Today was our third day in Joplin. It was one of the hottest yet, and it's only supposed to get hotter the rest of the week! We have been working on landscaping at a house of a family with an incredible story. They were driving home from their son's graduation during the tornado and their car was picked up and moved. When they "landed" a piece of sheet metal had gone through the middle of the back of their car. The thirteen year old daughter had a cut on her leg through to the bone. The thing that got me was Monday she told us that she was collecting money for victims back in the Springs effected by the fire. It was amazing to see that even with all the work they had to do on their home she was willing to put others before herself. Every day her younger sister, who is probably 7, comes and gives us all cold towels to cool off with, she is so sweet! It is amazing to see the hope and faith the people of Joplin have.
{some girls working on landscaping}
It's been amazing to see our group come together. Even though there is not always work for everyone and people sometimes get frustrated, we come together to get things done. Yesterday a retaining wall we were building started to tip back, and within a matter of minutes everyone got up there and put rock and dirt behind it until it was supported.
{some of the retaining walls we've completed!}
Monday we took a tour of the town. The hospital, or what is left of it, is still standing, no windows left, and half of the building and the parking garage are gone. The site of the old high school is completely leveled. The sign of the high school used to say "Joplin High School" and in the storm the J L I and N were torn off. Someone came up and put letters H and E up on the sign so it now says "Hope".
{we dug a hole, Nathan fit inside}
I am really excited to see what else God has in store for us the rest of the week, and what other opportunities we will have to show God's love to this community.
Audrey Brewster
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