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Prayers of gratitude and intercession

  • SangMin Lee, Conscientious Objector 

    It was one of the passages narrating the week of Jesus’ passion that first led SangMin Lee to consider the way of peace. Soon after he became a Christian, Lee was moved by Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies, especially his rebuke to Peter for defending him with a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

    As he learned more about the Christian faith, Lee’s commitment to the gospel of peace deepened, putting him on a collision course with the Korean government. SangMin Lee, a 27-year-old member of the Grace and Peace Mennonite Church in Seoul, South Korea, went to trial because of his refusal to fulfill his required military service.  

    Since the Korean War began in 1950, South Korea has required all able-bodied men to serve for a period of time in its armed forces, with no option for alternative service. In 1953, the war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, meaning that the peninsula is technically still at war. Indeed, fears of a potential invasion from North Korea remain high. 

    SangMin Lee become the first Mennonite in South Korea to be imprisoned for his convictions. In an interview, SangMin Lee noted that the training and culture of the military are inherently violent. Being a willing participant in that structure, he said, would change who he is, making him “a victim as well as an offender.” 

    On the basis of his criminal record, SangMin Lee recognized that he would have “a bad reputation in society” and would likely be barred from many career paths for the rest of his life. Even more painful for him was the realization that his decision would bring him into serious conflict with his family. “I fear that my family will fall apart because of my decision,” Lee said. 

    Yet he remained confident in his convictions. “I want the next generation to live in a better place with respect to individual choices and decisions,” he said. 

    In April 2014, SangMin Lee was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his faith-based refusal to fulfill the required military service. The global church and others who resonated with SangMin Lee’s peace witness responded by writing him letters and praying for him. Over the course of a letter-writing campaign supported by Bearing Witness, Justapaz, and Mennonite World Conference, at least 48 people from nine different countries committed to writing letters to SangMin over the course of his imprisonment. 

    The prayers of many were answered as SangMin Lee was released from prison on 30 July 2015 –three months early! SangMin Lee’s service in the prison’s barber shop was credited to his 18-month prison term, allowing him to leave earlier than his sentence dictated. 

    SangMin’s case was an example of the possibilities of international collaboration around the issue of conscientious objection. Bearing Witness initiated the letter-writing campaign, Mennonite World Conference frequently sent out prayer requests to the global church during SangMin’s trial, and Justapaz connected SangMin with conscientious objectors in Colombia who also face hardships for their stance against military service. 

    At the age of 35, SangMin died 14 August 2022 due to a bicycle accident. He is survived by his wife Song Sem and a young son.  

    “I’m trying to live a normal life, find a simpler answer to how to live,” he said about half a year after his release in late 2015 at an event hosted by the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism and Goshen College. “I try to be thankful for every day and make each day as important as the last.”  

    —Elizabeth Miller A version of this story was first published on www. martyrstories.org. Used with permission. Updated in 2023 by Ebenezer Mondez. 

    YABs Fellowship Week 2023 worship resource

     

  • The Anabaptist Story   

    In 21 January 1525, a dozen or so men slowly trudged through the snow. Quietly but resolutely, singly or in pairs, they came by night to the home of Felix Manz, near the Grossmünster, Switzerland. The chill of the winter wind blowing off the lake did not match the chill of disappointment that gripped the little band that fateful night. 

    The dramatic events of the unforgettable gathering have been preserved in The Large Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren. The account bears the earmarks of an eyewitness, who was probably George Blaurock, a priest who had recently come to Zurich from Chur. 

    And it came to pass that they were together until anxiety came upon them, yes, they were so pressed in their hearts. Thereupon they began to bow their knees to the Most High God in heaven and called upon him as the Informer of Hearts, and they prayed that he would give to them his divine will and that he would show his mercy unto them. For flesh and blood and human forwardness did not drive them, since they well knew what they would have to suffer on account of it. 

