Mennonite Disaster Service
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is a volunteer network through which various constituencies of the Anabaptist faith can 
respond to those affected by disasters in the United States and Canada.
While MDS's main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, this activity becomes a means of touching lives and helping people regain faith and wholeness.
MDS is the organized response of our churches to the needs of "neighbors" in time of disaster. We endeavor, in the spirit of Christian love, to follow Christ's example by giving time, talents, and energies to help relieve suffering caused by disasters.
We understand the ministries of listening, cleanup, repair, reconstruction to be examples of "the cup of cold water" given to those in need.
MDS volunteers are known for repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by disasters. But it takes more than construction skills to serve with MDS. During the time that people serve as MDS volunteers, they learn firsthand that MDS also restores lives.
Testimony
For instance, even after almost three years, MDS is still assisting people in Louisiana and Alabama who were radically affected by hurricane Katrina. In the past year, 1,800 volunteers participated in Louisiana and another 550 in Alabama, helping to rebuild homes.
Larry Hauder, Executive Director of Common Ground Conciliation Service, Inc. and a MDS volunteer, spoke at a recent MDS All-Unit Meeting. Some of his comments were captured in the MDS newsletter, _Behind the Hammer_: "MDS has always been a grass roots movement. It arose out of a Sunday school class. MDS has been driven by the [people] in the pew and not by the pulpit. The local unit is the key to the strength of MDS... We need to claim service as a central part of our theology and core that is not negotiable... We might be bashful about speaking up of a better way, but we're bold at showing a better way."
He concluded by saying, "What MDS Anabaptist/Mennonite folk have in common are the stories of service. Keep telling them."
Focus
MDS focuses on helping the most vulnerable: the elderly, the handicapped, single parents, the unemployed, the uninsured and the underinsured. Our focus is on helping those who are not covered by traditional means of recovery.
The homes that MDS repairs are owned by people. They laugh and they cry. They have good days and they have bad days. They share our basic needs as a person. MDS provides an opportunity for volunteers to meet the needs of these disaster survivors with the dignity and respect of God’s love.
Building skills are important and highly valued by MDS. But one need not have any specialized skills prior to working with MDS. An open mind and dedicated spirit will enable volunteers to learn as they go. As an MDS volunteer, you may become involved with a variety of tasks including clean up, carpentry, food preparation, and crew leadership.
MDS is a way for us as Mennonite Brethren to join together with other Anabaptists in the crucial ministry of helping people who have had their lives riddled by disaster. Most Mennonite Brethren churches have a MDS coordinator, a volunteer who communicates to the local church about current MDS projects and also provides pathways and contacts for how local volunteers can get involved.
To Volunteer
There are several ways to volunteer with MDS:
* Short-term volunteers (1-3 weeks)
* Long-term volunteers (1 month or more)
* RV Program volunteers
* Youth volunteers
For More Information
More information about these programs and further details about current projects can be found on the MDS website at:
http://www.mds.mennonite.net/home
Service to others, it's a vital part of our MISSION as followers of Jesus.