This bridge actually exists in Honduras: it was built in the 1930s by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Pan-American Highway, but was abandoned in 1998 when the river changed its course after a hurricane.

鈥淚t is still beautiful and it still stands,鈥� said Okanya, during a lecture at 黑料正能量, 鈥渂ut the river is not there. The river has moved.鈥�

Similarly, Okanya said, the historical, traditional model of mission engagement 鈥� with churches of the global north 鈥渟ending鈥� missionaries into the 鈥渞eceiving鈥� global south 鈥� must be restructured to accommodate changing flows of worldwide Anabaptist faith.

Okanya鈥檚 visit to campus, in which he also spoke at two worship services, is part of the annual , originally funded by Myron S. and Esther Augsburger to address “topics in the area of Christian evangelism and mission for the stimulation and development of a vision for evangelism and missions for the 黑料正能量 community.”

The first mission took place in the 1930s, Okanya reminded the audience during his chapel sermon, and those who were called, and those who sent them, were compelled by the powerful story of Jesus Christ. Like the early martyrs of the Anabaptist faith, they suffered for their faith. 鈥淵ou can see their graves,鈥� Okanya said, recalling Elam Stauffer ’64, one of the first missionaries to be sent by EMM. Stauffer suffered for his convictions, losing an infant and then his wife, Elizabeth, after arriving in Tanzania.

Young people seeking purpose are often confronted with the popular narrative of 鈥渕oving towards something we will get for doing things right,鈥� Okanya said, adding that he too went to college for this reason. Yet there is an alternative narrative: the one followed by missionaries.

Think about 鈥渢he difference that you can make in life because you are completed not by what you can get but in response to the One who loves you and gave you life,鈥� he urged.

Okanya, who was born and raised in Kenya, pointed as evidence of this compelling narrative and the power of missions to the rapidly growing numbers of Mennonites in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia have the, behind the United States.

In his youth, Okanya interacted with the Kenya Mennonite Church and the EMM mission community in Nairobi. (When he preaches, he wanders away from the microphone, Okanya joked, because he is still a 鈥淜enyan shepherd boy鈥� at heart.) After graduating from university in Nairobi, Okanya came to the Baltimore area with the YES (Youth Evangelism Service) program and eventually attended seminary at 黑料正能量, where he met his wife Jessica Lawrence Okanya ’01.

Okanya has served as president of EMM since 2011, following years of mission work and also six years as lead pastor of Capital Christian Fellowship in Lanham, Maryland.

In his lecture titled 鈥淲hat Needs to Change? A Paradigm Shift in Missions Engagement and Implications for Western Mission Agencies,鈥� Okanya shared some of the challenges affecting mission work today. He and his staff continue to grapple with the question of 鈥渨hat it means to be missional in today鈥檚 environment,鈥� considering the issues of sustainable funding mechanisms, human resources, increasing hostility toward Westerners, changing stakeholders and globalization.

鈥淭here is a lot the church in North America can offer the world,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut there is much that the churches in the global South can offer us here. I鈥檝e met with Lancaster Conference bishops asking about receiving missionaries here. What does that mean? What are the benefits? They want to know this and we want to help them.鈥�

The way to engage youth in missions, and in church itself, is sharing and teaching with authenticity, Okanya said, just as the prophets, disciples and Jesus himself did.

鈥淎re we 鈥榓lmost Christian鈥�?鈥� he asked, using a term coined by author Kendra Dean Creasy. 鈥淎re we not serious enough about our faith and not taking seriously what He said and what He meant? We lack the strength to tell the story, and if we do not have it, then we cannot pass it on. We must be passionate.鈥�

Although most of DiGennaro鈥檚 classmates were preparing to pastor established North American Mennonite churches, DiGennaro sensed that he was preparing for something different.

And he was right. Today DiGennaro is directing the work of in East Africa. He designs and implements EMM鈥檚 projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Africa, and his team hopes to stretch into Somaliland in the near future.

