From Brian Wagner, HFI Disaster Coordinator, Central U.S.: "I began serving with Hope Force International in 2006 in Biloxi, MS. I guess you could say I was hooked at first bite. But it was 2013 where I realized the heart of Hope Force that really propelled me to come on staff in 2015, and then again in 2020. I was serving in a church in Edmond, OK when a tornado hit the town of Little Ax on May 19th— just southeast of Oklahoma City...and the damage was immense. Local organizations responded with speed and force. Then May 20th brought a large tornado right through the city of Moore, OK. With all the news media covering the devastation in Moore, Little Ax was left to fend for itself as national response agencies quickly made their way west.
When Hope Force arrived, and I met Jack and Joey for the first time, their desire was to seek out the forgotten of Little Ax. There was an intentional direction towards those who were no longer receiving help. This has been a key component to the DNA of Hope Force that I have seen time and time again; a desire to serve the marginalized, the forgotten, the unseen.
Today, I sit here on my air mattress 3 miles south of Seminole, OK, where each day I hear from Emergency Management the plea for assistance. With only a few organizations here on the ground, there is a sense from the community that they are unseen. Recent updated estimates show over 150 homes with roof damage. The widespread damage is too much for the town itself to handle, though the determination and grit shown amongst the community is a testimony to the slogan, “Oklahoma Strong.”
We have decided that we need to stay another week, doing all we can to bring the most good to the most people. Would you please prayerfully consider joining us here in Seminole? Join us in expressing with our presence, 'You are seen, and we are here!'
If you are able to respond to this call for help, please click the sign up link below and fill out the form. For any questions, contact Connie Hasty at deployment@hopeforce.org. Of course, we’d love to have you for the entire time, but we can accommodate you...even if only for a few days.
