Destroyed Lives and the Power of Hope

The town of Joplin Missouri is already rebuilding after an EF5 tornado tore a wide path through the town on Sunday, May 22. With around a third of all homes and apartments gone, the task must seem impossible to many residents. Not only homes but also hundreds of places of work and businesses were swept away by the powerful storm. Family members were lost, and lives appear destroyed.

When destruction takes away life as we know it, rebuilding requires hope. We must believe that it is possible to erect new homes, lives, friendships, trust, or marriages. Without hope, we cannot persevere through the hard work necessary to rebuild.