    After the prayer, George of the House of Jacob stood up and besought Conrad Grebel for God’s sake to baptize him with the true Christian baptism upon his faith and knowledge. And when he knelt down with such a request and desire, Conrad baptized him, since at that time there was no ordained minister to perform such work. 

    After his baptism at the hands of Grebel, Blaurock proceeded to baptize all the others present. The newly baptized then pledged themselves as true disciples of Christ to live lives separated from the world and to teach the gospel and hold the faith. 

    Anabaptism was born. With this first baptism, the earliest church of the Swiss Brethren was constituted.  

    This was clearly the most revolutionary act of the Reformation. No other event so completely symbolized the break with Rome. Here, for the first time in the course of the Reformation, a group of Christians dared to form a church after what was conceived to be the New Testament pattern. The Brethren emphasized the absolute necessity of a personal commitment to Christ as essential to salvation and a prerequisite to baptism.  

    —By William R. Estep  Originally published on www.anabaptists.org/history. 

    YABs Fellowship Week 2023 worship resource

     

  • Young Anabaptists from around the world share concerns and joys for communal prayer. 

    Latin America 

    El Salvador 

    • That we may give priority and recognize the importance of our relationship with God and the service to others, instead of thinking only of ourselves. 
    • That we can make a noticeable difference in our society; that we can be salt and light wherever we are; and that through our actions we reflect the love of God so through that people will want to come and serve God. 
    • That in a political context with a lot of hatred and division, young people would act in favour of others through love and actions that generate well-being and health for the community. 

    Colombia 

    • For our pastors and national conference leaders. 
    • The emerging leadership that is rising from the youth and the programs we carry out to develop maturity and leadership. 
    • The new opportunities for the Kingdom of God to advance in our country through our conference and the generation that is rising up passionate about God’s mission. 

    Costa Rica 

    • That young people are filled with fire by the Holy Spirit and that they can continue with God despite the family difficulties that it implies in many cases. 

    Uruguay 

    • That a new passion may arise, to know God, to read God’s Word and be transformed by  the Spirit. 
    • That we can remain firm in our Christian convictions beyond the pressures of society that is increasingly relativistic. 
    • That young people can find in the church a place where they feel valued and accompanied. 

    North America 

    • For youth to find worth centred in their Creator and not in the approval of others. 
    Photo: Tiz Brotosudarmo

    Asia 

    South Korea 

    • A weapons factory is being built in a rural area of South Korea. Peace activists and Mennonite church is working together to stop it: pray for our courage and boldness. 

    Hong Kong 

    • For the people to find the hope as Hong Kong is feeling hopeless in general (mostly because of the government). People are moving to other countries; the church is affected by this migration. 

    India 

    • This year in India we are having elections in our country: please pray that in this election we’ll get a government who will work in favour of Christians, treating them fairly. The present government has decided to make India a Hindu nation: directly or indirectly, they are torturing Christians to convert them.  

    Africa 

    • That there will be fair processes and wise selectin in all the countries in Africa that will be having their next election in 2024. 
    • That the youth of the churches in Africa understand more deeply what it means to be of Christ. 
    • That God would build the churches in Africa both physically and spiritually, for people will try but all to nothing. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). 
    • That God opens ways for employment for the youth of Africa as they seek to support the churches. 

    Ghana 

    • That we may have relief from economic hardship across the continent.  
    • That God strengthens the churches in the country to progress even through hard times. 

    Tanzania 

    • For God’s presence as we evangelize. 

    Uganda 

    • That Mennonite Church Uganda may get volunteers (couple or team or individuals) who can help in children’s ministry as soon  as possible. 
    • That there may be a Bible school for the training of our leaders. 
    • That peace and unity would prevail in Uganda despite theological, cultural, social and economic differences. 
    • That God may bring us a partner in the development of the Mennonite Church Uganda. 
    • That there would be political stability after a coup began between two groups seeking to unseat each other. 

