Shoal Creek Road...

A dear family's home...

another dear family's home...

The kids and I just returned from taking lunch out to the families and workers out in Shoal Creek Valley. These are small glimpses of what we saw. Words cannot exress...pictures cannot convey... I drove in silence with the kids looking out the windows, not really understanding what they were seeing. People had spray painted names of insurance companies on poster board and hung them on their mailbox. Many were just walking. Many were just standing beside a concrete slab that used to be their home.

Some of the families were gathered at the home of one family whose home was at least still standing, although they did have a tree in their second floor and no power. They were working hard. All of them were amazingly kind and grateful for everything we had to give them. I asked Nan, the lady in charge of co-ordinating donations for that area, "What do you need most right now?" Food and clothing. But, they don't need an abundance of it, because there is no where to put it. Absolutely no where. She said the main thing they are going to need right now is money. They have to move debris, clear away trash, tow cars that have been tossed like they were toys, and they must rebuild. Sherry Lee is making funeral arrangements for her husband and the father of their 13 children today. Please pray for her. She had to search through the rubble of their home just to find insurance papers and her check book...I can't even imagine.

God is amazing. His power has been so evident. These people are strong because of their faith in Jesus, and it has been amazing to see the body of Christ come together. They will rebuild, Pratt City will rebuild, Tuscaloosa will rebuild, and most importantly, God will be glorified.