(story continued from 14 April 2013)
It did not take long for Betty Jo to understand the destruction that was taking place a few miles down the road. She knew she had to help. She hopped into her minivan and headed to Joplin.
On the way, she came across a man walking along the side of the road with a plank as a crutch with the hope to get to the hospital. Neither he or Betty Jo knew at the moment that the hospital had been severely damaged by the tornado and was being evacuated. They did find a triage tent and she left the man there who was more than grateful for her help.
Many days later, Betty Jo would find out that this man's leg was crushed from the hip to the ankle. She was told if that she had not picked him up, he would have most likely died before getting to town.
Later in the day, she stopped by a man laying on the edge of the road. He was being ignored or passed over by so many, because his situation looked hopeless. Many must have thought he was dead. He had a piece of wood that had pierced his face and he was a bloody mess. Managing to get him into the van, she also took him to the triage tent. Again, she would learn later, that she had literally saved his life.
At another point, she came across a family who was in a panic. The tornado had knocked over the chimney and it had fallen on their five-year-old son. Because the ambulance was struggling to get to their location, she offered to take them to the tent or just take the van themselves. This boy, too, would miraculously live.
Betty Jo continued to be an angel of mercy over the next weeks. She looked for those in need and did what she could to meet those needs. At the same time, she was largely ignoring her own needs - physically, emotionally and spiritually. It would have a cost.
Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
Psalm 143.1, NIV
More of Betty Jo's story to come!
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