    Europe

    • That young adults would feel connected to their church and to know they belong to a community of faith.  
    • That churches would open up to young adults and welcome them.  

    YABs Fellowship Week 2023 worship resource

     

  • Prepared by the YABs Committee for 18-25 June 2023

    *updated* Full resource now available.

    Theme

    The family I found in my salvation

    Why this theme was chosen

    This year we want to look back in the story of how we came to know Christ. Every individual has different salvation story. Some came from a different religious tradition and experience a complete transformation after they meet Christ. Some came from a Christian family which means it’s hard to pinpoint a specific turning point in life.Our salvation comes with a community that shapes us, encourages us and makes us who we are. Let’s talk about the family we built from our newfound faith.

    Biblical text: Luke 15:4–7

    “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

    Additional resources in this package

    Sunday, 18 June 2023 at 10:00 UTC or 19:00 UTC: Meet the YABs

    Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 10:00 UTC or 19:00 UTC: story time and prayers

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  • What do cooking and graphic design have in common? For Adi Nugroho, it’s never been about mastering either of these skills. Technical skills are simply the backdrop for developing emotional tools and creating a space for connection, even across cultures.  

    When Adi’s host mom, Angela Opimi, was asked if she’d like to open her home up to a participant of the YAMEN (Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network) program, she was reluctant at first. Angela has been connected to the Mennonite church for years, and she now acts as vice president of Iglesia Evangélica Menonita Boliviana (IEMB) and is a member of Mennonite World Conference’s Deacons Commission. But despite those strong church ties, having someone live in her home felt like a big step. Her biggest fear in hosting? Preparing food.  

    She remembers telling Adi Nugroho about her fears around cooking when he first arrived. He assured her that, “as long as there’s rice to cook, I’ll be fine.”  

    To Angela Opimi’s surprise, the kitchen has become a place where they’ve built a friendship, shared jokes, and for Adi Nugruho, learned a new language. In the beginning, he didn’t know any Spanish, so the words they had to communicate were limited. But in the kitchen, his relationship with his host mom and his comfort in Spanish grew.  

    When Adi Nugroho heard about YAMEN, a one-year service term for young adults outside of Canada and the U.S. that provides the chance to learn, serve and grow in another country, he knew that going to Bolivia would be different than his home country in Indonesia.  

    YAMEN is a joint program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and Mennonite World Conference (MWC).  

    Adi Nugroho arrived in Bolivia with an openness to see how his experience in graphic design could be used at Talita Cumi, a home for orphaned and at-risk children and youth. Talita Cumi is supported by two churches Restoration Church and Trinity Church, which help provide spiritual support and activities for children.  

    For traumatized youth, qualities like time management, patience and teamwork have often taken a back seat to other family priorities. After a few months of building relationships with the children, Adi realized that while teaching a hard skill like graphic design would be fun, it could also be an opportunity to teach emotional development in an indirect way.  

    Adi Nugroho uses the example of developing confidence; he explains that many children don’t have much confidence in their abilities. Children might draw something in his class but would quickly scribble on top of it if anyone looked at it. But once they see their own posters hung in the halls of Talita Cumi they think, “wow this is my project!” It builds confidence. They might think “oh, maybe I can do more.” They can picture a future for themselves that they couldn’t imagine before. 

    His experience with YAMEN has pushed Adi Nugroho to practice the emotional skills he’s teaching.  

    “When I first came here everything was hard, the culture was difficult to adapt to, and the language made everything harder.” Rice, a staple food in Indonesia, was prepared differently in Bolivia. But after a long day, Adi Nugroho and Angela Opimi would meet in the kitchen to cook a simple meal. He shared some of his favorite recipes from Indonesia and she shared easy Bolivian dishes.  

    While he’s building skills while cooking with Angela Opimi, Adi Nugroho is also expanding his ideas about how food can be prepared and building a relationship along the way.  

