director ’ s letter
VISION: We strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those affected by disasters. MISSION: We respond to disasters, rebuild homes, and restore hope by organizing and empowering volunteers in the U.S. and Canada.
VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE MDS U.S. 800-241-8111 Canada 866-261-1274 www.mds.org “ I am excited to help students recognize that they are masterpieces created by God, and that He has good works with their names on, waiting for them to do. I am also excited to help them develop the necessary skills to do these good works in a way that honors God.” TITUS BEITZEL DIRECTOR OF ROSEDALE TRADES PROGRAM, A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MDS AND ROSEDALE BIBLE COLLEGE IN IRWIN, OHIO
“Yes” by faith
It was a quiet spring at MDS Canada. Until it wasn’t. Within hours of a call, we found ourselves receiving wildfire evacuees at a reception center in Winnipeg. I was quickly reminded of a similar response in MDS Canada’s early days. In 1956, the British Columbia Unit formed and notified the Canadian Red Cross that they were available to assist with disaster responses when
CORE VALUES: Faith in Action Caring Relationships Working Together
needed. Almost immediately, the Red Cross made a request of the Unit to feed 6,000 Hungarian refugees arriving at the Abbotsford Airport. By faith, someone said yes. They figured it out as they went, affirming the oft quoted slogan, “make do somehow.” On May 30 of this year, the Canadian Red Cross reached out to ask if MDS had the capacity to provide people support at wildfire evacuee reception centers in Winnipeg. My immediate reply was “Yes. What do you need?” The need was beyond what any of us could
Behind the Hammer is published quarterly by Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) and is available for free upon request. This magazine shares the stories of MDS work in the U.S. and Canada and of more than 5,000 annual volunteers who are the core of MDS. The stories are meant to encour- age people to continue expressing the love of God through the work of MDS. Printed on Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified paper using environmentally friendly plant-based inks. MDS Executive Director: Kevin King MDS Canada Executive Director: Ross Penner Communications Manager: Jesse Huxman Production Coordination: Jesse Huxman, Nikki Hamm Gwala Designer: Julie Kauffman STAY CONNECTED If you have story ideas, need subscription information, want to donate or volunteer, please contact us: MDS U.S. Office 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 USA tel: 717-735-3536 | toll-free: 800-241-8111 fax: 717-735-0809 mdsus@mds.org
College student Lily Herrera in Selma, Alabama. Story page 10.
Jerry and Doreen Klassen
SUMMER 2025
have anticipated. More than 20,000 people were evacuated, with wildfires threatening 27 rural and northern Manitoba communities. The Red Cross had already set up three Winnipeg-based centers to receive evacuees. They asked us to help set up the fourth and largest one. Four hours later, 20 MDS volunteers were on site, at an indoor soccer facility, setting up the 1,300 cots that would be needed. We began supplying volunteers 24 hours a day to welcome evacuees, hand out bedding and other essential items, direct evacuees to their cots, and serve meals. In typical MDS fashion, volunteers did whatever was needed. After a hectic first weekend, I knew I needed a site leader who could manage the chaos of hundreds of people coming and going. This wasn’t MDS’ typical construction work. This was people care. A phone call with Kevin King directed me back to British Columbia and seasoned MDSers— Jerry and Doreen Klassen. They said yes to this unique challenge. God gave Jerry and Doreen unique gifts. They’re able to look at a situation, assess what is needed, and find a way to get it done. During earlier years of service, Jerry observed that four things were necessary for a successful MDS project. Those four things became known as the four pillars. From our earliest beginnings to the present day, God has provided us volunteers with the right gifts for the right time, like Jerry and Doreen—or Gord Friesen and C.N. Friesen, who you’ll read about in this issue. It has been an honor to work alongside Jerry and Doreen, and together with every volunteer that contributes to the mission we believe God has called us to. Thank you to each one of you.
FEATURE – DAMASCUS, VIRGINIA A couple’s harrowing survival 4 VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE – DAMASUS, VIRGINIA A lasting impression 7 FLASHBACK – THE BEGINNINGS OF MDS CANADA Family and MDS legacies intertwine 8 FEATURE – COLLEGE STUDENTS IN SELMA, ALABAMA “You are the key to hope” 10 HOMEOWNER EXPERIENCE – AMORY, MISSISSIPPI They made us feel like family 13
Notes from the field 14
MDS Canada Office 200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, MB R3P 2J1 Canada tel: 204-261-1274 toll-free within Canada: 866-261-1274 fax: 204-261-1279 mdscanada@mds.org
ON THE COVER: Goshen College students Judith Rangel and Carlie Webber volunteer with MDS in Selma, Alabama, as part of an immersive service and learning experience. STORY ON PAGE 10. PHOTO: PAUL HUNT
www.mds.org
Ross Penner Executive Director, MDS Canada
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