Joplin Day Two and Three

I’m going to role day two and three into one post.

Day Two:

Today was my first time on the ground in the middle of the disaster zone. Yesterday we had meet with families on the edge of the zone, and we had driven through the worst struck parts of the city. However, today from the ground level the devastation was completely unreal.

The team I was working with helped a lady out who lived just south of Joplin High School. This is an area that is considered to be ground zero, where the Tornado was at it’s zenith both strength and width. As far as the eye can see no structures that won’t be bulldozed. Only a handful of walls that give a hint at what they used to be – homes, business, and schools.

We got into the rubble of this home and started to work. They only thing we could do, move rubble from the pile of what used to be the home, to a pile of metal, wood, and trash (separated to make it easier for clean up later). Even though this seems to be an exercise in moving dirt from one pile to another, I think there was more going on.

Yesterday we spent the day showing people we loved them by listening; make sure they had the things they needed. Today we showed them we loved them by helping them in some small way move forward, to make room for hope to rise up from the rubble of this city. I know without a doubt this city will rise again, and I am honored to be a small part of showing, and making way for, hope to arise.

Day Three:

Today I did not go into the disaster zone at all. I spent the day with my family, mainly keeping my three nephews and niece from being holy terrors. At first it seemed odd, and a little perverse to be carrying on life as normal when a couple miles away a city still dug out from under the rubble.

However, since I live in Tennessee I only get to spend time with my whole family a few times a year. After awhile I started to see the blessing in this. My mom survived the Wal-Mart being destroyed. Also, the tornado could have easily swung north to hit my brother and his family.

One of the things I’ve heard from my Mom, and from the people I met is how thankful they are for what did make it through the storm – their lives, and the lives of their loved ones. Taking time to spend time with my family may be just as important as working in the disaster zone.