Thursday, June 30, 2011
Editing
Wednesday's post is full of mispellings because of technical difficulties.....Again! Please overlook them.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning after breakfast we went to find a place where we were told there was many families living in tents. We finally found it and there were some people in tents but as it turned out it was not displaced families from the storm. I really don't know how do describe what the situation was, but it was one that the National Guard was helping to patrol. Someone had given us some MRE's to bring with us and give out where they were needed. So after asking if they would be needed there, we left them there, thankful that they would be used.
We had an appointment with a family in the evening to have their pictures taken at The Falls, so we drove and found that location. It was a beautiful place and so after walking around a bit we went back to town.
We went to another church who had a disaster relief station. It's amazing the amount of supplies that these churches have on hand and even more amazing to me is the church volunteers who work in the heat, drenched with sweat so that they can organize and make ready these supplies. While there we were tracked down by a local TV station who had discovered what we were doing and wanted an interview with us. So we did it, and apparently it was on the evening news. We didn't see it, and my only hope is that we accompish the purpose for which we have been called here to do and the God receives all the Glory.
We went back to The Falls to meet our family to photograph. When I saw them I recognized them as being a family that we had talked to at Light Up Joplin. I was glad to see them. But to our amazement The Falls were FULL of people swimming and rafting! Who knew! So we decided to move to a nearby park. What this family had lost in the storm was more than anyone we had met. Their 16 year old daughter had been killed while at the Pizza Hut. The roof and wall collapsed and she was under it. They showed us a picture of her and she was a beautiful girl. We were very fortunate to meet this family, spend some time with them, and hear their story and share God's love with them.
We took photos of another family after that, but I will save that story for my next posting.
Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers. And thanks to Jolely and Jared especially at home for feeding and taking care and cleaning up after all the animals. I love yall!
We had an appointment with a family in the evening to have their pictures taken at The Falls, so we drove and found that location. It was a beautiful place and so after walking around a bit we went back to town.
We went to another church who had a disaster relief station. It's amazing the amount of supplies that these churches have on hand and even more amazing to me is the church volunteers who work in the heat, drenched with sweat so that they can organize and make ready these supplies. While there we were tracked down by a local TV station who had discovered what we were doing and wanted an interview with us. So we did it, and apparently it was on the evening news. We didn't see it, and my only hope is that we accompish the purpose for which we have been called here to do and the God receives all the Glory.
We went back to The Falls to meet our family to photograph. When I saw them I recognized them as being a family that we had talked to at Light Up Joplin. I was glad to see them. But to our amazement The Falls were FULL of people swimming and rafting! Who knew! So we decided to move to a nearby park. What this family had lost in the storm was more than anyone we had met. Their 16 year old daughter had been killed while at the Pizza Hut. The roof and wall collapsed and she was under it. They showed us a picture of her and she was a beautiful girl. We were very fortunate to meet this family, spend some time with them, and hear their story and share God's love with them.
We took photos of another family after that, but I will save that story for my next posting.
Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers. And thanks to Jolely and Jared especially at home for feeding and taking care and cleaning up after all the animals. I love yall!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday's Post
Tuesday Morning we got a late start. After breakfast we went by Forest Park Baptist Church to hand out more of our flyer's. Their disaster relief station is called "Mission Joplin". It is their bus barn turned into a relief station. They really got it going on!!!! After a family checks in they are giving a "personal shopper" which is a volunteer that helps them shop for the things that they need. They have everything from bibles to stuffed toys to bathroom supplies....anything they need. They have shopping carts to drive around and gather up their things. It's really amazing the amount of supplies that are there. And then if is not in the building its in the 18 wheeler trailers parked on the lot. Every church has a fork lift to move around the huge pallets of water, Gatorade, etc.
Mission Joplin is where we met Mr. Norman and his daughter. Mr. Norman was living in an assisted living quarters when the tornado destroyed it. He and some of his friends gathered in a closet to ride out the tornado. Although it destroyed his home, he was praising God in the fact that he was alive and protected. When Andy told him about what we were doing he was read for a picture right then and there!
Next we met Marcy and Judy who are mother and daughter. They wanted their picture at St. Mary's Catholic church, which is a favorite picture spot so we met them there. They were a hoot!! We had a blast with these two ladies. Marcy, the daughter lost most of her things in the storage building where her things were stored. Her Mom Judy worked at the catholic school which was in the building where we took the photos. Both women were brought to tears as they
looked around. Judy worked in the school part of the building serving lunch to the children. Because the tornado happened on a Sunday evening there was no one in the building except the priest and he got down in the bath tub and rode out the storm.
