Baxter Springs, Kansas May 2014 Part 1

Terry and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend our 40th class reunion in Baxter Springs, Kansas. We were students at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in 1974. At that time the term of the School was from late August through December 13. Some students came back for a second term. Terry and I met there and were engaged there. After we were home for awhile, we were married in Perryton, Texas where we have made our home.

I will post pictures of friends and the school next time I post. This time, I want to post some pictures and tell about how Baxter Springs is doing since the tornado hit a few short days ago.

 I know I took a lot of pictures. I haven't posted all of them on here because some of them were a lot of the same scene.

First, I do want to tell every one that the Bible College and the buildings belonging to them and the staff suffered no damage. None of the students or teachers were hurt. In fact, the storm in Baxter Springs yielded no deaths. We thank the Lord for that.

This is the main street as we came upon the damage.

Some businesses were spared and others wiped out. On further down the road, the Pizza Hut and Sonic Drive In were unharmed.

Terry and I were speechless as we drove down the main street.  I have never been up close and personal to anything like this. People were really busy and collecting debris into piles for pick up.

A closer look of the previous picture.

Isn't this something? Wow!

 There had been a convenience store located behind those gas pumps . Actually, there was very little of that store left.

Lots of empty lots. One thing that was interesting was the businesses and houses that were not touched even though the building next to it was gone. 

Our friends at the Bible College said that this truck was one of the first to show up. This trailer was loaded with equipment and tools for volunteers to use to help clean things up. This is the ministry of the Billy Graham Association. Franklin Graham started this ministry up. Samaritan's Purse is more than the little shoe boxes filled each Christmas for children. This ministry is a big deal that meets needs all over the world.

Some of the teachers at the Bible School live a block away from a string of houses that were demolished. This is way too close for comfort. Please join me in prayer for those who lost so much.

This could be a street in any town in the world.

This is the main street area that didn't suffer damage.

These trucks were running all over the place...loading and unloading.

This is a tent for the volunteers. It looked like food was being prepared for them and other activity. We didn't go inside to ask the particulars. A group of the Bible College students volunteered and helped as much as possible.

This in an apartment. See the refrigerator?

These last few photos are of one of the residential areas of town.

Terry and I were afraid that the reunion would be cancelled, that the hotel would be gone or not able to honor our reservations, or many other things. The people were busy. They were moving on with life as much as they could. The reunion was wonderful. We enjoyed our stay in the hotel. The people in the Walmart store where we picked up some Zquil for me, were upbeat and helpful.

Baxter Springs, Kansas will always be a special place in my heart. I know that the people will put this behind them and with the Lord's help, go about with their lives.

Next post will be about the reunion and the wonderful people who have influenced my life so positively.