Oklahoma Relief Trip- Reflections on our time in Shawnee

Our team of 13 men, women & children went to Shawnee, Oklahoma, August 12-16th, to assist with tornado relief efforts. We found our way to our destination, a trailer park called Steelman Estates, which had been virtually wiped out on May 20th. Our church sent us with their blessings, prayers, and nearly five thousand dollars in donation funds to use to bless the people of this area.

Most of the clean-up was finished, so members of our team focused on building storage sheds during the week we were there.

We also had the opportunity to walk some of the many dogs that are being housed in a no-kill shelter on the property. We loved these sweet 'orphans of the storm'!

This is Gracie- I wanted to take her home so badly!

While we were there, we met a wonderful group of people, known as U.S. Defenders, COIR, mostly bikers, who had set-up camp (Camp Ironhorse, Steelman Estates) and had been helping with the recovery efforts since shortly after the storm. What a fun group of ladies and gentleman! 

 It was a great week- filled with laughter, sunshine, mud, rain, hard work, ministry opportunities, and joy as we served our Lord, Jesus Christ! There were even a few tears as we said our goodbyes. I now I will not soon forget the friends we made there in Shawnee.