remember me?” I asked excitedly.

Phil and Terri Witmer with friends in Colombia

Mission in the Middle

We formed deep friendships, explored diverse regions of the country, and were challenged and grew into new ministries and new ways of being. From our Colombian sisters and brothers we learned the high value of relationships and how to maintain them with intentionality.

Let’s “transForm” Missions and the World

VMMissions’ transForm program is a support initiative intended to provide up to 50% of the support for long-term workers similar to the way we now support tranSend internships. VMMissions is creating a hybrid support model, combining the best of the new and the old.

Dwelling in Unity in a Divided Land

The kingdom of God is realized, in part, through the building of community between those who are perceived enemies. The ministry of Jesus is rooted deeply in authentic encounters with people of all kinds who need to hear the same message; Jesus is Lord.

Italian “Happy Week” Expands to Impact Adolescents

Twenty-five kids overflowed Centro Koinonia’s facility for “Happy Week.” Maurita Eberly and Dino Colonna created a delightful musical that communicated the biblical story through narration, music, drama, and dance- utilizing the creativity and talent of these adolescents.

MCTT’s Mentoring Move

In an uplifting worship of praise and fellowship, the five congregations of the Mennonite Church of Trinidad and Tobago (MCTT) gathered for a joint service held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Diego Martin Mennonite Church to install Bro. Ronald Latchman as Pastor Mentoree.

Paid to Serve the Lord?

Being paid to serve God does have its advantages. One advantage is that it increases the available time for service. In some cases missionaries have no other option. I am, however, interested in others who, like Paul, “haven’t made use of any of these rights.” We often call them tentmakers.

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