Van, TX Update -- May 20, 2015

It was a "terrible privilege" for Hope Force International [HFI] to serve an area that was once home to many of our HFI staff. Eight of our current full-time Hope Force staff raised their families in the small community of Van, Texas. This disaster is personal for us, and for each one, it is "family" that we came alongside. Many of the households we served were former co-workers in Mercy Ships. 

HFI Reservists David O'Connor, his daughter Nikki and wife Francine (who is a HFI staff member), are residents in nearby Lindale.  The following report details what occured in Van, and the O'Connors' experience:

At 9pm Sunday, the strongest tornado since 1943 hit Van, Texas with formidable winds. Two are confirmed dead, 43 hospitalized and eight still missing. The lawn of what used to be the intermediate school is scattered with shards of glass and long, twisted strips of metal and plastic. The building's windows are blown out, and debris hangs in a mangled mess on the windowsills. The roof has been severed from the walls.

As the sun came up on Monday morning, search dogs were on location searching for missing people. Local residents were out assessing the damage to their own properties and checking on neighbors. ?It looks like seeing your entire childhood destroyed,? residents told CNN on Monday. Approximately 30% of the town suffered damage ? Van covers some 3 square miles and is home to more than 2,300 people.

HFI staff member, Francine O?Connor, and Reservist Nikki O?Connor arrived on the scene the morning after the tornadoes ripped through the area. ?The sound of helicopters flying overhead was evident, shocked residents were walking around, some were clearly dazed,? Francine reported. ?The wind had subsided but there was still a light rain.  People realized contents of neighbor?s homes were in their front yards from blocks away.?

Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Chuck Allen said between 50 and 100 homes were damaged. The elementary school and intermediate school had "significant damage." National Weather Service personnel arrived Monday to assess the damage and determine the strength of the storm.

?There was quite a bit of confusion on the ground,? continued Francine, ?which is typical for this type of disaster. It was a great privilege to offer comfort to people who were clearly shaken. Several people offered homes for a command center for those involved in the relief efforts. The Salvation Army was already in place and Hope Force has teams on the way. We could see people?s personal belongings strewn around. It?s very personal as many ministry members live here. These are the homes of our friends that have been hit by this tornado.?

Van and neighboring Lindale are home to a number of national and international ministries. Hope Force founders, Jack and Cherie Minton sensed their calling to pioneer Hope Force International while living in Van. Craig and Beckie Snow, also former residents, deployed and lead the HFI efforts.

?All of these ministries in the area have shown mercy and compassion to those in need,? Francine said. ?Our hope is that now it will be time for others to give back and allow those who have served with their lives to receive help. I would anticipate a massive response due to the strong sense of community and the number of ministries in the area." 

While HFI's direct recovery efforts have ended, our prayers continue to be for healing and recovery for our friends in Van. 

OneNewsNow Article on Mercy Ships & Hope Force International Ministries serving one another.