    Angela Opimi says, “I enjoy spending time with him in the kitchen because he doesn’t just wait for food to appear. He says, ‘let’s make it together and we can make it faster’. I’ve remained an independent person, but he’s not a stranger in my home, he’s more like a nephew.” 

    Maybe Adi Nugroho and Angela Opimi won’t become master chefs. Maybe the children at Talita Cumi won’t want to continue in a career with graphic design. But the emotional tools that they carry with them as they interact with other people and cultures, will last a lifetime.  

    —A Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee joint release by Rachel Watson, communications and program support facilitator for Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia. 

    YAMEN 2022-2023 Participants

    Name  Country of origin  Country of placement  Member church  
    *indicates MWC member church 
    Emilia Macono Guzman  Bolivia  México  Sinai Evangelical Mennonite Church (IEMB) *
    Uziel Zambrana Hurtado  Bolivia  Colombia  Smyrna Evangelical Mennonite Church*
    Sina Dy Cambodia  Kenya  Community of Changed Hearts Church 
    Sokvoleak Chum  Cambodia  Uganda  Tumnup Tek Khmer Evangelical Church 
    Sovanich Chhoun  Cambodia  Nicaragua  Nation Church Phnom Penh 
    Lilibeth Guzman Macea  Colombia  Honduras Communidad Menonita Nueva Vida en Cristo Jesus 
    Nidia Marleny Linares Martinez  El Salvador  México  Mennonite Evangelical Church of El Salvador* 
    Esther Abigail Aguilar Velasquez  Honduras  Bolivia  Iglesia Evangélica Menonita de Santa Rosa de Copan 
    Eve Franklin  India  Kenya  Mennonite Church Durg (MCI, Dhamtari)* 
    Mahima Tandi  India  Uganda  Bethlehem Mennonite Church Memra Pithora (BGCMC)* 
    Shepher Sona  India  Cambodia  Hebron Mennonite Church (BGCMC)* 
    Cahya Putri Wulansari  Indonesia  Rwanda  GITJ Kelet* 
    Johana Christianti  Indonesia  Burkina Faso  GKMI Bogor* 
    Setyawan “Adi” Nugroho  Indonesia  Bolivia  GKMI Kudus*
    Rael Kiptoo  Kenya  Uganda  Shalom Mennonite Church 
    Sarah Pariken  Kenya  Cambodia  Dominion Chapel International Ministries 
    Febe Daniella Madirgal Salgado  Nicaragua  Guatemala  Fuente de Vida (Convenci√≥n de Iglesias Menonitas)* 
    Melania Elizabeth Chaparro  Paraguay  Honduras  Dulce Refugio 
    Monika Warkentin  Germany/Paraguay  Palestine and Israel  Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas Concordia (AHM)* 
    Denise Dushime  Rwanda  India  Gatenga Evangelical Friends Church 
    Yejin Kim South Korea  Bolivia  Jesus Heart Church 
    Sondobi “Daniel” Chacha Sondobi  Tanzania  Cambodia  KMT Bukiroba*‚ÄØ 
    Ladia Zulu  Zambia  Cambodia  Baptist Community Church 
    The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network (YAMEN) program is a joint program between Mennonite World Conference and‚ÄØMennonite Central Committee. It places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe. Participants spend one year in a‚ÄØcross-cultural assignment‚ÄØstarting in August and ending the following July.‚ÄØ 

  • Christmas around the world

    Every year on 24 December, my family goes to the Christmas Eve service at Park View Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, Virginia). It’s a traditional ‘lessons and carols’ service, where we read the Christmas Story from Luke and sing accompanying hymns as we work our way through the text. 

    The whole service is enjoyable, but the most meaningful piece is at the end. Small candles (hidden in the storage closet all year) are passed out and lit as we sing “Silent Night.”  

    Watching the flame – which first comes from the Christ candle at the front of the room – spread from hand to hand, row to row always moves me. This practice of celebrating the light of Jesus coming into the world is a beautiful reminder that though Jesus is the source of light for all, we cannot carry that light alone, nor do we receive it directly from God: we receive it from one another and we are tasked to share the light of good news with those around us. 