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As soon as the tornado passed and these women were able to get out and down the streets they went and bought food and water and started cooking and handing it out to volunteer workers and their neighbors. It was truly a blessing to meet them and hear their stories and laugh with them....they were hilarious!
Mission Joplin is where we met Mr. Norman and his daughter. Mr. Norman was living in an assisted living quarters when the tornado destroyed it. He and some of his friends gathered in a closet to ride out the tornado. Although it destroyed his home, he was praising God in the fact that he was alive and protected. When Andy told him about what we were doing he was read for a picture right then and there!
Next we met Marcy and Judy who are mother and daughter. They wanted their picture at St. Mary's Catholic church, which is a favorite picture spot so we met them there. They were a hoot!! We had a blast with these two ladies. Marcy, the daughter lost most of her things in the storage building where her things were stored. Her Mom Judy worked at the catholic school which was in the building where we took the photos. Both women were brought to tears as they
looked around. Judy worked in the school part of the building serving lunch to the children. Because the tornado happened on a Sunday evening there was no one in the building except the priest and he got down in the bath tub and rode out the storm.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Picture Day
I have to confess that I have been discouraged, wondered if we had done the wrong thing by coming. We have continued to pray every morning for God's Will, His Timing, and His direction. This morning we got our first phone call. Someone who had got our card last night at Light Up Joplin. We met them at the Catholic church....or what's left of it. Seems to be a popular place because as you will see from the photos that the only thing remaining is the cross. Someone has hung a huge tattered flag in a "used to be" tree. You will see how the bark has been ripped off the tree.
The children belong to Sally, they are her grandchildren. The tornado barely missed Sally's home, but destroyed other homes of her family members. Immediately after the tornado was over she was out with these children, trying to give aid to others. One of her family members was the infant that was trapped in Wal Mart, you may have heard about him. He survived. Had her grandchildren not been with her, their fate could have been different. In the picture behind Sally is the nursing home where her mom had lived. There are numerous wheel chairs scattered about the area. I didn't even realize it had been a nursing home until today. Sally's Mom had died prior to the tornado. She couldn't talk about it without tears....I think it was because she was so thankful that her mom didn't have to be at the nursing home during the tornado but had already gone Home.
The other woman is Lisa. Lisa didn't lose her home, but many of her family were affected and sustained great loss. Being with these ladies and the children was like being with old friends. They were such sweet people and we had the opportunity to talk to them about their relationship with the Lord. They were so thankful thankful and felt so blessed because of the Lord's protection in their lives.
We went to another church today...Wildwood Baptist. They have designated their church as a "Hope Station". At this church they had set up a part of their building for medical needs, and had all kinds of medical supplies and people there to help you. As we walked through their building we saw that their Sunday School rooms had been turned into living quarters. There were both volunteer workers and homeless families staying there. Their kitchen was full of food and water and other supplies where they cooked meals daily to feed the volunteer workers, families and anyone else that dropped by.
We are continually amazed at the volunteers, and church members who are daily attending to the needs of the community. Then, while in the parking lot of Forest Park Baptist, a church maybe the size of Green Acres, we met a few more families where some people from the Dallas area had a tent set up just handing out food.People were dropping in from every direction and they were giving out great looking huge burritos!!
Pray for Lisa, and Sally and their families and those sweet children. And pray for Jim who we met in the parking lot tonight. He and his wife lost everything and are staying in this motel. But he was praising God for His Generous Provision in that they had enough insurance on their house that now they can help others!! What a self-less thought.
The children belong to Sally, they are her grandchildren. The tornado barely missed Sally's home, but destroyed other homes of her family members. Immediately after the tornado was over she was out with these children, trying to give aid to others. One of her family members was the infant that was trapped in Wal Mart, you may have heard about him. He survived. Had her grandchildren not been with her, their fate could have been different. In the picture behind Sally is the nursing home where her mom had lived. There are numerous wheel chairs scattered about the area. I didn't even realize it had been a nursing home until today. Sally's Mom had died prior to the tornado. She couldn't talk about it without tears....I think it was because she was so thankful that her mom didn't have to be at the nursing home during the tornado but had already gone Home.
