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 On Wednesday September 7th five members of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference’s Disaster Response Team journeyed to Vancleave, Mississippi to assist in the early clean up of the hurricane damaged area.
Rev. Julienne Judd and Rev. Mildred Harjo led the trip and were joined by three members of El Reno Indian Fellowship and Sullivan Chapel. The five person team drove 16 hours to the community and worked for four days.
While in Mississippi the team assisted in the removal of trees, repaired homes, and counseled persons who had been affected by the storm.
The team was specifically asked to assist in the removal of the numerous trees that had fallen and covered the electric well houses. Also, they assisted in the removal of mud and sewage from a home in order that the owner could begin repairs of the floors and walls.
Every evening the team went through debriefings, which helped the members to cope with the feelings they were going through as they went throughout the week.
Also, while in the area, Rev. Mildred Harjo was able to locate her missing sister who lives in the Biloxi area. After searching for several hours the two were reunited at a gas station in the area. All of the houses in the area had been destroyed, with most of them completely off of there original foundation.
The OIMC work team was hosted by Vancleave UMC, who provided them and others with lodging and meals. The City of Vancleave is located just Northeast of Biloxi. While the team was there they also worked in surrounding communities of Pascagoula and Ocean Springs.
The OIMC Disaster Response Team has been active in numerous disasters over the past five years throughout the country.
“We are just thankful that we had persons and resources to send in this time of tremendous need in the Gulf region” stated Mrs. Phillis McCarty, OIMC Disaster Response coordinator.
The group returned home early Monday morning September 12th.
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