Hope Force Responds to Mississippi Tornado: Situation Report # 2 |   | ...
 
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Hope Force Responds to Mississippi Tornado: Situation Report # 2

March 31, 2023

HFI Mississippi Tornado Response Update

Out in front of the line of storms raced a renegade, textbook supercell.  Before long, it dropped an EF4 tornado that was nearly a mile wide.  In its path were the towns of Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi.  Both took a direct hit — experiencing catastrophic damage and loss of life. Unbelievably, conservative estimates say the tornado was on the ground for almost 60 miles.

Out of the same supercell, another tornado dropped — hitting Winona, Wren, Smithville, and Amory, Mississippi as an EF3.  Massive sized trees were snapped like matchsticks and many homes severely damaged.  The EF4 took everything in its path...the EF3 seemed to hold back its fury just a bit.  Nevertheless, there didn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason to the fury of the tornado.  One house was completely destroyed, while its neighbor sustained roof damage...and another completely unscathed.

Brian Wagner, Director of Hope Force Central U.S., has been on the ground since the day after the storm, coordinating efforts of local Hope Force Reservists and partners to bring much needed assistance.  What he describes is something that one might not expect in the wake of such chaos and destruction:

Today I had a glimpse of the goodness of God and the joy found in his Son.  Our Reservists and volunteers were engaging with survivors in such a way...you would have thought it was a family reunion.  Sure — tarps were being placed on homes, but the joy was seen in the laughter shared.  I looked around and one Reservist was holding a toddler because that toddler took a liking to him.  Other kids were challenging a Reservist to take another shot at the damaged basketball hoop.  There were deep conversations, lots of hugs and smiles amidst tears of compassion.  Seeing this, I think that this must be what Jesus had in mind when He told his disciples to love another, and when He said to love others as you love yourself.  Today, I saw this very demonstration of the gospel in the interaction our Reservists had with survivors.”

As we continue operations in Amory, we will continue to bring the most good to the most people.  As we race ahead of the rains and storms forecasted for Friday, we trust God to use our work for His glory.

We ask that you would continue to lift our team and the surivors of this community up in prayer!  Would you also consider a financial donation in support of our response efforts?  Your gift will help enable our teams to effectively serve those impacted by this historic event.