While working at Generations Thrift Shop, IVEPer David Pilate Cruz found a teach-yourself-to-play piano book. He practices up to one hour a day.

Cross Cultural Service and Learning

This past August, Lynn and John Rempel of Waterloo, bade farewell to their son Steven who was leaving for an 11-momth MCC SALT (Serving and Learning Together) assignment in Bangladesh. Two week later they welcomed David Pilate Cruz into their home. David comes from Nicaragua and is participating in MCC's IVEP (International Volunteer Exchange Program). This year there are seven "IVEPers" hosted by families in Ontario.

"The challenges of stumbling over the early language barriers are well worth the effort," remarks Lynn. "Of course, I shed a tear when Steven left, but I know he's doing what he wants to be doing and I know he's okay."

In the morning David studies English and then he goes to work at Generations, the MCC Thrift Shop in Waterloo. Before coming to Ontario, he was president of the youth association for the Mennonite Church in Nicaragua where he was active in helping the youth learn conflict resolution skills.

Meanwhile in Bangladesh, Steve also struggles to learn a new language. Like David, he has a passion for conflict resolution. "I am working with the Taize Brothers in Mymensingh," he writes, "and my role is to develop peace teaching in the schools."

Ironically soon after arriving in Bangladesh, Steve experienced firsthand the severe flooding that was happening late in the summer. David, on the other hand, had to read from afar about unusual hurricanes and flooding in his hometown of Granada, Nicaragua.

"God is big," says David as he reflects on all his new experiences.

Steven is among 11 young adult "SALTers" from Ontario serving in Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Nicaragua, Swaziland, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia and Bangladesh. Seven IVEP participants from Brazil, China, Germany, Honduras, Nicaragua and Serbia are serving in Ontario. Both programs offer the young adults an opportunity to learn, reflect, serve and to be changed.

Learn more about the SALT and IVEP programs.