Last week, I had the opportunity to volunteer with Men and Women of Action – an organization that is dear to my heart. They focus on disaster relief for national and international projects. My grandfather actually founded MWOA, so I was basically raised around this stuff. When I was a child, I would get a doll from every country that my grandfather would visit for his projects. I still have every doll. I am so used to hearing about the trips elsewhere, that it was almost surreal to be doing work for my own community who suffered from such devastation. During these last 12 days, myself and the other volunteers with MWOA handed out food, toiletries and cleaning supplies to over 8,000 people. I can’t tell you how humbling that it was.

I was struck with reality when a friend from high school walked up to me to say hello… with a box of food in his hand. I hadn’t seen him in years, but his home had been totaled from the tornadoes. He was lucky to be alive. I guess sometimes we take it for granted how good we have it until it actually happens to us or the people that we know. When we have that relational connection to the disaster or to the people affected by it, it changes you.

Below are some pictures of the disaster, and then the relief efforts that I had the opportunity to be a part of with MWOA. Take time for your community. People need you.

xoxo,

Kristen

Kristen. Bell. Found. Lovely. Weddings. LeahAndMark.com