Back From Joplin

[lightsoutcalls]

I had the privelege of helping a couple of homeowners in Joplin this weekend clear some debris and cutting fallen trees from their yards.  There were work crews organized by a number of organizations throughout the stricken area.  The devestation was incredible.  Here is one picture that will stick in my mind.  Look closely at the tree on the left... yes, that is a boat.

I met folks from MO, IL, TX and KS on the work crews I went out with.  It was great to see folks from all over uniting to help people they didn't even know.  It was also great to see the elderly lady (near 80) that we helped on Saturday.  Even though her home had all of the windows blown out, it appeared structurally sound.  She smiled as she watched people from 4 states whom she had never met clear twisted metal, crumpled trees, shattered lumber and torn roofing from her yard.  You could tell that knowing that others cared enough to help overshadowed the loss of material things... at least for the day. 
On our assignment for Friday, I had the pleasure of observing a well dressed hispanic gentleman and his young son walk up to the homeowner we working for.  The man stated "I know this may sound strange, but my son had a dream.  God told him he was to give this money to you (the homeowner)."  The boy of about 10-11 stretched out his hand with an envelope about 3/4" thick with bills inside.  The homeowner was obviously humbled and thankful.  I turned back to see the man and his son with their hands on the homeowner's shoulders praying for him.  What a weekend!

[TClark]

I had the pleasure of observing a well dressed Hispanic gentleman and his young son walk up to the homeowner we working for.  The man stated "I know this may sound strange, but my son had a dream.  God told him he was to give this money to you (the homeowner)."  The boy of about 10-11 stretched out his hand with an envelope about 3/4" thick with bills inside.  The homeowner was obviously humbled and thankful.  I turned back to see the man and his son with their hands on the homeowner's shoulders praying for him.  What a weekend!

That's so awesome!! The obedience to sow into that family will be a blessing their whole lives.
  Thank you Lights Out for doing all you did for those folks, I can't even imagine what horror those people have been through.

[barry]

You did a good thing my friend.

[ILIKEHEVI-13]

That was a good deed Wendell.  I enjoyed the story. 

That was one of the worst tornados to hit the US ever.  No doubt about it.  I seen the footage on youtube and hit was unreal. 

[wildturkey6]

I was just telling my wife that if I knew someway to go out there and help I would really like to. I have been through what these folks have been through and have first hand experience from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 when we lost our home. Trust me it means a lot when you extend a helping hand as you did to some one who has been through so much. It would be cool if we could put a group together from the folks on OG and do a weeks worth of repairs for some of them. I am in South Fla it is a long ways away and with limited resources one person can't make alot of difference,how ever if we could put together a team OG could make a difference. I have been laid off of work since May 1st and won't be returning until Sept so if any one would like to participate in something like this let me know ,I have a construction back ground and I am willing to try to be part of the solution.

[Tail Feathers]

Thank you for going and helping out.  It's a blessing to hear some good news and see the people who care enough to help out in some way.  Thanks for sharing the stories.

[savduck]

I have good friends in Joplin and all around. Been out that way duck hunting a few times with them. They are pulling together and getting it done.

Prayers for the continued effort.

[lightsoutcalls]

Although I didn't go with my church, they had a group of over 90 folks that went up for a work day on Saturday.  People were so touched by what they saw, they plan to go up every couple of weeks over the next few months.  I was proud when they announced "we don't want it to be a ' one and done' kind of thing". 
If anyone is interested in going to Joplin to help out, I can get  you contact information of where to hook up.  College Heights Christian Church in Joplin organizes work crews and provides most of the needed tools for all of the crews they send out.  Donations from all over have helped supply gloves, masks, boots, hand tools, tarps, generators...  It was amazing to see.  Some of the other churches in the area have provided housing in their churches for volunteers.