JANE AND JEFF HOLLY- Deep River, Ontario

What is your background? 

Jeff: We’ve always been doing construction — tearing things apart and rebuilding. Back home, we’ve built three houses ourselves.

What work have you been doing this month?

Jane: This is my first time as head cook. We got our first day under our belts and in the evening the power went out. So for 24 hours we managed three meals with no electricity. But, we did it. I think we filled a few bellies.

Jeff: I’ve been helping get a house dried in, which means making it weather tight.

Describe a meaningful moment for you.

Jane: One of the most meaningful moments for me was going to the memorial [for Lahaina residents who lost their lives in the fire]. Walking down the line and just seeing every date saying 8/8/2023. And it just was heartbreaking realizing how many people were affected, the whole community.

Share one bonus experience.

Jane: The number of people we’ve met around town who have thanked us for our service, and it’s our pleasure to be here. The cashier today, when we said, this is the last time we’re going to see you, she came out around the corner and gave me a big hug. And it just means a lot to know that what we’re doing is helping.

What motivates you to serve with MDS?

Jane: Our first time we volunteered was in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, after Hurricane Fiona. We spent two weeks and we came away with such a positive attitude. And so we’ve been doing it pretty much once a year ever since.

Jeff: MDS service takes you closer to the values that we espouse as Christians. And it provides real life examples of being able to humble yourself to someone else’s needs, in whatever job you’re doing.

LAURIE AND JIM BOS- Okotoks, Alberta

What is your background? 

Laurie: We’re both retired. Jim was in construction and electrical engineering. And I had a career in human resources. I’m really intrigued working with people of different cultures and backgrounds.

What work have you been doing this month?

Laurie: My role is assistant cook, so I’m busy in the kitchen preparing meals for 20 to 35 people at a time.

Jim: I’ve been working on one house for four weeks— working with putting on the roof, shingling, siding—as part of the crew and sometimes as crew leader.

Describe a meaningful moment for you.

Laurie: We’ve been able to be exposed to how native Hawaiians feel about this land, and appreciate that so much more than we ever have as tourists in a given area. The things they hold near and dear. That’s been really powerful for me.

Share one bonus experience.

Jim: Most of us have been able to—every evening after our work—get an hour of snorkeling in. I’ve seen sharks, turtles, eagle rays, octopus, and probably over 100 species of fish. It’s an amazing world under there.

What motivates you to serve with MDS?

Laurie: Initially, we were introduced to MDS by church friends who’ve gone on MDS trips. So that camaraderie solidified our appreciation for MDS. And now we’re branching out and attending projects where we don’t know other people, but we’ve certainly made new lifelong friends as a result of that. It’s just great!

SHEILA WIENS-NEUFELD AND MICHAEL NEUFELD- Langham, Saskatchewan

What is your background? 

Sheila: We actually have a construction business at home,

so this is right up our alley.

Michael: I had previously been here with MDS, and I was really excited to have Sheila come along this time.

What work have you been doing this month?

Sheila: I was at one house cleaning and painting. I did all the windows, put together some vanities. Then went to another house and helped with construction. I also spent a day in the kitchen. I go wherever needed.

Michael: I spent a week mudding drywall at one house. Then another week hanging doors and window trim. Third week was getting a roof ready for shingling. And then this fourth week has been framing another house.

Share one bonus experience.

Michael: We don’t like building at 40 below back home.

So this is a lot better.

Sheila: Let’s be honest. This is lovely!

What motivates you to serve with MDS?

Michael: I can find God in serving others. That’s easy. Sometimes sitting in a pew it’s not as easy to find God.

Sheila: We’ve been very fortunate, very blessed. And there’s a lot of people that are dealing with many struggles. So it’s good to give back, to pay it forward.