Wednesday, June 11Well, we left Amherst Massachusetts with pack lunches tucked away… graciously given to us by the church there. High-low-buffalo and a devotional by Zach started our first leg of the days journey. We traveled along and in one of our 1.5 hr slots of travel time, we pulled the box of impressions from the safety of the overhead bin and to some people's delight and others dread we started the process of signing everyone's impressions. After a quick stop at Walmart for bathrooms and a bite of lunch, again we sped on. Because of heavy traffic we were put behind schedule and had to rearrange a few stops; cutting some out and adding others in. Does it really matter which rest stop we choose to pull into? A nice Pilot gas station was chosen in southern Connecticut… and after pulling into the parking lot someone exclaims, "There's Wendell Nisly!" Low and behold, the Shenandoah Chamber Choir decided this particular Pilot was a nice option to swing in at. Choir meets choir… kinda funny, eh? We couldn't have done it if we tried. Felt to this Montana girl a bit how it must be in the life of a Pinecraft migrant. Turns out we gather around in a circle up right there in the gas station and had a little sing-song. They sang to us, we sang to them. Than we all sang one verse of a song together until a very business minded woman decided to stand up for several complaining customers and we politely boarded our respective busses and parted ways-one headed North and the other South. There was a lot of excitement and some nervousness to sing at Lebanon Valley Mennonite Church (which I learned is NOT in Lancaster according to those who know PA better than I do) because of a host of familiar faces in the audience for many of the choir members. It was a special evening singing our songs together for the last time. I think back over my day and can remember the honking of the bus horn in hopes of scaring an innocent girl. Looking around the bus and seeing people happily engaged in a good Rook game. Meanwhile, others are huddled close, having good conversation. Still others are yawning, because who isn't tired…? Giving a little wave to friends in the back of the bus, I realize how much this specific group of people has blessed my life and made it brighter and better just because of who God created each one to be.-Cheyanne Weaver … See MoreSee Less
Tuesday, June 10 started by waking up from the most wonderful sleep, of which was difficult, and resulted in almost being late to breakfast. We had wonderful hosts who gave us a delicious breakfast. We then made our way to the bus and set off. I was awakened in the middle of my two hour nap by some chaos and then cheering as the men of the bus made their way back on. I was quite confuzzled by this and inquired of why we were cheering for them and why we were stopped. Turns out a tree had fallen across the road, not terribly large from my understanding, but enough to need most if not all of the guys to move it. After that, I proceeded to finish sleeping and woke up when we got to the Connecticut River museum in Massachusetts. There were also trails that went along the river that most people explored. After we got back into the bus, we made another record for count off. A whopping 3 min 8sec. (There were some late comers) Then we arrived at the church and went to Coronation Cafe, which had some wonderful food and drinks. It also had a piano that multiple people helped themselves to. Most people wandered around town, and several of us accumulated in a park and played spike ball and threw football. Then we met at the parish (which was actually like a large cathedral) that we were to give our program in and practiced our songs. The program went well. It was also our second to last program, which is kinda sad. Later I found out that a lady was positive me and Allie were twins, it made our day (we do look very much alike; we’re often assumed to be siblings) Then some of us piled on to the bus to get dropped off at different locations where we would be picked up by our hosts. Also found out that my hostess for the night is my 2 1/2 cousin and found some other connections with other people, so that was cool! Also, the room Teresa and I were staying in had a king bed, so that was extra nice. Anyway, good night! — Tiana Troyer … See MoreSee Less
Missed the Monday update-Monday, June 9thThis morning, we woke up to the sun in our eyes at 6 am. 9 out of 11 of us guys were hosted in a house that was empty thanks to a traveling family. They had set out bagels and granola, and in the fridge, we found fresh fruit and milk. Our first stop of the day was at a gas station to refuel the bus. Some threw a football around, while others took in a bank of wildflowers. Continuing on, we arrived at a Walgreens in Bellows Falls, NH, and dispersed for a BYO lunch. Many places were closed until Wednesday, but there was a café as well as a pizza joint open that many took advantage of. We then had a one hour drive to The Vermont Country Store. After an hour was spent there wandering around trying the samples, looking at overpriced memorabilia, and doing CPR on a barrel of squauk chickens; we made a few unwise financial decisions before embarking on a 45 minute drive to the church where we were to give our program. The church building was a partially finished timber frame structure that promised future beauty. Sadly, it was not certified for crowds, so we only ate supper there and warmed up our voices before driving to the community center to give the program. We eventually made our way to the host's house and had a snack while enjoying getting to know them. We finally retired to our beds around 11pm to attempt to claw back some sanity from the ever continuing march of time. Farewell, Robert Quackenbos … See MoreSee Less
Time and venue change- Tuesday, June 10, 6:30 p.m.St. Brigid's Parish122 North Pleasant StreetAmherst, MA 01002Additional Parking behind St. Brigid's off North Prospect Street … See MoreSee Less
The day begins with the all-too-familiar alarm. A somewhat light breakfast follows, and, of course, coffee. A drive of about twenty minutes brings us to the Stetson Meeting House for the church service. It was fun to sing and not be on stage. Afterwards we eat a potluck lunch and wait for the bus. Various games of spikeball and tag are played until the bus arrives, and we load up. Trial and error leads to our new role call record: 8.4 seconds. Shouts of joy commence. Quiet time consumes our trip to Lewistown, where we give yet another program, as well as our first encore. After some mingling, we take a short trip to our host's home. A small snack of ice cream and popcorn brings chaos to the small home before the journey to bed.Thanks so much for all the prayers and support! Autumn Orendorf … See MoreSee Less
The Lord of the church has given his body a variety of gifts and roles “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). This verse contains a three-fold directive for every born again follower of Christ. As saints, we are called to move toward and into the ongoing work of sanctification and perfection in our own lives. As Christ works in us, we become His hands and feet continuing the ministry of redemption which He initiated before mankind ever needed redemption. Finally, since we are designed to function as a body and not an isolated ear or foot, we must band together as a body to build up and encourage our fellow pilgrims as we journey together.
At Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute it is our vision to function as a support to churches and families as together we endeavor to see these directives fulfilled in our lives and the lives of our students. We have no desire to become another option in the smorgasbord of entertainment and diversion, but rather to be a dynamic tool that God can use to perform His work in and through each of us. We appreciate your support as we strive to perfect the saints, equip them for ministry, and build up the body of Christ.
Clifford Schrock, Administrator
Nondiscrimination Policy
Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.
