Chaplain Insight During Post Joplin Tornado Work

The following paragraphs are written by a chaplain working in Joplin after the tornado. It paints a picture of the struggles and pain of the people and of the chaplain.

"This is beyond Haiti when it comes to bodies. We debrief often through the day and before bed. Holding families while they watch search & rescue, body parts, and last hopes of life fade away. Men unable to withstand the trauma. Women clinging to lost hope. The children of these families are sad and confused. This is the worst possible scene you can imagine. Pray as the days wear on."


"Our coping skills are great. Debrief one another, pray often, prayed for 102 people all at different times, eat well adding ice cream, laugh and tease each other in a group at the end of the day over dinner, tell each other how good we see the working, cry with one another, pull jokes on each other, praise God for His love, listen to miracles we are told, love the people, look out for one another, take hiding breaks from the people, smile at how bad we look, laugh at our mash beds, and look at our family pictures for a reality check. We are looking for every small joy life has to offer. We are living ground zero. We are a team of seven chaplains who are humbled to serve God and man "for a time such as this." we are a tough breed of chappy's. "

Thank you for all the prayers and know you are part of our work through your prayers.

Detroit Chaplain Works High School Trauma

One of the kids at HWHS tried to rob a pizza delivery man with a fake gun. The pizza man had a concealed weapons permit and shot the kid point blank, fatally. I was called by Wayne Co. Crisis Response to go and help.  What an awesome opportunity to minister! Here is a note from the Social Worker on staff at the school. What a precious group of kids! So hurt from life and so wounded at such a young age.


High School Social worker sends a Thank you….

Mindy:

Thank you very much for helping me yesterday.   You where awesome with our kids.  I really appreciate your help.  I could never of been successful without you.  You have a big heart and a great talent for working with youth.  Thank you, thank you and thank you again and again!  You are WONDERFUL!  Let me know how I can help you in the future.  I owe you big time!  I enjoyed meeting and working with you.  Keep in touch.

Sincerely,

School Social Worker
Harper Woods Public Schools

Thanks Chaplain Keith!

Dear Champlain Williams,

My name is Bill W. of Kerrville Texas. I am 73, my wife is 72 and is a patient at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston. After a strange accident in the M.D. Anderson parking garage, where I had lost my eye glasses, I was asked by a really nice fellow if I needed help. Well, since I could not see much, I asked if he was a deputy sheriff. "No," he said, "I am a chaplain." My wife was waiting for me at her Doctor's office, then to be admitted for her treatment. This special man was Sr. Chaplain Dr. Keith Robinson.

To make a long and very meaningful success story short, Chaplain Keith, met and cheered up my wife, drove me to four eye glass doctor/shops. He was obviously highly skilled in communication, personal relations and medical issues all with real kindness to all involved and with a great sense of humor.

I had my much needed new glasses in about four hours. I became very interested in Keith’s work and the organization. I am blessed to have a ranch here in the central Texas Hill Country. I have invited Keith and his family to be our guests. He says he will come some time but he is always on a project "south America, Angel Flights", etc. I finally asked Keith (sort of demanded), your name so I could express my sincere admiration and appreciation for him and his work. It has been a real treat to know him. I simply cannot express what it is like to see him in action and wanted someone important in your organization to know.

Best Regards,

Bill W.