DiGennaro鈥檚 work in seminary focused on Western church history,and聽 his familiarity with past faith movements helps him analyze the societal factors and belief patterns he encounters in African missiology today:

鈥淲hen I look at a church鈥檚 trajectory, I instinctively look through the lens of hundreds of years of history. By understanding the past, I can help create the future.鈥�

Class assignments he completed eight years ago continue to speak into DiGennaro鈥檚 perspective on current issues in Africa. One paper he researched and wrote for his 鈥淭heology of Economics鈥� class continues to be particularly helpful, as he interacts daily with Africa鈥檚 grinding poverty and broken social structures.

鈥淎n accurate appraisal of the economic reality in Africa 鈥� neither submitting to poverty nor idolizing wealth 鈥� is one of the most powerful assets a leader in this context can hold,鈥� he explains.

He says it was 鈥渁 tremendous privilege鈥� to set apart three years for study at EMS. The atmosphere at the seminary 鈥� with a firm belief in the movement of God鈥檚 Spirit, and a nuanced understanding of God鈥檚 will for the world 鈥� generated life in a deep and rich way.聽 His time at seminary was a time of reflection, looking toward action, which now grounds his life of missional engagement.

Although DiGennaro initially wondered if advanced theological education was a good investment for someone headed into cross-cultural missions, he frequently experiences convergence moments between the two. 鈥淢y layered understanding of the Gospel changes everything.鈥�

Courtesy of Eastern Mennonite Missions

Munayer鈥檚 mosaic of identities gave his four presentations at 黑料正能量, Feb. 20-21, the ring of authenticity. Palestinian. Christian. Arab. From a family whose lands were confiscated in 1948. Israeli citizen. Fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, English. Father of four sons. Author of several books. Speaker. College professor. Prophetic voice for reconciliation.

The Christian roots of his family and other Palestinians in the Holy Land extend back to the early years of the church.

U.S. Christians often blind to Palestinian Christians

鈥淲e were here for centuries. We kept the holy places. We went through a lot of suffering so pilgrims can come here,鈥� says Munayer of the native Christian peoples. Yet, ironically, 鈥渨hen Western Christians come, they don鈥檛 know we exist.鈥�

His life鈥檚 journey has been shaped by harsh forces of history, forces that could have turned him into a bitter man. The house and property of Munayer鈥檚 father Jacob were seized by Israeli soldiers in 1948. But Jacob later reconciled with one of the Israeli soldiers involved, and he encouraged his son to do the same with their Israeli neighbors.

鈥淒uring the Yom Kippur War of 1973,鈥� says Munayer, 鈥淚, and several friends from the Jewish high school I attended, volunteered at a hospital. Army trucks pulled up. In the back were Egyptian prisoners a few years older than us, missing hands, missing feet, missing arms. As we unloaded them onto stretchers, we asked ourselves, 鈥業s there a future for us in the Middle East? Is this our fate, to be casualties of a never-ending cycle of war?鈥欌��

The clash of historical narratives precedes the clash of armies. Shared understandings that give meaning and purpose to a people can also create walls of suspicion and hatred toward 鈥渢he other, the enemy.鈥�

Love of neighbor as key principle for all in Middle East

Munayer is committed to the powerful narrative of a Jew living under oppressive occupation, who taught love rather than hatred for one鈥檚 enemies and who chose to let go of honor and power to achieve reconciliation.

He quotes the scriptural admonition: 鈥淗ow can we say that we love God whom we don鈥檛 see, but we hate the neighbor that we do see, our brother and sister?鈥�

Munayer is committed to peacemaking in the way of Jesus who 鈥渃alled us to pursue 鈥� to chase 鈥� peace. In the Hebrew Biblical language, peace is something that you work for, you labor for, you pursue, you chase,鈥� says Munayer.

In 1990, Munayer helped found Musalaha (an Arabic word for reconciliation), a ministry that brings together Palestinian Christians with messianic Jews (who do not identify as Christian but accept Jesus as messiah and savior) to hear each other鈥檚 stories, get to know each other, gradually overcome their mutual fears, and build the kind of relationships that are the only basis for a lasting peace.

An initial challenge for fledgling Musalaha was finding a neutral place to meet, far from the maddening crowds. Enter the Negev desert, silent and intimidating. Add a caravan of 15 camels, each bearing two uneasy riders, a young Jew and a Palestinian. After three days traveling together, 鈥渢he other鈥� became 鈥渢he brother鈥� as barriers to conversation evaporated under the desert sun and the embracing silence.

