MDS Storm Encounter a virtual look at disaster, hope

What does it feel like to get caught up in the terror and angst of a tornado barreling right at your house as you hunker down with your family in the basement hoping beyond hope it misses your home?

How much pain and grief consumes you when it doesn’t? And how do you deal with the aftermath of such enormous devastation when everything you owned is now scattered and torn beyond recognition?

And how much joy and gratitude would you feel when out of nowhere comes a stampede of aid, people you’ve never met, arriving to rebuild the scraps of your life, to help pick you up and rebuild from the ashes of destruction?

That is the scenario Mennonite Disaster Service deals with regularly as MDS volunteers work to respond, rebuild and restore the lives of those who have been crushed by disaster.

On Friday and Saturday, July 12-13 at the annual Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale in Mt. Hope, MDS had volunteers manning The Storm Encounter: A Virtual Disaster Experience, where visitors could sit inside the unit and physically feel and gain insight on an approaching tornado’s ability to devour homes and lives.

But after watching the approaching storm of a real tornado in Greensburg, Kansas, viewers then get a look at how MDS volunteers quickly respond, leaping to action to help restore and rebuild lives and homes.

The people who survived a tornado but lost their homes go from dealing with the loss to experiencing the love and compassion of others, bringing tears of joy and thankfulness to the many who came to their rescue.

Ron Murray, an MDS volunteer and local coordinator who was manning the station on Saturday, said the unit is designed to give people a sense of what an approaching tornado feels like including shaking chairs and a mist of water.

He said the video was created to give viewers a sense of grief followed by the joy and gratitude of seeing people respond out of love and compassion.

“You experience the storm and then see how MDS responds to bring hope back to individuals and communities,” Murray said.

The Storm Encounter travels all over the country.

“It’s a beautiful thing because it shows exactly what it’s like through the eyes of those who have experienced the devastation,” Murray said of the video. “The Storm Encounter is a great marriage because it brings in a lot of young people who may have never heard about MDS and this outreach.”

Blaine Miller from Hartville, Ohio has been a part of several MDS restoration projects. He said the ultimate feeling of blessing others accompanies each trip as a volunteer.

He said he initially became aware of the MDS project through his church at Evermore Community Church in Hartville.

Owning his own construction company, he said he felt drawn to help, not only because of his expertise, but also because helping others in need is what God has called all to do.

“It’s the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done,” Miller said. “There’s nothing like it. To see a homeowner being so overwhelmed and grateful is very emotional for everyone.”

He said he is anticipating going on another trip when he gets a chance, knowing the lives he and many others touch through volunteering make a huge impact.

Just as importantly, it builds new relationships between those who were hit by destruction and those who respond, as well as helping the team of volunteers — in this case many of them from Miller’s home church — grow closer together through service.

For those who volunteer through MDS, it is an enriching blessing to help others. For those hit hard by disaster, their effort provides a chance to return to home and a life of normalcy.

“We’re called to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Murray said.

For more information on MDS and to learn how to volunteer, visit www.mds.org.