Joplin Journal

– by Chad Seabright –

 

June 18, 2011

All three vehicles arrived safely in Joplin around 6pm. What we anticipated to be a 9 hour drive turned into 14. However, we are incredibly grateful Jesus hand guided us safely. Praise Him! Upon arrival, we toured the town of Joplin since it was too late to begin working on a site. There was no way to adequately prepare the team for the utter devastation observed. We began to feel the “weight” of the brokenness about 30 miles outside of Joplin. Though it’s hard to put into words, as we were driving, there was a shift in the “atmosphere.” Paul and I never said a word to each other when we felt it, but I looked over and noticed he was tearing up. He said “Wow. The brokenness is unbelievable. Jesus is truly going to have to source me with strength to make it through this.”

 

As we drove around the town, our 6 passengers were speechless. They all agreed, words and pictures could never quite do it “justice.” We saw entire neighborhoods flattened, cement slabs where prominent stores once lay, and twisted metal scattered throughout the town. The entire Walmart was wiped out along with many other buildings. On some level, I felt like a voyeur staring crumpled plywood where precious homes once lay. On some homes, just the outer shell appeared peeled back, exposing the home’s interior, almost as if the moment of that Sunday tornado was frozen in time. The interns were overwhelmed. One appeared “shell shocked” and admittedly could hardly talk or think. Others were weeping.

 

When we stopped in a church parking lot, we were cheerfully greeted by another church who begged us to come eat and grab some cold drinks. This Fort Worth family (who secretly felt more like angels) heard God say “Go” and they packed up a trailer with food and water, threw on their huge grill and headed to Joplin the same week the disaster occurred. They feel called to feed and show love to the many workers here who have volunteered their time. My sweet sister stated “we are here until God tells us we are done.”

 

As we stood in the parking lot, desperately trying to sort out our thoughts, a big truck and trailer pull up and begin unloading huge machines. After watching for several moments, we notice their tee shirts which say “the king of pop.” Intrigued, I watch intensely as they begin to set up. Moments later, they are making homemade kettle corn, eagerly handing out bags to all of us, thanking us for “our sacrifice.” “Our sacrifice?” Come to find out, they also have a unique story. He owns a kettle corn business. Although many of his rental properties were destroyed in the tornado, he wants to show Jesus’ love by serving up kettle corn to all those who have come to help. Are we serving them or are they serving us? Who’s being blessed here? Indeed, the lines are blurring.

 

I experienced the devastation 3 weeks ago. I had prepared myself for that again. What I didn’t realize is the depths of Jesus’ love here. It is everywhere. You just can’t get away from it.

 

My conclusion? Jesus is real.

 

 

June 19, 2011 

The Joplin team awoke to a delicious breakfast cooked by our youth pastor, Pastor Eric. After attending church and Sunday School, we headed to Joplin to see how we could serve. Interestingly, most organizations weren’t working today because of it being Father’s Day. However, we were so anxious to get started, the team asked Jesus to guide us to the destination He wanted us to serve. After an extensive tour of the city (which still feels unbelievable), the team felt led to pull into a high school parking lot to seek direction. Although this huge high school looks destroyed, the parking lot is full of RV’s, tents, semi’s, and tables where they are serving. When we walked up to ask if they needed help, I noticed KLUV was blaring on their radio. There were mountains of water bottles all around and a seating area under a tent where it appeared they served food.

 

When Paul asked one of the ladies if they could use our help, she could hardly contain her excitement. She stated they had many people leave this morning and had prayed Jesus would bring helpers! Her face was radiant. After conversing for some time, we were able to hear the story of how they arrived. This was a collection of different ministries which Jesus had weaved together. The Lord had told them all, separately, to come, and they responded. They serve three meals a day, along with conducting prayer and trauma counseling. I could hardly contain my enthusiasm, with the realization of how Jesus had intertwined our paths. Enkindle staked down our tent and hung the banner. We refilled coolers, unloaded pallets of water, scrubbed tables, cleaned debris, prepared meals, served dinner, counseled, and prayed with people. The leader told me when we arrived “this ground is anointed” and I was unclear what he meant. After watching many folks drive up and hear how they were “drawn to come,” I understand what he meant. I had the privilege of sharing in two ladies’ stories who came for victim counseling. “Survivor guilt” seems to be a common struggle here right now. Many are asking the question “why me? Why did I live through this?” Both women felt an immense amount of hope when they left because they realized they were lived through this tragedy because Jesus has a specific purpose for their life and He longs to use this circumstance to bring glory to His name.

 

After leaving the ministry site, the team began driving through neighborhoods, randomly asking who needed help. We joined a group in clearing a major amount of debris from a front yard. Most of the debris is awaiting clearing from heavy duty construction trucks. However, the “little pieces” (which aren’t really so little) need cleared by hand. As we were working, I looked up and realized we were in the middle of a completely flattened neighborhood. Across the street, lie the remnants of a home with a cross in the middle. I wondered if it was one of the families who lost their lives. When you look around, it is truly hard to believe the fatalities were so minimum.

