BACK: Sheldon Traver (Silverton), Devon Cox (Keizer), Jordan Shane (Silverton), Caleb Glaser (Scio), Jim Radakovich (Keizer), Matt Straw (Scio)
FRONT: Steve Kariker (Silverton), Michael Struckmeier (Scio), Dave Driscoll (Salem) NOT PICTURED: Tyler Church who flew to Oklahoma and met up with the team
FRONT: Steve Kariker (Silverton), Michael Struckmeier (Scio), Dave Driscoll (Salem) NOT PICTURED: Tyler Church who flew to Oklahoma and met up with the team
On Saturday May 25, a team of nine men from across the mid-Willamette Valley left to travel to Moore, Oklahoma, to bring help and hope to families who lost their homes and for some, their loved ones. They are connecting with Oklahoma City's Trinity Church of the Nazarene to offer their backs, feet, sweat, hearts and hands to help these people who have lost so much. They were sent with two trailers and two trucks, full of supplies! Thank you, Oregonians, for helping with donations of supplies and money to support their trip!
You can follow the team by checking out Sheldon Traver's Facebook page. You can also learn about the general response of Nazarenes to the disaster by following this link: www.tcnokc.com
You can follow the team by checking out Sheldon Traver's Facebook page. You can also learn about the general response of Nazarenes to the disaster by following this link: www.tcnokc.com
SCN Sends Help to Oklahoma
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Tornado Relief Journal
Day 1 - Monday, May 27
The team went to OKC Trinity Church of the Nazarene where they received information on who was in need of help. The Oregon team was split into two teams. Today, both teams worked together on their first job site. "We are on the first job site on a rural farm outside of Oklahoma City. The owner is an 87-year-old who still farms his own land with his son. Today we cleared the remains of a barn. Tomorrow we will move through his field to clear debris that can damage his tractor." -Sheldon
The team went to OKC Trinity Church of the Nazarene where they received information on who was in need of help. The Oregon team was split into two teams. Today, both teams worked together on their first job site. "We are on the first job site on a rural farm outside of Oklahoma City. The owner is an 87-year-old who still farms his own land with his son. Today we cleared the remains of a barn. Tomorrow we will move through his field to clear debris that can damage his tractor." -Sheldon
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 28
Here are some updates from Sheldon Traver's FB wall:
10am "We are back on site and will start the tree removal project this afternoon. You can see the tree on the house.
We lost a tire on a truck and I'm off to seek out a new one. Our spirits are high and we're ready to tackle whatever God gives us!"
12pm "Finding BF Goodrich truck tires in Oklahoma City right now is not quite a needle in a haystack, but has definitely been a challenge."
12pm "While looking for a tire, I drove through a nearby residential area that was obliterated. The scope of the property devastation cannot be comprehended by photos and video. Homeowners I've met here are struggling, but remain "Oklahoma Strong."
4pm "We found a tiny tornado surviver in the wreckage..."
8 pm "There is a severe weather warning tomorrow that has storm chasers excited. Are we prepared? Of course! Shelter location - check. iPhone app to warn us - check."
Here are some updates from Sheldon Traver's FB wall:
10am "We are back on site and will start the tree removal project this afternoon. You can see the tree on the house.
We lost a tire on a truck and I'm off to seek out a new one. Our spirits are high and we're ready to tackle whatever God gives us!"
12pm "Finding BF Goodrich truck tires in Oklahoma City right now is not quite a needle in a haystack, but has definitely been a challenge."
12pm "While looking for a tire, I drove through a nearby residential area that was obliterated. The scope of the property devastation cannot be comprehended by photos and video. Homeowners I've met here are struggling, but remain "Oklahoma Strong."
4pm "We found a tiny tornado surviver in the wreckage..."
8 pm "There is a severe weather warning tomorrow that has storm chasers excited. Are we prepared? Of course! Shelter location - check. iPhone app to warn us - check."
