Joplin-Reconstruction

Below is our third blog post!

Today we had the chance to take on the role of construction workers, clearing a residential lot that had been completely leveled from the tornado. The lot was filled with uneven surfaces, rocks imbedded in the soil, and other debris, such as bricks, buried deep within the ground. However, this did change our attitude at all; we had a system set up in a matter or minutes, with some people raking the rocks into piles, some people shoveling and picking the soil, and others dumping the rocks and unwanted soil away from the site. It was amazing to see what 12 able-minded people can do when they come together and put their minds to it.

Given a little break for lunch to refuel, our determined group had the majority of this rather large lot nice and level far before our day was considered over. In fact, not to sound conceited, but we worked on par with career construction workers, and it was amazing to see us work like one well-oiled machine. Aside from this gratifying feeling, it also instilled a large amount of appreciation for what has been given to us in life. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can say that I do appreciate my education and everything else that has been given to me throughout my life. I like to think that I have never taken any of it for granted, but now I am sure I never will.

Which brings me to my last point: It was unbelievable to see the rebuilding effort after the tornado. The neighborhood in which we were working was already well on its way to its former glory, with kind and friendly people (or at least I'm assuming) working toward rebuilding their hometown. That is the reason I came on this trip, and I know I speak for everyone in this case when I say it is an indescribable feeling that you get when you give back to a community in need; a feeling that most cannot comprehend until they take the time out to help another person in need.