On April 27th, northern communities in Arkansas felt the desolation of an F4 tornado that swept through towns and untethered houses like strands of rope.
About a hundred and fifty miles south, a group of FCA Huddle leaders at Smackover High School decided to reach into the ravished the town of Vilonia, which had already been beaten down by a twister three years ago, and lift up a few of its residents.
“Once we knew the tornado hit, me and a couple other leaders got together. We knew we wanted to do something for the victims,” explained junior Huddle leader Logan Clark.
David Preston, Smackover High School FCA Sponsor, felt a similar tug for the people of Vilonia. He and Clark met after class and unveiled their burden. “I just felt the Lord was laying it on our hearts to try and help,” he explained.
Damage from the tornado that struck Vilonia, Ar. on April 27.
Preston was put him in touch with John Allison, the faculty FCA sponsor at Vilonia High School. The two discussed service ideas, and when it became apparent there was already a surplus of volunteers for cleanup, Allison proposed a new offer. Many of the families of students lost everything, so he suggested raising funds for a family.
The Clark family instantly came to mind. Not only did they lose everything, but they had already been ransacked by the 2011 tornado. The mother and her two sons were fighting from the bottom up, and the eldest son Bryan, a junior, was questioning God’s concern and personal involvement.
“Naturally you want to be internally strong, but you’re also kind of doubting why God let this happen. Twice,” Danny Rivers, FCA area volunteer, reasoned. “Did I do something wrong, other than living on the wrong block, that made God mad?”
Preston and his leadership team quickly set to work rounding up donations, typing up a letter explaining the family’s plight. FCA leaders spread the word as much as possible. By Monday, several school clubs transferred $600 into FCA’s account.
Donations continued to pour in. Tuesday afternoon, the total raised to $2,500, and an additional $800 came in from the community by the time they left for Vilonia on Wednesday.
On May 7, while President Obama visited Vilonia, Ark., seven students and two faculty members boarded a bus in Smackover, drove more than two hours, and waited in the school library until class let out and the Clarks came in.
“When those two young men walked in, you could see on their faces they were defeated,” said Preston. “They were exhausted, and the clothes they were wearing that day were more than likely clothes someone had donated. They had so much stacked against them.”
Preston introduced the group. “I said, ‘We wanted to let you know that even though we hadn’t met until about five minutes ago, you’re our brothers, we love you, we care about you, and most importantly, that God cares about you and is going to take care of you.’” Clark then presented the check for $3365.63, made out to the boys.
The gift struck Bryan. “The look on his face is one I’ll never forget,” Preston mused. “It went from shock to thankfulness. He couldn’t believe it. His mom was crying, the younger brother was in a state of complete shock, but that young man stood up as soon as we gave him the check, came over and gave me a hug, and went down the line of all our students and gave them a hug.”
Clark acknowledged, “Knowing that boy was struggling with issues in his life and just to help him, that was a big deal to me. We just knew we wanted to be a small piece to help with all the devastation that’s gone through that town.”
Smackover HS Huddle leaders presented a check to the Clark family. Front Row (L to R): Katherine Jerry, Kayla Green, Logan Clark, Bryan & Jacob Clark (VHS students) along with their mom Back Row (L to R): Coach David Preston, Jackson Martin, Cooper Thurmon, Joseph Clark, Tripp Evans, Coach Mikey Moss
Since the visit, additional donations have brought the total to over $5,400. “Every time I think of this I just start laughing,” Preston joyfully reflected.
“There’s no way to explain all that’s come up in such a short amount of time, no way to explain what happened other than God had His hand on it.”
Preston received a text from Allison a few days ago with an update: Just wanted to let you know that every time I've seen Bryan in the halls, he has a big smile on his face. Doesn't seem to be angry anymore.
The text encouraged Preston. “If it helps him realize that yes, bad things have happened, they’ve had as bad of luck as you can have over the past 2-3 years, but God does still care about them and hasn’t turned away, then that’s more valuable than the check we gave them.”
Restoration from the wreckage. God using a group of strangers to send His message to a hurting heart.
Take that, tornado.