Joplin Tornado 2011 Part 1

Survey of the destruction left behind by the F5 tornado that leveled a broad swath of Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011. Death toll stood at 151 on June 8.



Photography by Ken Horn

Relief Efforts Continue in Joplin

Dr. George O. Wood on Tornado Relief Efforts in Joplin

More Shots From Make a Difference Day at Bissett School

Make a Difference Day at Bissett School

Peggy and I participated in this along with a bunch of volunteers from AG HQ.


View local KY3 report:




Here's the Convoy report:

Springfield Gets a Shot of Hope

When the gates to the Convoy of Hope outreach opened at 10 a.m. eager guests pushed forward and stepped onto the grounds at Reed Middle School in Springfield, Mo. Among the more than 1,000 guests were Wendi, a twenty-something housecleaner, and her one-year-old daughter Emilie.

“I run out of food every once in a while,” Wendi admitted. “So this [the outreach] came at a good time.”

Indeed it did.

The outreach was one of five Convoy of Hope was holding on October 24th in Springfield where the humanitarian relief organization is based.

“Each year we try to do something special for our community because the community is so supportive of us,” says Jeff Nene, senior director - technology and communications. “This year we decided to hold outreaches throughout the city on Springfield’s Make a Difference Day.”

It is estimated that 46 percent of students in Springfield public schools live in food insecure homes - homes like Wendi’s.

During the Springfield outreaches 5,063 guests attended. More than 400 people received haircuts. One thousand families received portraits. And more than 1,300 volunteers worked.

“We scratch up what we can and squeak by and make it happen,” says Wendi. “With the economy the way it is, we have lost a couple accounts. That cuts into the little amount of money I make.”



And that is precisely why Convoy of Hope holds up to 50 citywide outreaches each year throughout the United States. Since it was founded 15 years ago Convoy of Hope has served more than 30 million people.

“Our outreaches give people a hand up and let them know someone cares,” says Nene. “Many times that is all it takes to help a family through a tough time.”

At Reed Middle School, children bounce around in the bounce houses. Families gather around plastic tables and have lunch. Many guests are also quick to take advantage of the free community and health services that included massages, haircuts and hygiene products.

“This feels good to know that there is someone out there who wants to help you,” says Kim, a single mother, as she waits in a line for free groceries. “These groceries will help out a lot.”

In the Kid’s Zone Emilie, Wendi’s daughter, bounds with arms wide toward volunteers who are passing out balloons. She gladly takes the balloon, smiles then trots across the way to another volunteer who happily hands her mother a newly made blanket. Thirty minutes later the family is posing for a picture in the portrait tent where professional photographers are snapping pictures.

“This is really great,” says Wendi as a huge smile spreads across her face.

After checking out the community tent where various organizations are offering free services, Wendi and Emilie head back to the Kid’s Zone for another round of fun.

Near the exit volunteers load honored guests with bags of groceries that promise to give each person just a little boost and a measure of hope.

And that seems to be just enough for families like Wendi’s.

Cancer Relay for Life

Peggy and I walked the Cancer Relay for Life at Hillcrest High in Springfield on Friday night. Peggy has not been doing too well since this last round of chemo but the Lord helped her to be a part of this event. Both of us got to walk the Survivors lap. Lots of people ... and some rain. Peggy did great. Had a terrific team from Convoy of Hope headed by Judi Murphy, who did a lot of work to make this happen. Thanks Judi.

Here are a few photos from my set on Flickr. Here is the slideshow.


Survivors on our team (right to left): Leanne Bachman, Doug Corbett, Peggy & me.


Luminaries were lit after dark.


The team.

"Relay For Life® is the American Cancer Society's signature event that brings more than 3.5 million people from 4,900 communities across the country together each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much."

Peggy in the Hope Report (Convoy of Hope)

Nov/Dec 2008 issue.

