September 21, 2022

Hello Jesse,

While taking the day off before meetings in Montana, I did a solo hike into the Glacier mountains. Finally, after many switchbacks I arrived at Strawberry Lake, a beautiful glacial body of water. Shrouded in the morning mist, suddenly the clouds lifted and the sun broke through—a glorious surprising moment. I was filled with awe and wonder. 

It reminds me of the story in Luke 5 where Jesus is teaching in a crowded house in the city of Galilee. Then, all of a sudden, I imagine dust starts falling from the ceiling and parts of the roof are lifted off by four men carrying a paralytic to gain access to Jesus.  After some back and forth with his critics, Jesus heals the man, who gets up and walks away.  

For me the point of the story is: when life knocks us down, or maybe an incident paralyzes us, we need someone to hold us up, or in this case, break the ceiling, giving us access to Jesus. The roof  was lifted so someone could have access to Jesus. As faith communities, we need to keep doing more of that. 

Bob Smietana, in his book “Reorganized Religion; The Reshaping of the American Church and Why it Matters,” writes that we are called to practice surrogate faith for a world that has lost it.   I see a beautiful parallel when a carload of volunteers from Kalispell, Montana, or a van load from Wichita, Kansas, and a busload from Holmes County, Ohio respond, rebuild and restore someone shrouded by fear and loss – and just maybe – restoring them to faith.

Groundbreaking for new warehouse

in California

Thank you note from 2007

MDS has volunteer opportunities for this fall and winter.  You can see the full list of volunteer opportunities when you click here.

For the months of October - December 2022, MDS is offering financial travel assistance for anyone who serves for a week or more in McAllen, Texas or Jennings, Louisiana.  Contact Deanna Frey (dfrey@mds.org) or call 1-800-241-8111 with any questions or to schedule a week. 

Your continued support helps with recruiting volunteers, moving equipment, setting up accommodations, replenishing supplies, and many other things needed to get going.