Finding true identities as children of God

By the end of the desert encounter, the labels of Israeli and Palestinian fell away. 鈥淚n a process of identity transformation, the participants claim their truer identities 鈥� children of God, open to listen, open to embrace,鈥� says Munayer.

The hard work of true reconciliation meets 鈥渢he justice the Palestinians are looking for and the hope the Jews are seeking.鈥�

A recently launched program of Musalaha attempts to bridge the deep divides separating Christian, Jewish and Muslim neighbors. Shared moral values drawn from the three monotheistic religions, as well as the biblical values of tolerance, peace and love, inform these bridge-building projects of reconciliation.

Munayer closed his final chapel talk with the story of Egyptian and Bedouin guides who pulled him aside before their climb up Mount Sinai. 鈥淧lease tell us something. When we heard you were bringing a group of Israeli and Palestinian youth out here to the desert, we said to ourselves, 鈥楾his is not a good idea. They will be arguing and shouting at each other all the way up the mountain.鈥�

鈥淏ut look at them now, all together, working together. Can you tell us 鈥� Who is the Jew and who is the Palestinian?鈥�

Munayer鈥檚 visit to 黑料正能量 was part of a two-week circuit that took him to 14 locations and 30 speaking engagements, organized by , based in Salunga, Pa. His four talks at 黑料正能量 were sponsored by the , , and . Podcast links to two presentations are and .

Kauffman has extensive local and international mission experience serving most recently as VMM global ministries director and advancement associate since 2011. A seven-member search committee of members began their work in June 2013, and recommended Kauffman to the VMM Board.

Phyllis Miller, chair of the VMM Board states, 鈥淲e are delighted with Aaron鈥檚 selection as president. His unanimous selection by the Board indicates a trust level in his leadership along with a proven track record as global ministries director. We are grateful to God for this servant leader he has given us to lead VMM for this next period of time.鈥�

Kauffman will follow Loren Horst, who has served since 2002 as VMM president. Loren and his wife, Earlene, will be considering future VMM mission assignments after he concludes his current role on December 31, 2013. He states, “I am very pleased with the selection of Aaron Kauffman. Aaron is relationally warm, missiologically sound, and administratively competent. He combines mission passion with a deep faith in Jesus and love for the entire church. Aaron鈥檚 mission experience and proven leadership have prepared him well for this additional responsibility. I offer my full and prayerful support.”

Growing up in Pennsylvania, and attending , Mountville, Pa., Kauffman recounts learning a mission-minded way of living through the congregation鈥檚 refugee ministry, active youth group and mentoring relationships with church members, including mission leader, David Shenk of . As a result, he eagerly participated in local and international short-term mission experiences while a high-school and college student.

After completing a bachelor of arts in at 黑料正能量 (黑料正能量), he finished a MA in TESOL and bilingual education at Georgetown University in 2003. Following two years as an ESL teacher in , he and his wife Laura were jointly appointed by VMM and and served from 2005-2008 in La Mesa, Colombia, as church youth group leaders, members of a church planting team, and as a teacher and a nurse, respectively, at the local Mennonite school.

Upon returning to Harrisonburg, Va., to attend seminary, he became curriculum coordinator of the at 黑料正能量 while also teaching university courses in language instruction and methodology. He completed a in 2012. He has since taught undergraduate courses in as adjunct professor at 黑料正能量.

Upon his selection, Kauffman notes, 鈥淚t is truly an honor to be asked to serve Virginia Mennonite Missions in this way. With God’s help and the church’s prayerful support, I look forward to continuing VMM’s legacy of faithful witness to the good news of Jesus Christ. It is an exciting time to be part of what God is doing around the world through the church.”

Aaron and Laura Kauffman are members of , Broadway, Va., a congregation of Virginia Mennonite Conference. They have four children, Abigail, 8, Sophie, 6, Asher, 3, and David, 3 months. Laura Michelle Souder Kauffman completed a at 黑料正能量 in 2002 and has worked as a maternal health nurse. She is currently a member of a VMM Ministry Support Team and a stay-at-home mother. Their parents are Paul and Donna Souder, Harrisonburg, Va. and Dennis and Rose Kauffman, Lancaster, Pa.

