The Ministry of No Rhyme or Reason

As part of his long career with the United States Postal Service, John Kelley knows every street in Mountain Grove. After retiring as Postmaster in 2014 he wanted to give back to his community. This former lay-pastor opened up No Rhyme or Reason in 2016, the only store in the area that provides affordable furniture and appliances to its residents. If everyone could do a little more, we could end this poverty, says John.

This project was for the 70th Missouri Photo Workshop in Mountain Grove, Missouri in September of 2018.

Early morning mist envelopes the street before No Rhyme or Reason opens its doors.

Early morning mist envelopes the street before No Rhyme or Reason opens its doors.

John Kelley and his employee Kytle Gibson work closely together throughout the day. “I want to do more,” John says. “I want this to become a living, breathing thing.”

John Kelley and his employee Kytle Gibson work closely together throughout the day. “I want to do more,” John says. “I want this to become a living, breathing thing.”

Employees and visitors gather inside the store, talking about this week’s news.

Employees and visitors gather inside the store, talking about this week’s news.

John’s measuring tape and gloves on the floor of his truck. “I gear up. I work. I want to get my cardio up again.”

John’s measuring tape and gloves on the floor of his truck. “I gear up. I work. I want to get my cardio up again.”

John looks through a trailer of furniture, figuring out pricing for what he can buy and sell in his store.

John looks through a trailer of furniture, figuring out pricing for what he can buy and sell in his store.

John brings friends in the backdoor of his store, to look at a stall that he rents on a monthly basis.

John brings friends in the backdoor of his store, to look at a stall that he rents on a monthly basis.

A queen mattress from No Rhyme or Reason is delivered to a Mountain Grove resident who is a recent transplant from Chicago.

A queen mattress from No Rhyme or Reason is delivered to a Mountain Grove resident who is a recent transplant from Chicago.

Jared Merchant and Jon King, help load furniture from a Mountain Grove resident who’s decided it’s time to move out of her home.

Jared Merchant and Jon King, help load furniture from a Mountain Grove resident who’s decided it’s time to move out of her home.

Local resident Danielle’s new cabinet is delivered from No Rhyme or Reason as she hears about some new acquisitions. She decides to come to the shop the next day to take a look.

Local resident Danielle’s new cabinet is delivered from No Rhyme or Reason as she hears about some new acquisitions. She decides to come to the shop the next day to take a look.

Four-month-old Dawson lights up as he sees his Grandpa for the first time that evening. “I feel such a bond with Dawson. I was the only one who could get him to sleep in the middle of the night,” says John.

Four-month-old Dawson lights up as he sees his Grandpa for the first time that evening. “I feel such a bond with Dawson. I was the only one who could get him to sleep in the middle of the night,” says John.

After two deliveries, one estate pickup and a garage clean-up, John rests for a moment before he heads out for another furniture assessment for an old friend. “The Lord spoke to me and said he was going to give me the desires of my heart,” said John.

After two deliveries, one estate pickup and a garage clean-up, John rests for a moment before he heads out for another furniture assessment for an old friend. “The Lord spoke to me and said he was going to give me the desires of my heart,” said John. “I want to see this whole town completely renovated and changed.”