September 18, 2003

With a team of volunteers from five continents representing 11 countries, WorldService Corps is “beginning to have the kind of impact envisioned long ago,” comments associate director Gregg McDonald.

Directed by Apostle Jac Kirkpatrick, WorldService Corps has continued to expand its opportunities and programs since the pilot in 1999. In August, volunteers from several WorldService Corps programs completed terms of service from two months and two years.

Elizabeth, Joseph Charlie, and Elsa

Elizabeth Arunga (Mombasa, Kenya), Egor Grigor’evich Savin (Novosibirsk, Russia), Elsa Adhiambo Wanyando (Kisumu, Kenya), and Kang Yuri (Seoul, Korea) deepened their knowledge about the church and broadened their cultural understandings by serving four months as international guides in the United States. In teams of two, they traveled between the Temple in Independence, Missouri; Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois; and Kirtland Temple in Kirtland, Ohio, to give historic site tours and participate in local congregations.

Elizabeth is a retired schoolteacher who has six grown daughters and one grandchild. She is an elder and was a delegate to the 2002 World Conference. Egor, a deacon, studies engineering at the Institute of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion. Elsa, an elder, has seven children and two grandchildren. She was the original contact person for the church in Mombasa, Kenya, and has been active in several leadership roles. Yuri is a student who has been active in young adult programs at the Yonhidong congregation for years and recently became a member of the church.

Yuri and Egor

Regarding her experience as an international guide, Yuri expressed her gratitude for the friends she made and her host family. “I will never forget those people who treated me so well,” she said. Egor said, “I had a great opportunity to experience American culture, learn about church history, and meet a lot of church members.” Elsa confided that it was not easy for her at nearly 60 years old to leave her family and take on a totally new routine. “This program has taught me to be flexible, to receive, and also to share with others.” Elizabeth, who returned home because her brother passed away, sent a testimony that said, “I now have a spirit of accommodation for people of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds…. We are all the same before God.”

Latin America Program

Three volunteers completed approximately two months of service in Latin America. Amanda Hernández Cienfuegos (Mexico City, Mexico) is pursuing a theology degree from a seminary in Mexico. She previously worked with a WorldService Corps team in Mexico. “Nahum” Molina (Taulabé, Honduras) is active in children and youth ministries in his home congregation and worked with WorldService Corps volunteers in Honduras two years ago. This year, Amanda and Nahum worked with the local congregation and children’s and youth outreach in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Hilder Copa Quispé (Cochabamba, Bolivia) served in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He is a young adult leader who worked closely with a WorldService Corps team that came to Cochabamba from Honduras last year. Hilder’s assignment included working with local congregations and focusing on children’s and youth outreach ministries.

Eight volunteers spent approximately two months sharing in cultures new to them. Erin Clark (Roeland Park, Kansas, United States) worked with a committee that is planning and compiling a new German hymnal. Two of her favorite experiences were working as a counselor for a youth program and participating in the Germany Reunion. “I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to connect with the people in Germany, share with them in worship, and learn from them,” she said.

Lori Martens (Oak Grove, Missouri, United States) and Karli Smith (Dandenong, Victoria, Australia) served in South Korea’s capital city of Seoul. They participated in a variety of church programs-from teaching Sunday school and English classes to leading adult discussion groups and developing a children’s Bible school. Karli said, “Making connections with people of all ages was very important to me.” Lori reflected on the theme they chose for the Bible school, “Grow with God,” saying, “This theme, which we had been planning for weeks, was what had actually been happening all along for me.”

Holly Chow (Independence, Missouri, United States), Beccie Morris (Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England), and Matthew Swain (Newbury, Ontario, Canada) were based in Nkhata Bay, Malawi, Africa. The team participated in youth fellowship, home visiting, Bible studies, and worship services. During home visits the team asked families why they had chosen Community of Christ as their church. They reported that the answer was always the same. Members appreciated the many opportunities to share their gifts and their voices. Holly said, “We learned that our presence was ministry. After the time we spent there, we found it was the one on one contact with people that strengthened the community and the church.”

Kristen Caler (Portland, Maine, United States) and Holly Gernaat (McBain, Michigan, United States) were based in Ensenada, Mexico. They started a Young Peacemakers Club that will be continued by indigenous leaders. Kristen said, “We taught kids about having peace within their hearts, conflict resolution with other people, and taking care of the environment.” Each week they chose a Bible verse for the children to learn. The first was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Holly said, “This became my and Kristen’s overall theme because we often didn’t have the people or the resources required to do what we needed to do, and we always gave it to God.” In the end, someone always pulled through for them, or they would end up with the exact amount of supplies needed for everyone. “God knew what we needed,” said Holly.

For more about the short-term volunteers, see the September Herald (page 28) or visit www.CofChrist.org/news/jun03/wsc.asp.

Long-Term Program

Chris and Matt Davisdon (Elk Grove, California, United States) lived for two years in Mzimba, Malawi, Africa. Chris said, “We are Malawians in our hearts as well as Americans now.” The couple experienced the daily joys and frustrations that accompany immersing oneself in a different culture. They participated in many church sacraments and worked with numerous congregations in outlying areas, finding many opportunities to use their unique gifts. To learn more about Chris and Matt’s experience, see the September Herald (page 25), www.CofChrist.org/news/aug03/wsclt.asp, and watch for their testimony in an upcoming issue of Face to Face.

How to Be Part of WorldService Corps

There are three important aspects of the WorldService Corps program: home communities, host communities, and volunteers. Home communities provide encouragement and support for volunteers who will return to share testimonies, enhanced leadership skills, and awareness of the unique gifts they can offer. Host communities welcome volunteers and support their integration with the community as they assist with local activities and help expand ministry. Volunteers, the backbone of the program, are the means of connection between their home and host communities-expanding everyone’s concept of global community.

After the volunteers shared their stories, WorldService Corps coordinator and former volunteer John Chatburn said, “We may think that their journeys are done, but in fact a new journey is just starting in their lives.” To learn more about WorldService Corps and how to get involved visit www.CofChrist.org/WorldService, e-mail WorldService@CofChrist.org, or call 1-800-825-2806, ext. 2241.

-Kendra Friend reporting