Importance of our prayer partners

April 29, 2014, 1:15 p.m.

From our archived blog:

Melissa and I have heard many times people say a variation of the following, "I'm sorry all I can do is partner with you in prayer." This is a statement which baffles us especially after yesterday. Yesterday, a tornado came through our town, and by God's grace Melissa, our five children, and our transportation, and myself were all protected from a tornado that either passed directly over our heads or just over from us! Prayer partners whom have been praying for us as we prepare to go to PNG; you are vital to us. Thank you.


Standing on our front porch looking to the right.

Standing on our front porch looking to the right.

Front porch looking straight ahead.

Front porch looking straight ahead.

Front porch looking to the left.

Front porch looking to the left.

Front porch looking to the left.

Front porch looking to the left.

Front porch looking to the left & up.

Front porch looking to the left & up.

Tree across the street in front of the house.

Tree across the street in front of the house.

Wider shot of directly across the street.

Wider shot of directly across the street.

Directly across the street.

Directly across the street.

Front of the house. Covering up a *huge* window. A stray branch from this tree knocked out one of the smallest windows. A few inches to the left (from this view) and it would have knocked out the really big window.

Front of the house. Covering up a *huge* window. A stray branch from this tree knocked out one of the smallest windows. A few inches to the left (from this view) and it would have knocked out the really big window.


Our front door with pieces of leaves pasted to the front.

Our front door with pieces of leaves pasted to the front.

Side yard looking toward Parkway Baptist Church. This is where we were asked to go to be evacuated out of the neighborhood.

Side yard looking toward Parkway Baptist Church. This is where we were asked to go to be evacuated out of the neighborhood.

Side of the house.

Side of the house. 

From the side of the house.

From the side of the house.

Window that was cracked.

Window that was cracked.

Side yard.

Side yard.

Neighbors behind us.

Neighbors behind us. 

Humongous tree next to our house. It fell next to it rather than on it.

Humongous tree next to our house. It fell next to it rather than on it.


Back of our house looking toward a different neighbor.

Back of our house looking toward a different neighbor.

The corner of the back of the house.

The corner of the back of the house.

These branches on their side are taller than the house.

These branches on their side are taller than the house.

Other side yard. Clayton Ave is one house over the the left of this picture.

Other side yard. Clayton Ave is one house over the the left of this picture.

Back yard looking at two other neighbors.

Back yard looking at two other neighbors.

Side yard and neighbor's crushed garage and car.

Side yard and neighbor's crushed garage and car.

A better view of the side yard.

A better view of the side yard.

From the front yard looking at our mini-van.

From the front yard looking at our mini-van.

More of our front yard.

More of our front yard.

Front yard with our mini-van.

Front yard with our mini-van.

Our front glass in the living room. Where we were sitting just before the tornado came.

Our front glass in the living room. Where we were sitting just before the tornado came.

Our van escaped without a scratch. In fact I moved the branch on top of the trash. Had the trash can not slid under the branch it would have probably gone through the radiator!

Our van escaped without a scratch. In fact I moved the branch on top of the trash. Had the trash can not slid under the branch it would have probably gone through the radiator!

God was watching over even our transportation.

God was watching over even our transportation.

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Just behind the mini-van. My back is actually against the van.

Just beyond our driveway.

Just beyond our driveway.

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The church just down that street where many people took shelter. Many of their vehicles where destroyed.

The road in front of our house.

The road in front of our house.

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My brother and I walked in to get clothes early the next morning (4/29)

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Down Joyner just past Pinehurst. This is probably a half block over from us.

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Joyner Elementary school.

Joyner Ave.

Walking down Joyner Ave.

Would you consider partnering with us in prayer?

David Smith