As summer arrives in full swing, the Service Adventure units in Anchorage, Alaska, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, are beginning to wrap up their service terms. Through pictures and written reflections, participants look back on a year exploring service in new and surprising ways. Service Adventure is Mennonite Mission Network’s voluntary service program for young adults 17-20, with service terms August-July. For more information, click here.
Bria Nyveldt, Anchorage unit participant:
I’m not sure that it’s possible to sum up a year in a little reflection, so I’m not attempting it. For me, this collage is a way to acknowledge and laugh at all the people I have been over this past year, artfully illustrated with my cutouts.
Things that have changed:
- – I biked over 1,200 miles while commuting
- – I ran over 200 miles training for a marathon in June which sadly I will not run thanks to…
- – I got hit by a truck while biking in May and broke two bones
- – I made some epic spreadsheets
- – I got CPR certified
- – I tried welding
- – I learned how to use a snowplow
- – I worked at a job fair and talked to highschoolers all day about working in the trades
- – I got diagnosed with eczema
- – I found out I love cross-country skiing
- – I learned how to get the most bang for your buck out of the self-serve ice cream machines at Vitus
- – I helped tow the unit van through the city using a Honda CRV, a rope and a strap
- – I fell in love with Alaska
Things that haven’t changed:
- – I still love the outdoors and want to spend every waking minute exploring
- – I’m still hilarious
- – I’m still pursuing the kindest and most life-loving version of myself, and this year I came a step closer
In April, the Colorado Springs unit attended a Mennonite Action event in Washington D.C. Sadie Sherman, Colorado Springs unit participant, reflected on the trip:
This experience was extremely eye-opening. It made the government seem more accessible, and it made me feel productive. I’ve been upset by the violence and the U.S.’s support of it for a while, and this experience has made me realize that there is so much I can do to help. I was very motivated by all the people fighting for peace and human rights, and it made me feel less hopeless about the whole situation.
Mando Perez, Anchorage unit participant:
I would say my coworkers who work at the [Downtown] Soup Kitchen are a way of seeing God, because they help serve to the people in the community who are homeless and are struggling with life. Sometimes they also have a pastor there to read the scriptures of Jesus Christ and reflect their own beliefs and experiences.
The Colorado Springs unit joined an MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service) group to New Mexico in April, cleaning up damage from forest fires. Hannah Smith, Colorado Springs unit participant, reflected on the trip:
Prior to the trip I knew I would get my hands dirty and work with burnt trees and wood. I also knew it would be a lot of physical labor from the initial description of the trip. It was all that and so much more. Yes, I did plenty of physical labor and although my arms were very sore the next day, it was the best feeling for two of the following reasons. We were able to help their clients feel safe by cutting down burnt trees that could be very dangerous when a storm hits and I personally felt exhilarated afterwards. Even though it was hard labor, there was a sense of accomplishment. It’s like, wow, I can’t believe I cut down a whole tree and carried a whole trunk of a tree from one area to another. Something that I most likely will never experience again. I’m extremely grateful for MDS and them allowing us to be a part of this journey.
