Nearly two years after an EF5 tornado struck Joplin, Mo., Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) closed its project site in Joplin with a celebration.
On May 22, 2011, Joplin was cut in half by the more-than-a-kilometre-wide tornado that completely destroyed more than 7,000 homes. The town’s infrastructure was heavily damaged, including the hospital and school. In addition to the loss of property, 159 lives were lost in the storm, making this disaster the second deadliest tornado in all of U.S. history.
Local MDS volunteers responded to the news of the tornado immediately. Within 24 hours, volunteers were helping to clear access roads and were working with local farmers to help move animals to safety. In the weeks to follow, thousands of volunteers poured into the area to begin the job of cleaning up. Weeks later, the first repairs began.
In the two years that MDS worked in Joplin, more than 3,300 volunteers served, completing 125 clean-ups, 23 minor repairs, 25 major repairs and nine new builds. There were also 12 new builds that volunteers worked on from foundation to the “dry-in stage.” About 80 Canadians were numbered among the 3,300 volunteers, including those from Mennonite churches in Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
MDS volunteers travelled back to Joplin recently to mark the end of MDS’s response there and to celebrate getting families back home.
MDS executive director Kevin King attended the evening of celebration and closure. Representatives from partner agencies, including Rebuild Joplin, Fuller Center for Housing, Samaritan’s Purse and Joplin Family Worship Center, as well as several families who received a rebuilt home, also attended the ceremony and dinner.
This was King’s fourth trip to the project in Joplin. “I entered into town and saw the famous cross was at one of the street corners that one of our volunteers carved out of a tree stump,” he said. “It is now weathered and cracked from the drying sun, proclaiming the injury of the past.”
Renee White, chair of the Long-term Recovery Committee in Joplin praised MDS’s work, saying, “MDS was integral to the rebuilding here in Joplin. MDS showed us a work ethic. You showed us what humility looks like. You are known not only for the quality structures you build, but the spirits that you lifted as well. We are a better and richer community now because of MDS. Thank you.”
This cross was carved out of a downed tree after a deadly tornado struck Joplin, Mo., on May 22, 2011. At a celebration to commemorate two year’s of rebuilding efforts, Kevin King, executive director of Mennonite Disaster Service, said of the carving, ‘It is now weathered and cracked from the drying sun, proclaiming the injury of the past.’
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