Joplin II, day 2

We ended up working today at Mission Joplin distribution center at Forest Park Baptist Church. There were lines of people all day waiting to "shop" for various items.  I'm not sure how many I got to personally help by the end of the day, but it was around 10.  So many stories and so many different needs. Men, Women, and of course the kids. Spent some time with one 8 year old boy who will be attending Irving Elementary (the school we worked at yesterday). He had lost his things in the storm and was able to find some replacement toys at the distribution center. I was able to tell him and his mom about his "new" school and some of what to expect (see yesterday's post).

We also took some school supplies from Jeanna McCurry and friends to the school admin building. That place was bustling with folks getting ready for school to start on Wednesday.  They are doing a phenomenal job.

Another amazing day seeing God's hand in this amazing place.

Picture of Kristen...in charge of disaster relief for schools

Joplin II, Day 1

We arrived in Joplin, MO yesterday evening. Me, Monica, Joshua, Joseph, and Ray. About two weeks earlier we were here with a church group and had some amazing experiences and heard some amazing stories. As soon as we were headed home last time we knew we needed to come back. So here we are.

Today we went to church at Emmanuel Baptist in Webb City, said hi to some friends from our last trip here, ate lunch, and then went to check in with Americorps to see what work they had for us tomorrow. They had received a request for some help at a local school with hanging blinds this afternoon so we decided to go ahead and start working today. School starts in a week and there is still much work to be dome to make sure all the students who attended schools damaged or destroyed in the tornado have a place to attend class.

We arrived at the new site of Irving Elementary at about 2:30 PM and began walking around looking for the principal for a work assignment. The blinds were not ready yet, but Ms. Fort, the principal put us to work organizing a room full of books to be given to students during an open house on Tuesday. There is also a room full of clothing and shoes for students to pick up during the open house.

Irving elementary was destroyed in the tornado. The "new" Irving is housed in a 1927 building that hasn't been used for a school in 20+ years, as well as a large modular building constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The principal, staff, USACE, and many volunteers have been hard at work over the past few weeks to turn this old building and grounds (formerly Washington School) into a usable elementary to be opened in just a week. Amazingly, it seems like things are going to work out just fine. Teachers are preparing classrooms, USACE is putting the finishing touches on the modular building, and volunteers are busy doing whatever else is needed to make school happen for the students here. Amazing. I can't put it all into words right now, but I can say that God is working in such visible ways here that it blows my mind.

I think the pictures say it much better than I ever could. Enjoy.

Click Here for Pictures

Thank You

Tomorrow is the much-anticipated race day. Please pray for health for Monica and I as we recover from the flu, and for good weather. This has been a challenging week and to top it off the weather tomorrow is forecast as thunderstorms with a 50% chance of rain.

No one ever said running a marathon was supposed to be easy…His power is made perfect in my weakness.

Just want to dedicate the race first to God and to my family for life, salvation, partnership, and encouragement. Second to the men and women who have served and are serving our country…you make the commitment to freedom that nobody else does. Although it is God that gives us true freedom, you provide the means by which our American way of life is made possible, so THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated to Living Water International (LWI) - fundraising total stands at $690 - that is 132% of the goal! Please keep giving through run for a reason up to 1 month after the race, and know that your contribution is literally saving lives. You can also give directly to LWI anytime throughout the year.

I'll be carrying a small US Flag during the entire race, and my bib reads: "MOJOJOJO"

In memory of:

Platoon Sergeant Louis B. Strakos, USMC, WWII

In Honor of:

My Family (MOJOJOJO - MOnica, JOsh, JOshua, JOseph)

MSG Pete Martinez, USA, Currently Serving in Afghanistan

SPC Josue Hinojosa, USA, Currently Serving in Afghanistan

We pray for your safe return along with all our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and other serving in harm's way.

God Bless, and Thank You.

Josh

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up!"
- Dean Karnazes

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
His love endures forever.
- Psalm 118:1

God Willing

The Chevron Houston Marathon is only 5 days away…something I have been aiming at now for several years. I have to keep myself from taking for granted that I have the opportunity to run in a race in a beautiful American city which enjoys freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and a government elected by the people. I have to keep myself from taking for granted the support and sacrifice of my family in preparation for this event. I have to keep myself from taking for granted that God has given me the health to run and that my body is preserved daily only by His grace. I have to keep myself from forgetting that so many people cannot run - either from lack of freedom, lack of health, or because they have been injured fighting to protect the freedoms I enjoy. So it is my prayer that I can run, God willing, to celebrate my freedom, to cherish my health, and to honor those who have gone before. It is my prayer that others will see and hear this message, and live their lives in a way which honors the sacrifices made by others and put aside childish differences to celebrate God's gift of life, freedom, and salvation…

 
 

"...you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:14-15