wfn.org | Sisters in Voluntary Service

[Beth Hawn]

Microsoft Mail v3.0 (MAPI 1.0 Transport) IPM.Microsoft Mail.Note
To:  'Worldwide Faith News'
Date: 1998-07-01 15:18
Priority: 3
Message ID: B9899783E410D211AAB0006008075ABF
Conversation ID: Sisters in Voluntary Service

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 1, 1998
Mennonite Board of Missions
Beth Hawn
219-294-7523
<News@MBM.org>

MVS sisters grew up in a family that values volunteerism

KNOB NOSTER, Mo. (GCMC/MBM) - Jennifer and Susanna Unternahrer were
raised in a family that values service - and it shows.

The sisters, from Wayland, Iowa, entered Mennonite Voluntary Service
within nine months of each other. Susanna is a nurse in Brownsville,   
Texas,
while Jennifer teaches English as a second language and works on computer   

publishing projects at Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago.

Their parents, Norman and Hortensia, met while Norman was serving with
Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia, Hortensia's home country.

"We grew up with MCC being important in our family," Susanna said. In   
fact, the
family spent three years with MCC in Bolivia when the girls were small.   
Their
younger brother, Eric, a recent high school graduate, was born during   
that time.

The two said they didn't consult each other about going into MVS - a   
joint
program of the Commission on Home Ministries of the General Conference
Mennonite Church and Mennonite Board of Missions of the Mennonite Church.   

"We've always been fairly independent," Susanna said.

"Different families have different values, and that was ours - service   
was
the way we lived, and what was important to our parents," Jennifer said.
"They're on the peace and social concerns committee at church [Sugar   
Creek
Mennonite in Wayland], letting people know what's going on outside Iowa,   
in
the wider world."  Norman Unternahrer is also a Habitat for Humanity
volunteer.

"It's been a long time since anyone [at Sugar Creek] has gone into   
service,
especially a young adult," Susanna said. "I know [our being in MVS has]   
had
some effect on the church. We're in prayers, and the pastors emphasize
service more."

As for their particular MVS assignments - Jennifer had done an internship   

during college in Chicago and wanted to go back there. "The position they   
had
at Erie House was what I was looking for."

Susanna, who served on a STAT Team, a short-term service experience that
emphasizes evangelism, right after high school, spent 18 months working   
as a
nurse back in her home community of Wayland before applying to MCC.

"We worked a long time trying to find a placement," she said.  "I really   
wanted
to stay in the U.S. Then they sent my file to MVS and within a week I got   
a call
from Brownsville."

Both decided to do two-year assignments, longer than the normal one year.   

"Erie House has given back to me more than I've given," Jennifer said.   
"It's a
place I feel like I belong. We didn't grow up around my mother's culture,   
but
in Chicago, I work with a lot of Mexicans; Erie House's clientele is   
mostly
Hispanic."

"A year isn't long enough to get to know the job or the people," Susanna   
said.
"I wouldn't be in Brownsville except for MVS, but the relationships in   
the
church will keep me longer."

Being about 1,700 miles apart, with little extra income as volunteers,   
they
don't see each other often. However, "It's nice to know I'll see her at   
retreat
at least once a year," Susanna said with a smile.

                   * * *
Melanie Zuercher is news service editor for the General   
                         

Conference Mennonite Church.