Nice one Frank! You have to watch til the end.. 🙂
2015-Day 0:Commissioning, Send-off, a Birthday, Arrival
Commissioning
Most Evergreen Missions team
get sent off with a Commissioning Service, where the team goes up before
the whole church, their supporters (Missionary Support Groups), church
leaders and church staff, go and place their hands on them to pray for
them. It’s mutually beneficial for the team and the church to make this a
spiritual venture.
Yes, we’re on a mission of
mercy and relief for the OKC area, but as pastor Micah prayed for us, we
were reminded of our effort to bring hope both practical and spiritual
to the OKC area.
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| Gary getting prayed for during service, click for the full album |
Send-off
Unlike our trips to Missisiippi, we no longer take red-eye flights, but our flight was near noon. So before a quick dash directly to the airport, a more in-depth prayer session before hitting the road, a quick photo, and we’re off!
Matt’s Birthday
As we were reminded numerous times, it’s one of our teammate’s birthday!
Pam went out and got a Nothing Bundt Cake beforehand, and it was presented to him at the airport
Arrival
Our flight had a slight delay, and a temporarily inoperable lavatory, but we arrived to a cool, but humid OKC.
We reunited with Denise and Paul
Had dinner at The Garage
and headed to Hilltop Baptist, our home for the week.
The thunder rolled, and the lightning striked..
We heard from Pastor Matt about the strong storms they’ve experienced in the area, and we heard his gratefulness when he spoke. Another time where we hear Romans 8:28 being referenced.. here, at home, with the Thailand team.. there’s something going on…
Everything has a reason, and it can work for good.
Here’s today’s (2nd) photo album and video !
2015 Uh, Thanks Tommy…
Tommy just sent this email to the team..
Oklahoma City has had more tornado strikes than any other city in the United States.
117 hours until we’re in the air…Tommy
And…
http://whyfiles.org/2014/tornadoes-strike-again-how-do-they-work/
http://whyfiles.org/2014/tornadoes-strike-again-how-do-they-work/
Please Pray for our friend Mo
Mo, one of the guys that has been part of this ministry since the
beginning, has branched out a bit with other projects that you have to
think are inspired by his service in Mississippi as part of our team.
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| Steve, Peter, Tommy and Mo during the 2012 Mississippi trip |
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| Art, Pam, Carol and Mo during the 2012 Mississippi trip |
He’s spearheaded our first Co-ed team, he organized several teams to the East Coast in response to Superstorm Sandy, and this year, he went to Asia to work with Steve O. on water treatment solutions for those in need.
During part of their visit in this country, Mo slipped and injured himself, fracturing his leg and requiring surgery. He also had an unrelated family emergency.
So we ask if you could remember Mo at this time, as he’s about to head into surgery in a foreign country. Thanks for praying!
Severe Storms in OK!
A quick note from Art/Tom
Pray for Moore. Tornado hit today!
http://www.weather.com/storms/severe/news/severe-thunderstorms-oklahoma-kansas-arkansas-missouri-texas-impacts
Tommy’s Reflections on our previous trips-Part 2
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| Tommy, team fixture |
This is part 2 of Tommy’s reflections on previous years. Part 1 can be found here
2009 – The Brad Holland story. The first two years we had a team of ten
guys. This year we expanded to 21 guys. We also said goodbye to Yankie Stadium, a
Biloxi city football field with concrete bleachers on either side. Days before hurricane Katrina struck in
August, 2005 escrow closed on the stadium as the Salvation Army had purchased
the property with the intention of converting it into a neighborhood youth
center. Instead they enclosed and sealed
each concrete bleacher and built dorm rooms, showers, meeting rooms, a mess
hall and brought in their 18 wheeler mobile kitchen. They contracted for two years with HFHMGC to
provide housing for the many volunteers who came to the Gulf Coast. We spent our first two years at Yankie
Stadium and had many fond memories of the place and the other volunteers we met
there. Now we were staying at SUMA –Seashore United Methodist Assembly – great location – let’s leave it at
that. I remember being somewhat excited
to see that one of the other volunteer groups that would be staying at SUMA was
Mandarin United Methodist Church from Jacksonville, Florida. However, when we went to the orientation
meeting we didn’t spot any other Asians.
At dinner Gary went and asked a group from the Mandarin church if they
had many Chinese in their congregation.
