Helping Rebuild Crisfield – MDS Student Reflection

On February 2024, 10 Conrad Grebel University College students and one Grebel staff member went on a Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) service trip. Mennonite Disaster Service responds to disasters, rebuilds homes, and aims to restore hope by organizing and empowering volunteers. Our group travelled to Crisfield, Maryland, also known as the crab capital of the world, situated on the Pacific coast. This geography often leads to flooding, which causes severe structural damage in people’s homes. Our group helped by repairing and building ramps for the damaged homes of the elderly and those with mobility challenges. 

While in Maryland, our group worked hard doing various service activities, including shoveling 40 tonnes of sand to go under a raised house. While completing such hard work, we sang songs about the sand to keep ourselves entertained. Our group split into a few teams to stain ramps in colours chosen by the homeowners to protect the wood. Another team worked with the MDS construction supervisor to prepare a house to be lowered on a new foundation the next week. We also completed some miscellaneous jobs such as installing a dryer, cleaning windows, installing shelves, and a couple of other odd jobs. This experience gave students a new chance to learn how to use power tools and other construction equipment.  

One key takeaway for many students was the hospitality we experienced. The homeowners in Crisfield and the long-term MDS volunteers were very kind and welcoming. They invited us into our accommodations with big smiles, cooked us delicious food, shared their life stories, and played many games with us. One homeowner whose house we worked on that week welcomed us into her home to teach us how to pick crabs. She was known in Crisfield as a local “celebrity,” having won over 15 crab picking competitions. It was an honour to be taught by her. 

In my personal reflection of this trip, I want to be more intentional with my time, create space to meet new people, and get closer to my friends. Our experience in Crisfield left a lasting impact, reminding us of how we are called to love and serve our neighbours in whatever capacity we are able and will be blessed in doing so. 

By Grace Bahula, Grebel Student

Photo - Grace is on the bottom row, left from the center in the brown and black hoodie. 

Grace’s experience is a part of an annual MDS student service trip organized by Grebel. In partnership with MDS, the College also offers a scholarship of $4,500 to students who volunteer for at least four weeks (between May and August) on an MDS Project, with the goal of promoting service and volunteerism.