Thursday morning I woke up at 3:10 am to catch my ride in the Church van with 5 wonderful people! We were on our way to Joplin to see what we could do to help out. We were just chatting away when all of a sudden we drove into the devastation, it was horrifying and nauseating, like we stepped into a third world country that has just been bombed. We made our way to the Southside Church of God in Joplin. We took a tour of their church and were on our way to the homes of two members of their congregation that were in need. The boys were taken to one house to cut and split wood and us girls went to a farm to pick up debris. We found pictures, baseball cards, old check, tax papers, school books, yearbooks and children’s books. We mostly picked up pieces of homes (insulation, shingles, siding, foam and other construction type things.) The place we were at was miles away from the tornado path and it was heartbreaking to see everything that had blown so far. We saved all the pictures and baseball cards and I pray they will make their way back to their owners one day. I know pictures would be hard for me to lose!
Anyways…We were invited to lunch by the lovely lady we met at Southside Church of God. She said it was at a ministry that the church supported, and that there would be a short service before the meal, I thought that was pretty neat! When we got there we found out it was a homeless shelter! I have never eaten lunch at a homeless shelter; I don’t think I’ve ever even been to one! It was a complete eye opener to be there! The service was wonderful and so was the meal! It was heartbreaking to see how many people were there though and it made me wonder how many more would have to show up because their home or work was destroyed by the tornado. The shelter was run by several small churches that couldn’t facilitate it on their own but together they had created a wonderful thing!! It was simply remarkable!
On our way out we once again drove through the damage and I can tell you it was no easier to see it a second time.
Pictures can't do justice.
We were able to get a nice shower, food and a place to sleep at the Granby Church of God. They were so gracious and hospitable! It was a wonderful night of sleep after our long first day! We woke up bright and early, had a nice breakfast and headed out for our second day!
We went to the same place that the guys were the day before so they could help cut more wood for a man named Carry. His neighbor, Bonnie, had some loggers come clear off some of the trees that were down. They charged her to take her logs—I don’t know how it is in all states but I know in Missouri you get paid when people take your logs!! Well needless to say we were livid and wanted to help her! They had completely torn up her yard and ripped her off! So we set off to talk to her and she was grateful to have us! We raked and picked up sticks and debris and mowed and put mulch in her flower beds! I hope we made a difference for her! I just feel so bad and wish I could find those loggers and give them a piece of my mind!!! Grr!
We went to the same place that the guys were the day before so they could help cut more wood for a man named Carry. His neighbor, Bonnie, had some loggers come clear off some of the trees that were down. They charged her to take her logs—I don’t know how it is in all states but I know in Missouri you get paid when people take your logs!! Well needless to say we were livid and wanted to help her! They had completely torn up her yard and ripped her off! So we set off to talk to her and she was grateful to have us! We raked and picked up sticks and debris and mowed and put mulch in her flower beds! I hope we made a difference for her! I just feel so bad and wish I could find those loggers and give them a piece of my mind!!! Grr!
^This is a picture of her yard the destroyed!^
Anyways…We were invited to lunch by the lovely lady we met at Southside Church of God. She said it was at a ministry that the church supported, and that there would be a short service before the meal, I thought that was pretty neat! When we got there we found out it was a homeless shelter! I have never eaten lunch at a homeless shelter; I don’t think I’ve ever even been to one! It was a complete eye opener to be there! The service was wonderful and so was the meal! It was heartbreaking to see how many people were there though and it made me wonder how many more would have to show up because their home or work was destroyed by the tornado. The shelter was run by several small churches that couldn’t facilitate it on their own but together they had created a wonderful thing!! It was simply remarkable!
On our way out we once again drove through the damage and I can tell you it was no easier to see it a second time.
Pictures can't do justice.
I am so proud of you and your church. Thank you for sharing your story. Love, MM
ReplyDelete