We’re Done

The almost completed house as we left it

Well here we are. The final chapter of our MDS assignment has been written and we are closing the book. We look back on the adventure with fondness. God blessed us with so many new experiences. We got to meet a wide variety of new and interesting people, many of whom were brothers and sisters in Christ yet live a life different from what our Steinbach world is like. We saw many new areas of the world God created. And we were able to be part of a program that reaches out to people in need and provides real and practical support, providing hope where that has often been hard to find. We felt the incredible love and gratitude of Miss Mattie, whose new house we were building.

We are thankful for the strong support we have received from families, friends, our pastor and our church.

Here are some final reflective thoughts from everyone in our group.

Reflections from Maurice and Pat

For us the 2014 MDS experience was a mixture of contrasts:

- cold and unpredictable weather vs warm friendships and appreciative clients

- orchestrated white Baptist Church vs exuberant / enthusiastic black Baptist congregation

- uncertain material supply vs willing and waiting workforce of volunteers

- the poverty of locals (earning money through metal recycling) vs our own abundance

- dilapidated / tornado damaged neighborhood vs first new house following tornado (MDS project house)

- rediscovering abilities of established friendships vs discovering new friendships with like minded volunteers

- resourcefulness of "Making Do Somehow (MDS)" vs instant shopping at a well stocked building supply outlet

- the jarring 6:15 am alarm vs  the welcome 10:00 pm "I'm POOPED" bedtime

- the unending "You're not from around here" of locals we met vs the "God Bless You" response when we shared why we were in Hattiesburg.

 Arriving in Hattiesburg to a house at the drywall stage and leaving with only the cupboards, driveway and landscaping to be completed by other volunteers and contractors was daunting at first but very satisfying.

Reflections from Sieg and Elenore

We really enjoyed the experience , working with MDS for four weeks.

We survived quite well living in a very small space for so long, adapted to the food, culture and accent differences in the area, enjoyed working with a great crew, and are thrilled that we could make such a difference to the home that Ms Mattie will soon be able to move into.

Reflections from Henry and Mic

Working together with friends for a common purpose.

We all wanted to complete Miss Mattie’s home and make it as lovely and functional as possible, doing whatever was necessary. Many times comments like these were made – “Well, I’ve never done anything like this before.  Can someone show me how and then, sure, I’ll do it!”

Relaxing together as an MDS group at the campground.

We were a community. We needed to share the laundry facilities, we shared in potlucks and devotions and games nights and talent night.

Exploring together as an MDS group.

Friday breakfasts and Sunday lunches were spent enjoying southern cuisine at various restaurants – grits, frog’s legs, catfish, crawfish, shrimp, hushpuppies, crab, lotus blossom etc. Often it was one buffet after another! Stuffed to the brim! We enjoyed choir, jazz and blue grass concerts together and many trips in the MDS van – all 12 of us squished together – “Is that your seatbelt or mine?” “Turn the heat up!” “Turn the heat down now – way down. It’s hot and stuffy back here!” “Do we have to have the fan on? I can’t hear anybody!”

For us, working together with couples from last year (same project directors, Norm and Carolyn) and also Bernie and Agnes, and then adding friends from home, was very sweet. We all worked hard and laughed lots together. Lots of love and respect was shown to each one. What a great experience.

Our spirits were saddened during the last week with the tragic news of the passing of Pastor Walter’s son-in-law. It was a concern for all in our group.

Reflections from Bert and Lenora

Our commitment of 2 months has gone by quickly.  Our team from SMBC was a credit to our congregation.  Everyone worked together well and brought many talents to the project.  Norm and Carolyn Ringenberg from Illinois were our wonderful experienced project directors.  There was lots of laughter at the work site.  Lenora and I started when the house had bare walls and we saw the house through insulation, drywall, taping and mudding etc until the house was completed. Methodist volunteers laid the vinyl flooring, built kitchen cabinets and a small deck. Miss Mattie, the home owner visited almost everyday.  She and her daughters thanked us over and over again.

bedroom

kitchen

A final farewell gift for Miss Mattie - an apron and a Canadian calendar