The May 22 devastating EF-5 tornado that hit Joplin will have a very lasting impact on us all for a very long time. It definitely has impacted the lives of at least four of our families here at Good Shepherd who lost their homes on that very warm Sunday evening: Steve & Karen G., Jordan K. and baby Ezekiel, Sharon R. and David & Nancy W. We are so very thankful that you are safe!!!
Immanuel Lutheran, in Joplin, suffered some damage to the parsonage, the school, and to the church. At least 34 families from its congregation lost their home or suffered major damage.
Peace Lutheran, whose house of worship was totally destroyed, had 12 families directly affected by the storm.
We are thankful to each and everyone of you who has given of your time, your money, and your prayers to help support the relief effort. All is very appreciated, important and needed! Please continue to keep all volunteers, law enforcement and medical personnel in your prayers.
There is more to be done. Pastor is coordinating the efforts for the outside clean up of the families affected, along with Lutheran Disaster Relief, a division of Lutheran Church Charities. If you can help with this large undertaking, please call the church office, 358-1325. Help will also be needed in the Resource Center that is set up at Martin Luther School. In addition, meals are served there each day and they can always use help with serving and clean up. Preparation of food is also a great need. Contact the church office to find out when you can help in that area. Lutheran Disaster Relief is also taking monetary donations. If you would like to help in this way, make your donation to Good Shepherd and we will see that it goes to the right place to help those affected in Joplin.
Other avenues to search for information about how you can help is to go to rebuildjoplin.com or call AmeriCorp by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone.
We will still be here when many of the long distance volunteers, the media, etc, have gone home. This is our home. We are here for the long haul. May the Lord continue to bless our labors, so that through them, all will see God’s love, and the love we have for our neighbor.
With God, we know we will be OK!
— Copied from the June Newsletter