Blessed Assurance

In times of hardship, it is inspiring to see how a community so completely torn apart by tragedy can come together. My grandmother and I went to volunteer at Royal Heights United Methodist Church, where we met a myriad of people with extremely unique stories of how they were led to volunteer their time. Each person we met during our volunteer experience had an uplifting attitude and exuded an air of faith and confidence that the town would be restored to its previous state or better. This endearing spirit gave me hope for the future of Joplin.

Through donations of bath kits, diapers, clothes, linens, books, toys, and truckloads of mattresses, this small Church is making a huge difference.

 "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!"

 This is Brittany. She is a 12-year-old volunteer who drove to Joplin with her grandmother all the way from Arizona. Her home life is nothing short of tragic, so her school counselor suggested that she use some of her summer break to volunteer her time helping people. I learned so much from this sweet little girl. My heart goes out to her.

 The next three pictures are tragic to me. These wedding pictures were recovered from a pile of rubble. I certainly hope that someone at the Church recognized the couple and they are reunited with their happy memories!

The Church donated truckloads of mattresses to those who lost everything.

A small Church with a huge heart!!

"Perfect submission, all is at rest!

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in His love!"