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MDS volunteers are known for repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by disasters. But it takes more than construction skills to serve with MDS. During the time that one that serves as a volunteer, one will learn that MDS also restores lives.

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"Hurricane Rita came onshore September 24, 2005 bringing only minor wind and rain damage. However, six hours after the storm had passed, an 11-foot tidal surge that had build up in the Gulf came on shore. Because of the flat land that gradually rises from the coast, houses as far as 30 miles inland were flooded, damaging the contents and the interior structures. MDS began a project site in new Iberia in January of 2006 and left the area the end of February, 2007.

New Iberia was affected by two more hurricanes in the 2008 hurricane season. Gustav came onshore on the Louisiana coastline on September 1, 2008. Although Gustav's impact wasn't as bad as expected, New Iberia experienced some flooding, wind damage and power outages. A little over a week later, Hurricane Ike hit with a storm surge reminiscent of Rita's. Many homes were damaged all over again.

MDS plans to reopen a project in New Iberia in January, 2009. "

< http://www.mds.mennonite.net/

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Hubby went down with three others to Franklin County
March 15th - 20, 2009