While America celebrated Valentine's Day on Thursday, I was part of a team who traveled to aid people affected by a tornado (or a really huge storm).

First stop for petrol. In South Africa, car attendants still pump petrol and receive a tip for doing so. I've never seen women as the attendants. It's about 100 degrees and they are wearing skirts and pantyhose. Too funny.

After more than 4 hours in the taxi, we arrived at our destination: Tugela Ferry, in KwaZulu Natal.

First stop was the pastor's house to survey the destruction of the Lutheran Church, which is located on his property.

Pastor Thwala explaining the scope of the damage and that 6 people died from this storm. Just a few hours ago another body was found 125 Kilometers downstream.

American short-term mission Jessica is followed by Mrs. Gule and Pastor Gule.

The roof of the church

The only standing wall.

Building made of stone, mud and wood... many, many, many years ago.

The terrain is quite different here than Ntshongweni, where I serve as a missionary. Very arid with large rocks and wide open spaces. This reminded me of something out of Disneyland, including the goat.

Ginger, my ministry partner motioning how the tornado lifted the roof right off the church.

Thick walls but couldn't withstand the storm.

Only four pews survived out the twelve.

Pastor Thwala's best friend and our taxi driver Khulekani resting in the shade.

The pews that didn't make it :(

Our hostess Mrs. Gudi.

Graciously served soda.

Next stop the site of the damage. The government gave the families tents. It's summer in South Africa and this day it was near 100 degrees.

Hard to image a disaster without insurance or the Red Cross or FEMA leading a helping hand.

These homes were near the river and the water washed everything in its path away.

This happen years ago and the government told the people not to build there again.

This boy is doing his laundry in the river.

Wringing out the water

These girls shouted, ' Shoota, shoota'.

I think she is wearing a blouse for a shirt - clever.

This boy also wanted his picture taken. His name is Innocent, a common name here.

Over a one way bridge - there are many rivers here.

With no lights or anything to indicate whose turn it is to cross - they just figure it out.

After seeing the damage and the families, who don't have insurance or any type of government aid, we headed to the store to purchase a month's worth of food for six families.

We have Spar grocery store too in Hillcrest, where I stay.

Pastor Thwala put me on rice detail. Six 10K bags, Zeal and wait over there!

Leader of the pack... on his phone as per usual.

Time to ring up: 6 cartons of 18 eggs, 6 bags of rice, 6 bags of brown sugar, 6 bags of potatoes, 6 bottles of oil, 6 bags of sugar beans, 6 bags of rice.

Lot's of food

Jessica helping out

Total 2204.64 = $250

A generous donation from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida

Pastor's wife grew up in this community and he called his sister-in-law to pop over to see him.

Then employees magically showed up to transfer the food from our trolleys to dolly's and other carts.

While in the store nearly every women was wearing a square piece of fabric on her back. I thought it was a religious organization or uniform. I asked Pastor and the answer is... it is traditional dress.

Two empty dolly's and Spar employees.

Khulekani waited in his taxi - sitting backwards in the passenger seat???

Food everywhere, Ginger lost her space for her feet.

Back at the riverside to unload all the wonderful food.

Six piles

Everyone helping out

The piles grew with food and love.

Potatoes for this family

Getting Huge

Finally, all set to call the families over. Now mind you that these are random families. They don't belong to the Lutheran Church - they just are in shock having lost everything and in desperate need of Jesus and some food.

This is true mercy.