On Monday May 18, 2013 Oklahoma was ravaged by a tornado. This tornado was one of the worst in recorded history. It was initially categorized as an E4 but upgraded to an E5. The city devastated by this powerful storm was Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado decimated neighborhoods and destroyed schools. It unfortunately claimed 24 lives, 10 of them children no older than 8 year old.
In a disaster like this, there are two kinds of emergency responses. The initial response is called search and rescue. That is when first responders believe people are still alive and they have a greater chance to save the life of the person found. When that portion is over, timeframe is flexible, they move to search and recover. This is when emergency workers search through the debris and see if there is a person to recover. It is called “recover” because that person is beyond the point of being saved and the task now is simply “recover” them.
Now, the long road to a sense of normalcy in Moore begins. A major part of the recovery process for residents is gaining a personal sense that their world is improving. Many cannot get this equilibrium until a shift is made in their mindsets. They need to shift from recovery to rescue. Every individual situation is different, but this fact is in them all: thinking greatly affects the outcome. The Apostle Paul realized this truth and penned, “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
This very important shift happens when we, collectively, help the citizens of Moore know that they are NOT beyond the point of being saved. We can donate, we can volunteer, we can assist in rebuilding, and we can pray.
Please do your part in helping our neighbors and fellowmen.
Brandnu Possibilities 