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Hello Lisa,
MDS has three core values that guide us: Faith in Action, Caring Relationships, and Working Together. I was struck this past week by our value of Working Together as I, along with other staff, attended the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona. We met over 800 friends from other disaster response agencies and became reacquainted at a non-disaster location!
Why? We want to remain connected and work together with others. In a disaster—when food, water and shelter are needed—it is nice to know that American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Operation BBQ, just to name a few, will be there. Chainsaw crews and muck-out crews will be arriving from Team Rubicon, Samaritan’s Purse, and Nechama.
Near the disaster site, one can expect a large Multi-Agency Resource Center will be set up and hosted by county, state and federal officials. Here, disaster survivors can find assistance, including childcare provided by Brethren Disaster Ministries.
A long-term recovery committee might be set up. Case management might be provided by other national partners such as Society of St. Vincent De Paul or the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Funding is also needed for MDS to purchase building materials and support our volunteers– so we are sure to keep in touch with our many funders.
MDS was a founding member of NVOAD in 1970 along with six other organizations. It is now comprised of 78 national and associate organizations and 56 state and territory VOADS with the mission to provide domestic disaster-related services.
In Ecclesiastes 4:12 we read: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”Said another way, Eugene Peterson’s translation in The Message reads:
"By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped."
I am grateful for these partnerships – we are stronger together!
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