tornado

The recent tornado in Moore, Oklahoma reminds us of the Joplin tornado of two years ago.  Many have asked what we can do to help.  After checking into what we can do, we have run into a few issues that you should know about.

1.  Moore is not in our conference.  It is in another state.  We don't know or have relationships with the people or the systems in the Oklahoma Conference.  There is always some bureaucracy to dance with and in this case, it is not our bureaucracy.

2.  Although Missouri has little experience recovering from tornados, Oklahoma has lots of experience with this.

3.  Finally, the population of Joplin is 50,000.  They needed our hands and feet.  The population of greater Oklahoma City is 1.3 million.  There are lots of people right there who are ready to help.

Having said these things, there are several things that we can do.  Money can be donated right away.  Just memo your check "tornado relief."  We also have a family in the church that has a connection at OU in Norman.  They are organizing the loading and delivery of a trailer of supplies for relief.  The list of items needed is: Walmart, Target, and Visa gift cards, work gloves, trash bags, batteries, cleaning wipes, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, sunscreen, hand towels, deodorant, shampoo, laundry soap, socks (new), underwear (new), dog and cat food, rakes, and shovels.  It is also possible that we will be organizing trips in the future.

And as always, you can pray for the victims and their families.  Coming on the two year anniversary of the Joplin tornado, this tragedy strikes close to our hearts.  Be sure to have an emergency plan for your family and lets keep the good folks of Moore in our prayers.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.