MWR : MDS ready for Hurricane Gustav cleanup

Last updated November 24.

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Sept. 8, 2008 issue

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MDS ready for Hurricane Gustav cleanup

By Scott Sundberg

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Hurricane Gustav damaged some homes of Mennonites on the Gulf Coast, Mennonite Disaster Service reported Sept. 3, but church contacts did not yet know the extent.

Several churches in Louisiana and Mississippi were the most affected: Gulfhaven Mennonite Church in Gulfport, Miss.; Des Allemands Mennonite Church in Des Allemands, La.; and Iglesia Amor Viviente (Living Love Church) in Metairie, La.

MDS has projects in Diamond and New Orleans, La., and Pass Christian, Miss. Project directors and volunteers at those sites had evacuated by Aug. 31.

Short-term volunteers had left for their homes outside the Gulf Coast area. Long-term leaders had also evacuated but were prepared to return whenever possible to serve as needed.

“We have access to volunteer labor,” said Jerry Klassen, MDS disaster response coordinator. “As far as getting needs connected with resources, we think we can get this rolling rather quickly.

“Next we begin identifying needs as quickly and efficiently as we can, sharing resources that are available to us and empowering local Anabaptist leaders with resources.”

However, it will likely be some time before MDS is allowed to move in volunteers.

Several MDS emergency response teams have been trained and equipped to be ready to do cleanup and additional response.

MDS personnel spoke Sept. 1 with more than 20 conference leaders, pastors and staff from Mennonite organizations in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

“We’re positioned well with contacts in the Gulf Coast,” said Kevin King, MDS executive director.

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