• Cliff Mansley
• Jan 13, 2012

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Dear Relief Friends,

Thank you for your continued care and concern for the people of Joplin in the wake of the tornado. Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude for everything that you have done to help us in these trying times.

To date we have helped more than 1,400 families with food and supplies (often multiple times), housed more than 5000 relief workers, served more than 30,000 meals and sent out thousands of teams across Joplin on missions of mercy.  We have supplied more than 50 backyard storage sheds for survivors and the demand for this ministry area continues to grow.

As we continue our relief efforts it is important that you know that we continue to be an active distribution center. The supplies and food that we receive are given away.

Also, we have expanded our after school ministry and tutoring program to three days a week. We have had such an overwhelming response that it is impossible to transport all of the children who would like to participate from the temporary housing areas. We have literally turned kids away! Our prayer is that someone will be able to connect us to a school bus, airport bus or 15 passenger vans to help us with this thriving ministry.

For those wanting to participate in the relief effort personally we continue to offer housing and have started to request $10 per day per volunteer in order to give us some expense relief. We are partnering with several agencies for rebuilding. We are also building sheds for people in our community who are trying to rebuild and need a place to store tools. Each shed costs about $550 and is beautifully crafted by volunteers we host. Even a team of volunteers who come in for a day can build a shed in about 6-8 hours!

Please keep in mind that many people in our community have low incomes. With winter coming and so many without work or a permanent home we’re faced with a monumental challenge. Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated.

Thank you, again, for all that you are doing to help us in these challenging days.

With love in Christ,

Pastor Cliff