Miracles in the Rubble

It was Friday April 29 -- two days after the historic rash of tornadoes that struck Alabama and several neighboring states. Hope Force had made excellent progress in establishing a base of operation in the small town of Harvest -- near the major city of Huntsville. Glenda Bashor, along with her husband Andrew, had spent the past year preparing to join staff with Hope Force and within a few weeks of arrival, they were already out on the field in a disaster response scenario.

"We drove into Harvest, Alabama and initially wondered why we had even come," explains Glenda. "Everything looked fine...a few downed trees here and there but nothing we haven't seen in a regular storm. Then we drove a mile and rounded a corner. We were stunned. The word that comes to mind is a British slang "gobsmacked" which gives you the idea of your mouth hanging open in astonishment. Stunned would be another good word."

Gasps began to emerge from the team members as they realized that piles of rubble were all that remained of what once were beautiful homes. Residents of the neighborhood were milling around, still "shell-shocked", standing in silence gaping at the remains of their homes and properties. "It truly did look like a war zone," says Glenda. "As the day went on we shared in the complex combination of tears and courage -- they exhibited a true sense of community and an upbeat attitude."

Ms. Dixie, a retiree, was one of the first members of the community to receive help from the team of Hope Force Reservists and staff members. Team Leader Craig Snow assessed the house and determined the garage would be the most effective place to have the roof tarped and provide a safe and dry place for her belongings. Other members of the team proceeded to clear away debris, remove damaged items from inside the house and move furniture out on the lawn for Ms. Dixie to determine what would be kept in the garage.

"Ms. Dixie told us her tornado story," recalls Glenda. "She was such a gem. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved her! She had tried to go to her neighbor's basement across the road but the door was locked. Consequently she had to come back to her house and find a safe place. She went into the second bedroom's closet and "hunkered down". She sat on a small step stool in her closet but when she heard the loud roar she laid down on the floor. It sounded like a freight train, she said!"

"About 15 seconds later she felt a cold breeze coming in under the doorway with debris filtering in," Glenda continues. "Once she felt it was safe to look out, she came out of the closet into the bathroom where there appeared to be no damage but the rest of the house was filled with mud splattered walls, broken glass, window frames, blinds, roofing etc. The closet was the ONLY room that did not appear to have any damage from the tornado!"

Concerned for her daughter and family, she looked outside and discovered their home had totally collapsed. "Ms. Dixie eventually introduced us to her daughter, Nan, whose first response to us was in frustration -- she thanked us for coming but asked if we were volunteering or if she would have to pay for us. "How much will it cost" she asked. It was our pleasure to respond that there was no charge and no strings attached."

Ms. Dixie had to go and have her hair done -- the appointment had been made before the tornado -- and since she had no water or electricity, the team urged her to "get some space" from the situation in her home. "It was such a blessing, she had such trust in us to leave while we were working on her home," Glenda recalls.

She came back a couple of hours later with bags full of food and a story to tell. Her hairdresser refused to take payment for her services. Then, while Ms. Dixie was picking up Bar-B-Q sandwiches for the crew of volunteers and relating her situation to a lady in the line, a plumber from Nashville overheard her conversation. Upon completing her order and proceeding to pay for the food, the plumber pulled out his credit card and paid for the $87. Ms. Dixie said "why do we act so surprised when God supplies our need or does what we ask? Is it we're just awed by His faithfulness?"

Please pray for the families of those who have lost their lives -- literally hundreds -- and for the necessary relief and recovery that will be taking place in the days and weeks ahead.