Here’s the OKC Scout team
A ministry of Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley
Working with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
April 27 – May 4
The Tornado Outbreak of May 20, 2013
A tornado outbreak occurred during the afternoon and evening hours of May 20, 2013 and was the last day of a three-day stretch of significant severe weather. This event also produced the most deadly and devastating tornado of the year for Oklahoma and the United States.
Several supercell thunderstorms developed during the early afternoon of May 20th along a dryline in central Oklahoma. One of these storms developed near Chickasha and rapidly intensified, producing a tornado which touched down at 2:56 PM CDT on the west side of Newcastle. The tornado became violent within minutes, then tracked east-northeastward across the city of Moore and parts of south Oklahoma City for about 40 minutes before finally dissipating near Lake Stanley Draper. The tornado caused catastrophic damage in these areas, and was given a maximum rating of EF-5. The tornado claimed 23 lives, injured scores of people, and caused billions of dollars in damage. – National Weather Service
On the heels of seven blessed trips to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Lord has called us for a different relief effort in 2014. This year, a scout team of 12 men and women will be sent to Central Oklahoma with the purpose of assessing the feasibility of sending future relief teams to the area. Our goals will be 1) to establish relationships with local churches and relief organizations and 2) to share the love of Jesus with those affected by the devastation by partnering with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to do whatever construction or refurbishment work is needed.
God has selected this team of men and women who have served on prior year’s teams and we are grateful to be able to serve again. The team, however, recognizes that this trip is made possible by people who stand beside us and support us through prayer, encouragement, and financial contributions (we will need about $10,000 to defray the cost of this trip for the entire team).
If God is calling you to support us, please consider our prayer requests: (1) unity among the team members so we can work cooperatively together, as well as with the Habitat for Humanity staff; (2) safe travel to and from the Oklahoma City area, as well as safe travels while we are serving there; (3) protection from injury and illness while working at the construction sites; (4) protection for our families while we are away; (5) good weather that is conducive to working at the construction tasks we are assigned; (6) the building of close relationships with potential partner agencies and churches, and (6) most of all, that God would provide opportunities for us to grow in faith in Him and to share that faith with others we encounter.
If God lays it on your heart to support us financially, we will gladly accept it for use in God’s service, but note that our greatest desire is for your prayers. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to share with you our desire to have your partnership in this endeavor.
In His service,
Chris Chan, Kelly Chan, Art Fong, Pam Fong, Jeff Han, Craig Kakihara, Peter Lau, Lorin Lew, Millie Liao, Gary Murakami, Steve Ogata, Tommy Yamada
Members of the Evergreen SGV 2014 Oklahoma Relief Scout Team
