Michigan natives’ symbol of hope brings healing to Southwest Michigan communities impacted by tornados
—
As communities across St. Joseph, Calhoun, Cass and Branch counties begin cleaning up after a massive storm that produced four tornadoes, people from across Michigan are stepping up to support those affected.
Among them is Dan Beazley, a Northville native who travels throughout the state whenever a community is struck by disaster — carrying a giant cross as a symbol of hope.
“All I know is this: I’ve been to a number of these, a number of tragedies. The only thing you can get that’ll get them through it is praying to God and letting him into their hearts, and letting him heal them,” Beazley said.
Beazley visited Union City over the weekend following what authorities say was the deadliest tornado to strike Michigan since 1980. During his visit, he met and prayed with the son of one of the storm’s victims.
“I was able to pray earlier with a young man who had just lost his mom. He had just seen her 30 minutes before that,” Beazley said.
The impact of his visits often lingers long after he leaves, he said.
“A week, a month, even a year later, the community will reach out to me and let me know what the image of the cross meant to them,” Beazley said. “After they reflect on it — days, weeks, months later — they know what the cross really means to them and how that touched their lives.”
As recovery efforts continue, Beazley is urging people across the state to keep storm victims in their thoughts.
“We just need to continue to pray for each other and help each other as much as we can,” he said.
