Most recent articles Eyes on the prize Jumping in head first A Christmas greeting Carrying a concealed weapon Sign up for Saltblock our monthly e-mail newsletter for EMM short-term mission alumni. Privacy by SafeSubscribe   Eyes on the prize Feature Written by Jessica and Elias Zehr    As we cross the street a sort of organized chaos ensues, we have now entered the Brikama market. We quickly maneuver through the crowded entrance being careful to avoid wheelbarrows, bicycles and the occasional motorbike ignoring the calls of "toobob" (white person). We are on a mission and we know what we came here to buy. We continue on through the crowded, narrow alleyways where I eye the numerous tables selling most of the same vegetables to see what is freshest and to scout out new items from the gardens. Read More Add Comment (0)   Jumping in head first Feature Written by Jessica Heindel    While I’m concerned with conjugating verbs correctly and not making mistakes, Jesse is jumping in head first. He could care less how smoothly things go; he just wants to learn. At meals we keep our dictionary near by. Jesse will reach for it, look up one to two words, and smile while he says them, hoping to strike up conversation. Read More Add Comment (2)   A Christmas greeting Feature Written by Ryan Showalter, director of Discipleship Ministries    Warmest Christmas greetings to you! The Christmas season is a time of anticipation – looking forward to celebrating Christ’s birth, being with family and friends, and giving gifts to those we love. This Christmas, what will we give? The lyrics of the Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy, say, “Our finest gifts we bring… To lay before the King… So to honor him.” What gifts might we lay before the King of kings this year? Read More Add Comment (0)   Carrying a concealed weapon Worth the Risk Written by Ryan Showalter, director of Discipleship Ministries    I’m not sure how many of you are sports fans, but I am. I follow my regular teams and enjoy watching their games. Now it looks like the Philadelphia Eagles will be playing their rival, the New York Giants, without one of their star receivers from last year. Last November, according to news accounts, Plaxico Burress accidently shot himself in the leg while carrying a loaded gun in his pants. Read More Add Comment (2)   Mission interns learn and grow Feature Written by Linda Moffett    As a young couple, Dave and Amy (not their real names) were headed successfully down their respective career paths when they made the decision to pursue business in mission by serving as mission interns in an Asian country where Christian evangelism is prohibited. “We weren’t sure how much we could accomplish in a year,” said Dave. “But by the end of the internship I could see how far we had come.” Read More Add Comment (0)   Thirty-one young adults commissioned for mission and service Feature Written by Jewel Showalter    “You smell!” Sam Dick told the 31 young adults and their supporters who packed out the Mount Joy Mennonite Church, Sunday evening, September 13, for Eastern Mennonite Missions’ short-term commissioning service. Read More Add Comment (0)