Joplin's in my heart: my experience so far

Today was our first full day in Joplin, and it has been great so far. I was woken up by Jorge yelling--so I threw my pillow at him! haha--then we all had pancakes for Breakfast which were yummy, and then headed out for a drive through town to see where the tornado hit down, and created destruction to peoples homes, businesses, churches, schools,cars, and even lawns. It took the lives and livelihoods of so many here in Joplin, and to see that first hand was overwhelming. We stopped at where Joplin High originally was and saw how uprooted and destroyed the building and neighborhood is. It honestly was so shocking to see just how bad it really is here--the pictures you see don't give it justice. I saw homework and textbooks on the ground still in tact from being thrown around.  It was just very emotional to see and experience what a natural disaster looks like first hand, and what these people go through every day.  This is honestly a huge learning experience and I am so happy to be a part of this. I am going to have memories of all the people we have met so far (the man who helped us pay for some of our meal at Pizza Hut, just to say thank you, the manager of Pizza hut who lost 6 friends and 2 employees in the tornado, Scott the director of Project 195, and locals from the airport and town) and I know we have many more to meet before we leave. I just can't express enough how powerful this experience has been so far--and I can't wait to see how the rest of the trip goes. --As we just got back from cleaning and painting the other volunteer house, its time to eat din din--so I'm signing off now--but I just want to say I love our group, the people here in Joplin, and the opportunity we have been given. Love, Mary

Restore Joplin: Day One

After a VERY long day of planes, trains and automobiles (ok just cars, planes, and 15-passenger vans I guess), we finally made it to Joplin around 4pm yesterday afternoon. We spent a few hours waiting at the Joplin airport for the vans to be ready, where we saw another group of college students who had just completed their week of restore. That really got us excited when they exclaimed how great their week was and how much fun they had. We were also welcomed to Joplin by some gracious residents and airport employees who were so happy to have us help with the clean up and restoration. We took this time to get to know each other a little better, playing name games, "two truths and a lie", and took some funny (and some pretty ridiculous) pictures.

Hungry, anxious, and completely exhausted, we got to dinner last night and couldn't wait to dig in. As a group of 26 people with northern accents, we knew we were bound to get some questioning from other people around us. A man and his son were seated at the table next to us, and sure enough, he inquired about our origins. When we told him who we were and what we were doing here, he paused for a moment, pursed his lips in what looked like an effort to hold some tears back, and said how truly grateful he was that we were there and that he was so proud of us for taking the time to come down and lend a hand. We said we couldn't be happier to help, and with that, he got up and left. A moment later, the manager of the restaurant came over to us and said that an anonymous customer had already paid $100 of our bill. That right there proved that we were meant to do great things this week, and we owed it to the residents of Joplin to help make their lives even a little better.

Another staple moment of the trip so far was just this morning, when we drove the path that the tornado took that fateful day just 10 months ago. We saw houses with roofs torn off, trees completely uprooted, and a scene that was just simply unimaginable. Visiting Joplin High School, now appropriately renamed "Hope High School" was truly a sight. Completely destroyed, we learned that these students have been moved to the Northpark Mall (which we saw this morning also) to resume classes this year. An overwhelming sense of emotion rang through all of us when we saw the ruins of the school building. To know that they are persevering and moving on with life is so uplifting and it makes what we're doing here feel even better.

Time for dinner now.. nothing like a huge vat of pasta for 26 people :) More to come later this week!

Alex

Home

I wrote this entry as we waited for our flight to board. We have since arrived in Joplin and have experienced an amazing amount of gratitude. For now though, I will just tell about just one experience :)

The journey to Joplin, Missouri has begun. Technically, it began at about 3:45 AM. Right now all 26 of us are waiting at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport to board our final flight to Joplin. We have had some delays though so we are resting, eating candy, and filling our bodies with caffeine for the week ahead.

We have not even arrived in Joplin and the experiences from the tornadoes are already being told and leaving impressions on us. I asked out loud to the group if anyone knew if the Joplin Airport was affected by the tornado. No one in the group knew the answer but a young guy sitting by himself chimed in and said that it hadn’t. He was also waiting for the flight to Joplin to board and I could tell he had a story. He started listing off the streets that were affected the most, including the local businesses. He also said that he had to attend four funerals that week. Even the Home Depot he worked at was destroyed. My heart broke. I wanted nothing more than to just hug him and say I’m sorry. He asked about where we were from and what we were doing. He was kind enough to thank us. It consistently amazes me how thankful people are for what we are doing. Yet, WE are the ones who should be thankful. We should be thankful for this opportunity and for being the ones who can do the giving rather than the receiving.

As the airlines had us move to a different terminal to board our flight, I overhead him say to himself, “I just want to go home.” Home. Joplin is his home. It made me think of my own home and what it would be like if I had to see it in such a state of devastation. The thought was enough to make my heart hurt. So while we begin the journey to help rebuild we should remember that Joplin is not just a town that has a tornado touchdown in, it is home to so many. It is a place of comfort, a place of serenity, and a place that they can go back to everyday and be who they are.We have the chance to bring a little piece of that back to them and we are so appreciative.

Thank you Joplin!

Molly :)

Tomorrow!

I cannot believe that we leave TOMORROW for Joplin! I just finished packing for the trip and really hope I didn't forget anything- I've been packing and repacking for a week because I am so excited. Right now I am a mix of emotions; beyond excited, nervous, (a little scared for the plane ride) but mostly anxious. Now that it is so close to being here I just want to hop on the plane and leave! Last night I barely slept so I can only imagine what tonight will bring. 