Virginia Mennonite Missions was formed in 1919, with headquarters in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Now with a budget of $2.5 million, its mission is to invite people to faithful living in Jesus Christ by forming and enabling congregations and individuals to continue God鈥檚 reconciling work in the world. Approximately 75 persons serve in 16 countries including the United States in the areas of disciple-making and church planting, education, leadership development, deaf ministry, refugee ministry and urban ministry.

Article courtesy Virginia Mennonite Missions, Oct. 21, 2013

Leaman is the site medical director at the Kensington Avenue office of the in the economically disadvantaged neighborhood of North Philadelphia. Patients are often in 鈥渋ntense鈥� situations of abject poverty, he says, lacking health insurance while struggling with substance abuse, domestic violence, and HIV-AIDS.

Esperanza is the Spanish word for 鈥渉ope,鈥� Leaman explains. But it鈥檚 not the kind of wishful hope he has for the success of his Philadelphia sports teams, he laughs. It is a deep, abiding faith that comes from waiting on God.

The health center, a Christian organization, is holistic in its approach, offering spiritual, social, and emotional support as well as medical help. The center meets the needs of its patients through an interdisciplinary team that includes nutritionists, dentists, nurses, counselors, and social workers as well as family doctors like Leaman.

Leaman grew up in Philadelphia, where he saw many models of selfless Christian service, including his church-worker parents. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to me to be in a place where I can make a difference in people鈥檚 lives.鈥�

He wasn鈥檛 always convinced, though, that he would be a physician and that he would work in his hometown. But his professors influenced him to major in biology and minor in missions. He credits the YES program of for instilling a life lesson and a critical skill that he needs in his current work 鈥� relying on God鈥檚 help and speaking Spanish.

Leaman returned to Philadelphia to study at Temple University School of Medicine. He started at Esperanza in 2001. He and his wife Jen and three children are active at , where Tim completed 11 years as council chair last year. They live two blocks from Tim鈥檚 boyhood home.

What keeps Leaman going? 鈥淭ime alone with God in the practices of solitude and prayer have helped me maintain spiritual vitality and to know God鈥檚 heart for our city and my patients,鈥� he says. 鈥淎lso, transformations in the lives of church friends, neighbors, and patients give me hope and inspiration in the midst of significant challenges.鈥�

Nisly, who majored in at 黑料正能量, is the in-country coordinator for the Guatemala operation of a nonprofit group, . Located in Pet茅n, the country鈥檚 largest department (equivalent to a large U.S. state), Nisly leads trainings that widely impact Pet茅n鈥檚 population of 650,000, 鈥� one that has experienced much violence, including death threats and murders of healthcare workers.

Guatemala, under its current unstable and corrupt political system, is not an easy place for Nisly to work in some respects, yet she is passionate about Concern America鈥檚 philosophy.

鈥淐oncern America trains local populations in health, education, agriculture, and/or environmental health (appropriate technology),鈥� according to its website. From its home base in Santa Ana, Calif., this international development and refugee aid organization aims to help local populations gain the knowledge and skills they need to staff and run their own fully functional systems.

Though she loves her work, Nisly looks forward to the day when she can offer her services elsewhere because Guatemalans are doing her work as well or better, she said in an interview via Skype in early January 2013. 鈥淓verything we do focuses on teaching and empowering other people to do things that maybe they didn鈥檛 realize they could do.鈥�

The end of 2012 found Nisly training groups of health-promoting practitioners, who typically have attended local schools through grade 4, and midwives, many of whom are illiterate. These Guatemalans make a four-year commitment to study with Concern America for one week every two months. Between their studies, they put what they have learned into practice, attending to the health needs of some of the most marginalized populations in Guatemala.

The approach of alternating study and practice is one that Nisly herself is pursuing as a current 黑料正能量 graduate student, studying online for her . 鈥淎ll other [nursing master鈥檚] programs I looked at required leaving the country and the work in order to go to school, and I wasn鈥檛 willing to do that.鈥�

She also knew that the 黑料正能量 approach to an MSN would be compatible with her own religious beliefs and lifestyle practices. Raised Mennonite, Nisly now works closely with the Roman Catholic Church, with which Concern America partners for its work in Guatemala.

