Video: ‘The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away’ says Oklahoma tornado survivor (Updated)

Update: Read our blog post about clean-up efforts at Jason Leger’s home in Newcastle, Okla.

Video captured by Jason Leger — before and after a May 20 tornado destroyed his home — has captured international media attention.
Leger, a graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, calmly says “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away” after opening the door to his storm shelter and surveying the damage.
After destroying homes in Newcastle, the tornado moved east into Moore, Okla., where it claimed at least 24 lives. (See our related post.)
Murray Evans, Oklahoma Christian University’s assistant athletic director for media relations, shared photos of the storm as it passed by his home in the southern part of the Oklahoma City metro.

The Moore tornado (Photo provided by Murray Evans)

• Feedback
  Jason serves as a Deacon at the Southwest church of Christ in Oklahoma City. He and his wife Kala have hosted a weekly youth Bible study for over ten years in their home. The loss of their home will affect dozens of teenagers who have also lost a weekly gathering place.

  Josh Bush

  May, 21 2013

  We are praying for you guys.

  Daniel

  May, 21 2013

  Jason Leger,
  What ever our family can do t help, Please let us know!
  The Ramey’s

  Ronnie Ramey

  May, 21 2013

  Yes, it will affect the lives of teens, but in a VERY POSITIVE WAY! Jason and Kala are a wonderful example of a Christian family and what has happened to them is a part of life on this earth. They know and understand that God is taking care of their entire family! Glory! We are not shielded from bad things in our earthly lives, but we are under God’s care for our eternal lives.

  Sydney Greenroyd

  May, 21 2013

  We really cannot imagine what your mind is processing right now. I cannot tell you how pleased we were to hear you give God the credit for keeping your family safe. And to hear the media repeat your very natural response about God in this day of media disdain for our Lord, it is almost without precedent. What a resounding witness for Christ! I know God will bless you and your family as you put your lives back together again.

  Karl Berg

  May, 21 2013

  Please do not assume that I am of little faith when I question a natural tragedy like this. When this destruction and emotional pain is caused by a disturbed and evil person or another religious doctrine, we immediately go about confronting the evil doers. Yet, when it is caused by Nature, if we were not the victims, we say we are blessed and God was looking after us. Even, the victims find something positive to say about God’s role in this disaster. And, I hope I do not have to hear the likes of Pat Robinson or Glen Beck tell us that this is a punishment and a wake-up call to remind us that we have become too distant from God in our lives, and we need to go back to the way things used to be…But, they are forging some facts completely from their memory by thinking the world used to be a more civil place to live. Just think about the past and relive history. Christian ethics have never taken top priority that I know of, but I think we have made some progress. My thoughts and empathy go out to those who were in the path of this natural calamity.

  Hope Rice

  May, 21 2013

  -Disaster Assistance Mission-Moore OK Tornado- I just finished meeting with Elders from Central Church of Christ, 411 S.W. 4th Street, Moore, Oklahoma 73153 We will be working with them on all phases of disaster assistance. We will be doing outreach, meals, food and other supply distribution, cleanup and repairs and volunteer coordination. The church has showers so when the power is back on we will be able to house volunteers. You will need air mattress or cot and you personal items. Supplies are being brought in now and we will be setup serving meals on Friday.

  Disaster Assistance Mission

  May, 21 2013

  Praying for y’all!

  Bach Loan Amis

  May, 21 2013

  Today we are very thankful that yesterday afternoon in Dallas was not as bad as anticipated. The weather conditions were not unlike that in Oklahoma but we only received heavy rains no tornadoes.
  Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Oklahoma and we of Central Christian Church in Richardson have your well being in mind.
  We are all in the body of Christ.

  Ken Kemp

  May, 22 2013

  I just ordered enough supplies to serve 9000 meals this weekend (Fri-Sat-Sun). That is a very big undertaking please keep us and everyone in your prayers. Volunteer and donation information on web site www.disasterassistancecoc.com please share this with all your contacts. Also with the large number of volunteers we have coming, I have ordered a 6 unit shower trailer coming Sunday plus the two at the church give us 8 showers.

  Disaster Assistance Mission

  May, 22 2013