Convoy Team Returns to Springfield

Peggy drove one of the motor homes home last night, a day ahead of the rest of the team. They are now waiting to see if Ike hits Texas, as it is currently forecast to do on Saturday. It's good to have her home.

We got final changes on my book Theology in a Nutshell. It is scheduled to print on Thursday.

We also rescued one of the little gray kittens I've been feeding for 5 days at the plant trail where I walk. Looking for a good home for her. People are dumping animals in our area more than ever because the local humane society quit taking them.

Waiting for Hurricane Ike

Peggy and the Convoy Disaster Response team are on their way to Jackson, Mississippi, to decide a course of action.

A couple of her shots of the Houman, LA, site that distributed supplies and aid to thousands.

More From Gustav

This is a photo of the truck Peggy drove down, loaded with MREs. See Peggy's blog for her latest update.

Peggy's Photos From Louisiana

She uploaded several. I've included a few here. See her Flickr set for more.

Chasing Hurricane Gustav

Peggy is in Jackson, Miss., with the Convoy of Hope Disaster Response Team. She got up this morning and drove a large Convoy pickup loaded with MREs down. They rendezvoused with other CoH personnel part way and now they are splitting up again. Heading toward Baton Rouge and then Hammond, LA. Hopefully the good news continues and the storm is not as bad as expected.

Peggy says FEMA and other response personnel are stacked up in Jackson, waiting to decide where they should go.

Let's keep praying.

Peggy's on a billboard

This is a real billboard that will be up in MD. The setting is contrived here, just to get an idea.

Niger: A Look Back

My trip to Niger from a few years ago.

Peggy at Concord, Calif., Convoy of Hope

Mark Pryor emailed these photos of Peg at the Concord, Calif., Convoy of Hope yesterday, sponsored by the church her folks called home for 54 years, Calvary Temple. Fred Franks is the pastor. Fred and I were together in Bosnia a couple of years ago. Peg's mom went with her and is enjoying reunions.

Peggy at Venezuela Convoy of Hope

Just came across this Web entry that mentions one of Peggy's Convoys from some time back. Click the title to go to the Dove Aviation website. Peggy is mentioned near the bottom of the page.

"A Convoy of Hope Widower"

Peggy and her mom are in Calif. I've often told friends (including Hal Donaldson), "I'm a Convoy of Hope widower." I think Peggy is approaching 70 of these she has done ... and no one is a harder worker than Peggy. (I can't complain; I do the same thing to her. Two sheeps ... er, ships ... passing in the night.)

Mel and Dorothy Zecher called tonight. Though they don't have a computer they heard they were in the blog. Dorothy says she is doing great physically. Mel needs prayer, but it was great to hear his voice.

We really appreciated getting the photo of Mel and Dorothy. If you're new to reading my blog, my main goal is to reconnect with friends. Send me your digital photos and news and I will post them.

Peggy's Mom's Birthday ... and Away They Go

It's Peggy's mom's birthday. We're sworn to secrecy on which one. After work I met them at Golden Corral. Now they're both getting ready to leave. I'll drop them off early, before work tomorrow morning, at the airport. Peg is doing the Convoy of Hope in Concord, Calif., and her mom is going along to visit friends. (Didn't Peggy just get back?)

Katrina 2-Year Anniversary

It has been 2 years this month since Peggy and I were on the Gulf Coast following the immense Hurricane Katrina. She was there with Convoy of Hope and I was there for TPE, reporting and shooting photos. I made my photos into several slideshows. Here is one that clearly shows the devastation. (My sister, Pat, who lives in Pascagoula, MS, just got out of a FEMA trailer and back into her home.)

Indy Convoy

The Convoy of Hope in Indianapolis today was a resounding success. The Convoy involved 1,331 volunteers from 56 churches and 47 organizations. They served 4,275 guests; 317 received Christ as Savior. Peg has done more than 70 of these. I have only been with her for a handful of them, but I did get to be with her today. We are in one of these two pictures. Guess which.