Alumni

Service can be intimidating. It is a challenge because you are going, potentially, far from home and cultures that you’re familiar with. But I think the reason why people should do service is that it will push you out of those boundaries. I’m a more nuanced and rounded person for having pushed outside of those boundaries and finding that my normal is not “the normal” — which can refer to your faith and how you express it or even just worship styles. It’s a great time to learn more about the broader world, and also to learn about yourself.

Doing MVS, specifically in Alamosa, exposed me to a new set of issues that I really hadn’t thought about before. From water use and agriculture, to rural homelessness. Each geographical area has their own issues. In order to truly be a part of a community, you need to learn about that community. And, in that learning, you’ll learn both the beautiful things and the areas where there’s work being done. That’s one thing I will take away.

We learn from our partners. And they are equal partners with us.

I chose MVS because I was excited about serving God in a new city that I get to explore every day.

Tucson is technically a border town. Our unit went on a border delegation trip with a Presbyterian mission called Frontera de Cristo. We went to Douglas, Arizona’s sister city, Agua Prieta, Sonora. We learned the reasons why people choose, or have to immigrate. It really expanded my knowledge on a complicated issue and I have more empathy for people who, for some of them, immigration isn’t a choice.

At the Homeless Prenatal Program, more than half the staff are former clients that have moved up to be case managers and service providers. I am truly humbled every day by my co-workers’ and clients’ stories of perseverance, hope and strength, as well as their continued humility and service.

Something that I’ve learned a lot about is social justice and how to participate in that. Coming from a context of being a college student and hearing about all of these protests but not really being involved in any of them, it’s been really cool to learn more about that process and get involved and be able to make my voice heard in some of these actions.

Since being on the board, I have appreciated the ways in which mission is seen as accompaniment — of people across the world and in the United States— and all of the service opportunities. It’s not, “I’m going to serve you because I’m such a good person and you need my help.” But, it’s accompaniment, where we’re going to do this together. We’re going to figure it out. We’re probably gonna mess up sometimes, but that’s the way it works. That’s the way life works. And, that’s the way following Jesus works.

I think MVS is a good transition place, if you’re not quite sure what you want to do. It’s a place where you can really reflect with a community who’s behind you and wants to support you. Just do it!

The highlight of the pilgrimage to South Africa for me was the opportunity to vist with local people, both Black and White, who have lived in apartheid and who continue to live in the South African culture. We overlook racism as white people and just go on with our lives not thinking about the privilege that we have. The whole trip struck a chord with me that I’ll have to think a lot about when I get back home.