 

While we worked, we once again saw the bright light of Jesus over and over. Someone different drove by about every 15 minutes with ice cold drinks begging us to take them. Another sister, Joy, drove around in her car screaming “ice cold towels!” The high temperatures quickly take a toll on all the workers. Joy briefly shared her story with us. She lived several streets over and her house was completely flattened. Since she has Multiple Sclerosis, she is unable to do extensive physical work. Therefore, her contribution is handing out cold towels. Wow!

 

We once again marveled at the kindness Joplin has shown our team. Jesus is everywhere. Yes, the darkness is great. Yes, the intensity of loss is overwhelming. Yes, the brokenness breaks our hearts beyond belief. Yet, the Creator of the Universe is redeeming. Of course, it will take an extensive amount of time for Joplin to fully recover. Indeed, they still need a lot of help. Many “locals” say 6 years before the city is restored. Nonetheless, Jesus’ love is pouring out. And it’s all through every day, ordinary people. What a blessing to be part of His plan.

 

 

June 20, 2011

Jesus in Joplin

I think I saw Jesus in Joplin today, in the form of a woman sorting clothes at a church. We started our day at Joplin Family Worship Center. The church sits on the outskirts of town, a couple miles from where the 4 mile-long tornado touched down. This center of worship immediately transformed their huge sanctuary into a “marketplace” where victims could come and “shop” for food, toiletries, household items, clothes, diapers, formula, and many other necessities. As I walked around observing all the members busily stocking, counting inventory, and organizing, I felt immensely encouraged that the Church “stepped up” to their true calling. This church truly exemplifies “a city on a hill.” Their light shines bright. Our team helped in many different ways. We helped unload a semi whose driver drove through the night to deliver 300 pounds of chili, chicken, and other food items. One of the most impactful times was operating as an “advocate” for the residents who came in needing food. We walked around with them, bagged their  grocery items, searched piles of clothes for specific sizes, listened to their story which was intertwined throughout their “shopping” experience, and finally, pray with them as we loaded up their car. The needs here are great. It lends new perspective to the verse “The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few.” We heard many precious stories of “losing it all.” Many of the victims are not able to retrieve items from their house because of mold, fungus, and other obstacles. They have nothing. No birth certificates, photos, or clothes. No matter how long we are here, it’s hard to wrap my mind around “losing it all.” One lady told me of looters who came and took all her Christmas ornaments. She was so broken about it because, though they had no monetary value, these beloved items are irreplaceable. Artwork from grandkids, “first Christmas” bulbs, and treasured memories are all gone. It seems the residents are attempting to process the overwhelming loss. Indeed, this city has been shaken to the core.

 

Around 11, we helped out a ministry Jesus seems to have teamed us with called Action Missions. This Christian outreach arrived here the day after the tornado struck. They have met many practical needs over the last few weeks such as handing out food, drinks, and Bibles; conducting trauma counseling and prayer; and even offering a veterinarian to help the victims’ pets.

 

Today, the lunch crowd showed up around 11. The line was quite long and I was surprised at how people continued to come and comes. My job was handing out drinks upon arrival as the temperatures are currently high and dehydration is a major concern for volunteers who are working outside. After talking with many, I realized a high percentage of the volunteers here seem to be representing churches from all over the country including Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Michigan. I felt immense hope at the response of brothers and sisters to this hurting community.

 

One man asked us for a tent. We were able to give him some gift cards to Walmart so he could purchase one. Many on our team drove around on ATV’s and handed out cold water to workers in close by neighborhoods. Throughout the rest of the day, we prepared food, served, cleaned, passed out hand sanitizer, swept, listened, shared, hugged, smiled, and prayed. Chris, the leader of Action Missions, called our group “Jesus.” Literally, every time he called us over to ask us something he would say “Jesus, come here.” I don’t mean this disrespectfully or even to boast. But I beamed at this observation, because this truly has been our heart’s desire. We prayed, seeked, and begged to be Jesus in Joplin, knowing this could only be accomplished if we emptied ourselves so Jesus could somehow flow through us.

 

Amazingly, through the exhaustion, moments of despair, brokenness, and sadness, Jesus was able to show Himself through this team. What an enormous blessing to observe.

 

I greatly anticipate tomorrow and all Jesus has. In the parking lot of Joplin High school (which has been destroyed), Jesus will be holding a church service through us. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Half of our team will serve lunch while the other ones lead worship, preach, and pray with the people of Joplin. I pray that this is an anointed time and Jesus draws folks who desperately need Him. In our closing prayer tonight, Chris prayed for revival in Joplin. Wouldn’t that be something to watch? Why couldn’t revival for the Church of America start here? Wouldn’t that be like Jesus to redeem what the enemy meant to destroy and use it to save the lives of many?

 

It will be difficult to say goodbye tomorrow. I feel as if our work here has barely begun. We cry out for more Jesus in Joplin.