Last weekend we went to Joplin with our church to help with the disaster relief. The kids have been wanting to help ever since the tornado did it's damage... but the church has been working with Samaritans Purse with cleanup, and lets face it 5 children all 7 and under might not do so well around all the dangerous debris. However this time, the church with with a new organization: Mission Joplin.
They converted an old bus barn into a warehouse and they also have 2 houses full of clothes, baby supplies, toiletries, household items, etc. and they are outreaching to the community to help in any way possible. Joplin [in general] has SO many donations coming in- which is great; however, they are short manpower to sort and sift through everything so they can get it distributed. So we thought this was the prime time to take the kids and help- after all, they can sort things!
So we went- and worked- outside- in the 100 [actually over 100] degree weather. We didn't do it for a pat on the back, or to be recognized. However, we did it to glorify God. It was amazing.
We worked the first part of the day sorting clothing in one of the houses. It was tough though. Five of our 7 kids (between Jemma and I) can't read. So sorting "Women's size 7 jeans" and "Men's 32/30s" is actually a lot more difficult that than you would think. So in the afternoon they moved us over to the warehouse (bus barn) to sort some more practical items. The kids moved boxes, and diapers. They sorted toys and we sorted books.
On the way home (after working all day in that rancid heat) we drove through some of the neighborhoods that were destroyed. I had been back to Joplin since the storm hit, but only went down the main roads.. which was mostly commercial buildings.
It didn't seem all that bad to me. Don't get me wrong, seeing business completely
leveled was extremely sad. However, seeing homes demolished hits your heart in an entirely different way.
These were peoples lives, their memories, their world.
So I'm going to share with you some images I took of Joplin for those of you that haven't made it up there since the tornado..... or for those of you that don't live around here and haven't made it up there period.
You have to know, that pictures don't even do it justice. I captured just a smidgen of this amazing little town. Driving through, both directions looks like this :
But with all the devastation, there are cleanup crews and volunteers in every direction...offering prayers, clothing, items, food and water. You see a lot of this:
This was the high school...
I love the fact that the only letters left on the sign was "OP".. so someone turned it into "Hope"
Matter of fact.. the entire town is SO strong. Every where you look there are words of encouragement- such as this:
They are banning together, and they are becoming a strong city because of it. In the midst of such tragedy, you can see God at work. We pulled up to this house- in which I had to turn into a lesson for the kids....
We pulled the car over and made all the kids look closely. I brought up Psalm 91:7 which (for those that don't know) states: "A thousand will may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you". This image is that verse in action. I explained to the kids "See the house on the left? Look at that, its completely in tack.. still standing strong. Now look to the house on the right.. its completely flat. Gone. Nothing left. Do you suppose those people in the house on the left were quoting Psalm 91?" Its a real life lesson in action of how powerful the God we serve is. They took that home with them, and days later Enoch was asking me to look up Psalm 91 in his bible so he can read it for himself. I love, love, love that chapter. It has to be my favorite!
Its insane though how steel can get wrapped around trees like this:
And in the trees like this:
If the wind is that strong.. how strong is our God?
So with neighborhoods that look like this:
Driving through, Eleesia says to me "Mommy, this is really sad". I said "I know Eleesia." She replied with "No Mommy. This is REALLY sad!". It brings tears to my eyes. It was important to me for the kids to "get it". To see others helping and doing their part. That's what its about- working together to accomplish things for the glory of God. Its important for them to know that in the midst of every storm, you can still find God's peace. He's there. He's everywhere. And together- we CAN overcome.
