Where do you find the will to even start sorting the mess when this is all that's left of your home?
The terrible storms that ravaged most of the country during the first week of this month brought some possible explanation of how God is able to turn things we cannot (at least at first) understand into lessons and actions that allow us to glorify Him by becoming His hands and feet in service to others.
You may remember several weeks ago, after I had already done much of the trip planning and meal purchasing, I had a group decide not to go on their Spring trip. One of the things I had already set aside for them was enough Powerade and Nutralite Drink mix to last them the entire week. Why, I asked, did God allow me to "waste" my time and limited resources by collecting something that we now would not need?
Well, the tornadoes that destroyed most of Ringgold and the surrounding area proved that it is always His time, not mine, and any resources are only on loan to us anyway. One thing led to another with brothers Ralph Lord and Ross Bickers helping organize recovery crews to go up to Ringgold with needed supplies, skills, and labor to help the tornado victims. One of their appeals was for drinks to help keep the hard working volunteers from becoming secondary victims themselves. On May 11, 2011 I was able to deliver 25 gallons of various flavors of energy and electrolytic replacement drinks to the truck loading point and on their way to Ringgold.
Putting the car in the garage for protection was obviously a futile effort against the force of the tornado.
Honestly, I'm still disappointed that the 20+/- kids were not able to enjoy another week of fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth on an OWLS Adventure, but our ability to meet the immediate need to energize Christian workers to serve and witness to the hurting and homeless was definitely part of His awesome plan. I am sure that the accompanying photos will bring you to the same conclusion.
This tough 4x4 truck was no match for the storm. It is amazing that even more lives were not lost. Note the formerly heavily wooded hillsides surrounding these former homesites.
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