A Ministry of Presence

The Salvation Army has a very important component of emergency disaster services, which is emotional and spiritual. During times of crisis, The Salvation Army utilizes trained personnel to provide comfort to rescue workers and disaster survivors.

Lt. Crystal McFarland, an Oklahoma Corps Officer, was deployed as an Emotional and Spiritual Care Officer. She described the last stop the mobile feeding unit made on Thursday evening while responding to devastating tornadoes in Seminole County, Oklahoma.

A man in a wheelchair, came out as soon as he saw The Salvation Army pull up.  The man and his family had lived in the trailer which was hardly recognizable as a place to live. 

They said, without transportation and with their home in ruins they were just trying to figure out how to get something to eat when they saw the red shield.

While the rest of the crew went to grab hot meals for everyone, Lt. Crystal McFarland ministered to the family.  The mobile unit was able to provide a hot meal while providing hope and love. Not only was the family desperate for a meal and water, but they also needed to know they were cared for.

 

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