With 500 midwives and health-promoting practitioners trained by the Catholic Church鈥檚 health program in Pet茅n, Nisly has seen basic health care rippling out to almost every hamlet of Guatemala. 鈥淭hey [the health promoters and midwives] provide most of the health care services for their communities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know where [else] health-promoting practitioners are able to care for such a wide range of complex health issues.鈥�

By the end of two years of training, these practitioners are able to attend to common digestive, respiratory, skin, urinary, reproductive, oral, traumatic (including basic suturing and tendon repairs), chronic (including diabetes, cardiac issues, and epilepsy), tropical disease and nutritional issues, says Nisly. 鈥淭hey are able to assist midwives in difficult births, like breech babies and postpartum hemorrhage. Their education includes a strong foundation in physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology.鈥�

The Pet茅n program is widely viewed as a model one, causing observers from other Concern America projects around the world to visit in the hope of adopting the model to their situations, said Nisly.

The workers trained by Concern America are up against a system that does not work for or with them, Nisly said. For instance, health-promoting practitioners and midwives are taught to refer pregnant women with high blood pressure to a hospital for more care, but sometimes these women are sent home without treatment, where some have died. 鈥淥ne of the big challenges,鈥� she sighed, 鈥渋s not having a referral system that we can rely on.鈥�

She leans on this insight once given to her: 鈥淭he only thing that is going to limit you, and what you can do here, is yourself.鈥� As a result, she has learned to tap 鈥渢he resources that are available to me,鈥� rather than 鈥渂eing limited by what I think I know and what I should be able to do.鈥�

After graduating from 黑料正能量 in 1996, Nisly worked for a three years with before beginning her work with Concern America. She is fluent in Spanish and the indigenous Mayan language of Q鈥檈qchi鈥�. She is the author of the first comprehensive health guide in the Q鈥檈qchi鈥� language, published in 2005. It is similar to the well-known manual 鈥淲here There Is No Doctor.鈥�

An 黑料正能量 cross-cultural group led by and Jim Hershberger stopped in Pet茅n in February 2013 to see the work of Nisly and Concern America.

Although she functions in a leadership role, Nisly reiterated multiple times that, 鈥渨e work here as a team鈥� and that her work could not be successful without the help and support of others in the organization.

As her bio in Continuing the Journey:聽The Geography of Our Faith, (ACRS Memoirs, Volume 2) recounts, 鈥淗er teaching career of thirty-nine years ranged from a one-room elementary school” through the two Mennonite high schools “to an associate professorship at Millersville State College (now Millersville University).”

During her years at EMC from 1943-56, she inspired many writers, as both a teacher and faculty advisor of Scriblerus, the creative writing society. Her own publications include Frontiers of Faithfulness:聽The Story of Groffdale Mennonite Church (1992) and the histories of Landis Homes Retirement Community and .

At Millersville State College, Grace developed a program for low-performing English students, for which she received a Certificate of Excellence in Teaching from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and was awarded a Commonwealth Distinguished Chair for 1976-77.

During the summer of 1981, Grace was one of the teachers sent by Goshen College to what is now Northeastern University in Shenyang, China; she retained a special love for that country and its people over the years.

has honored Grace as one of their founders.聽In an effort to address racial discrimination, in 1967 Grace invited a few others to join her in establishing the Menno-Housing Corporation. This organization worked to overcome unfair housing in Lancaster County by renovating buildings that low-income families could then afford to rent.聽In 1968 the organization expanded into Tabor Community Services, whose work is ongoing.

“Grace, who lived out the meaning of her given name, was a presence of special value wherever she was,鈥� wrote John L. Ruth after Grace鈥檚 death. 鈥淲ith humble dignity and intellectual acuity, she enriched all whose lives intersected with hers.”

Grace held a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Elizabethtown College and a master鈥檚 degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She did additional graduate studies at Temple University and the University of Delaware.

Vic Buckwalter 鈥�73, originally from Cochranville, Pa., went on to medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia. Christina Yoder 鈥�73 Buckwalter, from Barberton, Ohio, earned a master鈥檚 degree in the psychology of reading from Temple University. Vic鈥檚 residency in family medicine was at Lancaster (Pa.)
General Hospital.

