Mi mañana comenzó antes de que saliera el sol. A las 5:00 a. m., dos de nosotros, los estudiantes, estábamos presentes en la cocina para ayudar a Connie, una voluntaria de MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service/el servicio menonita de desastres), a preparar el desayuno. Durante nuestro tiempo aquí, cada estudiante tiene la oportunidad de pasar un … Keep reading »
Environmental Disaster and Response
This immersive course focuses on the direct environmental disaster impacts on a local community, with an emphasis on social inequalities and the resources, relief, and response available to communities post-disaster.
2023 location: Minnesota
Led by Kendra Yoder
Angry Tias and Abuelas
Today was full of unique opportunities and experiences for our group studying in the Rio Grande Valley. We worked at La Posada for about half of the day today, splitting up into two groups one half of us continued to mix cement and pour it into holes that were dug previously the day before. The … Keep reading »
A Day in the Kitchen
My morning started off bright and early. By 5:00 a.m., two of us students were in the kitchen to help Connie, an MDS volunteer, prepare breakfast. During our time here, every student gets an opportunity to spend a day (or two) helping in the kitchen and cooking meals for everyone. Students who are assigned to … Keep reading »
Primer día en la Posada
Hoy fue nuestro primer día trabajando en la Posada en San Benito, Texas. Como dice en su sitio web, la Posada “es un refugio de emergencia para hombres, mujeres y familias que huyen a los Estados Unidos debido a la opresión política, los desastres naturales y otras acciones que amenazan la vida en sus países … Keep reading »
Aprendiendo de los inmigrantes
Dos de las experiencias más memorables que he tenido hasta el momento en el valle del río Grande de Texas fueron tener la oportunidad de ayudar a la hermana Thérèse Cunningham con sus clases de ESL (Inglés como segunda lengua, English as a Second Language o ESL por sus siglas) en la Posada Providencia y … Keep reading »
Learning from Immigrants
Two of the most memorable experiences I have had while living in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas were having the opportunity to assist Sister Thérèse Cunningham with ESL lessons at La Posada Providencia and learning from retired public defender Azalea Aleman-Bendiks. La Posada Providencia is an emergency shelter for women, men, and families fleeing … Keep reading »
First Day at La Posada
Today was our first day working at La Posada in San Benito, TX. As it states on their website, La Posada “is an emergency shelter for men, women, and families who flee to the United States due to political oppression, natural disaster, and other life-threatening actions in their native countries”. This May term a group … Keep reading »
Desastre ambiental y respuesta con el servicio menonita de desastres ‘22
¡Bienvenido a bordo! ¡Abróchense los cinturones y disfruten del viaje! Próxima parada: McAllen, Texas. Después de un ligero retraso en el aeropuerto de Dallas-Fort Worth, llegamos a McAllen, Texas. A nuestra llegada, el director del proyecto, Larry, junto con el voluntario de Mennonite Disaster Service, Roger, nos esperaban para transportarnos a la primera iglesia Metodista … Keep reading »
Environmental Disaster & Response with MDS ‘22
Welcome aboard! Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride! Next stop–McAllen, Texas. After a slight delay in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, we arrived in McAllen, Texas. At our arrival,Project Director Larry, along with Mennonite Disaster Service volunteer Roger, were waiting to transport us to the First Methodist Church in Weslaco where we are staying for … Keep reading »
Believing in Yourself
Going to a place where you have never been before and doing things that are unfamiliar can be quite scary. But besides this feeling, there is also something else that you look forward to and that is excitement. This is how I felt when I first signed up for this May term. I was excited … Keep reading »