Missouri Flood Victims Clean Up With Help From Oklahoma Volunteers

Dan Bewley, News On 6

POPLAR BLUFF, Missouri -- More than a dozen Oklahomans are reaching out to help flood victims along the Mississippi River.

Members of the Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Team are helping people in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, recover from devastating floods.

5/16/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma Baptist Volunteers Help With Missouri Flood Relief

"Just such a blessing," said Ruthie Barr, a Missouri resident.

Barr's home was one of 64 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to flood after nine straight days of rain in late April.

Three weeks later and 13 volunteers from the Oklahoma chapter of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are in town to help clean up.  But that's not the only reason they are there.

"The main reason we're here is to share the love of Christ," Ken Pressley said. "That's first and foremost."

The Oklahoma chapter of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief has committed itself to being in Poplar Bluff for at least three weeks.

"And I appreciate it more than they'll ever know," Barr said. "And I know God's going to bless ‘em."

Knowing their work will make Barr's home safer means the world to the volunteers, but seeing the joy in her face, they say, is what keeps them going.

"She was so grateful to have us come, but we're the ones that get the blessing out of this," one volunteer said.