The other woman is Lisa. Lisa didn't lose her home, but many of her family were affected and sustained great loss. Being with these ladies and the children was like being with old friends. They were such sweet people and we had the opportunity to talk to them about their relationship with the Lord. They were so thankful thankful and felt so blessed because of the Lord's protection in their lives.
We went to another church today...Wildwood Baptist. They have designated their church as a "Hope Station". At this church they had set up a part of their building for medical needs, and had all kinds of medical supplies and people there to help you. As we walked through their building we saw that their Sunday School rooms had been turned into living quarters. There were both volunteer workers and homeless families staying there. Their kitchen was full of food and water and other supplies where they cooked meals daily to feed the volunteer workers, families and anyone else that dropped by.
We are continually amazed at the volunteers, and church members who are daily attending to the needs of the community. Then, while in the parking lot of Forest Park Baptist, a church maybe the size of Green Acres, we met a few more families where some people from the Dallas area had a tent set up just handing out food.People were dropping in from every direction and they were giving out great looking huge burritos!!
Pray for Lisa, and Sally and their families and those sweet children. And pray for Jim who we met in the parking lot tonight. He and his wife lost everything and are staying in this motel. But he was praising God for His Generous Provision in that they had enough insurance on their house that now they can help others!! What a self-less thought.
Light Up Joplin
Yesterday our day started at College Heights Christian church where we attended worship and also handed out more of our flyer's. We have been handing them out at McDonalds, leaving them at convenience stores, handing them out at parks, and wherever else we see people gathered. After we left worship we drove around the destroyed area again looking for families that may have returned to there homesite again. We also wanted to take some food to a man who is still living in his home. It has no front door and no back door.....you can see straight through it. We didn't find him home either.
Yesterday evening we went to "Music in the Park" and talked to a few families and handed out our flyer's. None of these families had been tornado victims but all new someone who was.
Later yesterday evening, after the park we went to "Light Up Joplin". It was held at another park across town. The way I understand it, the idea had come from two young men who work at Toys R Us. Toys R Us had contributed and made available new baby and childrens clothes for people to get. There were also shoes and toys from other contributors. The Red Cross was there handing out refreshments as was many of the rescue workers and clean up crews and volunteers who have been working the past month.
I'm not sure how many was there, it was very well attended, but many of the people there had been affected by the tornado and lost not only their homes but family members. I stood by Tony and Tammy whose 12 year old son had been killed. The picture you see attached to this post is of one of the local pastors praying with them.
One of the incredible things about this event was it was put together by the area ministerial alliance. Many pastors were there wearing name tags so that they could be available for counseling and prayer. We joined in with the people as they sang songs of praise to the Lord. There was prayer, and there was a testimony by one of the local pastors who told about how he and his wife rode out the tornado on the floor of their closet, thinking they were going to die. They lost everything.....home, cars, but he rejoiced in God's protection over he and his wife.
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The theme of the event was not to be a memorial. It was one of hope. All of the flags have been at half staff in the city, but last night they spoke of raising the flags both in the city and in their hearts and moving on. It was very moving and uplifting. We felt very fortunate to be a part. We handed out our flyer's to many families. Some cried and hugged us. Hopefully, we will receive some calls and have the opportunity to minister to some of these families. Pray that our phones will start ringing and we will have the opportunity to do what we believe God called us here to do.
Yesterday evening we went to "Music in the Park" and talked to a few families and handed out our flyer's. None of these families had been tornado victims but all new someone who was.
Later yesterday evening, after the park we went to "Light Up Joplin". It was held at another park across town. The way I understand it, the idea had come from two young men who work at Toys R Us. Toys R Us had contributed and made available new baby and childrens clothes for people to get. There were also shoes and toys from other contributors. The Red Cross was there handing out refreshments as was many of the rescue workers and clean up crews and volunteers who have been working the past month.
I'm not sure how many was there, it was very well attended, but many of the people there had been affected by the tornado and lost not only their homes but family members. I stood by Tony and Tammy whose 12 year old son had been killed. The picture you see attached to this post is of one of the local pastors praying with them.
One of the incredible things about this event was it was put together by the area ministerial alliance. Many pastors were there wearing name tags so that they could be available for counseling and prayer. We joined in with the people as they sang songs of praise to the Lord. There was prayer, and there was a testimony by one of the local pastors who told about how he and his wife rode out the tornado on the floor of their closet, thinking they were going to die. They lost everything.....home, cars, but he rejoiced in God's protection over he and his wife.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Hope for Joplin
This week my blog will be devoted to our ministry in Joplin. It's my prayer that the next pictures you see on here will not be of destruction, devastation and loss, but smiling faces of families......with Hope.
