May 12, 2008 issue
MDS responds to tornadoes in Arkansas
By Scott SundbergLITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Mennonite Disaster Service units are responding to tornadoes that hit north of Little Rock on May 2.
Ted Hostetler, a local MDS volunteer, said May 5 that he and other MDS representatives were working and directing in areas where tornadoes hit.
Several tornadoes struck from Birdtown in Conway County to Damascus in Van Buren County.
MDS initially sent in 28 volunteers, mostly women, who walked the fields picking up debris. This was accompanied by chainsaw work clearing debris, trees and limbs. MDS crews were lined up to work for the next couple of days.
Hostetler told of a widow whose home was devastated by a tornado. She mentioned how sad she was, partly because a new blouse and skirt, with tags still on them, were blown away by the storm. Later her niece found the blouse in the field nearby. Soon someone drove up with her skirt. He had found it hanging in a tree three miles away.
The widow’s niece lived in a double-wide trailer across the road. The home was demolished by the storm. The niece had not heard any warnings. When she heard the storm coming, she picked up her baby, but as she was trying to leave the structure, her large entertainment center fell on her. She fell over the baby. Hostetler said he believed the hand of God protected them, because they were not hurt.
Comment on the article MDS responds to tornadoes in Arkansas
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