I am excited to be going to a new place, with new people who want to devote their spring break to helping others. I am ready for a week full of hard work, dedication and an amazing life changing experience. I truly have no idea what the next week will bring; all I know is that I am ready for this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Carolyn Holland  

Expectations

Joplin and me were kickin` it the other night, and he asked me a great question. What are your expectations on the trip? I was like gawwlee i have no idea. So i thought about it. Luckily, we talked about it during our meeting too. I think what i am expecting the most is, that it is a once in a life time experience! How often will i ever be able to go to Joplin for tornado relief. My answer is probably not that many, like 2, because im broke and such. I believe it will be a once in a life time experience, even if i was lucky enough to go a second time it would not be the same. The time spent with fellow students will somehow make this an experience uniquely different to experiences in the future. 

-Cruz-

EEK So Soon

I am so super excited to share the Alternative Spring Break *life changing* experience with this year's team!!

We leave so soon- in less than two weeks.  Don't miss out on all of our upcoming fundraisers!

Find us on FB for more details: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/150447148310223/

Krista
Trip Leader

Acts of Kindness

 Two days ago I witnessed the power of helping one another, and I want to share the story.

An older woman came into the store that I work in, but when she tried to enter the door she got stuck. Her wedding ring was attached to the door and it caused her diamond to fall out of her ring. I went over to her and her face was white and she was shaking pretty badly. "No, no, no. My diamond. Please, please we have to find it." The poor woman was seconds away from tears and I knew the value of this diamond was far more than money.

Immediately the workers helped her try to find it on the ground. Due to bad timing, the store experienced a rush right at this moment. As the line grew the woman stood at the register, white as a ghost and broken hearted. One woman, hearing what had happened, was on her hands and knees searching the pavement for the stone. Out of a miracle, the woman found it and walked up to the older woman, "I found it." The women embraced and the older woman started to cry. "Thank you, thank you so very much. I can't even tell you." The younger woman smiled and just said "You're welcome I am so happy you found it."

Once the older woman had left, the younger one was still in the store. She came up to the register tears still in her eyes. I'm just so happy she found it." I was moved by the woman's sense of empathy and care for a complete stranger. Her heart broke for the older woman and she was able to fix it simply by taking a moment to help. When I expressed my thanks to the woman, she smiled and looked at me, "Just pay it forward. Someday, someone is going to need your help, and all you have to do is pay it forward."

This experience once again proved the value and power of helping one another. No matter if it is small or massive, giving someone a hand can do nothing but make this world a better, more connected, and kinder place.

Spread the love,
Kendra Sampson
Trip Leader

22 More Days Until We Leave~ Excited, Nervous, Moved

Hey All-

   First Time Blogger-Long Time Reader here :) I don't exactly know where to begin, or what to write for that matter-but what I do know is that I am honored to be part of this years Alternative Spring Break. I can't believe I am able to actually be a part of somthing like this. I mean, the thought of doing somthing this big-and helping people that may or may not be able to help themselves after such devastation-is monumental.I feel excited and nervous all at the same time! I have always heard of trips like this before, but to be leaving for one in 22 days-half way across the counrty no less- is rather amazing! :)

  So, I was looking through the Joplin Globe today, and I came across the cover story,which was about volunteers working to help bring Joplin back to life, and I was rather moved by it. It was about a "volunteer house" that was built to house volunteers while they worked -and it was being moved to become part of a future collection in the city museum. Apparently those who have come and volunteered so far, have left thousands of messages scribbled on the walls, windows, floors and doors of the house. :) Wow-goes to show how appreciative Joplin's people are--keeping pieces of history to never forget May 22nd, 2011. ---I am so excited to start this life changing adventure!
Peace & Love,
Mary D.

PS: Here is the link in case you wanted to check out the article:
http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x638262427/Volunteer-House-moved-to-new-home

Extreme Home Makeover

On Friday the 13th Extreme Home Makeover aired the series finale. The two hour special focused on Joplin, Missouri. The episode is able to tell the story of the devestating tornado as well as the personal stories of seven families. The show was able to build seven homes in seven days for seven families who had their lives turned upside down. Eyeopening and Emotionally, the episode is able to encompass many, yet I am sure not all, of the feelings and stpries that are held in Joplin Missouri.

Check it out- http://abc.go.com/watch/extreme-makeover-home-edition/SH559052/VD55163148/joplin-family-part-1 

Watching the show, I was filled with so many emotions. My heart broke and ached immensley for the families and individuals affected by this storm, yet I was filled with encouragement and strength knowing that Joplin can and will be rebuilt making it stronger than ever before.

Kendra Sampson
Trip Leader

2012 is here!

The new year is here which means Alternative Spring Break 2012 is right around the corner! As many reflect on 2011, many agree that some of the most powerful images of the year have come from Joplin, Missouri. I stumbled across: http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-most-powerful-photos-of-2011 where two of the images were from Joplin, Missouri. It was a strong reminder if why we have chosen this as the location for ASB 2012.

A man sits in front of a destroyed apartment building following the Joplin, Missouri tornado. (Reuters)

A before and after shot of Joplin, Missouri after a massive tornado on May 22.

The pictures say 1,000 words. I just can't wait to get the opportunity to help.
:) Molly
ASB Trip Leader