Samaritan’s Purse teams are serving Michigan families after the state’s most destructive tornadoes in decades.
Jessica Vivanco was inside her Three Rivers, Michigan, home when the sirens sounded and the sky darkened.
Multiple counties in southwest Michigan are recovering after deadly and destructive tornadoes touched down last week.
The wind turned violent, slamming branches into windows and doors, shattering glass. It was over within minutes and left fallen trees and debris in its wake.
“We’ve had close calls for years, but nothing like this,” Jessica said. “Never inside the city. I feel relieved and so blessed that you guys came in and helped us.”
As volunteers cleared the trees and helped clean up the mess left on her property, she spoke with Billy Graham chaplains who shared the Gospel.
Jessica Vivanco in Three Rivers remembers the terrifying storm. As volunteers began serving at her home this week, she experienced new life in Jesus Christ.
Jessica said she knew about Jesus but didn’t truly know Him. She had never begun a personal relationship with the Lord. So there in her yard, as chainsaws buzzed around them and Samaritan’s Purse volunteers made piles of debris, Jessica heard the Gospel and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Serving Communities in Jesus’ Name
Samaritan’s Purse responded to serve families in Three Rivers, Edwardsburg, and Union City. Based out of Riverside Church in Three Rivers, Michigan, volunteers began work on Sunday, March 8. So far, over 250 volunteers have helped families by clearing fallen trees, removing debris, and placing tarps over damaged roofs.
More than 250 volunteers have served so far during our Michigan response.
Most importantly, families are being prayed over and reminded that God has not forgotten them.
Serving for the Sake of the Gospel
Just down the road from Jessica, Phil Tabor, 80, heard the same sirens. He didn’t think much of it. Sirens had gone off before. But this time was different.
Phil Tabor remembers his son telling him to run as the sky darkened and debris flew overhead.
Suddenly the wind was whipping through the trees. Phil remembers a mattress spinning into the treetops. Then his son screamed, “Run!”
They bolted across the yard and through the door just before two massive trees came crashing behind them. One crushed their roof.
“It was just like a nightmare,” Phil said, grateful that God spared their lives. “We came really close to our lives ending. That big tree almost fell on us.”
At Phil’s home, volunteers secured a tarp on his severely damaged roof and cleared large trees and scattered debris from his property.
Roofs sustained significant damage as trees and debris pummeled homes and property.
“They picked up all this debris around the yard here and piled it up. I mean, this is unreal,” Phil said as he recalled the teamwork. “They’re great people.”
He especially enjoyed receiving a Bible with signatures and encouraging notes from all the volunteers. Phil was also grateful for the chaplains who were there to encourage him and for the love shown to him through the kind words and hard work of the volunteers.
Our volunteers provide each homeowner with a Billy Graham Training Center Bible signed by the team.
Among those serving at Phil’s house was volunteer Cheryl Redmon from Indiana.
“The reason I’m here is to serve the Lord any way I can,” she said.
When the volunteers finished working at Phil’s property, Cheryl led the team in prayer asking God to continue working in Phil’s life. She said the opportunity to meet homeowners face-to-face and share the hope of the Gospel is what motivates her to serve.
“What better thing can you do with your life?” she said.
Across Three Rivers, Union City, and Edwardsburg, volunteers continue serving families affected by the storm—clearing debris, repairing homes, and sharing the hope found in Jesus Christ with many facing difficult days ahead.
The work also continues in Mississippi and Louisianna after winter storm Fern hit earlier this year. Please consider serving those communities as well. Continue to pray for communities who are building back and especially for Jessica, and others like her, who have given their life to Christ.