    “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it” (John 1:5).  

    This is the good news of Christmas to me. 

    —Caleb Schrock-Horst is a member of Park View Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA.  

  • How to represent Jesus in a live painting? White with a beard as he is often represented in churches? Not really! We had it in our hearts to paint a colorful Jesus, a Jesus in green, yellow, blue, white, red and orange. 

    We are the camp “Juntos in Portugal.” Organized by Joy and Life (Joie et Vivre) in partnership with Mennonite Mission and the Youth Commission of Association des églises évangéliques mennonites de France (the Mennonite church in France), this camp made it possible for 13 youth and five accompanying adults to travel to the gathering of Portuguese Christians this summer. 

    During the camp, we experienced the joy of leading worship in two churches, the Mennonite Brethren Church in Loures and the Christian Community of Algueirao as well as a praise time in the Bible Institute of Portugal where we were staying. We had it in our hearts to praise God through a live painting representing Jesus. 

    Our internal reflection was as follows: we can’t reduce Jesus to one color, to only one color. Jesus is not monochromatic, he is multi-colored. He loves diversity. He created diversity. He loves differences. He created us different.  

    We were able to try out our differences during this camp, joyfully and as a challenge. 

    Among us we were already different. 

    • Some were Mennonites, others not. 
    • Some wanted to go into biblical studies, others into different subjects. 
    • Some wanted to serve the Portuguese as much as possible, others were happy to discover Portugal. 
    • There was the language difference with our cook, who spoke only Portuguese, a language that we haven’t mastered.  
    • There were cultural differences and differences with regard to program planning. 

    Finally, Jesus brings us together in our differences and teaches us to love difference. 

    During out times of praise we were Portuguese, French, English, Germans, and Spanish, “Juntos” (together) praising and worshipping one person: Jesus. Not a white Jesus, but a Jesus of a thousand cols. 

    Doesn’t our mission begin with recognizing the fact that our vision often reduces Jesus and humbly asking him to open us up to other ways of seeing him and serving him? Because that is what allows us to join with others sent by him with their way of seeing him and serving him. 

    Is it not a witness simply to live in unity with these Christian brothers and sisters? 

    Is it not the will of God to see his children united as a family, gathered to worship and serve a Jesus of a thousand colors? 

    As many participants in this camp have said: “We sensed the presence of God during the moments of praise in a number of languages and nationalities because our differences fade away. We are all part of the family of God! And this is clearly a foretaste of heaven.” 

    —Benoit Nussbaumer is the Joie et Vie youth camp director. 

    This article reprinted with permission from Christ Seul, November 2022 

  • Christmas around the world 

    Christmas consists of many family gatherings to hear the Christmas story and get reminded of the message of hope and peace that Jesus came to the world to make known.  

    In most cases, we spend some time in the pool, drink maté (tea) together and have a simple potluck dinner. But the one thing you can’t miss at our Christmas parties is the moment after dinner when a ringing bell calls everyone into a special room (one of my cousins uses a cow bell). Once everyone is seated and the light dimmed, one of us reads the Bible story and shares something that was most meaningful to him/her about it. Then others chime in telling their own learnings, creating a very special atmosphere of thanksgiving and encouragement in our faith.  

    And then my favorite moment: someone goes to the piano and we sing beautiful Christmas songs all together. Some sing better, others less well, but hearing all our voices praising Jesus together moves me. Since I was a child, these moments have always been very precious to me.  

    To finish the night off, we have dessert and a few gifts are handed out.  

    I really love the simplicity of our Christmas parties where we meet to enjoy each other’s company and remember the one that keeps us united. 

    Valentina Kunze, Uruguay  

     

     

     


    Christmas around the world

    Joy and love: night vigil in Kenya

    This tradition always reminds me of the joy and the love we have for each other as a community. Getting together to share meals and storytelling is usually the best part, but the most amazing and wonderful time is during the night vigil when one connects with Jesus though praise and worship, giving a sense of belonging and restoring one’s hope of starting anew with the birth of Christ.

