Continuing Tornado Relief

Another deployment of Hope Force Reservists recently returned from Joplin in response to the F5 tornado that swept through the area just over a month ago. Team members worked in partnership with the Salvation Army at a variety of locations in Joplin on what was for most, a week-long deployment.*  Some worked at The Oasis, a tent where computer access, food and drink, and emotional and spiritual care were provided. The Oasis also served as a base for post-disaster social services and government organizations such as FEMA.

Other Reservists spent their time at the Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) Distribution Center -- a store providing hygiene items, food and clothing to disaster victims free of charge. The EDS building was a Salvation Army thrift shop before the store was moved to a new location in Joplin. Unfortunately, that new store was completely demolished in the tornado, so the disaster response took place at the old location, which required considerable reorganization to be fit for the task.

Hope Force staff member, Francine O'Connor was among those who helped organize and distribute supplies at the EDS center. Though she has only been on staff since October of last year, Francine has over 30 years of experience in the humanitarian arena and now helps coordinate the Hope Force Child Sponsorship Program for Sous Savanne, Haiti.

Francine acquired her interest in global humanitarian needs while growing up in the city of Geneva, Switzerland, where her father worked at the United Nations and her mother at the UNHCR - United Nations High Commission for Refugees. As a young woman, she joined the first crew of the Mercy Ships Anastasis, a hospital ship designed to bring much-needed healthcare to developing nations. Altogether, Francine spent 15 years living on board the ship.

While working overseas, Francine met her husband David, and together they worked in Public Relations by arranging the details of the ship's visits before it reached port. The couple later settled down in Texas. Currently, both are working for Hope Force, Francine as a manager for the Child Sponsorship Program, and David as an independent marketing consultant.

"Working in Joplin, I was reminded of what a blessing it is to be able to serve others in a very hands-on, practical way," Francine said. "I really enjoyed working alongside the other Hope Force Reservists and volunteers on this trip. They were an awesome group of people. We were able to enjoy each other, sharing a lot of laughter even in the midst of a tragic situation."

On the Joplin deployment, nearly everyone who Francine came in contact with was affected by the tornado, including several who had lost everything in the storm. She commented that "There were a number of opportunities to listen to people's stories one-on-one as they processed their losses. I was deeply moved as we saw the scenes of utter devastation and met people who had lost their homes or suffered injuries through the tornado."

Even in the short time Francine was in Joplin, God's provision was apparent. In one instance, the Reservists were preparing to book a long day in order to get supplies moved and reorganized at the EDS center before their deadline. An hour before the store closed for the day, a baseball team traveling through Joplin on their way to a game stopped at the store unexpectedly. The team of 24 athletes quickly moved a large portion of the supplies, saving the Hope Force and Salvation Army workers a great deal of time and effort. On another day, a man certified to operate a forklift unexpectedly arrived the day after the other volunteer forklift driver - HFI Reservist Brett Johnson - had left.

"The most amazing provision was having the right people there to fill the right positions, walking through the door to volunteer just as we needed hands," Francine said. "Even though our service in Joplin has ended, we are conscious that it is still a disaster zone. There is a significant need for people to step in and volunteer, but we know that God's provision will continue."

* Hope Force International is a national partner of the Salvation Army, with a signed Memorandum of Understanding that provides a protocol for partnership in times of significant disaster events.