Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. volunteers completed work at thirteen homes as a result of these recent storms. We continue to be available to serve as needed. LCC never goes where we are not invited. |
99 Confirmed Deaths and Rising 3000+ Maui Structures Destroyed; 86% Residential 12,000+ People Displaced; Families Left Homeless Search & Rescue Continues “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 | On Tuesday, August 8, a firestorm fueled in part by fierce winds from the Category 4 Hurricane Dora’s 140 mph winds triggered brush fires, causing a deadly wildfire-hurricane combination in Maui as the week progressed. Hard hit is the historic town of Lahaina, a popular tourist destination and economic hub. The wildfires also impacted the communities of Kihei, Kula, and Pelehu. |
This is the deadliest United States wildfire in more than 100 years, as authorities work to identify the victims and sift through the burned communities of western Maui. 3,000+ homes, businesses, schools, government, and cultural centers are destroyed.
An estimated 12,000 people are displaced, with people sleeping in shelters, vehicles, stores, on the street, or with family and friends. With businesses destroyed, there is a massive loss of jobs.
LUTHERAN CHURCH CHARITIES
Rev. Singer, his wife Jeanette, and Kathy arrive in Maui to minister to this community suffering and in great need. Emmanuel Lutheran Church is currently without a pastor as they await for an answer to a call they have issued. Pastor Singer has been asked to preach at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Sunday, August 20. The school principal, head elder, and congregational president have all asked for leadership assistance from LCC in addition to the invite from the CNH District President and DDRC.
Kathy will conduct Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) training and advise the church leaders on how best to work with FEMA and national and community voluntary organizations active in disaster (VOAD) for long-term recovery. Rev. Singer and Jeanette, as a certified coach and ministry partner volunteer, will focus on care ministry in shelters, congregational preparedness training for disasters, and food ministry through the church alongside two other congregations. Follow-up trips are expected to provide on-going spiritual care, and all LCC Ministries are on standby and ready to serve as needed.
The devastation is catastrophic, and there is a tremendous need for spiritual, emotional, and trauma care for everyone impacted and the first responders who are heroically dealing with the remaining wildfires, conducting search and rescue operations, and recovering lives lost.
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
Lutheran Church Charities is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. We only go where we are invited and we never charge those we serve.
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
On Friday, July 21, Kevin Krage, Bill Pietsch, and Larry Zagorski from Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. team returned to this hard-hit neighborhood to cut and remove a very large downed tree from a homeowner’s yard with a bobcat. The homeowner was very appreciative of their assistance, as he could have never cut or removed this on his own. He couldn’t believe how quickly and willingly the L.E.R.T. team completed the work.
Mr. N., a King of Glory Church member, lost 60 trees surrounding his entire property as well as his garage, shed, and some of his home’s roof. Upon arrival, his home and property were not visible because of the amount of tree damage. After two days, his property was cleared of all downed and damaged trees by L.E.R.T. volunteers. |
The Lord of Life, LaFox L.E.R.T. team leaders that worked at his home last week noted how devastated the owner was with the loss of all his trees and privacy. While working on another property in this neighborhood, they returned to Mr. N.’s home and presented him with a cross and his first replacement tree. Mr. N. was overwhelmed with gratitude for these gifts, and the Christ-like mercy and compassion continued to be shown to him. Lutheran Church Charities disaster response and L.E.R.T. teams are continuing to receive calls for assistance in cleaning up from these tornadoes and will respond as requested. | LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! |
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response immediately reached out to all of the churches in the affected areas to see if they, or any of their congregation members, were affected. Fortunately, most were EF-O tornadoes causing minimal and localized damage that was able to be cleaned up by owners, neighbors, and public works.
| The only EF-2 tornado was in South Elgin, which heavily damaged a neighborhood with King of Glory Lutheran Church members. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and thirty-five Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers spent July 13 through July 16 assisting ten homeowners with removal of approximately 125 downed trees, a lot of limbs, and widow makers. Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. teams were able to serve in both Nashville and Elgin, Illinois, simultaneously. |
One homeowner lost sixty trees surrounding his entire property, as well as his garage, shed, and some of his home’s roof. Upon arrival, his home and property were not visible because of the amount of tree damage. After two days, his property was cleared of all downed and damaged trees. He was so appreciative of all of the assistance as he knew he could not do this on his own or afford what a tree company would have charged. This tornado has definitely changed his landscape and view, but he thanks God for keeping his family safe and providing brothers and sisters in Christ to help him in his time of need. | |
One of the women in the neighborhood told us she prayed all day after the tornado happened for God to send angels to clean up the yards and He did. He sent neighbors helping neighbors, the township, and your L.E.R.T. team. She thanks God for answered prayers.
LCC Disaster Response is still receiving requests for assistance. It is a privilege for LCC and our L.E.R.T. volunteers to serve in the name of the Lord!
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Lutheran Church Charities and Southern Illinois District L.E.R.T. teams spent 980 volunteer hours assisting sixty-one families by removing trees, damaged limbs, and debris with chainsaws, boom lift, bobcats, and tractors.
She couldn’t believe the work the volunteers got done to make her property safe again. While she watched the team work, volunteers also sat and talked with her.
