Goodbye signals new beginnings

Kim Lauze likens his community of Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, to a phoenix rising from the ashes. For Lauze and many other village residents, losing a home — although devastating — led to a new beginning.

Lauze is one among 230 households who lost a home to the Wolf Fire in June 2025. Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers built him a 500 square-foot-house a year later. The 70-year-old widow said it’s all he needs. “Loki and I just love it,” he said, scratching his canine companion behind the ears.

Kim Lauze receives the house keys from MDS volunteer Leonard Hochstedler. MDS photo/Moses Falco

MDS partnered with Lauze and four other Denare Beach families this summer. More than 260 volunteers, from across the country, built four new homes and poured one foundation in the northern Saskatchewan community. Construction began in May and wrapped up by mid-September. MDS Saskatchewan Unit Chair Ike Epp noted the Denare Beach response as the largest within the province in MDS’ history.

Celebrating homes built and friendships forged

A dedication of the four homes took place on Sept. 19 at Denare Beach’s community centre with residents, MDS staff and volunteers in attendance. The celebration included speeches, singing, housekey distribution, a blessing and gifts of paintings, books and quilts for each homeowner family.

Ture O’Brien (left) and Tracee Desjardins hold up a volunteer-made quilt gifted to O’Brien at the MDS Denare Beach Home Dedications Celebration on Sept. 19, 2026. MDS photo/Moses Falco

Relationship building was a common thread woven into speeches by volunteers, homeowners, MDS staff and the Denare Beach mayor.

Before presenting each family with a painting, Gord Siemens, a Crew Leader from Warman, Saskatchewan, said “We leave you with a home to make memories in but take memories of you and Denare Beach with us that we will treasure. May your families and your community be blessed for many years as you live and grow in your new homes.”

Karen Thompson, mayor of Denare Beach, said that inviting MDS into the community was “a no-brainer.”

Village mayor Karen Thompson shares about the experience that Denare Beach had with MDS. MDS photo/Moses Falco

“You didn’t just come into Denare Beach and build houses. You built homes and you helped us rebuild the community,” she said. “I know that you will do great things in the communities that you’re going to visit next, but please don’t forget Denare Beach. We would like to see you again. Not after devastation, but please come back as visitors and as friends.”

“This is a really wonderful community. It’s been a blessing for all of us to be here. We take a lot away,” reciprocated Reynold Friesen, MDS Canada Executive Director.

Harold Friesen, coordinator for the MDS Denare Beach response, speaks at a celebration of four home dedications in Denare Beach, Sept. 19, 2026. MDS photo/Moses Falco

Looking forward

For Response Coordinator Harold Friesen, wrapping up was bittersweet. His highlight was relationships, too. And as the 70-year-old looks to the future, he hopes that God will provide him a similar service opportunity again.

Homeowners like Carmell Monias and Steven Harrison anticipate family gatherings — meals around a dinner table, Christmas celebrated together and kids running through nearby forest.

Carmell Monias (left), Ivan Knutson and their daughter Kaari Monias hold up a painting of their volunteer-built house in Denare Beach, Saskatchewan. MDS photo/Moses Falco

“Thank you for giving us so much more than just a house. You have helped us give our family back a sense of security, belonging and hope. You’ve reminded us that even after tremendous loss, there still can be new beginnings,” said Monias. “We will carry this gratitude with us for the rest of our lives. From our family to yours, thank you for restoring our hope, reminding us of the power of community and most of all for helping bring all of us home.”

Nikki Hamm Gwala, MDS Canada Communications