International Disaster Emergency Service or IDES has been supported by the Christian Churches since 1973. When a disaster strikes, IDES goes in. Various Christian Churches make up the teams. Each team has between 10 and 15 members and go in for 6 days at a time. When they arrive, they take up where the team that just left left off at. The next team to come in takes up where that one left off...So it goes until the job is done. If one project is done, they start another, and keep going as long as the donations keep coming in.
On our way home from our vacation in May, we came through Joplin, just hours after the tornado hit. Originally our plan was to eat breakfast there (as had driven straight through from TX) and then to show the girls Ozark Christian College. As we got off the exit ramp we saw a semi laid over, then every thing was fine again for several blocks. Then, we turned the corner and it looked like a war zone. A friend of mine since early childhood lost his home and vehicle in the storm (He had no insurance on the home). Of course all the contents were also destroyed or blown away.
My team is responsible for raising our own support, as far as fuel to get there and back, and to operate on all week, as well as our food for the week. However, a dorm and showers have been made at Westside Christian Church in Joplin for us to stay at. We will be able to use their full kitchen and laundry area as well.
If you would like to help support our team, contact me and I can give you more information. If you want to send money to ides, their information is on their website for you to donate online or you can send it to their offices in Indiana at:
International Disaster Emergency Service
PO Box 60
Kempton, IN 46049-0060
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