鈥淚 got excellent preparation for medical school at 黑料正能量,鈥� said Vic. 鈥淚 took all the courses I could in anatomy and from .鈥�

The Buckwalters鈥� first stop in their careers of service was at the in Arizona, where Vic was a medical officer in the Indian Health Service for two years. Then they went to Tanzania under , serving two terms with a two-year break in between. Vic worked in a hospital and Christina homeschooled their children 鈥� Benjamin, Nicholas 鈥�05, and Molly.

After eight years in Africa, the Buckwalter family settled near Harrisonburg, in a house between Massanutten Peak and Keezletown. Christina taught at Waterman and Spotswood elementary schools and Vic practiced family medicine at Carilion Family Medicine in Weyers Cave.

But Africa beckoned again. This time 鈥� 2008 鈥� they accepted a four-year term of service in Kenya under (MCC). They lived in Webuye in the western part of the country.

Vic was on the faculty at Moi University in the family medicine department. He taught Kenyan physicians who were pursuing post-graduate degrees in family medicine. One day each week they worked in a family medicine clinic.

Another day was devoted to over 400 diabetes patients. Funding from MCC provided a medication subsidy and supported a diabetes laboratory. Vic and his team provided glucose monitoring for some of the most poorly controlled patients requiring insulin therapy.

Christina worked as a reading specialist at the local public school鈥擠istrict Education Board Primary School. She taught small groups of students who needed extra help with reading. (All students in Kenya are expected to be adept in both English and Swahili.) Christina also traveled to the capital city, Nairobi, each month to train teachers at two Mennonite schools in impoverished areas.

The Buckwalters returned to their Virginia home in April 2012, where Vic joined the staff of Harrisonburg Community Health Center as a family physician.

So what did they think of being chosen 黑料正能量鈥檚 alumni of the year? 鈥淲e were totally shocked,鈥� said Christina. 鈥淗ow can we follow last year鈥檚 winner?鈥� (, MA 鈥�07.)

Mary Dunn and her team recently took a break from clinics and lessons about nutrition and sanitation to distribute something just as important 鈥� sweets and聽gifts.

Much of Dunn鈥檚 ministry involves working with a Peruvian Mennonite Church team that holds clinics and teaches in remote Andean villages. On a recent visit to Cotabambas the team treated more than 30 children, many with serious respiratory infections.

But in December their visits took on a new flavor 鈥斅燾hocolate.

鈥淕od is constantly teaching me about the blessing of both giving and receiving,鈥� said Dunn, a nurse from Kidron, Ohio, as she wrapped up her yearlong internship with聽EMM.

Before going into the countryside, Dunn and Juana Puma, her Peruvian co-worker, purchased 44 pounds of sugar, enough to prepare hot chocolate and sweet bread for more than 200聽people.

They also wrapped gifts for the children in Cotabambas, where they were completing a yearlong children鈥檚 nutrition program, and prepared teaching materials for the two churches they were visiting 鈥� San Juan de Cota颅bambas and聽Colca.

Sugary treats are not usually part of the health teachings or the diet of the Quechua villag颅ers, but Dunn said seeing the smiles on the children鈥檚 faces was聽priceless.

On these visits, in addition to the health classes, the church team threw “Chocolatadas,” a festive event with hot chocolate with sweet bread. In some locations they also shared gifts of basic food聽staples.

The Chocolatadas also included devotional times and festive worship singing. Dunn was surprised to get pressed into sharing an impromptu聽sermon.

鈥淚 never imagined doing something like that,鈥� Dunn said. 鈥淚 was put in a position of needing to completely rely on God. I spoke in Spanish while my friend Gloria translated into Quechua because most people in the country churches understand that聽better.

鈥淚 had expected to be giving gifts, but was surprised by the goodness, generosity and faithfulness of God expressed back to us by the hospitality of the villagers. Their warm fellowship was such a gift 鈥� helping us sense God鈥檚 love and聽presence.鈥�

In San Juan de Cotabambas, before the Chocolatada celebrations, the villagers insisted on serving their visitors soup. Another village hosted the visiting team of six overnight, fixing breakfast over an open聽fire.