After a few puzzled looks it was finally discovered that their church
name came from their neighborhood in Jacksonville – Mandarin neighborhood in
Duval County, Florida, named after the Mandarin orange.
guys. This year we expanded to 21 guys. We also said goodbye to Yankie Stadium, a
Biloxi city football field with concrete bleachers on either side. Days before hurricane Katrina struck in
August, 2005 escrow closed on the stadium as the Salvation Army had purchased
the property with the intention of converting it into a neighborhood youth
center. Instead they enclosed and sealed
each concrete bleacher and built dorm rooms, showers, meeting rooms, a mess
hall and brought in their 18 wheeler mobile kitchen. They contracted for two years with HFHMGC to
provide housing for the many volunteers who came to the Gulf Coast. We spent our first two years at Yankie
Stadium and had many fond memories of the place and the other volunteers we met
there. Now we were staying at SUMA –Seashore United Methodist Assembly – great location – let’s leave it at
that. I remember being somewhat excited
to see that one of the other volunteer groups that would be staying at SUMA was
Mandarin United Methodist Church from Jacksonville, Florida. However, when we went to the orientation
meeting we didn’t spot any other Asians.
At dinner Gary went and asked a group from the Mandarin church if they
had many Chinese in their congregation.
After a few puzzled looks it was finally discovered that their church
name came from their neighborhood in Jacksonville – Mandarin neighborhood in
Duval County, Florida, named after the Mandarin orange.
Because our group was so large we were split up into
two. My group worked with Irving Spikes,
a local man who starred as a running back, went to the University of Alabama
and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played for them for 4 years. He told me that he learned to be fast by
chasing and catching rabbits in the open fields around his home. The other group worked with Brad
Holland. Brad, a yankee from
Pennsylvania finished college and came to the Gulf Coast like many young
idealistic people to help out with the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast after the
devastation of hurricane Katrina. He
eventually hooked up with HFHMGC and became one of their site supervisors. These site supervisors oversee the volunteers
who work with Habitat. He left a very
favorable impression on the group under his charge and even though I didn’t
meet him that year there would be a growing partnership and friendship in the
years to come.
two. My group worked with Irving Spikes,
a local man who starred as a running back, went to the University of Alabama
and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played for them for 4 years. He told me that he learned to be fast by
chasing and catching rabbits in the open fields around his home. The other group worked with Brad
Holland. Brad, a yankee from
Pennsylvania finished college and came to the Gulf Coast like many young
idealistic people to help out with the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast after the
devastation of hurricane Katrina. He
eventually hooked up with HFHMGC and became one of their site supervisors. These site supervisors oversee the volunteers
who work with Habitat. He left a very
favorable impression on the group under his charge and even though I didn’t
meet him that year there would be a growing partnership and friendship in the
years to come.
There were a couple of takeaways from this third year
Katrina relief team. First, that even if
you have 21 dissimilar guys, if you’re all trying to bring glory to God there
is much unity and joy. Second, if you’re
trying to be a servant of God that people notice. We don’t try and do things for recognition or
our own glory. More than a few times
others commented to Craig that they really appreciated our team’s willingness
to do anything that was asked and their helpfulness in cleaning up and
volunteering for any and everything. No
one really felt they were doing anything unusual, just doing what seemed
normal. It was truly a blessing to
witness this servanthoodness, which isn’t a word but conveys the meaning. “If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom,
learn to be a servant of all.” Matthew
20:26 – (paraphrased)
Katrina relief team. First, that even if
you have 21 dissimilar guys, if you’re all trying to bring glory to God there
is much unity and joy. Second, if you’re
trying to be a servant of God that people notice. We don’t try and do things for recognition or
our own glory. More than a few times
others commented to Craig that they really appreciated our team’s willingness
to do anything that was asked and their helpfulness in cleaning up and
volunteering for any and everything. No
one really felt they were doing anything unusual, just doing what seemed
normal. It was truly a blessing to
witness this servanthoodness, which isn’t a word but conveys the meaning. “If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom,
learn to be a servant of all.” Matthew
20:26 – (paraphrased)
2010 – First Coed team, Paul & Denise. After three years of hearing good reports
from the Katrina Relief Teams, four women wanted in on the action. Mo and Carol led that first coed team and it
was quickly learned that having females on the team made for a much more
engaging group.
from the Katrina Relief Teams, four women wanted in on the action. Mo and Carol led that first coed team and it
was quickly learned that having females on the team made for a much more
engaging group.
All future Gulf Coast
relief efforts would have at least one coed team. This also marked the first time multiple
teams were sent to the Gulf Coast. The
11 person coed team went first followed two weeks later by 15 guys. We also invited our sister church Lifesong to
join us. Their team of eight added much
life to our time, not to mention height. We were also housed at another
different location; Camp Victor in Ocean Springs. Once again we bumped into a group from
Mandarin Church who happened to be volunteering the same week as us. Once again we worked on some new houses in
Connor’s Garden, a new housing tract that HFHMGC was building in Gulfport. Once again we worked under Brad and Spikes. This year however, I mostly stayed on the
ground working on a subfloor as opposed to last year doing roofing. I like the ground.
The biggest difference this year to me was meeting two new
HFMGC staffers, Paul Waters and Denise Rybak.
