By Jere Hough Meteorologist / Feature Reporter
Published: Mon, March 17, 2008 - 3:09 pm
Last Updated: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 4:54 pm
Last Updated: Thu, March 20, 2008 - 4:54 pm
Jere Hough
She is talking about the volunteers who are rebuilding her and her husband's house that was badly damaged by Katrina. Those "wonderful people, always happy" have one thing in common...they're Mennonites...here from their churches around the U.S. and Canada. For instance, two college students who are painting the inside, are from Western Pennsylvania.
Two months after Katrina, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) set up in Bayou La Batre. A year and a half later, almost 1500 volunteers had completed 65 cleanup jobs, 165 minor repair jobs, and and 16 major repair jobs.
MDS also established project sites in the City of Mobile and Chunchula.
Way of Life Community Church is a Mennonite Church on Riverside Drive in Mobile. Pastor J. D. Landis explains, "One of the ways Mennonites are good at expressing their faith is with service." Nick Hamm, Local Project Manager for MDS, adds that church members try to be the "hands and feet of Jesus." Despite the impressive number of volunteers, there is no requirement for members to work for MDS relief projects.
In Heron Bay, the Heatons nearly completed home is elevated and wind resistant.
Hamm points out that, "This was designed for 140 mph."
March 2008 is the last month for Mennonite Disaster Service projects in Mobile County, but their work continues around the United States and Canada.
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Mennonites are very good Christian people and it is so wonderful to see such selflessness. We could all learn lessons in their giving. We should do something special for them in return.