Today we spent the day working in the disaster area. We partnered with Samaritans Purse and we moved debris, furniture and trees.
Being in the thick of it was honestly more intense than anything I have seen or experienced. The destruction and damage was unimaginable. The volunteers and the free services (food, water, tire repair, chain saw blade sharpening, counseling) were overwhelming. But the people of Joplin sharing their stories with us made it all real. As each person shared their story you began to get a glimpse into what that day must have been like. For instance….
Don, he and his wife both 82 yrs old sat down on their couch in the back of their house held hands and prayed together. Telling God they were ready if He was. God must not have been ready. Or….
Barb who was home alone and clung to a pillow in her bath tub praying that God would protect her and her husband Ed. Their house had a 30 foot tree on top of it, their pickup sent through the garage doors and someone elses bathroom subfloor and tile thrown across the front of their house. Both she and Ed were together today salvaging what was left but thankful to have each other. The stories went on and on like this all day.
So how was today? In a word-Difficult! Difficult work, difficult seeing, and hearing the stories and realizing the healing that needs to happen.
Tomorrow we head home and we hope and pray we have been a blessing to those we came into contact with, and that they were able to see a glimpse of the love of Christ through our words, our actions and our compassion for them.
Thanks for all your prayers and please continue to pray for our travel tomorrow and for the people of Joplin.
Catch you on the flip side.
May God bless you for your giving. Praying for a safe trip home and the city of Joplin you are leaving behind!!