Newsletter #16

Mennonite Service Center is a faith based, non-profit organization with human service programs in rural east-central Mississippi. We believe and adhere to Romans 6:4: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in                  

 Newness of Life.”      

No. 17   ------------------------------   Oct 1, 2018 

Feeding “5,000 fish sandwiches”.  

     Mashulaville Mennonites had a goal this summer - to provide children with spiritual enrichment and nutritional meals. The Bible records the miracle of “5,000 fish sandwiches”, so why not go for that? We prayed, planned and completed a proposal with USDA. Mennonite Service Center (MSC) was the sponsor and eighteen church-partner centers in Noxubee and Lowndes Counties supported the effort. The preparations, regulatory and training requirements were monumental.                

Summer Food Programs are not new to Mashulaville, we’ve been doing it since 2002. However, each year has its unique features and complications. The food service, hosting/placement of volunteers and finding and funding enrichment resources kept us busy.

In the eight-week program, over 28,000 breakfast and lunch meals were served. We give honor and praise to the Lord for blessing our children’s’ ministry.   

Volunteers organized daily sports, crafts and devotional activities at our centers. This year meals were prepared at four VBS sites and catered to the local mental health agency.              There were five out-of-state church groups, SOOP volunteers, parents and community leaders helping us. We seek local churches’ involvement but the biblical aspect of “doing home mission” by teaching/feeding hungry children in Mississippi needs to be encouraged.

Mennonite Central Committee gave MSC matching funds for a supervising youth worker this year. In addition, we gave stipends to eight high school junior leaders. 

June and July days are hot and humid. Parent schedules in poor communities are often haphazard. Municipal recreation is non-existent. Children here (and many places) need safe places and sustenance in the summer. That is why MSC does this ministry.

Yes, we exceeded our summer “fish sandwiches” goal.  Mashulaville Dormitory is headquarters, government funding pays for food preparation/cooking supplies. It is the faith of staff and volunteers in the Lord Jesus that energizes the work with children!

by: Larry Miller

MSC Home Repair Ministry Report.

The 2017 statistics for fixing up homes of *disabled, widows, aged, disaster related persons increased to over 200 projects. The reason for this is the commitment of Indiana and Pennsylvania Amish Work Weeks’ volunteers, (now in it’s 4th year). 

Amish volunteers who came for a May 14 – 23 mission to the South, completed 29 projects which included: 7 ramp/porches, 8 bathrooms, 5 roofs, painting, clean-up and flooring jobs.                              

MSC has adopted a criteria for home repair applicants. Inquiries are screened to receive points based on *eligibility guidelines. Single parent, child dependents, no insurance status and other situations give added points. If funds are available to homeowners to buy materials the applicants go on a waiting list for future help. Labor is donated by the MSC workers. For more information contact: Robert Mosley, 361-0330, Larry Miller, 361-0383 or Beverly Mayo, 352-4892

Calendar of 2018 MSC events ----- Mashulavlle Dormitory: 

Sept. 20 – MSC Home Repair assessments began                                        

Sept 27-28 – State Dep’t audit.                                                                

Oct. 3 – Home Delivery Meals (Wed)                                                        

Oct. 4 – Comfort Knotting Ladies (Thurs)                                       

Oct. 12 – MSC Board meeting                                                                                

Nov. 17 – 24 Amish Work Week , 42 vol.                                           

Dec. 1 – Mashulaville Elderly Banquet                                                               

Dec. 25 – Christmas Day                                                                                   

Dec. 26 – Jan. 4,  Amish Work Week                                                               

Jan. 21 – M.L. King Day Community Project.   Emily Borkholder from Milford, IN with Avianna and Amelia Roby (house roofing).                                                                           

Jan. 25 – Anabaptist Observance

Feb. 5 - GED classes                                                                                              

Apr 1 – 5, Holdeman Mennonite Church (IN). 

We Need Your Contributions for a materials fund for needy homeowners and to help pay for volunteer transportation.

Come help build a pole barn Christmas week, 2018 for Mr. Willie L. Little of Mashulavlle. Picture taken on his  89th birthday after he had cataract surgery. The old barn in background is older than he is.

8 volunteers needed, also

 Build a shelter roof and picnic tables for Mashulaville Dormitory.                                                 Needed: $1200 for materials.

Mennonite Service Center,                                                                            

105 Dormitory Drive    

Macon, MS 39341                                                                  

Phone: 662-361-0383