Joplin

I'm still wrapping my brain around my experience with the relief efforts in Joplin. What I thought was going to be a one day trip turned into repeat trip on Memorial day with over 40 people from my church joining in the efforts. To say that the tragedy that fell upon Joplin was horrific is an understatement.

Sights that I will always remember....
*walking on drenched carpet with shards of glass everywhere.
*tornado mud paste splattered on the walls.
*open sky where there once was a roof.
*neighborhood streets with no street signs but mounds of debris where homes use to lay.
*bark blasted off trees.
*collapsed home with the only thing standing is the bathroom.
*room walls completely blown off, but a washer, dryer, shelves and detergent standing unaffected.
*metal twisted tightly around a tree.
*an SUV spun into the ground and tires punctured.
*church parking lots turned into relief stations.
*the numerous people driving by the tornado stricken neighborhoods giving food and water to any one who would accept.
*a large ranch style house blown and turned at least 10 feet from its foundation.
*an American flag blowing in the wind in midst of all the ruble.

I was amazed...
*that God graciously spared so many lives: by the mass of physical destruction the death toll should be 4 times it claims currently.
*by the stories of miracles.
*by the mass of people who wanted to help.
*that many victims declined help and asked that we provide help to those less fortunate even when their home was completely destroyed.
*by the attitudes of the victims. I kept hearing many say how fortunate they were again even when their home was completely destroyed.

I am praying...
*for the victims, my heart goes out to them.
*for Joplin, that they would be resilient and strong.
*for the tireless volunteers that have worked long hours to help those in need.
*for communities outside of Joplin to come alongside and help their fellow men.

If anyone is interested in helping families in Joplin, contact me. Grace Baptist Church in Joplin plans on being a relief station for over a year and will need man power and supplies in the coming weeks and months.