By Cindy Gladden
According to one meteorologist, there had been close to 90 tornadoes of various sizes strike Missouri just through May 20 … keeping Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief (MODR) volunteers on their toes
Those include tornadoes in Arnold, Delta, Des Arc, Doniphan, Monett, Piedmont, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, Sikeston, Springfield, Villa Ridge, West Plains and most recently, St Louis city. In response, these were just a few of the areas within the state served by MODR chainsaw and shower and laundry units this year, bringing help, hope and healing to Missouri communities. In many cases, though, MODR feeding units have been among the first on the scene.
In response to some of the smaller tornadoes, the QRU (Quick Response Unit) has already seen use in Delta, Des Arc, Springfield and Warsaw. The Spirit unit, meanwhile, proved invaluable in St. Louis where an EF-3 tornado touched down on May 16.
Eddie Barnhill, feeding coordinator, said St. Louis city officials quickly contacted MODR for help, which was a first for him. “It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the first responders at this time in the city’s life,” said Barnhill about serving in St. Louis. “It was a very unique opportunity that we embraced and continue to embrace. It was our pleasure to pray with them and encourage them,” he added, noting that the next step was to provide meals for residents that were displaced by the tornado.
“With all the disasters we have responded to, the Lord has never failed to send the workers,” he concluded. “It certainly was on His timing though, not ours! God is good. His love never fails!”
If you would like to join God in his work by giving financially to support the work of Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, please go to modr.org/give or make a check out to MODR and mail to MODR, 400 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Update: As of June 12, the MODR Mass Care Feeding operation in Saint Louis has closed down after preparing over 23,500 meals in response to needs there (thanks to the help of kitchen crews from Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Baptists of Texas Convention). Chainsaw/recovery work continues. What an honor to serve the Lord
