It has been a few days since the tornado and even as we wait for more storms to potentially arrive tonight, it is still hard to wrap my mind around the destruction. It's hard to know how hard places all over have been hit and even as I write this there are new tornado's hitting our neighboring state of Oklahoma. Overall, it's been moving to see the response to help and I'm impressed with how quickly things have mobilized.
I've also heard from dozens of great friends who want to know how to help. At the risk of sounding like one more person adding to the twitter feeds, let me share my perspective and answer questions about if Know Sweat will run weeks here this summer.
The reality is, there is work that will need to be done in Joplin for months and months. We certainly will need people to come and help, especially once the initial rush of workers comes. Right now, there is lots that could be done but little that can be done. As they lock down neighborhoods and continue to look at what damage has been done there is not a lot of hands on work that can be accomplished.
We are blessed with some amazing local churches who are working together to mobilize groups. There is a lot of conversations happening about opening doors to groups this summer etc. There are good people wrestling through how to do this in a way that not only helps those from out of town serve but also allows them to do work that actually matters and can really be a blessing.
Right now the best resources coming in are the truckloads of supplies being delivered that allow people to have food, water, clothing and supplies that they need. Those with the financial abilities to give are also blessing the churches and ministries here with finances that will continue to provide the needed resources in the future.
As I have looked around the last couple days I am moved at all the cities I am seeing that have sent workers and it is incredible to realize that each of those vehicles represents men and women giving up vacation days to come to the city to serve. What I have witnessed is that they are able to stay busy and work randomly at different locations when they are able to navigate through the security roadblocks.
So you didn't ask but here's what I would suggest to you. Send supplies and money as you can. In regards to sending workers can you wait a few weeks? Can you know that you will send a group but can you give the emergency workers time to sort through the wreckage and decipher what big plan will be put in motion. Once that plan is in place, trust me, there will be plenty of opportunities to come to Joplin and serve. I'm confident there will be opportunities to serve even next summer. But right now send supplies as you can. Pray all the time and continue to think about those that have lost so much. It's hard to imagine but basic communication is difficult. Cell phones are spotty, email is down for much of the city so give the men and women the time they need to build a plan and once that is in place, let's talk about mobilizing teams.
I've also heard from dozens of great friends who want to know how to help. At the risk of sounding like one more person adding to the twitter feeds, let me share my perspective and answer questions about if Know Sweat will run weeks here this summer.
The reality is, there is work that will need to be done in Joplin for months and months. We certainly will need people to come and help, especially once the initial rush of workers comes. Right now, there is lots that could be done but little that can be done. As they lock down neighborhoods and continue to look at what damage has been done there is not a lot of hands on work that can be accomplished.
We are blessed with some amazing local churches who are working together to mobilize groups. There is a lot of conversations happening about opening doors to groups this summer etc. There are good people wrestling through how to do this in a way that not only helps those from out of town serve but also allows them to do work that actually matters and can really be a blessing.
Right now the best resources coming in are the truckloads of supplies being delivered that allow people to have food, water, clothing and supplies that they need. Those with the financial abilities to give are also blessing the churches and ministries here with finances that will continue to provide the needed resources in the future.
As I have looked around the last couple days I am moved at all the cities I am seeing that have sent workers and it is incredible to realize that each of those vehicles represents men and women giving up vacation days to come to the city to serve. What I have witnessed is that they are able to stay busy and work randomly at different locations when they are able to navigate through the security roadblocks.
So you didn't ask but here's what I would suggest to you. Send supplies and money as you can. In regards to sending workers can you wait a few weeks? Can you know that you will send a group but can you give the emergency workers time to sort through the wreckage and decipher what big plan will be put in motion. Once that plan is in place, trust me, there will be plenty of opportunities to come to Joplin and serve. I'm confident there will be opportunities to serve even next summer. But right now send supplies as you can. Pray all the time and continue to think about those that have lost so much. It's hard to imagine but basic communication is difficult. Cell phones are spotty, email is down for much of the city so give the men and women the time they need to build a plan and once that is in place, let's talk about mobilizing teams.
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