    Read more

    Sharing love – with sprinkles – in Germany

    This tradition reminds me of the message of hope, peace, joy and love at Christmas because you can enjoy a peaceful time together with your loved ones and you can even share this love by giving Christmas cookies to others.

    Read more

    A month of celebrating Charni Daan

    In India, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm from mid November to New Year. Christmas is more special because we get a chance to meet our family and friends.

    Read more
     

  • Christmas around the world 

    In India, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm from mid November to New Year. Christmas is more special because we get a chance to meet our family and friends. 

    People of all age groups go to houses singing carols and dancing: “The prince of peace, our Saviour, Lord Jesus, is born; let’s rejoice in him.”  

    Cookies, doughnuts, cakes and Indian traditional anarsa (biscuits), gujiya (pastries) and Saloni are made in every house. Carol singers taste the variety of foods which reflect respect toward each other and give a message to love as written in John 15:12-13. 

    A crowd of 200-300 Christians walk the streets to convey the message that our Saviour Jesus Christ is born, as we were commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. Children and youths perform a skit recreating the scene of first Christmas. 

    We also have sports and picnic day which unites everyone of all age groups to know each other better, love each other and live like a family. We share Christmas presents with children from poor backgrounds. 

    Christmas day is called Charni Daan in India. Charni means manger and Daan means gift. From this we convey that God gifted us Jesus in manger. The manger represents humbleness: if we want Jesus to born in our heart, we have to make our self very humble and sin-free (Romans 8:10, Mark 10:41-45). 

    After Christmas Day, we have Thanksgiving day, to thank God for his gift for us (John 3:16) and for his blessings in our life, health, business, farm. Whatever we received from God as blessings we present: food, fruit and vegetables, money, rice, etc. 

    Deepson Masih, Bethesda Mennonite Church Champa (BGCMC), India 

     

     

     

    Christmas around the world

    Joy and love: night vigil in Kenya

    This tradition always reminds me of the joy and the love we have for each other as a community. Getting together to share meals and storytelling is usually the best part, but the most amazing and wonderful time is during the night vigil when one connects with Jesus though praise and worship, giving a sense of belonging and restoring one’s hope of starting anew with the birth of Christ.

    Read more

    Sharing love – with sprinkles – in Germany

    This tradition reminds me of the message of hope, peace, joy and love at Christmas because you can enjoy a peaceful time together with your loved ones and you can even share this love by giving Christmas cookies to others.

    Read more

    A gospel light in the USA

    Christmas around the world Every year on 24 December, my family goes to the Christmas Eve service at Park View Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, Virginia). It’s a traditional ‘lessons and carols’ service, where we read the Christmas Story from Luke and sing accompanying hymns as we work our way…

    Read more

    All voices praising Jesus together in Uruguay

    I really love the simplicity of our Christmas parties where we meet to enjoy each other’s company and remember the one that keeps us united.

    Read more

  • Christmas around the world 

    There are so many different traditions we have for Christmas in Germany, but my favorite of all is baking Christmas cookies.  

    We bake from the middle of November until Christmas: more than once because the cookies are eaten up pretty fast. The first Christmas cookies are kind of inheriting the Christmas time.  

    The baking itself is always really fun. We come together, listen to Christmas music and start the process. We have different kinds of flavours for the cookies, but even more important are the shapes. Especially for kids, this part is really fun, because they can choose their favourite shapes. After the cookies are baked it’s time to decorate with sprinkles.  

    I love this Christmas tradition because you can share this time with your friends and family. In the kitchen, it gets warm and comfortable in this cold time of the year and of course it smells and tastes really good.  

    This tradition reminds me of the message of hope, peace, joy and love at Christmas because you can enjoy a peaceful time together with your loved ones and you can even share this love by giving Christmas cookies to others. 