During her internship working in the “campo” (countryside) Dunn has enjoyed seeing how the villagers regularly bring their gifts and offerings to the聽church.

Often there is no money in the offering plate, but people heap corn in the front of the church. Someone may bring a chicken or a guinea聽pig.

Dunn witnessed her first Peruvian baptisms. The church is continuing to spread, especially in the remote mountain regions. She had an unforgettable moment when she witnessed 10 people committing their lives to Christ 鈥� with the Andes Mountains in the聽background.

Dunn has been pleased to meet women dedicated to what they are learning in health classes and making changes in their life颅styles. Many are integrating more vegetables into the family diet. Others are installing聽latrines.

The health team has the goal of visiting each of the 13 Mennonite churches that have been established in and around Cusco.

Dunn said the villagers often say things like, 鈥淭hanks for coming, for remembering us. We often feel forgotten and neglected way out聽here.鈥�

, dean of in Harrisonburg, Va., will speak on his quest to know his father, an Amish entrepreneur who died when Ervin was three years old, at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at Walnut Creek (Ohio) Mennonite Church, 2619 CR 144.

Dr. Stutzman’s ten-year search revealed tangled strands of relationships, woven by Tobias J. Stutzman’s ambition through the fabric of family, church and community. It led to his writing a book, “Tobias of the Amish,” released by Herald Press of Scottdale, Pa., in 1995.

Stutzman was born into an Amish home as a twin in Kalona, Iowa. After his father’s accidental death, his mother moved her family to her home community in Hutchinson, Kan. He was baptized into the Center Amish Mennonite Church near Partridge, Kan. He later joined the Yoder Mennonite Church near Yoder, Kan.

After marrying Bonita Haldeman of Manheim, Pa., the couple served five years in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Rosedale Mennonite Missions, where Stutzman was co-pastor of the Mennonite Christian Assembly.

Ordained as Bishop

In 1982, the family moved to Lancaster, Pa., where Stutzman became associate director of the home ministries department of Eastern Mennonite Missions. In 1984, he was ordained as bishop of the Landisville District of Lancaster Mennonite Conference.

He was moderator of Lancaster (PA) Mennonite Conference, 1991-2000, and moderator of Mennonite Church USA, 2001-2003, the newly-merged denomination joining the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church.

The EMS dean completed his undergraduate work at Cincinnati Bible College, earned an MA degree from the University of Cincinnati, a master of arts in religion degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary and a Ph.D. in communication from Temple University.

Stutzman joined the seminary faculty in 1998 and was named dean in July 2000. He is also founding director of the seminary’s Preaching Institute.

Telling His Story

Stutzman has three additional books published by Herald Press – “Being God’s People” (1986), “Creating Communities of the Kingdom,” co-authored with David W. Shenk (1988) and “Welcome” (1990).

Stutzman notes that “Tobias of the Amish” is more than a book about his father – “It’s also the story of a family and faith community struggling with the challenges of a modern world.

“I hope that my story will encourage others to embark on the arduous but deeply-rewarding task of delving into their family lore,” Stutzman states. “Gazing into my father’s face has helped me to see my own.”

The program at Walnut Creek Mennonite Church is open to the public. For more information, call 330-852-2560.

Representatives of 13 church-related service organizations will have displays set up in the Campus Center Greeting Hall and are available to talk with students and area residents about openings with their agencies.

Programs represented will include Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pa.; Mennonite Board of Missions, Elkhart, Ind; Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, Pa.; Presbyterian Church USA; Mennonite Disaster Service; Lutheran Volunteer Corps; Serving With Appalachian People and Virginia Mennonite Board of Missions.

A group of 黑料正能量 professors and students who have been in mission/service assignments will hold a panel discussion 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in the Campus Center Greeting Hall. A Peace Corp information session will be held 5 p.m. that day, also in the Campus Center.

Walter Caballos, a pastor and trauma healing specialist representing Justpaz, a justice and peace ministry of the Mennonite Church in Columbia, Central America, will speak at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Common Grounds coffeehouse in the University Commons.

The event is coordinated by 黑料正能量