Lutheran Disaster Response
Our response to disasters in the U.S. and around the world; look for sections of this blog related to specific disaster locations. Comments are welcomed and moderated.
Field Report from Joplin, Missouri
Dear sisters and brothers,
The annual conference of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) is taking place this week in Kansas City, bringing together the leaders of nearly every faith-based, secular, and governmental disaster response organization. The conference is a wonderful chance to network with colleagues and learn about the emerging trends in the sector. This last Sunday evening, the deadliest tornado in recorded U.S. history devastated the city of Joplin, Missouri, just three hours south of where the conference would begin the following day.
Needless to say, the dynamic at the conference has been very different this year. Those representing early response organizations – groups like the American Red Cross and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – re-routed staff to Joplin almost immediately, while those of us who remained at the conference were itching to join them. But all of us have been united in the knowledge that, very soon, it will be time to get to work.
Director Kevin Massey and Associate Director Mike Nevergall stand among what is left of Peace Lutheran Church
Yesterday, I went to Joplin, along with my colleagues Kevin Massey and Maria Maldonado, at the invitation of Bishop Jerry Mansholt of the ELCA Central States Synod. We traveled with Pastor Bill Pape, who has been serving as interim pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Joplin for the last few years. The tornado completely destroyed the church building at Peace Lutheran, but thankfully, all of the members are now accounted for.
We have all seen the images of Joplin on television, with destruction stretching as far as you can see, but there are simply no words sufficient to describe seeing it in person. The thing that always stuns me with tornadoes is the way they cut a swath of damage but leave surrounding areas mostly untouched. Driving south on Range Line Road, which runs on the east side of the city, there was not much sign of tornado damage at first. But then we crested a small hill, the disaster area spread out in front of us, and I instantly felt tears well up in my eyes. Homes leveled to the foundations, cars flipped over as if they were toys, businesses flattened, trees stripped of all leaves and branches. Block after block after block, there are buildings which will need to be simply demolished and started over again. For a concentrated area, it may be the worst devastation I have seen in my more than five years with Lutheran Disaster Response.
After a disaster has happened, we receive requests from congregations who want to send supplies into the area. We also receive requests from
Pastor Bill Pape and Kevin Massey help unload items being collected at a Lutheran elementary school.
volunteers who want to travel to the area to serve, in whatever way they can be helpful. The early stages of a disaster response can be complicated, as a community figures out how to plan its recovery, and these sorts of well-intentioned offers can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help. But today, just three days after the event, we met a couple from Dallas who had driven to Joplin and set up a trailer from which they were distributing grilled hamburgers and hot dogs to anyone who wanted one. We also helped unload donated goods at a Lutheran elementary school that was receiving things to distribute from neighboring towns. In this moment, those offers of help were meaningful and appreciated.
At the end of our day in Joplin, we sat with members of Peace Lutheran to talk about next steps for their congregation. Bishop Mansholt read to us from Psalm 46, and then we heard members of the congregation share their stories about the last few days. We laughed together, which felt good for the soul in the midst of such a difficult situation, but there were also many tears. The members of Peace Lutheran are determined to worship together this Sunday, and they hope to do so in the parking lot next to where their church stood less than a week ago. And they want you to know how important it has been to know that people are praying for them, thinking about them, and asking how to help them, from across the country and around the world.
Bishop Jerry Mansholt meets with gathered members of Peace Lutheran Church
I ask you to continue praying for the people of Joplin, and specifically for Pastor Pape and the members of Peace Lutheran. Our strength as Lutherans is being there for the long haul, understanding that disaster recovery is a long-distance run and not a sprint. The people of Joplin will need our ongoing support for months and even years to come. I hope you will consider a gift to the “U.S. Severe Spring Storms” account, from which we have begun and will continue a meaningful response to this disaster.
Finally, I would like to ask your prayers for me personally and for my disaster response colleagues, Lutheran and otherwise. This spring has been a steady stream of new disasters, and with hurricane season less than a week away, it feels a bit overwhelming at times. It is in difficult times like these that I am uplifted by your ongoing support for this important ministry we do together!
