21
The War Cry | JULY 2013
Just then Pat and Debbie pulled into
their driveway. Pat got out of his truck,
hugged me tight and pointed me to
Debbie, standing with her cane, search-
ing again through debris for personal
photos and mementos.
"We have returned to the Pecan Valley
Community every day. There was Jody,
who was sucked out of her house and
slammed into her neighbor's Jeep so hard
that she had broken bones and bleeding
on the brain. Larry and Shalynn, were
underinsured and now homeless. Shal-
ynn cried as I held
her and prayed for
the brokeness to be
restored not only
on the outside, but
also on the inside.
CJ and Brittany,
a young couple
just starting out,
lost everything.
Catherine and
Robert, an elderly
couple, watched
the storm from
their porch until
it stole rooms,
porches and the
roof from their home.
"We know it wasn't just a chance
encounter with Debbie Bland, but the
Holy Spirit, who showed us the way and
the need on Crown Point Road and sur-
rounding neighborhoods. We've rejoiced
that prayers are being answered for
insurance claims, physical healing and
wisdom for how to begin again."
T
hat Monday, Salvation Army
Sergeant Rob Daniels was offering
services to victims of a tornado that hit
Shawnee, Oklahoma the day before.
New orders rolled in from Emergency
Disaster Services Director Steven
Hartsook: "As soon as it is safe, we
need you in Moore." Upon joining first
A
thin woman asked Major Marion Durham
if she was there to
help tornado victims, and expressed frustration about how the
rural communities of Pecan Valley and Little Axe, which had been
hit with tornadoes Sunday, were forgotten. She was angry, stressed,
and weary. Debbie, her husband Pat and their dog Cricket survived
the storm by retreating to their shelter--along with 10 neighbors,
three more dogs and a cat.
Despite the fact that she has rods in her back and severe nerve damage
in her feet, she'd been searching the dirt and debris for her possessions.
Major Durham promised to visit their community that day.
"At first we found very little damage, then we reached the top of a
hill and saw that the entire valley below was full of destroyed homes.
We began walking the road, helping the people we found, distributing
drinks and snacks while offering hugs, prayers and listening ears.
"We got back into our vehicles and finally Crown Point Road. We
met the Blands' neighbors, who had been in the shelter with them.
Salvation Army Mobile Canteens
roamed the
streets of Moore, Oklahoma. Hot barbecue sand-
wiches and cold beverages were being served
from the trucks' windows, as volunteers walked
the streets, searching for people who looked
like they were in need of hydration.
Cindy Fuller prays with
Eickey as he waits in his
truck to get to what
is left of his home.
Sources:
Reports by Jennifer Byrd, Director of Communications, National
Community Relations Dept.; Jennifer Dodd, Public Information Officer,
Arkansas�Oklahoma; Lindsay Sparks, Director of Development, Tulsa
Metro Area Command
Photo
Lindsay Sparks
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6/17/13 12:33 PM