Cape Breton, NS – March 26 – April 1, 2023

What does a work week look like in MDS? MDS is fellowship, work, touching lives, both the homeowners we volunteer for and touching the lives of our fellow volunteers! Every day we have the opportunity to serve our Lord Jesus is real ways, being the hands and feet of Jesus. It is an opportunity that becomes alive and focused on as we join to together to serve.

During the last week of March, we were thankful for the energy and expertise combined with the excitement of a group from an Old Colony Mennonite Church in Ontario. It was a very productive week. One group gutted a couple homes and got them to dry out in stages; another group was very focused on assisting a Youth Shelter get ready for helping youth move in. It is a facility that will assist young people to restore hope from broken situations. It fits out mission of restoring hope! Another group assisted with helping a church with some much-needed updates and painting. Rebuilding Hope, restoring lives, rebuilding homes—as our mission states.

The week included a mine tour. Our guides had both been mine workers for 28-30 years. Much history was gleaned from the tour. Two-year-old Rachel Friesen, daughter of MDS volunteers Henry and Linda Friesen, began to sing “Jesus loves me, this I know.” Soon the whole group was singing it! Our guide was very touched, saying he didn’t think anyone had ever sung that song in the mine. It reminded us that wherever we go may we are the hands and feet of Jesus!

Elvira Wiebe, Office Manager