Day 3 - Wednesday, May 29
Today the team landed in the backyard of Plaza Towers Elementary. The photos speak for themselves. The close of the day brought tornado warnings. "We are buttoned up at Yukon Nazarene and have a plan to head to Southern Nazarene University's shelters if the alarms sound. The trucks will be positioned and ready for an easy exit and shoes on. We're not overly worried but taking precautions." -Sheldon
Today the team landed in the backyard of Plaza Towers Elementary. The photos speak for themselves. The close of the day brought tornado warnings. "We are buttoned up at Yukon Nazarene and have a plan to head to Southern Nazarene University's shelters if the alarms sound. The trucks will be positioned and ready for an easy exit and shoes on. We're not overly worried but taking precautions." -Sheldon
Day 4 - Thursday, May 30
"Today was an exercise in listening...and waiting on God.
We returned to the neighborhood behind Plaza Towers Elementary and continued to move debris from the back of the properties to the front. The volunteer with the Bobcat popped a tire so it was a lot of movement by hand.
We were the first to arrive and it was strange seeing this wasteland and just hearing the warm Oklahoma wind blow through.
By mid-day we had several volunteer teams on site and doing great, but a severe storm warning forced us to retreat back to Yukon. Out here, the weather was fine, but a tornado briefly touched down in Moore. There wasn't any damage that we are aware of...
Please continue to pray for the team. We may be more than halfway done with this trip, but we are far from completing the tasks before us." - Sheldon
"Today was an exercise in listening...and waiting on God.
We returned to the neighborhood behind Plaza Towers Elementary and continued to move debris from the back of the properties to the front. The volunteer with the Bobcat popped a tire so it was a lot of movement by hand.
We were the first to arrive and it was strange seeing this wasteland and just hearing the warm Oklahoma wind blow through.
By mid-day we had several volunteer teams on site and doing great, but a severe storm warning forced us to retreat back to Yukon. Out here, the weather was fine, but a tornado briefly touched down in Moore. There wasn't any damage that we are aware of...
Please continue to pray for the team. We may be more than halfway done with this trip, but we are far from completing the tasks before us." - Sheldon
Day 5 - Friday, May 31
Our team rented a couple of bobcats and finished up a couple of clearing projects in the Plaza Towers Elementary neighborhood. At the close of the day, the weather turned and sever storm warnings took over. Threats of tornados forced our team to hunker down at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Sheldon, working on a project at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, in south OKC, was forced to stay at Trinity to wait out the storms. The severe weather brought hail, high winds, rain and more tornados. By the time it was all over (around 11:30pm), Trinity had suffered a lot of damage; flooding, broken windows, damaged cars, etc. Sheldon spend the night at Pastor Doug's house, and met up with the rest of his team in the morning.
Our team rented a couple of bobcats and finished up a couple of clearing projects in the Plaza Towers Elementary neighborhood. At the close of the day, the weather turned and sever storm warnings took over. Threats of tornados forced our team to hunker down at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Sheldon, working on a project at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, in south OKC, was forced to stay at Trinity to wait out the storms. The severe weather brought hail, high winds, rain and more tornados. By the time it was all over (around 11:30pm), Trinity had suffered a lot of damage; flooding, broken windows, damaged cars, etc. Sheldon spend the night at Pastor Doug's house, and met up with the rest of his team in the morning.
Day 6 - Saturday, June 1
Today the teams helped clear debris from last night's storms. They cleared downed trees from a mobile home park on MacArthur, south of OKC. At the close of the day, they drove to El Reno to survey one of the harder hit areas from last night's severe weather. They viewed sights in El Reno that resembled Moore. Homes flattened. Cars crushed. Today marked the end of the Oregon Tornado Relief Team's journey. They are tired. Tomorrow, they will attend church, have lunch with the kind folks at Yukon Church of the Nazarene, and begin their journey back home.
Today the teams helped clear debris from last night's storms. They cleared downed trees from a mobile home park on MacArthur, south of OKC. At the close of the day, they drove to El Reno to survey one of the harder hit areas from last night's severe weather. They viewed sights in El Reno that resembled Moore. Homes flattened. Cars crushed. Today marked the end of the Oregon Tornado Relief Team's journey. They are tired. Tomorrow, they will attend church, have lunch with the kind folks at Yukon Church of the Nazarene, and begin their journey back home.