In service,
Mike Nevergall
Associate Program Director
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on May 26th, 2011 at 11:49 am
God sustain you as you go through the difficult recovery and painful emotions. Perhaps Peace Lutheran may evaluate their ministry for now and focus on outreach rather than rebuilding a church as hard as that may seem. The Holy Spirit will guide you in the days and weeks to come!
on May 26th, 2011 at 11:49 am
Mike,
I am praying for you and all involved in disaster response. The work you do is so important. May God bless you and strengthen you. May you feel His peace and protection surround you and those you serve.
Terri Gibson
on May 26th, 2011 at 12:10 pm
My prayers and thoughts certainly surround you and all the others offering assistance. This is exactly the situation that I brought up back in Tampa.
The big churches could send staff or volunteers to minister to our family at Peace. I serve on the Iowa Crisis Team in behavioral management and work for Holy Trinity as a parish nurse. If I can help–let me know.
on May 26th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Many blessings on your work there, and prayers for the people of Peace Lutheran and Joplin.
on May 26th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
Thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Joplin and particularly the members of Peace Church. You’ll be in our prayers at Nativity Lutheran Church, Allentown, PA, and you will also have our financial support. God bless!
on May 26th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Our heartfelt prayers are with the people of Joplin and those throughout the South and Midwest and with you also, Mike, as you serve our Lord and his people in this time and place.
on May 26th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Thank you for all you are doing for the community of Joplin. We will continue to keep them in our prayers.
on May 26th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
At Faith Lutheran in Cedarburg, WI we pray for all the people of Joplin especially Peace Congregation and those affected by the disaster. May Jesus walk with each one of you as you rebuild your lives. The Peace of Christ be with you.
on May 26th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I pray for you and the congregation of Peace Lutheran Church. May you know the power of God’s strength and the Love of his Son that you are not alone. We at All Saints Lutheran Church in Auburn Washington are walking with you. May the peace of Christ be with you always.
on May 26th, 2011 at 10:08 pm
May 26th at 11:00 pm
We at Capron Lutheran Church in Capron, Illinois are keeping all who have been effected by the tornado in our prayers. Walk with the Holy Spirit.
on May 27th, 2011 at 5:41 am
Blessings to you, Mike, the whole team, and the people of Joplin. We’re here with prayers and hands however you might need us.
on May 27th, 2011 at 8:04 am
Dear Sisters and Brothers: Peace to you from Kingsport, TN. I am praying for you, for strength and comfort.
God bless and keep you.
on May 27th, 2011 at 9:14 am
You at Peace Lutheran Church and all who have sustained loss are in our prayers. The members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Bangor, PA, lift you up. May God’s love bring you strength and comfort during this difficult time.
on May 27th, 2011 at 11:01 am
God’s strength and protection be with you and all trying to cope, grieving and helping in Joplin. Triumphant Cross Church in Dothan, AL, holds you in heart and prayer.
on May 28th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
Your friends at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Chatham, NJ offer our prayers, support, gifts and talents to all in Joplin, MO and especially to our sisters and brothers at Peace Lutheran. Hopefully we will see you this summer as part of a mission trip as we reach out to you in your most trying time of need.
on May 31st, 2011 at 10:47 am
The prayers of those from the Mississippi Gulf Coast who understand your shock and grief at so much loss are with you. We pray for strength for all of you working so hard and for peace for those who don’t know where to turn. But God will see you through!
on June 1st, 2011 at 3:33 pm
The prayers of St. John, Russell are with you and all involved. Have a team of high school youth and others who want to go to Joplin instead of Colorado fun event. Let us know the person to speak with to make appropriate plans.
on June 3rd, 2011 at 10:48 am
Thank you for the offer, Rev. Dennis. Volunteer opportunities will be posted on the LDR website (www.ldr.org/volunteer) as we learn more about what is needed. But to be clear, it will take some time for the situation in Joplin to be safe and secure for volunteer teams, especially of youth. It may be best to move forward with your trip to Colorado as planned, and then look to put together an inter-generational volunteer group in the fall, or even this time next year.