CURRENT NEEDS

An Office Manager is needed from Mar. 1 to Apr. 3 in Diamond, LA and in Dulzura, CA from Feb. 25 to Apr. 3. Office Managers are responsible for bookkeeping and general office duties. If you are interested and have computer skills, please call (800) 241-8111 in the US or (800) 261-1274 in Canada.

We are forming a list of skilled volunteers interested in serving in American Samoa. For more information, check our website or call (800) 241-8111.

IMPORTANT ALL-UNIT REGISTRATION

Time is running out to register for the All-Unit meeting. If you plan to attend the meeting in Saskatoon on Feb. 12 and 13, registration is due immediately.

Please note, the mailing address for All-Unit Meeting registration forms is printed incorrectly on the form. All U.S. Residents should mail their form to MDS 2010, 1018 Main St., Akron, PA 17501. Please note this correction.

AMERICAN SAMOA

Disaster: 2009 Tsunami

Work was started at Loma's home to repair the damage from the tsunami. Another job that we started and completed this week was for Pipi'i. After living in her home without power in her bedroom and bathroom for an extended length of time, it was so rewarding to see and hear her express her gratitude for the work we completed.

CAMERON, LOUISIANA

Disaster: 2008 Hurricane Ike

Monday afternoon, God provided Ernie. Ernie had served in Cameron three years ago. This year, as he traveled from Manitoba to Texas for vacation, he decided to stop in and see how things were going. I remembered that he had done some electrical work for us before, and asked if he was in a hurry to get to Texas. "I guess not" was the reply, so we had our electrician for the week!

CHEEK, TEXAS

Disaster: 2008 Hurricane Ike RV Project

Mr. John's house is coming along nicely with John and Linda's handiwork, installing sheet rock and mudding. Now with Annette's help, painting is well underway. One of the other bedrooms is also ready for new flooring with its new coat of paint.

DIAMOND, LOUISIANA

Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes

Raymond and Betty currently live on their boat on the Grand Bayou. The house they lived in is uninhabitable. One wall is rotted and flaps in the breeze and that part of the house has been condemned. They stated that they would be very happy and could move back in with just a few things fixed, but we are going to do way better than that.

DULZURA, CALIFORNIA

Disaster: 2007 Wildfires

We got a permit late in Dec. to start another house, and so work on the J home had already begun last week. Our special-ops team from Manitoba had been busy and the foundation had been poured. By the end of this week, the stem wall had been poured and forms removed. The home owners were very excited and happy to see the foundation take shape, and could finally start to believe that they would have a new home.

NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA - RV

Disaster: 2008 Hurricane Ike RV Project

The home we worked on this week needed ceilings replaced in three rooms, a new bathroom installed and by taking out a wall we added a shower and laundry area. The crawlspace to the attic was relocated to provide better access and there was painting to be done.

NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA

Disaster: 2008 Hurricane Ike

Wednesday evening, Ms. Marie and her daughter joined us for dinner. Winds from Hurricane Ike blew a tree onto her home, destroying it in 2008. She shared her testimony on what it meant to lose a home, move in with family and finally, to have a new home built by MDS.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes

Ms. Marie was very excited this week when she was handed the keys to her newly rebuilt home. It would be great if every volunteer could experience the excitement of the home owner when they are told that they can finally move back home.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MISSISSIPPI
Disaster: 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricane

At the D house taping and sanding was completed inside. Outside the insulation and soffit plywood were completed under the floor as well as the siding. At the J house volunteers completed boarding inside as well as some soffit plywood underneath; a good project for a rainy day.

RAMONA, CALIFORNIA

Disaster: 2007 Wildfires 

Ray and Josie are rejoicing at the pace their home is moving forward. This week saw the completion of the drywall and the siding will be completed shortly. Only a few small areas of siding need to be put up prior to painting. Our next inspection should allow us to move ahead with mudding and taping with completion of this phase by the end of next week.

Contributions may be sent to:
USA: 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501 or
Can.: 6A-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6
Online: Donate

Telephone: (717) 859-2210 or (800) 241-8111

Remember the variety of ways you can give to MDS - volunteer your time, give money through cash donations, planned gifts, bequests and traded securities. Call our office to learn more details.