1/27/12 Update from Pastor John

From a mom who lost her son in the May 22 tornado:

Dear Pastor John and Forest Park Family,
On May 22nd, the lives of our family were drastically altered along with many others in Joplin and the surrounding areas. Since that day, an event that the “enemy” sought to destroy us with, and our faith in “our God,” God has used many from Forest Park and others to totally undo that! Our faith is just as strong, if not stronger, since that day! I know that my God loves me and holds me as I cry. I know that my God uses the arms of all of you and even the strangers when I have broken down in public, when the grief has overwhelmed like a giant wave in the ocean trying to knock me over.

Since giving totally my heart to God when I was younger, I have longed for a “home” church where it was just that “home.”  A place where I wasn’t looked at for what I could “do” or looked at and judged for what I couldn’t do. A home where I was loved for “me” and the daughter of God and sister in Christ that I am. It has taken until I was 46 years old to find that in Forest Park. I had a preconceived idea that you would not, nor could not feel loved and welcomed in a “large church.” My God has proven that’s not true through my family here at Forest Park. I have girlfriends that actually call me and check on me, even though they were drastically affected during the tornado. 

My son was a Christian.  He loved God with his whole heart and even in his death the gospel has been preached. At his memorial service, an altar call was given, and those who came forward, many were baptized the following Sunday.  Glory to God!  You can’t stop God!  Thank you and to everyone for your faithfulness to God.  In your giving from your hearts.  Sincerely, Pamela J. & Michael L. Praytor.”

Mission Joplin remains committed to helping the wounded in Joplin whether their loss was great or small. We are open tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We need socks, underwear, tuna, bath towels, dish soap, and sheets. Today we learned of a family who lost their home in the tornado and they just had a baby. They will bring the baby home from the hospital tomorrow or Sunday and REALLY need a car seat. If you can help, bring it to Mission Joplin on Saturday or to Forest Park Joplin on Sunday.