We just returned from a 7-day stay in Joplin, MO. We have several very important reasons to go there; our son Randy, his wife Joy, and their son Quil (10-month old), our son Tim, who rented a house there in preparation for his marriage to Brenda on July 11, and of course we love to spend time with Janet's parents, Rex and Wanda Scoles when we are there. I'm sure that other family members will share their favorite memories of our trip with pictures, but I wanted to take time to share with you about that part of the country.
Joplin in only a few miles into Missouri, and is very near the borders of Kansas, Okla., and Arkansas. This entire region has a mining history, which is the reason that the cities and towns are there. After the civil war Lead and Zinc were found in abundant supply under this area. STRIP mining and UNDER mining were both used to harvest these valuable minerals.
Unfortunately many bad things happened to the environment because of the mining. Ground water contamination and sink-holes are some of the most evident in the modern day Joplin area. As you would expect, the miners were poor, and so many, many homes were built with sub-standard materials and techniques. Many of these homes are slowly falling apart. Sink holes occur in occupied and un-occupied areas. I was reminded of this again yesterday morning as I drove across extreme southeast Kansas; I read the signs posted by beside the modern highway that boldly states "ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK: THIS LAND IS UNDER MINED".
We had a delightful cook-out picnic south of Galena, KS last Monday evening, in honor of Joy's 21st birthday. Galena is one of the most recent locations of a sink hole collapsing right in town last year. Our picnic was at Schermerhorn Park, which has a wonderful hiking trail that we went on.
Joplin in only a few miles into Missouri, and is very near the borders of Kansas, Okla., and Arkansas. This entire region has a mining history, which is the reason that the cities and towns are there. After the civil war Lead and Zinc were found in abundant supply under this area. STRIP mining and UNDER mining were both used to harvest these valuable minerals.
Unfortunately many bad things happened to the environment because of the mining. Ground water contamination and sink-holes are some of the most evident in the modern day Joplin area. As you would expect, the miners were poor, and so many, many homes were built with sub-standard materials and techniques. Many of these homes are slowly falling apart. Sink holes occur in occupied and un-occupied areas. I was reminded of this again yesterday morning as I drove across extreme southeast Kansas; I read the signs posted by beside the modern highway that boldly states "ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK: THIS LAND IS UNDER MINED".
We had a delightful cook-out picnic south of Galena, KS last Monday evening, in honor of Joy's 21st birthday. Galena is one of the most recent locations of a sink hole collapsing right in town last year. Our picnic was at Schermerhorn Park, which has a wonderful hiking trail that we went on.
Picture shows a couple that we came upon, as we hiked on the trail. Aren't they cute, standing by their new home?
I just looked up the facts about Joplin: "The main part of Joplin itself is nearly 75% undermined, with some mine shafts well over 100 feet deep. These mine shafts have occasionally caved in, creating large sink holes."
All of this, along with the evil society that has been prevalent throughout the years of Joplin's existence and certainly still exists, give us much reason for prayer for our children being there - as they attempt to share the good news and of the gospel and the hope available through Christ - to those totally lost in heathen darkness - right there in mid-continent USA. Please join us in praying for them!