The team carved a cross in one of her trees and presented her with a cross slice signed by all. Through many tears of happiness and hugs, she thanked everyone over and over.
Good Shepherd, Elgin – David Vollrath
Immanuel, DeKalb – Pete Springmire
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel, Palatine – Chris Johnson
Lord of Life, LaFox – Mark Holstein, Max Metz, Bill Pietsch, Larry Zagorski
Messiah, Sterling – Jacob Beets
St. John, East Moline – Bill and Debbie Girard, Ken and Janet Hill
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Peter, Schaumburg – Missy Dieckman, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta
Trinity, Lisle – Ed Boerman, Wayne Scott
Indiana
St. John, Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
Wisconsin
St. Paul, Grafton – Mark and Beverly Brueggemann, Stu Natale, Kaye Voss
St. Paul, Janesville – Lark Sanders
LCC extends our thanks to the Southern Illinois District and the congregation of Trinity Lutheran for their wonderful hospitality. And a special thanks to Pastor David and Rachel for hosting the L.E.R.T. volunteers at their home for a steak cookout. A wonderful time was had by all. It was so great doing the Lord’s work together! |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response in Southern Illinois to Help Storm-Impacted Communities
7/11/2023
On Monday, July 10, Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO; Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response; Pastor David Benning, Matt Bierman, and George Acosta, LCC Chief Operating Officer joined Kathy in Southern Illinois to visit affected homeowners and see the L.E.R.T. volunteers in action.
This congregation member told us he did not need help to clean up his farm property but reluctantly accepted it with some urging. After the work was done, he was happy with the result and how professional we were. He posted a sign on the main highway in and out of town thanking the L.E.R.T. volunteers for all to see this week. It was a surprise and brought smiles to all of us.
Kathy called one of the LCC L.E.R.T. teams that were serving that day, and they came directly over to her home. They removed the tree limbs from her roof, patched a hole, reattached loose siding and a roof vent, and then tarped the roof to protect it from leaking into her home. Kathy even sent the pictures of the repairable hole and work done to protect the roof to the adjuster, who, after looking at them, called Mrs. P. and told her they would repair the roof.
Over the time we were there, she went from tears to smiles. She was so pleased and kept telling us we were her angels sent by God to take care of her.
He also enjoyed visiting with the team, especially during the lunch break. He was very pleased with the cross presented to him.
Last week Bryce Cramer and a few LCC and Southern Illinois District L.E.R.T. volunteers went to work at a home. The homeowner told them they could work, but he needed to leave immediately as his four-month-old granddaughter was being put into the hospital with pneumonia and difficulty breathing. Before he left, the team prayed with him. On Monday night, the mother posted a thank you to the L.E.R.T. team on the Washington County Talk Facebook page that was forwarded to us.
To the wonderful group who cleared our trees: we can't thank you enough. Not only did you help us clear damage we couldn't, but you were there for us in other ways. Today was a scary day for our little family. You didn't know us yet when you heard our daughter was being sent to the ER, and you held a prayer for her with my father. That's small to some, but to this mom, it meant the world. Thank you for your kindness, we needed it on a week like this. I hope our community treats you well, and you know how much we appreciate you. I hope whoever you are, you see this.
This reminds us that we do make a difference in the lives we touch by providing the mercy, compassion. presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response Invited to Help Storm-Impacted Communities in Illinois
7/4/2023
On Thursday, June 29, a derecho (land hurricane) and straight-line winds moved through the states of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee over seven hours. It covered 520 miles with sustained 60 – 125 mph winds causing destruction to structures, trees, crops, and power poles. At one point, it was estimated that approximately half-million homes and businesses were experiencing power outages, some of which will last for days. Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response has been invited by Bryce Cramer, Lutheran Church-Missouri (LCMS) Southern Illinois District Disaster Response Coordinator (DDRC), to deploy to Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, Illinois, to provide chainsaw assistance with heavy equipment and debris removal. This community experienced 90 mph straight-line wind damage on June 30. |
We NEVER charge those we serve!
LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O'Day’s son also lives in Greenwood, but fortunately, the tornado missed him. After a call, her son willingly took his chainsaw and personal protective equipment (PPE) to the team leader so he could cut and remove the downed tree from his son’s yard. God does provide in different ways.
Lutheran Church Charities has spoken with the Indiana District Disaster Response Coordinator and is available for assistance if needed.
Please pray for all those affected by this tornado and for the safety of those helping with recovery efforts.
These five new lift chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to practice how to operate the boom lift. They also learned how to safely and effectively use the different knots and rigging techniques to remove damaged trees and limbs.
We are grateful for the following volunteers who seek to grow in their knowledge and learn more specialized skill sets in order to serve those with tree destruction after a disaster.
Fellowship of Faith, McHenry – Alan Holm
Immanuel, Dundee – Terry Fuelling, Doug Hoyt
St. John, Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Pete Springmire
St. Paul, Rockford – Dean Ulrich
Iowa
Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
Wisconsin
St. Paul, Janesville – Lark Sanders
A special thank you to Marty Johnson and Pete Springmire for sharing their expertise so that our L.E.R.T. volunteers can continue to serve others in need.
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