From two great people in Sterling, Kansas – a place spared by the tornadoes but not the rain this message to Kim:

We are fine and so fortunate. We’re hoping we will be able to help with the clean-up efforts in Greensburg at some point. [italics mine] We’ve had 7-8 inches at the farm. They’ve evacuated Saxman and closed off 56 west of Lyons and 96 south of Lyons. The fields look like ponds and lakes; ducks are actually swimming sides of the roads…such an odd sight. We are just so thankful that Sterling was spared. We stayed up until well past midnight on Friday watching that supercell and monstrous tornado plow through 5 counties. 1-1.5 miles wide…can you even imagine? Our prayers are with the people of Greensburg, Macksville, Trousdale and the surrounding areas. They did find a survivor today under the rubble in Greensburg which gives them hope.

“We’re hoping we will be able to help with the clean-up efforts in Greensburg at some point.” This couple has a farm, their fields – their sustenance – look like ponds and lakes. And what do they write? They write that they are hoping to help others.

Could there be any greater contrast to the Paris Hilton culture than this Kansas Culture? I am not idealizing it. I am not saying it is perfect. But if the Paris Hilton culture is all about me and mine and razzle and dazzle, this Kansas culture is about helping others, about putting others first – about hoping to help others. I’m dazzled. That happens when you experience God.