Joplin Disaster Relief Team Two Arrives!

Let this picture stand as a symbol of what is happening in Joplin - rebuilding in the midst of destruction. Mama bird flew away for more worms to feed her babies in their newly constructed nest on top of a garage door opener in a destroyed home. No trees to make a new nest in? Mama Bird improvises....and little lives survive amidst the destruction. (Cheri Clark)

We send you greetings from Joplin, MO. It has been a hot, exhausting and blessed first of five days in Joplin. Team #1 handed off the latest project to Team #2 today (Monday) and returned to Wichita. It is a blessing to see the smiles and gratitude to God from the bruised, cut and sunburned volunteers who are now leaving and from those who are just arriving.

We are shocked by the devastation of this approx. 1/2 mile wide and 6 mile long path from this tornado that hit the area in May of this year.

Our current project is in the middle of some of the worst damage. We have been blessed to meet both the homeowner of the house we are working on demolishing and another neighbor on the block (both are rebuilding). It is just unbelievable to have them point out the house where three were killed and another nearby where 2 were killed and another where 10 were killed and another 21 were killed within a mile of where we are working.

The family whose house we are currently working on are not yet believers, but they tell us how they have been unable to find anyone else willing to help them until CCC arrived. Within an hour from the time she told us her story of surviving the storm, we were removing the bathtub in which she and her 9 year old son "rode out the tornado". Unbelievable!

I was truly touched as our team members took special care to remove a particular bathroom pedestal sink and place it in her car to be reinstalled in her rebuilt home AND even sifted through a mound of insulation to retrieve her unique dog shampoo and dog toy -- yep, that's the kind of caring servants God sent through Team Two.

We must stack all of the debris within 10 feet of the street, in order for the removal by huge Caterpillars and trucks of what was left of this home. As we carried and stacked, God reminded us that he NEVER "kicks us to the curb". He is always ready to restore and even "rebuild" our relationship with HIM, if we just sincerely ask. Thank You Lord for letting CCC be a part of Your master plan, here in Joplin. And thank You for both those You have deployed and those who have helped deploy us. And Lord, please let Your work here speak directly to the spirits of those who don't yet know You. We know You are smiling, Lord as all of these different denominations have come together to serve as God's people. - Terry Allred