This past weekend, I went to Joplin, Missouri to help with disaster relief. It was probably the most impactful thing I have ever experienced. I struggle with how to put into words the exact emotion and hurt that I have seen in Joplin, which is frustrating because I want everyone to feel the same passion for that city that I do. Since I cannot adequately describe what I saw, I have posted a few pictures...However, I now need to describe how I feel and what I will remember forever, as those are not things that can be seen from pictures.
The people in Joplin look like me and they speak the same language, so identifying with them came easily and naturally. Feeling their pain came easily also, as whole neighborhoods that probably were like mine just two weeks ago flashed before my eyes, completely and utterly destroyed. My team was comprised of people who had individually been prompted by God to come to Joplin; many had sacrificed to be there. Other volunteers in Joplin arrived with just enough gas in their tank to make it to the church and had no money to go home. To say that the body of Christ responded is an understatement. There were believers serving food to those doing work in the homes and to those without homes; there were believers setting up shower stations so that the volunteers could be clean...it was a beautiful union.
And yet, sifting through debris at one house when there are thousands more that need help makes me feel completely helpless. Seeing piles and piles of wood and shingles and toys and clothes makes me feel helpless. How can my team possibly help? How can this city EVER be healed?
In the midst of these questions, I went to the worship service of the church we were staying at. They played one of my absolute favorite songs by Gungor, called "Beautiful Things". As soon as the band began playing it, I could not stop myself from weeping. Outside the church, people feel hopeless. Their friends and family may have died, and they have lost their home. But the message of redemption and hope is strong in this song, and I pray that when you listen to it, you will pray and weep for the city of Joplin as my team and I have. And then ask God if He wants you to go down and help. Let's be the body of Christ to bring healing to this city.
"All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us
You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us."
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