Mission Service Corps Missionary Responds To Disaster In Omaha

By Ronda A. Colby

August 2008

An EF2 tornado touched down in Omaha on Sunday, June 8. It hit the neighborhood down the street from my house. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt or killed. I was in charge of a team of volunteers. The cleanup was organized by the United Way, City of Omaha and FEMA. There was also involvement by the Red Cross and Salvation Army, and of course, hundreds of volunteers.

While driving through the neighborhood that was devastated by the tornado, I felt a strong pulling from the Lord that I needed to do something. That night, while watching the news, it was reported that the United Way was looking for volunteers to help in the cleanup.

The next morning I answered the call I knew was coming from God. During the course of the day I was able to interact with the volunteers and the residents. I prayed with many and led several teams in the cleanup. All of the residents I spoke to were touched and appreciative of the support that has come from the community. Several were receptive to praying and speaking with me on their fears and experiences with the tornado. This aspect was just as important as the physical cleanup.

An article made the front page of the Living Section of the Omaha World Herald on Tuesday, June 10.

(Ronda A. Colby is a Mission Service Corps missionary with the North American Mission Board. She is worship and women’s ministry leader at the Omaha Baptist Center.)

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