Denise, from Ohio, after graduating from college was planning on a
teaching career. Before doing her
credential work she decided to do an AmeriCorps stint and eventually ended up
in the Gulf Coast. Paul, originally from
the Gulf Coast, went off to Florida to pursue higher education and perhaps a
higher life (pilot). He felt called to
come back to the Gulf Coast and eventually found his way to a position with
HFHMGC. I remember sitting down with
Paul one day at lunch and having a really heartfelt conversation about life,
faith and destiny. I think he thought I
was much younger than I was and I thought he was older than he was. The fact that he was the same age as my
daughter didn’t really matter as we connected quite easily. Only God knew at the time that five years
hence Peter and I and two others would travel to Cleveland in mid-August to
witness and celebrate the wedding of Paul and Denise. One of the theme verses for our relief teams
has been Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who
builds it.” We’ve seen many houses being
built over the years, but the houses of friendship and fellowship that the Lord
has built during these trips have been the most beautiful and worthwhile.
HFMGC staffers, Paul Waters and Denise Rybak.
Denise, from Ohio, after graduating from college was planning on a
teaching career. Before doing her
credential work she decided to do an AmeriCorps stint and eventually ended up
in the Gulf Coast. Paul, originally from
the Gulf Coast, went off to Florida to pursue higher education and perhaps a
higher life (pilot). He felt called to
come back to the Gulf Coast and eventually found his way to a position with
HFHMGC. I remember sitting down with
Paul one day at lunch and having a really heartfelt conversation about life,
faith and destiny. I think he thought I
was much younger than I was and I thought he was older than he was. The fact that he was the same age as my
daughter didn’t really matter as we connected quite easily. Only God knew at the time that five years
hence Peter and I and two others would travel to Cleveland in mid-August to
witness and celebrate the wedding of Paul and Denise. One of the theme verses for our relief teams
has been Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who
builds it.” We’ve seen many houses being
built over the years, but the houses of friendship and fellowship that the Lord
has built during these trips have been the most beautiful and worthwhile.
2011 – Two week team
2012 – LEEDS Platinum House
2013 – Renovation
2014 – Oklahoma!
2015 – OKC, Here we come!
We’ll be returning to work with COHFH again this year, as they continue their rebuilding of Moore and the surrounding area…
This will be our second year in OKC, and we’re grateful to your participation and prayerful support in helping Moore recover.
We’ll be travelling from 4/26-5/3/2015
Mo(o)re details to come..
2014 Presentation and Video
As one of the last official acts for our trip to Oklahoma City, our team made a presentation to our supporters to let them know what we had learned and experienced while away.
The entire event coordinated by Millie, we enjoyed a lunch of pulled pork sandwiches from our supporters.
Chris MC’d as Lorin, Pam and Peter shared, with a guest appearance from Paul via video.
And of course, Gary’s annual slide show.
Thanks to Corbin for videoing the event.
2014 Slide show
We just had our presentation, one of the last parts of our trip to Oklahoma City. A video of the full presentation with testimonies and commentary will be coming soon, but in the meantime, enjoy the slideshow!
Gary’s slideshows have been a welcome way to summarize our trip, as well as wrap up our presentation. It’s amazing how he captures the spirit and milestones of our trip, those we meet, and those who send us.
This year didn’t disappoint.
Thanks for your work Gary, and to think that you did this right after returning from a long trip. Thanks again!
Moore, OK one year later
It’s been a year
A year ago today, a tornado touched down in Moore, OK.
Lives were lost, many homes damaged and just a little bit more fear came upon a community.
Living in California, it was devastating and horrific to see an elementary school flattened and children separated from their frightened parents. But to live it, to live through it would be hard.
We worked on the very ground that houses had been destroyed. We stood right by a twisted tree that was the only thing remaining from a neighborhood. It affects your heart. It’s no longer abstract, because you stood on the soil.
Oklahoma Strong
Less than a month ago, we had the opportunity to experience “Oklahoma Strong” first hand. We shared and hammered side by side survivors or neighbors of the tornado. We worked in winds that didn’t even cause the locals to blink.
The people of Oklahoma are indeed strong, and they’re trying to pool their strength and resources to weather this and other tragedies that have impacted the area. The community is better able to respond to similar crises, the building codes are stronger so that maybe there will be less tragedies.
Hopelahoma
Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives
But that only gets you so far. There’s only so much you can only convince yourself that everything will be okay, or that your building will be strong enough. There comes a time for faith and hope. As mentioned before, our friends at Crossings Community blessed all of our team with free tshirts “Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives.” And when you look at the shirt, the main thing you see is “Hope Lives.”
And hopefully that’s the main thing the community and we will remember. This is bigger than a tornado, it’s the other challenges that happen to families and communities.
And that’s why we came out. Because our area wasn’t devastated by the tornado, we can come and help. Not just with hammers, but with hope, prayers, concern and sweat. For our team,we still keep our eye on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and think of families and friends met there. Now the same is true for Oklahoma.
And we take pause today a year after a tragic event, and we leave it in the hopeful hands of the One who sent us, our God.