Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Joplin - 5 months later

It had been about two months since we were in Joplin, and as Gary and I went back last week, it was a very encouraging visit.  The last time we were there, I could not bear to look at a lot of the damage.  (The Joplin tornado came soon after we had just seen the flooding devastation along the Mississippi River and the tornado destruction in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.) 

I'd like to share a few pictures with you of this visit, and pass on a story of survival that was shared with us.

 
Piles of rubble were evident on many parking lots
that were in the process of being cleared. 
The trees, although having put out new growth,
still looked mishapen and showed signs of trauma.


Evidence of new construction abounded with multiple port-a-potties
being one of the good indicators at most building sites!


Rows and rows of FEMA trailers gave credence
to the number of people that had lost their homes.
Someone  told me that FEMA furnishes the trailer
rent free for 18 months to give them time to get re-established.


In contrast to all the rubble and construction,
a newly opened Wendy's stood out like a shiny new copper penny.


The manager shared this story with us.
On the evening of the tornado as the sirens were screaming
the warning of the impending disaster,
she spoke to her employees by phone.
Her gut instinct instructed them to huddle together
in the men's bathroom, instead of in the walk-in cooler which
was the usual designated safe place.
She was praying to God for His protection 
as she and her husband drove to the restaurant.
A semi-truck/trailer lay on its side
where the dining room had been.
The only part of the building that remained
was the men's bathroom which contained
seven frightened employees - none with serious injuries!
Truly God had protected them.


Of course, no town in America is replete without its Walmart Store!
The motto on this trailer sums up what we saw in Joplin:
"Rebuilding Together"

A couple of Bible verses that seem appropriate
are from Jeremiah 31:3-4 where God says,
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness,
I will build you up again
and you will be REBUILT..."


To see some names of God from A to Z,
check out my Rock4Today blog!



Linking with Women Living Well Wednesdays, Alphabe-Thursdays, Brag on God Fridays, and Spiritual Sundays.





18 comments:

Ames said...

That was an amazing story. I have never been in a tornado and hope to never experience what those unfortunate people in Joplin have.Thank you so much for sharing with us! Ames

Ellen said...

Rebuilding Together. That's beautiful!

EG CameraGirl said...

It's certainly a community effort! It's good to hear that rebuilding has begun and that those who have lost their homes have some place to stay.

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

What an amazing story...

Praying for those good people...

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

That's an amazing story and so good to see everything is building back up!

Anonymous said...

What a great story of belief and instincts that those 7 employees would be safe.

Teresa

Just Be Real said...

Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Lola said...

Truly amazing!

Have a good weekend,

Alphabe-Thursday

Unknown said...

They had such insight! I am glad they changed the location to find safety in.

Susan Anderson said...

Inspirational story, and I'm glad to see that things are at least happening in the reconstruction.

=)

Judie said...

I am more afraid of tornadoes than any other national disaster. Whenever I am coming down with a cold or the flu, I dream of tornadoes several days before. I was in one when I was around 13 years old, and I have outrun several on the freeway. Scary!!!!!

Joan Hall said...

Esther:

The story about the Wendy's manager brought tears to my eyes. She listened to and discerned the voice of God and because of her obediance, lives were saved. Oh that I would always be listening to Him!

Blessings,
Joan

Pondside said...

What a terrible time the people of Joplin have been through. The story of the Wendy's manager is really about a miracle - just what I needed to read this morning.

Lisa notes... said...

It's encouraging to hear stories of God's protection. We drove by tornado damage today (I live in north Alabama) and the trees do look a little better, but it's still so devastating. But the Lord will restore. We can always count on Him.

Anonymous said...

nice comment thanks for sharing loves from holland..God bless you...

Jenny said...

What a heart warming story. This made me smile.

It is wonderful to see that things are getting better for the folks of Joplin. I can't imagine surviving such a thing.

Prayer and blessings allow us to survive anything, don't they?

Thank you for a lovely and inspirational link for our Fall Break!

Hugs and A+

Charlotte said...

Love the Wendy's story. Thank you for this update on the rebuilding that is going on in Joplin.
Blessings,
Charlotte

betty said...

thanks for visiting my blog (Fear of the Lord) and your kind comment. Amen to the story of God's protection at the Wendy's restaurant! What a testimony to live through and then be able to share with others how God watched over those seven there!!

betty