November 17, 2021
Greetings!

In Acts chapters 3 & 4 we find the account of Peter and John going up to the temple daily to pray. One day, a beggar, crippled from birth, stopped them and asked for money. To which they replied “silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”

This caused such a commotion that it brought on imprisonment for Peter and John. The next day the rulers, elders and the teachers of the law commanded Peter and John to no longer speak about the resurrection of Jesus. To which they replied, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” When Peter and John have just witnessed the moving of God’s spirit and 5,000 men believed the day before, or course they can’t keep quiet—could you? 

This past fiscal year (August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021) MDS volunteers, homeowners and community partners couldn’t keep quiet.  Throughout Canada and the U.S., you could hear hammers and saws repairing homes—they can’t keep quiet, the sounds of chain saws and the wood debris chippers cleaning up—they can’t keep quiet.  

We also heard the early-morning sounds of the cooks in the kitchen preparing breakfast for hungry volunteers ready to minister that day—they can’t keep quiet. The gentle cry of a survivor on the shoulder of a listening volunteer; the whoop of glee as a new homeowner enters her new home—they can’t keep quiet. 

The laughter of volunteers reuniting after a long tiring day, and the singing of the many voices from the varied constituents of the Mennonite church on Wednesday nights – they can’t keep quiet. 

Not to be outdone were the hoots and howls of volunteer plumbers slithering under homes to repair pipes from the freeze in the South – not sure what creatures they would encounter. 

Then there are the prayers rising up from a content homeowner, finally home, from the long path of recovery. They, too, witnessed the moving of God’s spirit through our faithful donors and volunteers.

This Thanksgiving, let’s raise our voices in gratefulness for God’s grace and faithfulness. After all, can we keep quiet?
Executive Director
Mennonite Disaster Service
Hay West providing relief to farmers
MDS Hay West was created by the MDS Saskatchewan and Ontario units to respond to the weather disaster affected farmers in Saskatchewan.
To date, 13 loads of hay have been sent through the project, with several more in the pipeline. With 57 farmers in that province having requested assistance, more donated hay is needed.
The Unicorn
The sixth grader tightened the grip on her purse as I approached. The purse was made of pink overlapping sequins. At its top, a unicorn’s horn emerged. A strap secured it around her neck.

Mennonite Disaster Service recruits, organizes, and empowers volunteers to repair and rebuild the homes of those impacted by disasters in the United States and Canada. Responding with Christian love, our goal is to restore hope as we bring people back home.
Border opens and Canadians are welcome to volunteer with MDS in U.S.
“It will be great when Canadians can once again go to the U.S., since that’s where most of the disasters occur each year and where MDS is most active,” Friesen said. “We are all anxious to get back to normal.”

Thank you for your support!
MDS has volunteer opportunities for Fall 2021 and Winter 2022.
Your continued support helps with recruiting volunteers, moving equipment, setting up accommodations, replenishing supplies, and many other things needed to get going.
MDS Binational Office
583 Airport Road,
Lititz, PA 17543 USA

T: (717) 735-3536
T (toll free): 1-800-241-8111
F: (717) 735-0809
MDS Canada Office
200-600 Shaftesbury Blvd
Winnipeg, MB Canada R3P 2J1

T: (204) 261-1274
F: (204) 261-1279