Joplin: Day 1

We are letting some of the youth blog tonight to shine some light on our first day.  Also, check out the video at above to see some pictures and video of our first day in Joplin, MO.

Name:Christopher Dade

Age: 15

Two people were shot today, but more on that later....

Today was a long , grueling day. Before lunch, and when we finally got there, we worked on demolition on a home. We moved debris closer to the road. We then moved on to the deck in back and a closet on the second floor. As I was taking a sledge hammer to the steps, I stepped back and on to a screw. When I showed Tim the board sticking out of my boot, he about had a heart attack. Luckily, I was fine, but when I was working on another part of the deck, I stepped on a nail.; it had no problem going right through my boot and into my right foot Since I was the second one to step on one,we cleaned up and went to lunch. Now following n the style of getting to it when we get to it, we waited until everyone had eaten lunch before we went to go get our free shots. Tim felt the need to document the pain ripping across our face as the needle went in, but I hardly noticed that the nurse was done. We then all headed back to the house across the street from our first one. There we cleaned up a nocked down brick wall and yard debris. Luckily, no one else stepped on a nail.  I see much more shots in our future.  

Name: Anthony Rios

Age: 18

Dear God,

     I pray that you use me to advance your kingdom today.

Amen

Last night, our youth devotional suggested that we use this prayer to try and advance our faith while working during the day at Joplin. I never would have guessed that this prayer would come true. We had the opportunity to go to a house that was a STAT demolition (immediate), which meant that we destroyed the house! Now, it may seem a tad bit absurd that I had some kind of calling through this chaos, but I did. As I swung the sledge hammer to destroy the deck, I felt a sudden strength that I never had before. I know the feeling of adrenaline and this was not adrenaline. I felt that God gave me the strength to tear apart the impossible deck! God walked with me through the entire day and when I thought I was coming down with a sudden tiredness, I would get a sudden urge of energy. And after, I felt that my opportunity to come down here became so much more true! I would take a Joplin Mission Trip over a Carolina trip any day. There is no better feeling!