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.

    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.