A group of WELS Christian Aid and Relief volunteers wrapped up an 11-day trip to Joplin, Mo., to assist in the continuing clean-up efforts after a tornado raged through the city of about 50,000 in May. During those 11 days in mid-August, a total of 21 WELS and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) volunteers went to Joplin to help.

The volunteers worked with Faith Lutheran (ELS) in nearby Carthage, Mo. While Faith did have a few members affected by this summer’s tornado, Wendy Wright, volunteer coordinator at the church, says most of the effort went to helping any area resident in need.

“I think God wants us to reach out to everyone. In a devastating tornado like this, it touches everyone; it’s not just the poor, it’s not just the destitute, it’s not just the unchurched, it’s not just the churched. It is everyone who has a need,” says Wright. “It’s a basic human need to reach out and touch others and show the love of Christ to others in your community. It’s been a blessing to us.”

Work was coordinated by the federal group AmeriCorps and included removing debris from home sites that had been demolished and cutting and removing fallen trees. Aaron Frink, a volunteer from Madison, Wis., says, “I love working down here as a volunteer. Even though they had us doing stuff from cleaning houses to sorting bricks or carrying lumber, it’s a chance to help out. I came down without any expectation of what I would be doing, but I’m just really glad to be helping in any way that I can.”

Mark Vance, Christian Aid and Relief director of operations, says, “Whether it’s WELS, ELS or anything, in any disaster relief situation, it’s obviously important to bridge to the gospel. That’s really the only reason we do the work we do. Obviously yes, we want to help with physical needs, but physical needs are not what are going to get people to heaven.”

He continues, “We’re here because of what Christ did on the cross for us. It’s that motivation that we want to share the work that we’ve done with you in hopes that you understand your Lord and Savior is the one that’s going to take you through this.”

Be sure to watch a video recap of the relief efforts in Joplin in the latest edition of “Life Line” on the Christian Aid and Relief Web site. Watch as WELS volunteers help reunite a tornado victim with personal effects – missing for about three months.