Relief for the Marcon Family

By Stephanie O'Connor

A week after EF-4 and EF-5 tornadoes took dozens of lives in central Oklahoma, Hope Force International has launched recovery efforts to assist those affected by the storms. An assessment team arrived Saturday and was followed by Reservists from across the country. Because the city of Moore has received extensive press coverage and is now saturated with relief workers, HFI chose to focus on the Newalla region, which lies 20 miles east of Oklahoma City.    

On their first work day in Newalla, the assessment team applied tarps to the roof of Jason and Kerrie Marcon?s home. The Marcons? house is the first on a street that Hope Force plans to evaluate in the coming days. Although severe destruction was not immediately apparent, their entire roof had to be tarped to avoid internal damage.   

On the day of the tornado, the Marcons followed the storm?s progress on the news until they realized it was time to seek shelter in a storm cellar. As Jason and Kerrie drove to a friend?s house with their three children, softball-sized hale began to fall. ?We thought the storm was going north, but it turned at the last minute. We left our house right before it came. We were going south, but then we saw the tornado start up in the distance.?

The Marcons made it safely to their friend?s house, where they got their children into the storm cellar before coming out to watch the tornado. At the time, they had no idea the storm would pass so near to their home. ?We were so lucky ? the inside of our house is fine,? said Kerrie. ?We did have a big tree hit our truck and graze the roof of the house. But there was no water damage inside. We plan on putting in our own storm cellar after this.?

Among those who worked on tarping the Marcons roof was HFI Reservist Joey Stoltzfus. Joey completed Reservist training last April and assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac on his first deployment. Originally from Ohio, Joey served YWAM Ukraine for seven years with his wife and five children. The family plans to move to Nashville by the end of June to become more involved with Hope Force. ?We saw the need, looked at our skillsets, and realized that it was a good fit,? Joey said.  

During devotions on the morning after the Marcon family?s roof was completed, Joey shared with the rest of the team about navigating spiritual storms in the wake of a natural disaster. He read Psalm 107:28-31, ??they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.?

Joey explained, ?Landing in the first few days after a storm, you try to keep calm, cool and collected. You have to stay focused on the big picture. When we walk and climb and swing a hammer today, let the Holy Spirit be the shock absorbers on this bumpy road.?

As survivors and relief workers begin the process of rebuilding after last week?s tornadoes, please pray for the Lord?s guidance in navigating the storm that affected thousands across central Oklahoma. If you would like to join Hope Force in the recovery effort, contact Sue Duby at dubys@hopeforce.org.