Mennonite Disaster Services releases new book The Hammer Rings Hope

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 24 June 2000

AKRON, Pa. -- Fifty years of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) photos and stories are presented in the new hardback The Hammer Rings Hope by Lowell Detweiler, former MDS Executive Coordinator.

One hundred eighty-six pages of color photos and in-depth storytelling reveal how Mennonites have become well known in disaster response circles for their commitment to responding, rebuilding and restoring lives affected by natural disasters. The Hammer Rings Hope was released on June 2 at the 50th anniversary celebration of MDS in Hesston, Kan. More than 1,300 copies sold during the three-day event.

For MDS volunteers and the disaster survivors whom they help, a pounding hammer drives more than nails. It drives emotions. The hammer, ringing out in the wake of disaster, proclaims the presence of hope and rebirth in the midst of confusion and distress.

James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) spoke at the Hesston meetings. He said, "Though FEMA uses the latest technology in its disaster response efforts, simple tools do the most important jobs. Our work really comes down to one universal tool that meets any challenge we might face. It's called a hammer."

"For the Mennonite church," Witt claimed, "the hammer rings hope. In that powerful metaphor lies a very rich tradition of serving... This book is a national treasure, the story of caring people helping others with devastating losses in a spirit of selflessness, joy and sacrifice."

"The MDS story is pretty much an oral history that is being lost as MDSers pass on," said the author Lowell Detweiler. "The goal of this book is to preserve the stories of faithful service. This will encourage other volunteers to carry on the tradition."

Detweiler was the executive coordinator of MDS from 1986 until 1998. During his time as coordinator, Detweiler organized the response to three of the largest projects in MDS history, Hurricane Hugo in '89, Hurricane Andrew in '92, and the Midwest floods in '93.

The Hammer Rings Hope was published by Herald Press. Paul Schrock, director of Herald Press Trade Books, said he is excited about sales prospects. The company has chosen to make The Hammer Rings Hope their feature book at this summer's Christian Booksellers Association gathering in New Orleans.

The Hammer Rings Hope can be purchased in bookstores as well as online at www.mph.org/pbs.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org