When I arrived at church our youth band was having a quick practice back in The Core.
It wasn't "practice" to anyone else as the few of us in the room worshiped the Lord right along with them. It was amazing. The music was loud and gelled together with a beautiful melody and a simply put chorus that said it all:
Oh! How He loves us!
And this is the mood of the room when I met Derek and Rachel.
Derek and Rachel are youth ministers from 1st Assembly of God in San Antonio, Texas. They brought 11 of their youth up here to Joplin to help with the relief effort. They told me about how a friend of theirs from Tulsa had driven through Joplin about 7 minutes after the tornado had gone through and so Joplin has been on their hearts for a few months now.
When the media coverage faded they assumed that Joplin must be covered. But then their friend told them otherwise. That there was still SO MUCH to be done. They told me they were blown away at all there was to do and that at times it seemed overwhelming. They pick up at somebody's house and then look around them and it looks like they did nothing.
We are so grateful they have come to help us. It was amazing to worship next to them last night. Their youth and our youth intermingled and we praised the Lord together.
They told me one last thing before I shook their hand and said see ya, and that was, they were amazed. Amazed at how connected they felt to Abundant Life and that our church was able to not only accommodate them and all the other groups staying there, but that the connection went deeper.
Derek and Rachel, San Antonio, Texas
And you know why? God.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
If you feel led to help support the crew the Lord is sending to Joplin you can click the tap at the top for donations. We appreciate you so much. Have a wonderful blessed day!
Your friend and fellow family member of ALCC,
Ronda
