This is day two of our Iowa Mission Trip. The day started with an impressive thunderstorm, but we pressed forward. Katharine Nicholson, our on site crew chief from Trinity Episcopal Church, had chosen one of the houses on the Iowa River within the flood plain. Katharine and Dale, another local volunteer worked alongside us. We picked up flood debris that often showed up in unexpected places high up in the bushes. We pruned and removed lots of dead bushes, filled holes, repaired tractor damage. We were just getting into our stride when the scary whaling of several loud sirens began going off through the neighborhood warning of a tornado. We looked at each other wondering what to do. It didn't feel like a tornado was coming. Luckliy Dale identified the sirens as a monthly drill. We enjoyed getting cleaned up and having lunch in a local park and were joined by Rev Mel from Trinity Church. After lunch we arrived to find the owner of the house had stopped by and we were able to spend a few minutes with him. As the heat and humidity wound up we began to wind down and finished about 3PM. We went back to Joan's house took showers and cleaned up.
We plan to go back to the same house tomorrow to finish our work and then onto the next place.
This late afternoon finds us trying to decide which Iowa cuisine to try this evening. We are once again under a severe thunderstorm watch until 12 midnight in a city that does not need anymore rain. More to come.
In the words of St. Paul's letter to the Romans " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8.