ORR was blessed with another chance to minister to our Gracious L-rd in Thurman Iowa last weekend.
Fifteen precious Souls joined together from Omaha, Glenwood, Fremont and Hancock ... to bring Hope, service and fellowship to our neighbors in tornado-torn southwest Iowa.
After arriving in Thurman, we made contact with the Emergency Operations Center located in the town hall. We were directed to the area(s) of greatest need within the community and then mapped out a two-pronged attack to help this devastated community.
One Team of five went to the school/community center to pick up debris and 'rake' the grounds with our wheeled magnet [the community leaders were so blessed that we brought it] to remove the staples, nails, screws and other hazardous debris that could really cause injury to Thurman's youth.
The other Team of ten went into the yards of the hardest hit areas and began cleanup there. We removed debris, salvaged personal belongings, piled wood, metal and
construction debris into separate piles to be removed with larger equipment ... and cut down many 'widow-makers' (damaged/dead trees branches that could possibly fall and hurt someone).
We went from one yard/home to another, making contact with the owners and asking about their specific needs. The residents were so grateful for our help ... it was such a blessing when we could work along with them and have an important time of fellowship!
The very first young man that we contacted (G-d sent us to) said he didn't need any help ... so we continued to each adjacent property and worked our way through the affected areas.
As the day progressed, we cut UP and cut DOWN many trees ... Brian and Coletta were like buzz saws with their equipment. Good thing we had the 'muscle' to keep up with them!
After taking a early afternoon break (thanks to the Salvation Army for lunch and refreshments!), we continued with the two Teams returning to their respective venues.
When the school Team finished, they made their way to the city park where they removed debris so that the Thurman community will have a hazard-free area to picnic and relax.
The 'tree-cutting' Team met them at the park and we were directed back to the first house that we were sent to earlier that morning.
I wasn't sure why Thurman's Mayor directed us back there, because it appeared that most of the work had been done. Well, we soon realized that G-d had a Purpose for us to go there.
This house had taken a direct hit from the tornado and the older couple that was living there had miraculously lived. We were told the man of that house had been hospitalized, but he and his wife were now staying at their son's house next door.
That son was the very same man that we first contacted, who didn't want any help!
When he was asked about his parent's property, he said there was still a few things that needed to be done. As we were walking with him he started to tear up as he recounted the storm and how he could barely get his sons (one in a wheel chair - paralyzed) downstairs and (when he could) get back up to help his parents ...who were crawling out from under the debris into the flooded yard.
He really opened up as we walked around his parent's property.
It was a harrowing experience that obviously took a mental and emotional toll on him. His parents are now staying with him and his dad is recovering from surgery.
It was a wonderful blessing to have two other IFOC Chaplains (Deb and Sandra) there with us ... to talk with the victims, observe their mental and emotional state ... and pray with them.
After we finished at that location we continued to other locations (after conferring with the EOC again) ... and continued to remove more debris and clean up yards.
It was a beautiful day to soak in all that our L-rd had planned; and work with other Saints of G-d to serve our brothers and sisters in Fremont County, Iowa.
We will continue to be in contact with Thurman's Mayor and the Fremont Emergency Coordinator for any additional needs that may have. Also, we will keep in contact with the young man (and his family) who opened up
to us after he first denied our help.
Thanks so much for all of the prayers for our team and the residents of that area ... we were all blessed and honored to serve our Living Word and Father!
blessings and Love to you all,
ken
