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| WWJD? |
We find ourselves in another unplanned place: Midwest City, Oklahoma, but the weather didn't drive us here, some other force did. It all started while visiting Arlene. She asked us if we wanted to help on an MDS project in Oklahoma. We replied, "Sure." There is a crew of about twenty-five people, some of whom have been here helping since September. For background, last May four tornadoes smashed through the area on a willy-nilly path that devastated some and spared others. Now, six months later, the Mennonite Disaster Service is still on the job. Today, the crew worked on three different projects, some ongoing. I helped build a framed insulated box around a well for a coupe whose trailer burned to the ground in April, and just as they grieved for that lose, their travel trailer replacement home was shredded by one of the tornadoes. Others in the crew were working to put in insulation in an upstairs home that used to be three stories (It's now two after one of the tornadoes ripped the third story off like a Japanese Samurai lopping a head off), and a third crew was working to re-roof a manufactured home whose roof was peeled like burnt skin by another of the tornadoes. Besides the pernicious uncertainty of the storms, the response of Fema was short lived, fraught with red tape, and the lag time for aid left most of these folks to the mercy of friends, family, and strangers. I have always thought two things: First, I'm the luckiest guy on the planet; Second, I could swap "Queen for a Day" stories with just about anyone. Not so, if the things I heard Pat, (the owner of the property I helped on) say today are true. Life has been and continues to be hard for him, but the best part of today was just listening to him. His spirits were high despite failing health, nature's body blows, despicable thieves, and a hapless government aid program. He doesn't get out much, although he did make a trip to town to pawn a few tools so he could get the power company to turn the electricity back on. He was most appreciative of being able to talk with other men. That was good. Part of the crew are young Mennonite kids from Canada and the other part are cousin dairy farmers from Kidron, Ohio. They all have giving hearts, willing hands, and loving spirits. The adults are longtime servants in MDS, and they run a pretty well-oiled machine. Not surprisingly, it is difficult to coordinate the supplies, volunteers, and infrastructure required to provide meaningful help for people. This management team does it well. Judy and I will help 'do good' for another day, and then we're beating feet South. By Thursday, the second big cold snap is supposed to blow its frigid unwelcomeness through this area. We hope to be in Corpus Christi, Texas by then. All it will take is two hard days on the whip (Frac can handle it). Even then, we'll be privileged to enjoy warm rain and good sailing wind (Can you say Eagle?). It looks like the prevailing wind speed most days hovers around eighteen knots. One other thing is apparent here in the midwest. The weather is fickle and changeable, so who knows what will happen by this time next week. The one thing I know for sure is, Life is good, especially today.
The cousins from Kidron, farm kids who give work a good name.
I said, "Say Kidron. They almost all did, except for Karmen in the orange.
Cordell, the boy who is living this week with all girls all the time. He doesn't say much.
Pete, a semi-retired engineer and veteran of the several MDS projects.
Byron and Braden, cousins from Manitoba. Great kids, great workers.
Pat's trailer after the fire.
The rest of his stuff after the tornado.
His current home.
The tornado shelter. Really, Dorothy?
Pat, battered by circumstances, but still standing and still smiling.
Ralf, another Canadian veteran of MDS projects, standing in the storm cellar.
Pat and Trina gathering debris from their property, which a beautiful hilltop piece with an exceptional view. It must be spectacular in the fall.
Ralf, Pat and me, proudly displaying box.
The Kidron girls proudly displaying their insulation work.
The roof crew calling it quits for the day. More tomorrow.
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