Blackhawk Presbytery team on Tornado recovery mission in Missouri

— Ken Mozingo

Thirteen volunteers from Blackhawk Presbytery (northern Illinois) went on a disaster recovery mission trip to Joplin, Missouri, May 13-18, 2012. Ken Mozingo provided this this photo of the team and he shares,

“An EF5-rated tornado touched down on May 22, 2011 and destroyed one third of Joplin. Winds at 225 mile-per-hour caused complete destruction in its path that was one mile wide and seven miles long. 162 people were killed. 8,000 homes were destroyed. An eight-story concrete hospital was twisted 4 ½ inches on its foundation. People were literally blown out of its windows.

"Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in Joplin linked this group of 13 to work with 'Hammers and Hearts', a relief organization dedicated to using volunteers to help financially-strapped tornado victims rebuild badly damaged or destroyed homes. First Presbyterian Church of Joplin provided lodging for the group."