“The providence of God ignites praise” says Dockery
Below is an email message I received from Ben Dockery, son of President Dockery and Campus Minister at Union University. He gave me permission to share this with you. Please continue to lift up in prayer and refresh the hearts of those involved through words of encouragement and support.
My friends,
“I watched heroes do what heroes do…”
That was the name of one of the best ‘journal’ entries I have ever written. At 3:15 a.m., about 8 hours after we stormed onto campus minutes after the skipping tornado bounced through campus, I sat in bed after visiting recovered students in the hospital and thought with my keyboard. Unfortunately, my computer died forty minutes into the streaming, and I lost the entry.
But here is a brief summary:
We happened to be some of the first to land on campus, and we crashed into a light pole laying across the road as we arrived. Julie and I told each other, “I love you”, kissed, and then dodged overturned cars and splintered power lines until we reached the rubble. As we did, a frightened line of girls fled from their dorm rooms toward a standing structure across campus. Julie pealed off and joined the girls to keep them safe. Immediately, I saw about eight or ten guy students with torn shirts and bleeding faces and a look of determination. They were going to get there friends out from underneath the twisted rebar, crumbled cinder block and soaked splintered wood. For the next four hours, we made instant decisions and somehow, the students all survived. I truly did not believe that we knew where all the students were much less that they would survive.
They did. Two stud fireman, one named John – a guy I knew ten years ago and another stud who was also medically trained named Dallas. They barked out orders and pulled and pushed and cut and slipped on rocks and passed out bodies on stretchers and did not flinch. They were unorganized and acted without having all the floor plans and did
what heroes do – saved lives.
Thank you for your prayers, the clean up process is a beast, and then sometime next week, my real job starts–directing the Ministry to the Campus for the next semester. I have not let myself think about it more than ten seconds, but it looms. God has been good. Grace abounds in our mistakes. Peace rules my heart these days, and I am grateful. The providence of God ignites praise. I am so thankful for all of you, and your support. I really do tear up when I hear or read your messages – prayers. Keep them coming.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ben
Tags: Destruction, Prayer Request, Providence, Union University
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February 9, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Thank you so much for sharing that, and thank you Ben for what you’re doing and will do in the days ahead.
T, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve linked to this post in a compilation post about the past week. Inspired by another blogging UU alum, I also posted a list of personal UU memories.
May God bless her and her people forevermore.
February 9, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Fresh Girl,
Don’t mind it at all. I hope there is something in there helpful for those interested.
February 10, 2008 at 12:26 am
Thank you for sharing Timmy. A good reminder for me to continue praying for them.
Angie
February 10, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Dear Timmy and Ben:
Our family’s prayers are with the leadership, faculty, and student body of Union University. Our daughter is a member of another student group of Union, that while not residing on the campus yet, still was absolutely devastated by the news of the tornado… the high school seniors that have already been accepted into the 2008 Freshman Class. We want to do everything we can to help in the recovery effort.
After contributing financially, is there anything this new group of Union students can do as volunteers? I know that Dr. Dockery has SO MANY more pressing decisions to make, but my husband and I admit to being a little concerned concerning the fall semester. Again, our family wishes to help any way we can, and are willing to volunteer this summer if needed. Do you know if any plans have been discussed to contact the newly accepted students?
Soli Deo Gloria,
Carl and Elizabeth Watkins, and Emily (Union’12)
February 10, 2008 at 3:08 pm
We did want to clarify our cause for concern; it is just the reassurance that the fall semester will be “open for business”. Emily realizes that we all must focus on the “bare essentials” for the next year, at least, and she said she is willing to sleep in a tent if necessary. However, we do realize that housing the students long term is going to be a serious challenge. If these high school seniors have not applied to any other college, and they will be affected in the fall, we would need to know as soon as possible, if other arrangements need to be made, because of registration and financial aid deadlines. Of course, we are in prayer that alternative plans will NOT have to be considered!!!
SDG,
Elizabeth
February 10, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Dear Elizabeth,
From what I understand, the Spring semester will continue and be completed with the “essentialist” approach–that is, doing everything essential for the recovery and recommencing of the Spring classes. Last word is that class will resume on the 18th.
Regarding the Fall semester, I am quite confident that the school will be back in full swing. Although the damage is significant, the administration is already executing a five-step plan to rebuild with both a short and long term strategy. I do not think that the Fall semester will have the “essentialist” approach that they are currently undertaking for the Spring semester.
The financial needs are great, as well as the volunteering. In order to streamline the efforts, I would encourage you to check with the official UU communications at UURecovery website. It is:
http://uurecovery.blogspot.com/
From one who is a former student of a Baptist college and one who has grown to appreciate the excellence in education found at Union, I can say that there is not another school I would recommend to your children. If anything, I think the events of this past week will only make UU stronger as we have already seen the caliber of students through the lens of their testimonies this past week.
One thing to remember is that is has not been a week since the tornadoes hit, and right now they are still dealing with the immediate needs which loom large over them. Your concerns are no doubt really important to them, and I am sure you are not alone with your questions. I would just encourage you to give them a little time to assess the situation as they prioritize their responsibilities. As a concerned parent, I understand that you are currently needing to make decisions while planning for the future, and I, along with you, hope and pray that Union will be a part of it. Thanks for sharing your concern, and I will be sure to pass it along.
Grace and peace,
Timmy
February 10, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Timmy, you have been very reassuring, thank you! We have already been following the updates on the UUrecovery website and are amazed at the support and progress. We haven’t even considered another school, and that was the reason for our concern. We are 100% committed to Union, and will continue to pray and support Dr. Dockery and his team!
Elizabeth
February 10, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Nice post, Timmy. Tell our brother how much I appreciate this word of encouragement and his service at Union.
February 13, 2008 at 10:17 pm
[...] at the Gate: Update from Union University A couple of days ago I shared a word from by good friend Ben Dockery who has been emailing updates to his family and friends. With his [...]