On May 25th, 2016, a violent EF-4 tornado tore through the country side in rural North-Central Kansas along Interstate 70 near the towns of Solomon, Abilene, and Chapman. The tornado first touched down North of Solomon at the Deweese family residence, leaving little more than a foundation and a few standing walls. Perry and his wife Jan, rode out the storm in a closet–one of the few rooms left standing in the home the couple had built themselves.
For Perry and Jan, the tornado was just one of three devastating events in a six month period. A terminal illness diagnosis for Perry, and a heartbreaking accidental loss of a daughter-in-law both preceeded the storm by just weeks. The entire Deweese family remains in shock as a result of these three tragic events.
In the winter of 2017, ONE FAMILY ONE PURPOSE served as the hands and feet of Jesus to Perry, Jan, and the entire Deweese family. Generous donors from all across the midwest contributed to help fund the building materials for the couple’s home, while talented volunteers arrived in Kansas to put their skills to use.
