“ I learned that people can be so different from each other on the surface, but if you put aside your preconceived notions, they might be more similar than you thought.” SIENNA KAUFFMANN MDS VOLUNTEER / EASTERN MENNONITE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT
realization that they are not as different from the Amish as they initially thought. As Sienna Kauffmann, one of our students, wrote in an article in our school newspaper, “While navigating this I learned that people can be so different from each other on the surface, but if you put aside your preconceived notions. they might be more similar than you thought... If you take the time to establish relationships, empathize with them, and try to understand their thinking, you might realize as I did, that humans are more alike and connected than we think.” We built a bridge in Damascus, Virginia. Well, technically we were insulating, painting, and roofing—but we built a bridge of fellowship and trust between students at Eastern Mennonite High School and the three Amish volunteers that week. I want to thank Storm Aid, Abe, Rachel, and Liz for your Christ-like example of service. You made a lasting positive impression on our high school students.
volunteer experience
A lasting impression
MDS Storm Aid volunteers built the McMurray’s new house up the hill from their old place, with a view over the valley.
Justin King (above left), principal of Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, Virginia, reflects on the weeklong experience leading a group of students to volunteer with MDS in Damascus, Virginia, where they served alongside Amish volunteers from MDS Storm Aid. It’s 5:45 a.m., and our high school students beat me to breakfast. The night before, I asked them to be prompt, and told them I trusted them to set their alarms and arrive dressed and ready. They were staying in a cabin a short walk from the kitchen, and I was worried they might oversleep, or press the snooze button one too many times. As I walked up a short flight of stairs from my sleeping quarters in the basement, I heard laughter. I was delighted to see each of our students smiling at me. With a twinkle in his eye, one of them said “We beat you here this morning, Mr. King.” This small moment is an example of a feeling that continued to give me hope in our young people throughout the week. These are difficult times to be a teenager, but our high school students surprised me with their continued ability to rise to the occasion. As they worked throughout the week, it was beautiful to see them getting more comfortable alongside the Amish volunteers. Relationships formed, trust was built, and it was a cross-cultural experience for our students. Our students were profoundly impacted by the
A DEMONSTRATION OF COMMUNITY Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin attended the dedication of the McMurray’s home, and commended MDS and other organizations involved. “When communities come together and pull hard, we can move mountains,” he said. “Today is a demonstration of community. There was little to no federal money in this. This was volunteers.” The house got it’s start at the MDS 75th anniversary celebration in Wichita, Kansas. Groups of 10 to 30 volunteers worked at the local 4-H hall in two-hour shifts over two days to build the walls which were then trucked to Damascus. “We’ve met wonderful people and have become friends,” concluded Linda. “Everybody was so kind and welcoming.”
And we were so happy to help them,” said Linda. “And now we’re on the other end of it, and we know how they felt.” GOD IS GOOD Their new home—built by MDS in partnership with Trails to Recovery—has been dedicated, and MDS continues to work in the area. “Not a day passes by that we don’t think of September 27,” Linda said. “Some days are better than others, but every day is a good day. God is good every day.” “Of all the good people that came out, it didn’t matter what politics, what church,” Carl said. “Everybody just helped out. It was just really amazing how everybody pulled together.” Linda said she felt encouraged by the presence of young MDS volunteers. “There have been teenagers, and they’re being taught lifelong skills and then they have fun together where they’re staying over at the camp,” she said. “So it’s not all work and it’s good to see the fellowships.” They love the community of Damascus and can’t imagine living anywhere else. “The mountains, the streams, bicycles—there’s a huge popular bicycle trail,” said Linda. “Fishermen come. The Appalachian Trail comes through here. Damascus has seven trails that come through it. So we get a lot of through Appalachian Trail hikers.”
STORY AND PHOTOS: JUSTIN KING
STORY: SUSAN KIM PHOTOS: PAUL HUNT
Watch a video of the McMurrays recounting their experience surviving a flash flood in Virginia: youtube.com/MDSMennonite
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behind the hammer
behind the hammer
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