    Noa Fechner, Mennonitengemeinde Altona-Hamburg, Germany 

     

     

     

  • Christmas around the world 

    One of the most outstanding Christmas traditions among communities in Kenya is having vigils popularly know as “Kesha” on the Christmas Eve. Most worshippers come together to celebrate birth of Jesus Christ by singing hymns and carols and even at times recreate the holy event by nativity plays. At midnight, churches ring bells to mark the birth of Christ while people sing praise songs to honour the start of Christmas day. 

    On Christmas day, people serve nyama choma (grilled meat), kuku (chicken) and the famous chapati (flatbread). Wherever you go or whatever you eat, everyone is welcome. 

    This tradition always reminds me of the joy and the love we have for each other as a community. Getting together to share meals and storytelling is usually the best part, but the most amazing and wonderful time is during the night vigil when one connects with Jesus though praise and worship, giving a sense of belonging and restoring one’s hope of starting anew with the birth of Christ. 

    Valary Otieno, Songhor Mennonite Church, Kenya 

     

     

     

    Christmas around the world

    Sharing love – with sprinkles – in Germany

    This tradition reminds me of the message of hope, peace, joy and love at Christmas because you can enjoy a peaceful time together with your loved ones and you can even share this love by giving Christmas cookies to others.

    Read more

    A month of celebrating Charni Daan

    In India, Christmas is celebrated with great enthusiasm from mid November to New Year. Christmas is more special because we get a chance to meet our family and friends.

    Read more

    All voices praising Jesus together in Uruguay

    I really love the simplicity of our Christmas parties where we meet to enjoy each other’s company and remember the one that keeps us united.

    Read more

    A gospel light in the USA

    Christmas around the world Every year on 24 December, my family goes to the Christmas Eve service at Park View Mennonite Church (Harrisonburg, Virginia). It’s a traditional ‘lessons and carols’ service, where we read the Christmas Story from Luke and sing accompanying hymns as we work our way…

    Read more

  • Stephanie Setiawan from Sidoarjo, Indonesia, had no plan to go to Latin America. She applied for Mennonite Central Committee’s International Volunteer Exchange Program in 2013/2014, but the slot for her synod was already taken. The coordinators offered her a YAMEN placement in Colombia instead.  

    As a result, Stephanie Setiawan discovered a love for Latin culture and training for future service. “I am so grateful to have served in Colombia. There, God prepared me for serving at Assembly in Indonesia,” she says. 

    The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network (YAMEN) program is a joint program between Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee. It places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe. Participants spend one year in a cross-cultural assignment starting in August and ending the following July. 

    “I’d never paid attention to Colombia before,” Stephanie Setiawan says, but she began to learn. She initiated correspondence with a young person from the church where she would be serving. “It felt great to have a friendship before I went there.” 

    “When I arrived, I didn’t speak any Spanish and my host family could not speak English. They were so committed to teaching me the language,” she says. “They explained Spanish words; if there were things, they showed them; if there’s an action, they acted it out for me. Every time we had free time, they gave it to conversation with me.” 

    In her service placement, “the children were so patient,” she says. She showed them pictures to teach English vocabulary and the children taught her Spanish in turn.  

    After several months, Stephanie Setiawan was able to speak and understand Spanish, but “I still didn’t get the jokes. It’s weird when people are talking and I couldn’t see the funny things. One day when I laughed, it felt really good. Finally, I could get the interactions.” 

    “It would be great to meet more people from other cultures,” she thought, as the YAMEN program introduced her to friends from around the world. She began to anticipate the MWC Assembly in Indonesia which her host mom told her about. “It would be really powerful to worship God together with our diversity.” 

    When Assembly arrived, Indonesian language coordinator Ary Rusdianto turned to Stephanie Setiawan, now working as web communications assistant for MWC. Interpreters for Spanish and Indonesian were scarce: she knew both languages.  

