me: "End of July."
Hal: "Seems like it was just yesterday."
me: "I know - it sure doesn't seem like it's been 2 1/2 months!"
....and so, the story continues. The Piedmont Convocation has been to Alabama in June and July to help remove debris from the destructive tornadoes that hit this area in late April. So in a sense, our trip this October is simply a continuation of that effort. But in another sense, it is different because we are not clearing debris this trip. We are building a house.
On the one hand, this is progress. To go from cleaning up to building up is indeed progress. On the other hand, the stories of the people here remain the same: trauma, shock, anger, grief, being resolved, looking forward, getting comfortable in a new normal, and finally, rebuilding.
Our home owners, Bobby and Donna Abbott fit this mold. They own 3 acres of land at the top of a ridge. Their son used to live beside them on the land. Both the Abbott's house and their son's house were literally blown away on the day of tornadoes. Only a slab remained. Although they all survived (grandchildren too), their neighbors - the father, mother, and 16 year old son - were found dead in the Abbott's front yard. Only the 9 year old daughter survived, found wandering in the Abbott's front yard. Bobby's mother, who lived just a few miles away, was also killed. The business owned by Donna and her sisters just up the street was obliterated. They have enough reason, based just on this, to 'tuck and run'....to curl up in a corner and never recover. But they didn't do that. So because they chose to rebuild their lives, emotionally and now physically, our group has had the privilege of helping them in that rebuilding.
And so the story continues....their re-telling of that day is part of their healing process. It is part of our process too - in hearing the stories again and again, just as Jesus listens to our stories, again and again. We are the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in this world. Listening to stories of the broken yet healing, is part of that ministry of presence. The story continues....and we are honored that Bobby and Donna have chosen to share their story with us.
fergie+
The front of the Bobby and Donna's house on Day #1
The side of the Abbott's house
"The Condo" - Where the Abbotts are living while building their house
The end of day one - osb on the roof - Yay!
