Independence Couple Draws on Mission Trip Experiences in Light of Repeated Power Outages

Independence Couple Offers Unusual Perspective on Repeated Power Outages

INDEPENDENCE, MO – Power outages rolled over the city on Monday, affecting cities all over the metro. The numbers reduced significantly by evening. The high winds disrupted utilities just as they had caught up from outages caused by a storm in the previous week. Overgrowth, contributing to the issue, resulted in complaints from residents in areas such as Raytown. A notable situation of power insufficiency occurred in the Country Meadows neighborhood located south of US-40 and Lee’s Summit Road.

Half of Power-less Homes in One Neighborhood

Approximately half out of over 1,000 homes without power in Independence resided in Country Meadows. As Independence Power and Light updated their outage numbers significantly, people’s comments on the city’s social media pages fluctuated between outrage for not getting clear estimates of power return and gratitude towards workers working on the Memorial Day holiday for their efforts. However, one couple, Bill and Mary Denman, had a unique take on the whole situation.

An Unusual Outlook

“When the power went, one of my first thoughts was, this is temporary, and I reflected back on our trip to Nicaragua where we built an entire village for people,” said Mary. In 2002, the couple went on a mission trip with Project Hope to Nicaragua, an experience that significantly altered their perspectives on life. With no access to plumbing, electricity, or running water, they built houses for people, drastically improving their living conditions from tar paper shacks.

The Underlying Inspiration

This outlook was mirrored in their response to the power outage. The sight of their local Hyvee store full of food brought Mary to tears, deeply touched by their privilege. Upon retirement, the couple started doing domestic disaster services, working with Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief and making 22 trips to eight states. They provided aid in hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and flood-affected regions. They even sold a cherished piece of property, a 1938 Ford Coupe, to purchase useful equipment for these relief trips.

Continuing to Contribute

Despite glaucoma intervening his vision, 84-year-old Bill is not ready to stop building a positive impact on the world around him. The couple managed with the power outages using a small generator and tried to stay cool inside their home. They sympathized with the frustration in their neighborhood and acknowledged that not everyone could afford a generator or replace spoiled food, emphasizing accountability’s significance while also remaining thankful in their circumstances.

Significant Message

Building on the situation, Bill stated, “Everybody concentrates on their own little life and the effect that the world around them has on them. Take into consideration the effect that you can have on the world around you.” Despite their own discomfort with the power outages, the Denmans brought an unusual yet inspirational perspective to the table, reminding us of the vast inequities in the world and prompting those more fortunate to exercise gratitude and extend a helping hand to others.