    “I’ve never been a translator. I rarely talk in a big group. This is the biggest stage in my life. If I had an option I would say no,” says Stephanie Setiawan. Friends encouraged her and helped her prepare.  

    And she remembered the neighbourhood Barrio Tokio in Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.  

    Part of her YAMEN work took her to this neighbourhood with a difficult reputation. “Never once did I feel afraid,” she says. “My interaction with children and parents is still fresh in my memory. I felt the peace of God in that place and the warmness of those people.” 

    The miracle of peace amid uncertainty occurred again on stage in Salatiga as she interpreted for José Rutilio Rivas. “It was an honour to serve in this way.” 

    “I feel it is really important to have connections to people from around the world,” she says. “When you embrace the differences and diversity you can grow, and your soul can be rich. There is always something good in another culture just waiting to learn.  

    “When you know someone from far away is praying for you, it will touch your heart. It’s important for us to pray for our brother and sister around the world especially when you know they are facing difficulty.”  

    YAMEN 2022-2023 Participants

    Name  Country of origin  Country of placement  Member church  
    *indicates MWC member church 
    Emilia Macono Guzman  Bolivia  México  Sinai Evangelical Mennonite Church (IEMB) *
    Uziel Zambrana Hurtado  Bolivia  Colombia  Smyrna Evangelical Mennonite Church*
    Sina Dy Cambodia  Kenya  Community of Changed Hearts Church 
    Sokvoleak Chum  Cambodia  Uganda  Tumnup Tek Khmer Evangelical Church 
    Sovanich Chhoun  Cambodia  Nicaragua  Nation Church Phnom Penh 
    Lilibeth Guzman Macea  Colombia  Honduras Communidad Menonita Nueva Vida en Cristo Jesus 
    Nidia Marleny Linares Martinez  El Salvador  México  Mennonite Evangelical Church of El Salvador* 
    Esther Abigail Aguilar Velasquez  Honduras  Bolivia  Iglesia Evangélica Menonita de Santa Rosa de Copan 
    Eve Franklin  India  Kenya  Mennonite Church Durg (MCI, Dhamtari)* 
    Mahima Tandi  India  Uganda  Bethlehem Mennonite Church Memra Pithora (BGCMC)* 
    Shepher Sona  India  Cambodia  Hebron Mennonite Church (BGCMC)* 
    Cahya Putri Wulansari  Indonesia  Rwanda  GITJ Kelet* 
    Johana Christianti  Indonesia  Burkina Faso  GKMI Bogor* 
    Setyawan “Adi” Nugroho  Indonesia  Bolivia  GKMI Kudus*
    Rael Kiptoo  Kenya  Uganda  Shalom Mennonite Church 
    Sarah Pariken  Kenya  Cambodia  Dominion Chapel International Ministries 
    Febe Daniella Madirgal Salgado  Nicaragua  Guatemala  Fuente de Vida (Convenci√≥n de Iglesias Menonitas)* 
    Melania Elizabeth Chaparro  Paraguay  Honduras  Dulce Refugio 
    Monika Warkentin  Germany/Paraguay  Palestine and Israel  Iglesia Hermanos Menonitas Concordia (AHM)* 
    Denise Dushime  Rwanda  India  Gatenga Evangelical Friends Church 
    Yejin Kim South Korea  Bolivia  Jesus Heart Church 
    Sondobi “Daniel” Chacha Sondobi  Tanzania  Cambodia  KMT Bukiroba*  
    Ladia Zulu  Zambia  Cambodia  Baptist Community Church 

     

    ‚ÄîA Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee joint release by Karla Braun, a writer for Mennonite World Conference who lives in Winnipeg.  

    The Young Anabaptist Mennonite Exchange Network (YAMEN) program is a joint program between Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee. It places emphasis on expanding the fellowship between churches in the Anabaptist tradition and developing young leaders around the globe. Participants spend one year in a cross-cultural assignment starting in August and ending the following July.