JOPLIN: A NEW BEGINNING
We arrived in Joplin today around 11:00. We spent last night in Branson, after the recommendation of Andy's Parent's to take Gracey to see the musical Noah. I had not had any luck finding a motel within 35 miles of Joplin for Friday night anyway, so we decided why not. It was a great show, and Gracey really liked it.
When we arrived this morning the first place we went was to a park where we knew there were free meals being prepared. A group from Louisiana was there to cook Cajun food. They had started yesterday, and would be cooking through tomorrow. They wanted to show their appreciation for what had been done for them when a hurricane hit their town. We hoped to find some families there. We met a lady named Debbie, who had not been affected by the tornado but gave us the name of a church that she knew had been canvasing neighborhoods and evaluating needs. We went to Grace Baptist Church and talked to the person in charge and left some of our flyers. This church was providing meals for volunteers and anyone who needed them. After that we went to College Heights Christian Church. That's where I took a picture of the sign saying "SHOPPING". They had several tents set up on their parking lot where people come and get whatever they need. Again, there were dozens of volunteers there helping people "shop". After that we went to the third church, which is also a disaster relief station, with dozens of volunteers. When I say volunteers I am not talking about volunteers from these churches only, but there are volunteers from other states coming to these churches to help the members out. It's really unbelievable the volunteers that are here, and what they are doing.
We talked to several people at these disaster relief locations and gave out our flyers. Some cried and hugged us when they learned what we were doing. Still some seemed skeptical. We talked to two different gentlemen that we met when we were driving through the neighborhoods. They were very interested, both had daughters that they wanted pictures of. One of the men had an adopted daughter from China and had lost every picture of her that he had. Hopefully we will be able to get back in contact with these families and get them some pictures.
The pictures that I post do very little to convey to you what we are seeing. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The hospital is just........well I don't know how to describe it. The high school was leveled on the very night that the high school graduation was taking place............across town at another location.
Pray for us that God will give us opportunity to love on and meet some more families and minister to them and give them the gifts that we would like to give them. Pray that God will direct our paths to the people that we need to meet who need to be ministered to. Pray for Gracey that she will learn how to love on people and minister to others.
Blessing to all of you,
Gina
When we arrived this morning the first place we went was to a park where we knew there were free meals being prepared. A group from Louisiana was there to cook Cajun food. They had started yesterday, and would be cooking through tomorrow. They wanted to show their appreciation for what had been done for them when a hurricane hit their town. We hoped to find some families there. We met a lady named Debbie, who had not been affected by the tornado but gave us the name of a church that she knew had been canvasing neighborhoods and evaluating needs. We went to Grace Baptist Church and talked to the person in charge and left some of our flyers. This church was providing meals for volunteers and anyone who needed them. After that we went to College Heights Christian Church. That's where I took a picture of the sign saying "SHOPPING". They had several tents set up on their parking lot where people come and get whatever they need. Again, there were dozens of volunteers there helping people "shop". After that we went to the third church, which is also a disaster relief station, with dozens of volunteers. When I say volunteers I am not talking about volunteers from these churches only, but there are volunteers from other states coming to these churches to help the members out. It's really unbelievable the volunteers that are here, and what they are doing.
We talked to several people at these disaster relief locations and gave out our flyers. Some cried and hugged us when they learned what we were doing. Still some seemed skeptical. We talked to two different gentlemen that we met when we were driving through the neighborhoods. They were very interested, both had daughters that they wanted pictures of. One of the men had an adopted daughter from China and had lost every picture of her that he had. Hopefully we will be able to get back in contact with these families and get them some pictures.
The pictures that I post do very little to convey to you what we are seeing. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The hospital is just........well I don't know how to describe it. The high school was leveled on the very night that the high school graduation was taking place............across town at another location.
Pray for us that God will give us opportunity to love on and meet some more families and minister to them and give them the gifts that we would like to give them. Pray that God will direct our paths to the people that we need to meet who need to be ministered to. Pray for Gracey that she will learn how to love on people and minister to others.
Blessing to all of you,
Gina
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Jade, Ava, and Ian Hopson
Akoshua Starks and DeSaron Gordon
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