Love Beyond Tragedy
On June 1, our Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team was deployed to serve those impacted by the mass shooting that took place at the Natalie Medical Building in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our team was stationed at the reunification site - established to serve families of victims and first responders. On-site was Major Sarah Nelson, Tulsa Area Commander. Below is a look at her experience serving alongside the EDS team.
"We were asked/prepared to provide up to twelve hours of service. We provided drinks, snacks, pizza, and emotional/spiritual care. We were thanked over and over by police and hospital representatives. After nearly everyone was gone, we closed up our canteen. (We had a fantastic team this evening. A couple calls and everyone was quickly in place!)
The final person who made a very deliberate effort to express appreciation to us was Mr. John-Kelly Warren. He is Chair of the Board of Directors at St. Francis. It was sometimes difficult to decipher who were police and who were hospital personnel, so I asked him a few questions to understand how todays events related to him - to which he ultimately said, “It’s all just so sad. They are like family.” He was visibly shook. Turns out he had a personal relationship with each of the three victims who were killed. He stayed at the reunification site to support hospital staff/families and didn’t leave until they’d all gone home. By the time we encountered him, he was clearly depleted of emotional and physical energy. Four of us (two officers and two volunteers) huddled around him and his wife to pray. I placed my hand on his back and felt him trembling. He’s navigating the unthinkable. I sensed he hesitated going home, anticipating the night would usher in an excruciating darkness. He needs ongoing prayer.
I’ve not seen the aftermath of this type of situation up-close before. It was sobering. But I recognized moments when God’s presence cut through the chaos. His help isn’t on the way - it’s here. It’s happening.
I pray others will see that too as our community begins to process today’s tragedy.” -Major Sarah Nelson