Hello Friends and Family,
I’m so excited to update and share with you about domestic ministry in Macon, Mississippi. I have a lot to tell you, so get comfortable!
It was a six-hour drive from Gainesville, Georgia, to Mississippi, and we were there for a week, from September 23rd to the 29th. While we were there, we stayed in a home called the Mashulaville Dormitory (second picture below), run by a sweet Mennonite lady named Rachel, who came by every night and made us cookies. The dormitory was built in 1928 (see the first picture below for more historical info), making it an old but charming place to stay. We each got a room paired with one or two roommates. It was such a treat to be able to sleep in a bed and use a bathroom, especially since at training camp we slept in tents and used porta-potties. It made me realize how much of a luxury it is to have basic necessities like a bed and a working bathroom.
On our first day, our host, Keith, showed us around the town and the places where we would be ministering. The next day, we were immediately put to work. About half of us were split up between two different churches to serve. I personally worked at a church that needed a lot of service work done. This included painting, cleaning out rooms, and renovating an old trailer by removing all the old drywall. I had the pleasure of replacing some of their old windows and cleaning out an old closet filled with things they didn’t need anymore. We did this for two days straight.
On the following two days, we toured an old jail cell that had been converted into a library and were given Wi-Fi time at a coffee shop to work on anything we needed, like writing and posting receipts for our team’s expenses during the trip. Then, during our last two days, we had the pleasure of getting to know the Choctaw Native Americans. We spent time at their reservation, playing on the playground with the little kids and engaging in games like basketball, football, and softball with the older kids. On Sunday, before we left, we joined them at their church and enjoyed their potluck afterward. Their fried bread is so good, by the way!
Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but God was so faithful throughout it all. He provided safe travels and good work for us to serve Him, as well as relationships that will forever be memorable among our squad. It was an eye-opening experience and extremely helpful in preparing us for ministry work in our respective countries. It really showed us how poverty doesn’t just happen in other countries but it’s right in our own country as well.
Once we returned from the domestic ministry, we had what they call a debrief, which means we took a week for reflection and rest. We will also have this when we’re on the field. This debrief included one-on-one time with our mentors, leaders, and coaches, as well as a feedback session for our team to reflect on what we did well and what we could improve. Our coaches, Darla and Chris (see the last picture below; they are the ones right in the center in the blue shirts), gave messages on identity and surrender. We were also informed about what to expect and be aware of for our upcoming ministry work in our first country, Malaysia. They even organized an adventure day at the lake beach, where we got to hang out and enjoy the weather as a squad. This week of debrief was super relaxing and rewarding. It was nice to slow down for a bit and redirect my focus on Jesus personally. I feel like He is clearly preparing us for our ministry work in our countries by demonstrating His faithfulness and softening hearts to be more receptive to Him. He is preparing us to be bold and confident followers of Christ so that others will see God through us.
I don’t know what God has in store, but I know He is good and will use us for His purposes. Please pray for safe travels as we leave Monday night for a 13-hour flight followed by a 7-hour flight. I’m excited to continue updating you and soon share all about Malaysia. I don’t know when I’ll be able to blog next, but make sure to keep an eye out!
Blessings to you all,
Mollie Stutzman
