Prayer household

of the month
Each month, we
pray for a specific
unit. This month we
focus on the
Colorado Springs
unit. Please pray
for:
David Borbely
Nora Charles
Marle
Moellenbruck
Kate Unruh
Daniel & Meg
Smeltzer Miller
Prayer requests
Leaders retreat
is coming up Jan.
26-29 in San
Antonio. Pray for
safe travels and a
time of
rejuvenation for
leaders.
Pray for good
health for all
units during the
winter season.
January birthdays
5 Sondra Tolle,

Albuquerque
7 Susannah Epp,
Jackson
24 Matthew Kroeker,
Anchorage

January 2017

Welcome to the Service Adventure News!

Each month, we use this newsletter as a way to
learn more about whats going on throughout
Service Adventure, and to get to know people in a
specific location. This month, we are focusing on
the Colorado Springs unit. Enjoy getting to know a
bit about who they are and what they are doing this
year.

Back row: David Borbely, Daniel & Meg Smeltzer

Miller
Front row: Kate Unruh, Marle Moellenbruck and
Nora Charles

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Service Adventure News

My name is David Borbely, Im 19 years old and Im

from Siegburg, Germany. I work at the Westside
Community Preschool with kids from 3-5 years old. Im
a fixed part of the daily schedule, as I have routines
and jobs like cleaning and even a little bit of teaching.
I really appreciate my work, not only because its a
really great place with nice staff, but also because I
get the chance to be part of the kids education and
can share Gods love with them on a daily basis. In my
free time, I like to code or learn more about astrophysics and science in general.
After this year, I plan to go to university and study programming. I decided to
spend a year in service because I want to experience God in a way I cant do at
home. In the first half of Service Adventure, I learned a lot about God, myself,
and what God wants me to do.

Im Kate Unruh. Im from Yoder, Kansas. Im working at two

places, one called Our House Bright Futures, which is a day
program for special needs students, and the other called
Discover Goodwill, which is a day program for the elderly
with dementia. What I like to do in Kansas is play softball
with my church family, but more importantly, my
dad. In my free time here, I like to watch a TV show
called Castle, and I also like hanging out with my
new friends. I like going on hikes and being in
nature.

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Service Adventure News

My name is Nora Charles. I work at Seeds Community

Cafe in downtown Colorado Springs, a lunch place where
anyone can eat regardless of their ability to pay. Before
this year, I lived in Washington D.C., where I grew up. I
enjoy being outside, playing sports, reading, playing
violin, and eating carrots.

A little town called Marbeck in the north of Germany is my hometown. My name

is Marle and I am working at Our House Bright Futures. It is a day program for
people with disabilities. The mission is to recognize and honor each individuals
unique spirit by offering a safe, supportive environment that nurtures a balanced
and productive life. I decided to do this year of service to get to know myself in a
different way, to strengthen my faith in the King of Kings, and to serve him in
many different ways. The things I like about being here are living in a unit and
hanging out with the people around me, being close to the mountains, doing
activities, doing crafts, listening to music, doing worship, and cooking.

Daniel and I are in our second year as unit leaders,

and before moving to Colorado, we lived in
Harrisonburg, Virginia. I graduated from Eastern
Mennonite University in 2013 and am now a graduate
student at the University of Colorado, studying public
administration and nonprofit management. When Im
not doing school work or having adventures with my
housemates, I love to read, cook, play violin, travel,
and spend time outdoors.

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Service Adventure News

I grew up in Corning, New York, before moving to Harrisonburg to attend

Eastern Mennonite University. After graduating in 2010, I served in Baltimore,
Maryland, with Mennonite Voluntary Service, then returned to Harrisonburg to
attend Eastern Mennonite Seminary. While finishing seminary, I started working
at Park View Federal Credit Union and married Meg! In Colorado, I continue to
work for the credit union remotely. I enjoy games of all types: sports, card games,
board games, and video games.

Since we are just entering 2017, we decided to share 17 things that we think are
unique about the Colorado Springs Service Adventure unit!
1 We have a gorgeous view of Pikes Peak from almost anywhere in the city,
and every year, the Service Adventure unit
hikes to the top!
2

Living on the front range of the Rocky

Mountains often means we get some crazy
changes in weather. In early December, we
experienced a swing from a high of 64 degrees
Fahrenheit one day to a low of -11 degrees the
next!

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Service Adventure News

3 We live in Olympic City USA! Colorado Springs is home to the Olympic

Training Center that is used for all indoor summer sports.
4 The unit house is located on the west side of the city, which puts us in close
proximity to downtown as well as many hiking trails. We love experiencing
the best of both worlds, combining city life with lots of outdoor activities.
5 Our host church is Beth-El Mennonite, and theyve been very supportive of
us. Since the start of our year, weve gotten involved with the music team,
Sunday school classes, and leading junior youth activities.
6 A member of our church owns a movie theater in Woodland Park (a little
town west of the Springs), and he generously allows us to go to a movie for
free every month!
7 We get to spend several weekends throughout the year at Rocky Mountain
Mennonite Camp. Its a beautiful camp in the mountains that we love for its
proximity to nature, spiritual focus, and opportunities to connect with new
people.
8 We practice our thrift-shopping skills at the Arc, a local secondhand store
whose profits support programs for people with disabilities, and a go-to
spot for many of our shopping needs.
9 In October, we spent a fun weekend visiting
the Albuquerque Service Adventure unit and
attending the annual hot air balloon fiesta.
10 Also in October, we spent a weekend in
Rocky Ford, Colorado, at the site of the local
Mennonite Central Committee Relief Sale. While there, we helped by
pressing apple cider and selling food at the food booth.
11 For Halloween, we carved pumpkins ... which were then entirely eaten off
our front porch by the neighborhood squirrels.
12 Our Christmas tree was a gorgeous 8-foot spruce from the Colorado
forests, which David and a friend from church chopped down and brought
home.
13 At our service placements, we work with all kinds of people, including
children, elderly adults with dementia, and young adults with disabilities.

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Service Adventure News

Through our work weve learned that all people are loved and valuable
regardless of abilities or resources.
14 In our learning components, weve taught each other about volleyball,
nuclear fusion, history of the Bible, German language, mass incarceration,
classical music, and more.
15 When were not at work or at church, we can often be found playing board
games, listening to music, watching a movie, or doing our favorite 7minute workout video.
16 We four Colorado Springs participants all have birthdays within five weeks
of one another, from April 23 to May 26. (Stay tuned for a unit birthday
party in the spring!)
17 During the first half of the year, weve gone from being strangers to being a

family. Despite our differences in personality and interests, weve been able
to find common ground, and we have had a great time getting to know each
other!