Region V Report 2011
Weeping may remain for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Have you ever noticed that when we view the aftermath of most disasters the sun is shining? God sends
the sun even after the worst storm. I believe that our purpose is to glorify God in his service and help
those that have been impacted by disaster, rebuild and restore their lives … being God’s sunshine.
Mennonite Disaster Service Region V is very thankful for the continued generous support through
prayers, volunteers and donations. This is crucial for MDS to be able to continue to fulfill its mission by
enabling our volunteers to be the “hands and feet of Jesus” in both Canada and the USA.
For MDS to remain responsive and robust in the midst of these economic times we have implemented
cost reductions to reflect post-Katrina donation realities. We will adjust to varying levels of disasters as
well as to donations. Giving to MDS continues to be strong, as our supporters realize disasters in Canada
and USA are at an all-time high.
This was a year of significant disasters, both in number and severity, across Canada. Most provinces had
major flooding, wild fires in Slave Lake, Alberta, destroying over 400 homes, numerous tornados in
Ontario, including an F3 tornado in Goderich, as well as the Region V projects in Newfoundland and
Kingcome Inlet, BC. Three new homes were built in Newfoundland for people who lost their homes
during Hurricane Igor in September 2010. MDS volunteers were also able to bring a house to the dried in
stage for a family of 11 that lost their home to a fire in May. The volunteers came from across Canada
and the US for the NL project. The MDS Youth Project in the isolated First Nations community of
Kingcome Inlet, BC made an impact on not only the locals flooded out back in September 2010, but also
on the 4 youth groups and leaders, and the local BC Unit that responded here. Effective unit leadership
was again demonstrated across the country with our active and engaged unit organizations. We also had
numerous opportunities to partner across Canada with our partner agencies, Samaritan’s Purse and
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), making our responses more effective.
Across the border in the US, there were an unprecedented number of spring tornados, Hurricane Irene
and tropical storm Lee, leaving hundreds dead, and destruction in major cities as well as in smaller
communities and rural areas. Flooding also affected the US from north to south, including Minot, ND,
where a significant number of Canadian volunteers, in particular from Manitoba, are responding. In
2011, 608 Canadian short-term volunteers, a significant increase from 2010, and 215 Canadian longterm volunteers, a decrease from 2010, responded to needs on both sides of the 49th parallel, not
counting the 100’s of local volunteer hours.
2011 was a year of staff changes in our Winnipeg office. Thanks to Lois Nickel, our Region V Manager
and Rebecca Enns, our Administrative Assistant - Receptionist for their years of dedicated service to
MDS. We are very pleased to have Janet Plenert join our organization as the new Region V Manager,
starting in January 2012. We are also thankful for our office volunteer, Adina Doerksen.
Our past co-directors Ron and Elaine Enns finished their terms this past February, having brought strong
organizational leadership to Region V. There will be further changes to our board in 2012 as our longterm board members Gord Friesen and Abe Ens step down after many years of positive leadership both
in Region V and bi-nationally. One of our board’s main long-term objective will be reviewing and
implementing the strategic initiatives from the Strategic Planning feedback.
In Christian service,
Nick Hamm, Region V (Canada) Director/Board Chair