Salem Youth Provide Help to Those in Joplin

Salem Lutheran Church and School recently sent 24 Senior High Youth and Adults to the 2012 Missouri District Youth Gathering in Joplin, MO.  On May 22, 2011, an F5 Tornado hit Joplin destroying nearly 7,500 homes; basically taking out the middle third of the city.  In the “Tornado Zone”, Immanuel Lutheran Church and School went out of their way to setup a “Mercy Center” for the tornado victims. 

During the gathering, 204 youth and adults, from the state of Missouri, spent 2 full days of service in the community of Joplin (mainly in the tornado zone).  Salem’s Youth were asked to take on a huge task of transforming the property of Immanuel Lutheran Church & School so that no tornado reminders were left.  The amazing thing is that Immanuel’s Senior High Youth Group worked side by side with Salem’s Senior High Youth and some new friendships were made through the process.

The first project entailed a garden/picnic area behind the school which is used by teachers and staff for lunch/break time. Prior to the storm, a 100+ year old tree sat in the middle of the garden; but then the tornado hit and the tree fell on the school and church damaging the roofs.  From the removal of the tree, which also damaged the garden, and the fact that Immanuel was busy taking care of tornado victims, this area became overgrown with weeds, dead bushes and trees, and leftover tree stumps.  After two days the Salem Youth had the entire garden/break area transformed with new bushes, trees, a variety of plants, and mulch. Another Project entailed the Parsonage; which needed a complete overhaul of the landscaping as well as some painting. Salem and Joplin Youth again worked together to transform the parsonage by removing tree stumps, weeds, and wood and by spreading new mulch, trimming bushes and adding a fresh coat of paint in some areas.  No signs of the tornado was left at this point to the church, school, and parsonage.

WANT TO HEAR SALEM’S YOUTH TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE?  Come to Salem Lutheran Church for weekend worships services (Sat. @ 5:00 p.m., Sunday @ 8, 9:30, & 11 a.m.) during the weekend of July 21 & 22 to hear from them and to see some pictures and a short video. slcas.org