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Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network through which various constituencies of the Anabaptist church can respond to those affected by disasters in Canada and the United States.

While our 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.

More About Us

MDS All-Unit Meeting

The All-Unit meeting is February 13-14 in Mobile, Alabama. Download Registration form here. Registration Form

• Leadership Development Workshop Held in Hesston
  
  November 19, 2008
• MDS Begins Clean up in Texas and Louisiana Update
  
  October 20, 2008
• MDS Begins Clean up in Louisiana and Texas
  
  October 6, 2008
• MDS has begun clean up from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav
  
  September 29, 2008
• Why people of faith matter after Gulf hurricanes
  
  September 25, 2008

Click below for all news articles

More News

 
Quilted Wall Hangings

Since November 2004, MDS house dedications include the gift of a quilted wall hanging to the new homeowners. The wall hangings are made and donated through the Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Women's group. If you are a quilter and would like more information on this program, e-mail MDS at communications@mds.mennonite.net.

On-the-roof

Working on the roof in Newton, Texas.

Indiana-group-is-productive

This group from Indiana worked hard in Newton, Texas.

Nelson-nailing

Nelson nailing the framing at the Newton, Texas project.

Darlene s-home-damaged-but-

Darlene's MDS built home sustained some damage, but will be repaired

Cameron-Mobile-home

Damaged mobile home in Cameron, Louisiana

Damage-in-Texas

Texas home damaged by Hurricane Ike

Lifting-trusses-2

Putting up the trusses is hard work.

This-home-is-upside-down

This home on Isle de Jean Charles was turned upside down by Gustav.

Office-Trailer-at-Camp-in-C

Office trailer at MDS camp in Cameron

House-raising-in-the-parkin

House raising in the church parking lot. This house will be sent to Cameron, Louisiana.

Setting-up-the-walls

Raising the panels for the Partnership Home house.

Bathtub-and-steps-left-behi

The bathtub and steps are the only parts left of this home

MDS-built-roof-survives

MDS built roof survives Hurricane Ike, but the mobile home was washed away.

Learning-from-Walt-how-to-d

Learning from Walt how to do the "valley" on the roof in Newton, Texas.

Duane Steiner, MDS volunteer with Region IV, along with William and Esther McCoy, Region IV Unit Chairs, are monitoring the damage from the fires to determine if MDS could be involved in clean-up. Initial reports indicate that there may be many residents who lost their homes and were not insured.

In addition, MDS representatives have been in contact with Anabaptist churches in Southern California to determine what damage the churches and the members have sustained from the wildfires. 

MDS currently has eight projects open. In January, three additional projects will open. Cameron was damaged by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005. This fall Hurricanes Ike and Gustav hit Cameron again. The project in Cameron, Louisiana will re-open at the same location and continue to build new homes and restore damaged homes.

Hurricanes Ike and Gustav also caused extensive damage in New Iberia, Louisiana. MDS worked in New Iberia after Hurricane Katrina. MDS will be at the same location in New Iberia starting in January 2009.

A new project is opening in Dulzura, California. This project will concentrate on cleaning up from the wildfires of 2007.

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 you serve as a volunteer, you will learn that MDS also restores lives.

How to Volunteer

Your contribution will help to connect volunteers with disaster survivors who need assistance on their path to recovery. MDS depends on the support of people who believe that disaster response is an important part of helping those who are in need.

More Info

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