The group I was going with was working with a non-denominational church in Joplin. The church, Abundant Life Christian Center ( http://www.abundantlifejoplin.org/ ) has been supporting relief efforts by housing people displaced by the May tornado, as well as volunteers who have come in to work, whether church groups, individuals, or secular organizations. In addition to housing up to 200 people each week, the church provides three meals per day and has a warehouse of supplies (toiletries, groceries, etc.) which is open to the residents of Joplin each week.
I was told from the outset that I would find out where I was needed once I got there. On my previous trip in June I had worked with Samaritan's Purse clearing debris at specific homesites. I was hoping on this trip to do more of the same, but of course had to be open to whatever I would be asked to do.
We arrived later than planned and the group that was going out to work in Joplin doing debris removal had already left. Soooo, I was going to be assigned to work at the church. No problem, it was a pretty day and there were interesting people to visit with. Since the church has been housing people and stocking a warehouse with semi-loads of donations, there was plenty of work to organize supplies, stock warehouse shelves, organize pallets of water, and clean in the church.
the bus
We Care center (warehouse of supplies for Joplin residents)
semis with donatations
working
The morning passed quickly and we broke for lunch (provided by volunteer cooks at the church) During lunch the pastor's wife expressed her gratitude and mentioned that they may send some people out to work in Joplin during the afternoon. I thought "great--now I can get out really work!" After all I had come prepared with work clothes, goggles, gloves, etc. I was ready to move debris! She then went on to explain that the church had been really stretched in opening their doors. She was feeling overwhelmed at the amount of work there was to do. The registration area needed to be cleaned, the bunk areas needed to be organized, the prayer room need to be resupplied, basically there was lots of cleaning and organization around the church.
So as she was talking, I was thinking to myself..."I did not come all the way to Joplin in order to CLEAN!! I mean I like cleaning but I do enough of it at my own house.... and organizing just sounds flat out boring!" I figured I would just avoid the pastor's wife after lunch that way i wouldn't get pulled into cleaning bathrooms or anything! Yeah, I know I didn't exactly have a servant's heart at that point!
After lunch I visited with some people, signed one of the large tarps hanging around the church that was for volunteers to sign (and there were signatures from ALL over!) and then I found myself unsure of what to do next. I found my group leader and asked where I should start and she directed me to go find the pastor's wife and work with her!!! Right. I was being asked to do the one thing I did not want to do.
I spent the next few hours working right alongside her, cleaning, organizing, and sorting, with barely a break! At times it was tedious but I appreciated the fellowship as well as seeing just how much that particular church was doing for the relief effort.
I think the biggest lesson I learned was to just be a servant in whatever capacity was needed, whether it was my job of choice or not. I saw how every job whether big or little is important because it is all part of the whole. The church itself was not a large church and yet they are doing so much! It has been estimated that the process up rebuilding Joplin could take up to 5 years. As of now the church, Abundant Life Christian Center, has committed to having their doors open and participating in volunteer efforts for 5 years if it takes that long.
People from all walks of life were there to volunteer. In the group that I went with, there was a mother with her two young children, several teenagers, and even two women who were in their 70s! The pastor's wife emphasized to everyone that there is still a need for volunteers in Joplin. She asked that we continue to spread the word. There was a huge surge of help following the tornado but it has gradually slowed, though the needs remain.
In October, Habitat for Humanity will be in Joplin for a week with a plan to build 7 homes in 7 days. They are hoping for 10,000 volunteers to help. Also in October Extreme Home Makeover will be in Joplin and they too need volunteers.
Before driving back to Tulsa, our driver took us through the city since several in the group had not been to Joplin. I had been there in June and July, but both times we drove through fairly quickly and did a short loop through the hardest hit areas. This time however the driver took us the length of the tornado's path. There have been many changes since I was there last. There is definitely progress but it still brought tears to my eyes. It seemed that this time I really got a better idea of the enormity of the area of devastation. It is absolutely mind-boggling. We saw approximately where the tornado first touched down. I couldn't imagine how terrifying it must have been.
I did not bring a camera but took some pics on my phone from inside the bus...
some houses appear to be exactly as they were right after the tornado
in some areas all that remains are concrete slabs
a cross that amazingly remained intact even though the church was destroyed
some areas are starting to rebuild
alot of the debris and rubble have been cleared but a pile remains here and there
occasionally there is a destroyed car just out in the middle of nothing
some of those barren trees are starting to get some leaves
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