Mennonite Church Canada Witness
International Ministry Opportunity

Position title:	Trade(s) Mentor/Instructor for persons with Mental and/or Physical Challenges
Location:	Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico
Mission worker category:	Short Term Worker
Mission Partnership Facilitator:	Hippolyto Tshimanga, Director, Africa, Europe & Latin America Ministries
On site supervisor:	Isaak Bergen Thiessen
Primary partners:	United Anabaptist Mennonite Church of Mexico and Conference of Mennonites in Mexico
Length of term:	Three to twelve months (longer service preferred)
Start date:	Any time

Primary duties

Trades instructor at the Un Sueño Realizado (“A dream fulfilled”) center for adults with differing mental and physical abilities

Assignment description

Un Sueño Realizado is a workshop begun by the Emanuel Mennonite Church in the neighbourhood of Colonia Reforma, Cuauhtemoc city, Chihuahua, Mexico. Recently expanded with assistance from Chihuahua Business Foundation (FECHAC), the workshop serves approximately 100 members from the community and provides space and access to services such as physiotherapy, counseling, and work space for carpentry, sewing and leather work. The latter provides an opportunity to develop abilities and techniques for earning income to Support their families. This ministry operates in close cooperation with the Emanuel congregation and the Conference of Mennonites in Mexico.

The assignment will involve teaching one or more of these trades: wood, metal, leather or ceramic work, painting, sewing and arts and crafts. Depending on giftedness of the worker, it could also include counseling and/or physiotherapy to the patrons..

Qualifications

Commitment to following Jesus Christ
Passion for the church and its mission
Demonstrate and embody Anabaptist convictions and values (e.g., authentic life of Christian discipleship, witness to Christian faith, peacemaking, worshipping in Christian community, social ministry, creation care, stewardship, etc.)
Knowledge of one or more trades listed in assignment description
Effective communication, ability to work as a part of a team, trust building and conflict resolution skills
Willingness and capacity to minister to people with mental and physical challenges
Willingness to live simply, to share and receive hospitality
Solid understanding of what Anabaptist perspectives have to offer to individuals, churches, and society
Willingness to learn some Spanish would be an asset.

Lifestyle Expectations

All Mennonite Church Canada Witness Workers are expected to:

Be members of Mennonite Church Canada or another Anabaptist church
Uphold the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective in word and action.
Live according to the Lifestyle Expectations as outlined in the Mennonite Church Canada International Ministries Policy Manual (Accountability, Spiritual Disciplines, Living in Community, Relating to Church and Culture, Personal Witness, Openness to Admonition and Reconciliation, Commitment to Assignment, Care for health and wellness)

Financial Arrangements

Financial costs of this ministry term are shared. “Un Sueno realizado, A.C.” offers lodging and food. All other costs are the responsibility of the short term worker. Mennonite Church Canada Witness will assist the applicants by establishing a support fund account for this ministry. Funding will be depending on support received.

Interested in Applying?

You can get started right away by filling out our General Expression of Interest form or you can contact:
Kirsten Schroeder
Director of Human Resources
email:
Phone: (204) 888-6781
Toll-free: 1 866-888-6785 ext. 110

Mennonite Church Canada Witness International Ministry Opportunity

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