Peter Graber, Mennonite Mission Network’s director of Marketing and Communication, chose his favorite stories from this year that highlight the scope of the agency’s ministry.
1. Teaching children the word in Ivory Coast by James R. Krabill tells a contemporary personal story as well as the larger story of Mennonite mission partnership with African Initiated Churches.
2. MVS awards 29 grand in student loan scholarships by Kent Peters reports on how Mission Network removed some barriers to service for post-college young adults.
3. New life springs from violent place by Lynda Hollinger-Janzen describes the strong community relationships built by young innovative mission workers in Botswana. Check out the video that aired on national TV.
4. How to sing the Lord’s song in a post-Christian land by David and Rebekka Stutzman reflects on the beginning of their family’s ministry in Germany, a culture that is "inoculated" against the gospel.
5. Small actions create powerful witness in Venezuela by Danielle Klotz is a touching story about the witness of a Colombian Mennonite church.
6. Giving an inheritance of peace by Kelsey Hochstetler describes a life of generosity and service.
7. Loving the enemy in Burkina Faso by Lynda Hollinger-Janzen tells a story of Christian-Muslim relationships that challenge us to also live out the selfless love of Christ, and overcome hate and fear.
8. Transformed by my orchid-loving friend by Stanley W. Green turns a routine personal encounter into a life-altering parable.
9. Mission worker, scholar served in Japan, inspired generations by Wil LaVeist is one of the several obituaries we write each year. In this case, we were able to contact friends, family and colleagues who could give a well-rounded description of Bob Ramseyer’s life as a missionary and teacher.
10. You have to make a choice—fear or love by Natalia Derstine, a Mennonite Voluntary Service participant, reflects on her experience in Washington, D.C.
