Alumni

I came into MVS because I needed a break between college and the career I was trained to do, which is education. Through MVS, I’ve determined that education is definitely my next step. And I never would have got there so confidently, and probably so excitedly, as I am now.

After having a year full of learning, self-growth, and new connections with people here in San Francisco, I knew that I wanted to stay for a second year.

We learn as we relate with churches that are diverse. It helps to bring us into a deeper understanding of God and what God calls us to do.

Having grown up in Swaziland, I learned the history of apartheid. I came on this trip thinking I might learn a thing or two, but was very surprised by how much I learned and how much I had to unlearn. It’s not the job of minorities or people of color to identify the racism, the systemic injustices and oppression. That is on us to find creative ways of stopping counteracting those. I’m returning home with a renewed sense that what I do and how I interact in the world make a difference.

I applied to colleges and was accepted into several great opportunities that I don’t think I would have if it wasn’t for Service Adventure. I was able to get scholarships because it’s about offering something different. How do you make your college application stand out? You do a year of voluntary service!

Psalm 133 is almost an addition to Mary’s Magnificat for me, as I think about the blessing promised when we work together in unity. This is what the churches in Africa are beginning to do very well — to unite across boundaries — transboundary unity and regional unity. And calling upon each other to share gifts across regions and boundaries. Psalm 133 is such a consolidating scripture, calling us to unity and the mystery of God releasing a blessing when the beloved community is united.

What I would say to somebody on the fence about MVS is you get to live in a cool place. You get to live in community with other people — built-in friends, in a way. And, it’s a way to explore who you are. And, have a break before you go into your major career or whatever else you want to do in your life.

There’s always more to the story than you know, and we, as humans, long to care for each other and help where we can. Maria Skobtsova House is a wonderful opportunity for us to plug into that possibility.

I’m inspired by the deep desire to learn more about Anabaptist theology and how the churches in Latin America see the relevance of Anabaptism today. The people in the churches often talk about this being their spiritual heritage.

We had time for learning and reflecting on important issues. Just as important, we got to know each other better, to form bonds and to make meaningful connections.