HANNIBAL – It’s been a sizeable response for Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief for the Hannibal storm cleanup.
Six of the 36 chainsaw units in Missouri were deployed to Hannibal – and all have been kept busy by the numerous tree damage calls. In addition, there have been a communications trailer from the Heartland Baptist Association, the mobile kitchen from the Northeast Missouri (Mt. Salem/Wyaconda Association), the mobile kitchen staff from southeast Missouri, and the state shower unit. There are also a number of chaplains and assessors, and those overseeing the details of the operation that have been in Hannibal.
Barry Bade, of the Grand Crossings Association in Mexico, has overseen the operations of the shower unit, a sometimes-thankless job.
“It’s a ministry to the volunteers, primarily, “Bade said. “Sometimes it is open for people from the community. They come in tired and dirty and are blessed to leave after a clean, hot shower.”
The state shower unit has six shower rooms on a converted semi trailer, and two washers and dryers for shower laundry. After each shower, the rooms are cleaned with an anti-bacterial spray and each morning, each shower gets stronger bleach cleansing to disinfect the shower rooms. While the laundry facilities are mainly for towels, washcloths, and bath mats of the shower unit, when time and water pressure allow, private volunteer laundry can be done.
“It could be one of those jobs where you feel like you aren’t doing anything. I can tell many volunteers here (at Hannibal) appreciate it. They are pretty faithful to say so and it makes it worthwhile for me. God is good,” Bade said.
“If He wants us to do something, He blesses us doing it,” Bade said.
JoAnn Hahs, head cook for the SEMO mobile feeding unit said 500 meals were served in the early hours when power was still out. The meals were delivered in American Red Cross and Salvation Army disaster vehicles to homes of people.