London prayer vigil honors tornado victims, spreads message of love

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Victims of last week’s deadly tornado were read out loud at London-Corbin Airport on Friday evening.

“We honor those that survived it, but tonight, we want to honor those that we’ve lost in honor of their memory and to know they’ll never be forgotten,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle.

Mass destruction and piles of debris set the scene in the distant background as a disturbing reminder of why people were hand in hand at what’s left of the airport.

“I felt as if God has just put it on my heart to come out and pray for all these families that have lost everything and have nothing left but our support, really,” said 17-year-old Madison Weymers, who lives in Corbin but decided to make the trek to London.

Though much of the airport is gone now, it’s become the epicenter of where donations are pouring in. But on Friday, one week after the tornado ripped through the area, it was prayers that were also being delivered.

“We’re not promised an easy life, but we’re called to lean on Him. We really just want everybody to come out here and be able to pray together and just give glory to Him and be there for one another,” said London Police Department’s Public Affairs Officer Hobie Daugherty.

Kristi Wright is a London resident. She was at the vigil and told FOX 56 that although she didn’t lose her home, she knows people who did. Due to physical limitations, she can’t help move debris, but she can help in other ways.

“When something like this happens and we all come together, we show that there’s still good in the world, that people care about each other,” Wright said. “And we can set, you know, all the differences aside and love on each other.”

Messages of resiliency, remembrance, hope, and, most importantly, love filled the runway.

“This cross behind me stands for something, and that’s love. And in the midst of all this devastation, we’ve seen that same message of love,” Weddle said.

The vigil showcased that although it’s a long path to recovery, a little faith goes a long way.