Tornado

Sunday morning started off like a typical Sunday.  We were looking forward to having baptisms in church and the visitors that would bring.  It was unseasonably balmy, yet blustery when we left for church.  At the end of morning service, the town tornado sirens started sounding along with smart phone alarms.  A tornado warning was issued.  Everyone was ushered into either the dining room or Sunday School rooms.  A few minutes later the report was that the tornado was on the ground heading our direction.  Everyone was ushered into the small windowless SS rooms. We lost power, so all went dark.  Despite the soundproof rooms, we could hear the roar, feel the debris hit the side of the building, and feel the pressure change as the tornado passed us.  After it was past, because of the still unstable conditions, we ushered everyone mobile to the condo basement across the parking lot.  The lot was full of debris, car windows were broken, and 300-400 yards west we could see houses that were destroyed.
 We were very thankful for God's protection.
After the all clear was given, we went back into church and some tried to eat lunch in the dark by cell phone light.  Our church is on a well, and with out power we couldn't fill the baptismal tank.  Eureka Church had cancelled afternoon services because they had no power, but they agreed  to let us use their sanctuary because they had water available.  I drove home to make sure the automatic generator had started (it hadn't), so I was a little late to the service.  The tub was full, and there was enough light coming in the windows that we could see to sing hymns.  A battery powered P.A. system was used and the ceremony was completed.  The two young men will not forget this day!

The devastation is hard to comprehend even when you look at it.  I have helped clean up after tornadoes before, and the power they have to destroy still shocks me.  I didn't take any pictures, so I won't post any.  But You Tube, Facebook, and the news media have plenty to get a good idea of the extent of the damage.  Daughter #2 has pictures here.

We spent the day today at church cleaning up outside, trying to get some generators hooked up at the church and the condo's, and started planning our response efforts.  Christian Aid Ministries' advance team showed up seeking our help to get their response effort started, as well as the Apostolic Christian World Relief disaster team with a fleet of trucks and trailers.  Our efforts to help our church families who were affected was hampered by the fact that the city is still on lock-down and teams were not being allowed in yet.  We were able to sneak some small crews in and get a start.  Numerous people parked in our lot and walked into town to try to bypass the police blockades and get to their destroyed homes.  Some made it and some were turned away. Hopefully in the coming days we will be able to make greater headway.

Fred and the Earlybird helicopter taking the CAM crew for an aerial tour.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2