Environmental Disaster and Response

By Hillary Harder Leading the Environmental Disaster and Response with MDS course in Selma, Alabama this month has been nothing short of transformative. As I reflect back over the three weeks of our travel, living, learning, working, fellowshipping, and processing together, I am left with immense gratitude. First, I want to thank our gracious hosts … Keep reading »

By Aysia Adkins As we come back and re-enter our lives which we left on May 1st, I’m filled with many impactful memories that have accumulated in just 20 days. It sort of doesn’t feel right to jump back into the flow of everything else as it was before May. This experience with MDS was … Keep reading »

By Lexie Coburn On May 20 we got home from our closing retreat at Camp Nacome in Tennessee where we reflected and processed our shared experiences and individual experiences we had in Selma, Alabama. Who would have thought 13 people who just spent two and a half weeks working and living together would still have … Keep reading »

By Jazmin Ibarra Today is May 19th, I am sitting in a community lodge in Camp NaCoMe in Tennessee for our SST closing retreat, reflecting on my experiences and my encounters in Selma. Where can I even start? Before this service, I remember packing my things back at home being a little hesitant about my … Keep reading »

By Jacob Dixon My experience working with a crew of people that exert their best effort to make sure that other people are being cared for, has been one of the most fulfilling things that I have done all year. I have reached a point in my life where all I want to do is … Keep reading »

By Lily Herrera The one word I want to use to describe today and for the past few days is fulfilling. This morning, May 15, I gave a devotion in front of the Mennonite Disaster Service year long volunteers and the rest of the Goshen College SST group. I spoke on how growing up as … Keep reading »

By Judith Rangel Visit to the Legacy Museum On Saturday, May 10th, we visited The Legacy Museum in Montgomery. It was a meaningful and unforgettable day that will stay with me forever. While Mexicans/Latino stories were not discussed often, I realized how interconnected our struggles are. The sacrifices made by countless individuals across all backgrounds … Keep reading »

By Summer Cuatepotzo Perez Impactful. Speechless. Astounded. Disgust. Anger. Confusion. Sadness. None of these can describe how emotionally overwhelmed I personally felt, my physical response- tears. You ask… where in the world did you experience this? Or what happened that made you feel this way? The Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, which offers the cruel … Keep reading »

By Parker Sullivan Today, May 9, was another productive work day and the end of our first work week with MDS. Each of our three groups were working at the same separate sites as the rest of the week. My group spent the day finishing up our work at the Fitts house, installing doors, painting, … Keep reading »

By Evelyn Perez As I sit here today reflecting on my experience so far in Selma, I want to share that I’ve explored and learned many life-changing stories. Every place we have visited holds very rich and valuable voices. If I’m being honest, this experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone. Leaving home … Keep reading »