director ’ s letter
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States. While the main focus is on cleanup, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith and wholeness. Our programs, funded by contributions, aim to assist the most vulnerable community members, individuals and families who, without assistance, would not have the means to recover. MDS volunteers — women and men, youth and adults — provide the skills and labor needed to respond, rebuild and restore.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED MDS U.S. 800-241-8111 Canada 866-261-1274 www.mds.org
A summer of hope
As you read through the following stories, pay attention to the deep emotions coming from the many contributors. Charles Wesley’s hymn “Oh for a Thousand Tongues” comes to mind. O For a thousand tongues to sing My dear Redeemer’s praise! The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! Whether they are homeowners receiving a house or volunteers serving, you can hear their “Redeemer’s praise.” The highlight for me this past quarter was spending time with volunteers from Puerto Rico as we lifted the first wall on the new home in Crisfield, Maryland. The exuberance was overwhelming. My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the world abroad The honors of Thy name. Crisfield, Maryland The volunteers serving in places like British Columbia, New York, Maryland and California proclaim hope as they hammer, paint, write and cook. He speaks, and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive; The mournful, broken hearts rejoice; The humble poor believe. Two dreams come true for me and are also mentioned in this issue of Behind the Hammer : that more and more people who receive help from MDS are empowered to also serve in some manner; and that more young volunteers are introduced to service. Glory to God, and praise, and love, Be ever, ever given. Joyfully,
“Volunteering is a way to unplug. It’s a good way to change things up.”
Demeric Flores, 26, and Modesto Mercado, 75, volunteered as part of a multigenerational team from Puerto Rico.
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 the more than 5,000 annual volunteers who are the core of MDS. The stories are meant to encourage 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. Executive Director: Kevin King Communications Manager: Jesse Huxman Production Coordination: Jesse Huxman, Judith Rempel Smucker Writers: Susan Kim, John Longhurst, Lois Wenger Photographs: Demeric Flores, Rachel Horst, Paul Hunt, Julie Kauffman, MDS volunteers Designer: Julie Kauffman STAY CONNECTED If you have story ideas, need subscription information, want to donate or volunteer, please contact us: MDS Binational Office 583 Airport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 USA tel: 717-735-3536 | toll-free: 800-241-8111 fax: 717-735-0809 mdsus@mds.org
Gavin Hadley, 15, traveled from Newton, Kansas, to
SUMMER 2022
volunteer at an MDS Summer Youth Project in Jennings, Louisiana, where he helped build a new home for a Hurricane Delta survivor. Hadley thinks more people his age should think about volunteering. “I learned how to properly sand drywall, and to use tools I hadn’t used before,” he said. “You come out of your bubble into a community, and you find God in people. You build relationships.” Michele WhiteEagle, MDS Region 4 board chair, served as a project director in Jennings for one month. During her last week in Louisiana, she reflected on why it’s so meaningful to serve as an MDS leadership volunteer. “You connect with the volunteers and with the people you’re serving,” she said.
FEATURE — CRISFIELD, MARYLAND Pay the kindness forward 4
FEATURE – CRISFIELD, MARYLAND Through young eyes 8
HOMEOWNER EXPERIENCE – PRINCETON, BC “It really feels like home” 10
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE – PARADISE, CALIFORNIA Loss and hope in Paradise 11 FEATURE – MONTE LAKE, BC More than one way to serve 12
Q+A Caleb Gingerich 13
RECIPE Summer Fizz Slushy 13
MDS Canada 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
Notes from the field 14
Kevin King Executive Director
ON THE COVER: Father and daughter Pastor Juan Carlos Colon and Emary Colon travelled from Puerto Rico to volunteer in Crisfield, Maryland. See story page 4. Photo by Paul Hunt.
www.mds.org
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behind the hammer
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