Miracle In Missouri: Surviving the Joplin Tornado

Yesterday, an old college friend and current co-worker, Nathan Harbottle posted some pics on his Facebook that took my spiritual breath away.

They were images like this one–a photo of the house that belonged to his parents, Bob and Pat, who had worked at our college and served in a local church where Chuck and I attended.

A couple years back, Bob and Pat moved to Joplin, Missouri to serve with my former co-worker, Cindy Wermuth, and her husband Dan at the Joplin Family Worship Center.

The story of this photo is more than one of destruction though, it is evidence of an event that we typically don’t imagine happen in our times. A miracle.

Because not only was this house destroyed by the storms that claimed over 100 lives in Joplin, but Bob and Pat Harbottle were IN. THE. HOUSE. when the storm went through.

They literally took refuge praying in a closet during those harrowing minutes and, then, when the storm passed, dug their way out of the rubble. They walked away from the home pictured above with only some minor soreness and bruises.

You can read their son Nathan’s updates about their situation here.

But even more than just reading, I know they would appreciate it if you would pause with them to acknowledge and thank God for the miracle that occurred for them and to pray for those who are suffering in Joplin right now.

The Harbottle and Wermuth’s church is accepting donations at the following address:

5290 East 7th Street
Joplin, MO 64801