162 Trees of Hope

May 22nd, 2011. 162 people died in 32 minutes.  32 minutes that seemed to last forever. 32 minutes that changed a city’s future…forever. 162 people that were going about their everyday evening. Then, all of a sudden, a tornado touched down on the outside of town and began a 8 mile march through the heart of town. Joplin never saw it coming. But after it came, Joplin can’t erase the memory as the scars are everywhere. Schools destroyed. Hospitals destroyed. Homes destroyed. Businesses destroyed. In a quick 32 minutes, 162 people died. Today, Joplin remembers...

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162 Trees of Hope

May 22nd, 2011. 162 people died in 32 minutes.  32 minutes that seemed to last forever. 32 minutes that changed a city’s future…forever. 162 people that were going about their everyday evening. Then, all of a sudden, a tornado touched down on the outside of town and began a 8 mile march through the heart of town. Joplin never saw it coming. But after it came, Joplin can’t erase the memory as the scars are everywhere. Schools destroyed. Hospitals destroyed. Homes destroyed. Businesses destroyed. In a quick 32 minutes, 162 people died. Today, Joplin remembers...

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AmeriCorp ~ A New Joplin

AmeriCorp showed up in Joplin as quick as the tornado did.   As soon as the people of Joplin were in trouble, AmeriCorp started mobilizing their people to begin the rescue and rebuild efforts.   And they haven’t left yet.   AmeriCorp staff are working 7 days a week. Always chugging along to help rebuild Joplin. Processing volunteers to get them out into the field. Processing new requests from home owners so that the rebuild can continue. Processing through donations so that the goods can all get to where they need to go…new homes.   In Joplin, Adventures...

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AmeriCorp ~ A New Joplin

AmeriCorp showed up in Joplin as quick as the tornado did.   As soon as the people of Joplin were in trouble, AmeriCorp started mobilizing their people to begin the rescue and rebuild efforts.   And they haven’t left yet.   AmeriCorp staff are working 7 days a week. Always chugging along to help rebuild Joplin. Processing volunteers to get them out into the field. Processing new requests from home owners so that the rebuild can continue. Processing through donations so that the goods can all get to where they need to go…new homes.   In Joplin, Adventures...

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Lights of Hope

Christmas lights…what is the true meaning?     Christmas lights are a sign of hope. Hope that Santa will soon come. Hope that one day soon presents will appear under the tree. Hope that something good will soon happen and bring happiness to your household.   But did you know that those Christmas lights mean way so much more? These lights aren’t just for Christmas. No matter the season, lights mean hope. Hope for something better.   At Christmas, hope for santa. At Halloween, hope for candy. At Independence day, hope for freedom.   Hope. Throw a string...

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Rebuild, Restore, Rejuvinate

I was so priviledged to be granted the amazing opportunity to lead a team of Texan high schoolers to Joplin, MO to help rebuild the city after tornados destroyed it last May. I was not exactly sure what to expect,  as this was my first time on an Encounter trip. I also have not been around high schoolers in a long while. But it was so amazing how we all came together for a single purpose. REBUILD.   This group in particular was kind of a random group. The kids were all from the same church, however most of them didn’t know one another, nor did they know their own counselors...

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