The co-leader of an aquatic recovery group is giving glory to God after receiving an award from Mounties.

RCMP Manitoba's Eastern Division paid a visit to a local colony, giving the Hutterian Emergency Aquatic Response Team (HEART) a special plaque and award.

"We have this mission and that's quite unique for our community," Manuel Maendel, HEART co-captain says, humbled and honoured to receive the recognition. "The most important aspect of HEART is to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to show families in their darkest time that God has not abandoned them. That He's actually reaching out and loved and showing them that He is there and He is going to walk them through if they trust in Him."

 

LISTEN: ONE FAMILY IMPACTED BY HEART SHARES THEIR STORY

 

Maendel and his team have had a busy summer as more and more people learn about what they do, helping across Canada and parts of the United States.

"It is pretty special to be able to help out in these times of need."

Maendel began HEART many years ago almost by accident, initially indulging in his fascination for underwater life. The schoolteacher's dream was to learn how to dive, and his brother, Paul, joined along. As time went by, they learnt more about how to do recoveries and rescues and soon began receiving calls for help, saying it became their mission.

"We hadn't planned it this way but it looks like the Lord took it in this direction. And as long as He will bless us, it will grow and be a mission in which we can help others."

The team is small but mighty. They have four or five regular volunteers and can go out with as few as two.

"HEART is actually quite small but also quite large with the whole community's support. Depending on what is needed and what equipment, we can draw on other communities as well and other resources on any given mission."

They are a charitable operation, currently raising funds for new equipment.

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