Tuesday, March 9th -

Tim Hetzner and members of the Haiti Medical Mission team met with Congressman Peter J. Roskam of Illinois to thank him for his support for our Relief Efforts for the people of Haiti.

Among those pictured are Sue Gross, Illinois Haiti Mission Director, Dr. Susan Busse - head of the Malaria Initiative, Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities, and Congressman Peter Roskam.

Sunday, March 7th -

Mr. John Peterson of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in LaFox presented a check to LCC President Tim Hetzner for the March 11th Haiti Medical Mission trip. John shared that the money was raised Sunday morning after church when it was announced that the Medical Mission Team would be leaving this week for Haiti.

Sunday, March 7th -

Sunday was a busy day at the LCC offices in Addison. Twenty-five volunteers turned out to help Dr. Susan Busse pack up the donated medical supplies that the Haiti Medical Mission team will be taking with them when they leave for Haiti this Thursday. The medical supplies will be flown into Port au Prince Haiti with the team then loaded onto a boat and ferried to Jeremie for use in the medical clinic on Monday.

Wednesday March 3rd - Concordia University Chicago hosted their first LERT Training session for students and faculty. Twenty two people enrolled in the training to become Lutheran Early Response Team members. For years, Concordia students and faculty have been very involved in responding to help with disasters. The LERT training will position them to be able to continue responding to disasters as needed.

If your church or group would like to host a LERT training session, please contact Tim Hetzner or Dianna Bonfield at (866) 455-6466 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  Genesis 50:20

Request from Rev. Abraham Mengesha, President, Central Ethiopia Lutheran Synod

I want to bring to your attention one of the Central Ethiopian Congregation in Western Shewa, the Olonkhomi Mekane Yesus Congregation. It was burnt to the ground three weeks ago by a group of vandals. Some of these people have been brought to court, but we are still waiting for the final verdict. In addition to the loss of their property, 5 members of the congregation, including the evangelist, were seriously injured and are still under going treatment.

We have made a temporary shelter for them that they have begun to use. The court proceedings are going well, but they are still being harassed and intimidated by those who are behind the fire. I have attached pictures (click here) of the buildings including 6 offices and the main worshiping hall. They set the fire at noon.

If you are able to share our burden and help us rebuild it would be a great blessing to this congregation.