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Thursday/Friday June 11-12Cheyanne Weaver "What can we say to these things…If God be for us; Who can be against us?" This is a phrase from one of our choir songs and I can't get it out of my head this morning. Thinking back on the last 3 weeks I believe we can all say we have felt the power of God in big and small ways!Thursday was a day of many mixed emotions amongst the choir members. From the highest highs to some of the lowest lows, glittering tears were not an uncommon sight. After all, we've lived life in close proximity not only the last 3 weeks but 2 months at least! Change is not an easy thing but a necessary one as NO ONE would want to spend the rest of their life stuck on a bus with 43 other people. Lol. Our last program at Gap View church was special in many ways as lots of friends and family showed up for the last hurrah. Kind-hearted listeners encouraged us with words like,"We definitely felt the Holy Spirit in this place", or "We could tell you meant every word you sang, your hearts were really into it." (Even tho musically they couldn't deny that we struggled a bit if we're being honest)From the barren desert in Nevada to the mountains in Utah to the orchards and vineyards in California to the salty coast in Oregon and the beautiful big sky of Montana… We've truly come a long way! And the people we were blessed to meet along the way impacted our lives whether we know it or not. The hospitality shown to us the last 3 weeks was a gift we warmly felt! Lord willing we will arrive back to SMBI around 11:00am and the next set of goodbyes will be given. God is a faithful Father who cares deeply about details and even in the middle of change we have confidence that He remains the same.From us as a choir, we want to thank each one of you for joining us on this journey in this way. Thankyou for the prayers you prayed and the encouragement given. We truly don't live life alone. Community is a beautiful thing and we've felt the support on this tour. We appreciate it!💛 … See MoreSee Less

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June 10 Written by Hadassah SchrockToday marked the end of our three very long travel days. After a hotel breakfast we loaded up in Coach Cammy and continued our journey East. As the Chicago skyline flashes by we did our normal high,low, buffalo time, devotions and quiet time. Then the games began, there was a very rousing game of dice, lots of Rook, cover your assets and more. For lunch, Jadon and Kristen’s mom graciously offered to make the whole choir lunch. Why not? So we took our lunch break in Fort Wayne, IN. They served us pulled pork sandwiches which is better than any fast food, in my book. 😁 After lunch we played some spike ball and sang one of our choir songs and then hit the road again. More games were played including a Rook game that finally ended after 40 hands! We arrived at Faith Haven around 4:45 and tried to feel and look freshened up for our program after traveling all day. Our program went very well, it was one of my favorites. After we chatted with people and then dispersed to our various host homes. Some random facts: * Roughly 60 pints of ice cream were consumed on tour (including food committee root beer floats) * There are 4 highland cows on board named Mitch, Murphy, Cali, and Bert * Many coffees and stickers were bought. * And countless memories made* The dryer was invented in North Dakota. Please pray…* for energy and grace as we finish up tour and that we could finish on a good note. (pun intended) * Alertness for Jadon as he drives* There are several members that are struggling with colds. Pray that they could sing in the last program. … See MoreSee Less

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Tuesday, June 9 Heather Stauffer Today we had another long day of driving. Plans were to leave the motel around 7:50, but unfortunately a group overslept, and were awakened by luggage committee calling and wondering where their suitcases were. They were out by the bus within 10 or 15 minutes after they were awakened. We traveled through Minnesota, Wisconsin and into Illinois. And per usual, games were played for the better part of the day. After one stop, we signed impressions, which lasted a little over 2 hours until everyone had gotten theirs back. For lunch, we stopped at a rest area, and food committee made us their last meal for this tour, which they were pretty happy about. Driving into Chicago last night was pretty cool, becouse the sun was setting, and planes were landing and taking off at the airport. We arrived at our motel in Chicago at 8:15, where we could finally lay our weary heads to rest.😁 … See MoreSee Less

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Monday, June 8 by Sarah Snyder We had a long day of driving today. We left the Fairfield church this morning around 6:45 and drove all day. We spent all day occupying ourselves with anything we could find from playing games to munching food for hrs. Our day was spent driving through Montana and North Dakota so there really was not much to see, except for some antelope, which we slowed down so we didn't hit them, and even a bald eagle. The lunch committee made lunch in a roaster in the back seat of the bus, making the bus smell like good food long before we were allowed to eat it. Fun fact, we went over a scales and the approximate weight was 47,440 lbs. Around 11 pm we finally reached our hotel destination, not a minute too soon as most were more than ready to get off the bus. … See MoreSee Less

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Sunday, June 7 by Mickeyla MillerA day in the big sky country Our time out west is drawing to a close as we begin winding our way east. This morning started a big day of two programs in Montana. The first one took place at a community center in Missoula and at least one community person attended whom we had handed out an invitation to yesterday, which is pretty cool! After a welcomed lunch of chicken, rice, and an array of salads and desserts (including raspberry cheesecake), we took our leave to make it to our 6:00 program in Fairfield. As per usual, during the first leg of our journey we had a time of “high, low, buffalo” which consists of sharing experiences from the previous day. You never know what could happen on a choir tour; you may end up finishing a gallon of ice cream between just a few people, making pizza at 11:30 at night, or be startled by sleepwalking roommates, the possibilities are astounding and the stories entertaining. Mid afternoon, we arrived at the Fairfield Mennonite Church surrounded with rolling green fields and mountains looming in the distance. After a short rehearsal and supper, we gave our second program of the day and then mingled with the audience. A number of us were staying with Chey (one of the ladies’ deans) and we piled into what they call ‘the Llama van’ and sped away. A big high for the day for myself, as well as a couple of others, was shooting a pistol for the first time! Dreams can come true on a choir tour😊 … See MoreSee Less

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sharon mennonite bible institute introduction

Introduction to SMBI

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.