This morning our alarms sounded at 6:30 AM and we got ready for a full day working with MDS in High River. At 7:10, we met with other MDS volunteers in the Chapel. Songs were led by Alejandra and Leah P., followed by devotions by Ryan, and Christie closed for us with a prayer in Cantonese. By 8:00, we were split into separate groups, and sent off to different houses in High River that MDS had already begun repair on. When we first arrived on the job sites, we were shocked. These houses did not look like the "typical" houses that you would expect to need assistance. These houses looked very expensive, however after entering their homes, and seeing the damage, we were able to realize how much the home owners truly required our help. The basements were all gutted, and were in the processes of being rebuilt. At some point in the day, every group heard about each homeowner's story, and how blessed they feel to have us coming into their homes to help rebuild. They needed our help, just like everyone else. At first we may not have understood why were were helping these particular people, but by the end, after hearing the homeowner's story, we were able to understand that each of them had their own unique story. Insurance companies only covered certain parts of the damage, and we were there with MDS to help fill the cracks and help them get back on their feet, to return their home back to home, as it once was.
At the end of the work day we celebrated with one of the home owners as we completed drywalling the ceiling in his brother's bedroom!
After the work day, we went back to Saddlebrook, and played a game of soccer with the young kids, who have been meeting at 4:30 every day to play soccer, since the flood.
Later in the evening, all of the different groups came together to share their highlights of the day. A group received cookies from the homeowners to show their happiness and thanks. Each group felt completely satisfied with knowing that they have helped the homeowner, with proof of tiling the bathroom, or drywalling the ceiling that they have done something, and helped the homeowner get one step closer to returning to their normal lifestyle.
Following the evening sharing time with the MDS group, we headed to Okotoks to hear stories about the flood from Neal Rowan of the Okotoks Fire Department. Back to bed and ready for another full day of work tomorrow!
