"Trinity Lutheran Church of Lisle was contacted by the American Red Cross seeking our assistance in housing families displaced by the recent floods. Without hesitation we transformed our education wing into a make shift dormitory. A call went out to the congregation for financial help in the form of gift and gas cards. Meal plans were made, and again through generous donations, hot meals were served 3 times a day for 12 days. Rides were arranged for children needing to go to school and special attention was given to each guest as we addressed each of their situations. With the help of the Red Cross and Lutheran Church Charities our guests have temporarily relocated. We will continue to maintain relationships with them as they transition from a very difficult situation. All of us that worked so hard with them feel like the blessing has been for us.

Request from Pastor Matthew Gunia from St. John Lutheran Church, Niles, Illinois

One gentleman in his 70's and his wife have lived in their home for 20+ years and have never had to deal with flooding. They walked into knee-high water Friday, April 19th. With few friends and family in the area, the husband informed us of their needs:

"On the day of the flood my wife and I didn't know [the flood was happening]. It was such a disaster because we had been living there for over 20 years... never, never did it reach the home. We didn't have flood insurance.

Two days later we went back to our home... It [flood] destroyed all appliances, furniture and the bed. We both worked two days cutting up the carpet, strip it and moving it to the street. The city had a limited schedule to pick it up within five days. We worked two days straight moving furniture and carpet to the street. It was a tough job, I fell down many times... more or less it was a total disaster, we lost almost everything. The most import thing is to get the house fixed. We also lost one car."

Another family, a single mother with four children ranging in age from 10 months to 13 years, is not able to get back into their third-story apartment due to the flooding on the first floor. The mother, desiring to keep her four kids safe and taken care of, shared with us:

"They knew we were flooding and they didn't let anyone know. We stayed up there [in the apartment] for hours after they had turned the electricity off and nothing was said. Nothing was said that there was a flood and we were going under or anything like that. Basically they put the fire alarm on for getting us out. He [10-year-old son] just had surgery and was scared and I just had a t-shirt and blanket on him [10-month-old son] to go out by the back pool area still not knowing we were flooding...

They wanted me to go straight on the boat and I couldn't because I had his [10-year-old son] medicine and I had no formula with me and I refused to go on [the boat] and I went back up and grabbed his medicine and the formula and stuff for the baby. Then they boated us and Army-trucked us to Benedictine University... I've been asking so much when are we able to go back home and it's always 'I'll let you know Monday, Friday...' and we still don't know. It's hard because I don't have family out here so it's not like I have anyone to go stay with tonight."

A third displaced family consisting of a husband, wife, a 10-year old-daughter and they are expecting a baby on June 6th. The husband shared their story:

It started around five in the morning. By ten o'clock everybody was in a big cluster, all the cars, the ones we were able to save. And all the other cars of people who were not home at the time all went under the water, including mine. Mine that I wasn't able to push out of the way. But we have our families together and we thank God for that. Thank God we still can get into our apartment but the crawlspace under our apartment was flooded and the smell, the mold, you can't stay in there too long. And right now there doesn't appear to be physical damage to the furniture but after this, who knows what the condition will be. We're just grateful that we've been blessed by the church [Trinity Lutheran Church] and all the people here supporting us.

Right now all we heard from our association is that they are working on the crawl spaces, drying them out and bleaching them and trying to make them safe for us to move back in. As to now, they still have not given us a date when we can move back in... Her condition [pregnant wife], it is too risky to be in there for too long of a time. We are trying to look for a different place to move in, and since our car was flooded, also we are trying to get another car. Financially, trying to get to work and getting gas is tough. We are trying to find a place around here [Lisle, IL]... one of the main concerns is to keep her [10 year old daughter] in her environment with the school she has been going to. And as far as with the baby, we are taking it day by day and hopefully we can have a place in time for the baby... just trying not to give birth before our situation is better."

These are just the beginning stories of those affected by the flooding that took place in and around Lisle, Illinois on April 18th. Please consider supporting these families and their needs.

We thank you for your prayers and support!

In addition to their residence, the couple also owned another home on the same block that their son and two grandsons were living in. The river also flooded the basement and first floor of this home. This family has had a very difficult year, also having suffered from a robbery a few months earlier. In addition to recent events, the entire family is still mourning the death of a child. Through all these hardships they cling to their faith.

Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, vacancy pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Marseilles, IL has notified LCC of their plight and asked for assistance in meeting their many needs. Because the houses were not in a flood plain, their insurance will not cover their losses. LCC-coordinated Lutheran Early Response Teams worked for days cleaning out flood debris and removing the walls, flooring and cabinetry and treating the houses for mold.

To help fill this need contact LCC at 866-455-6466 or by emailing:

Request from Pastor Matthew Canion from St. Paul Lutheran Church, Waco, Texas

One family lost literally everything in their house, including their vehicle. He is the Justice of the Peace and all they have are the clothes on their backs.

The second family is related to the first. Their home will have to be demolished and rebuilt. She does not have health insurance either.

The toughest thing these families face is that as of right now the insurance companies for their homes will most likely not cover the cost of the homes due to this blast.

Thank you for all your support and prayers for the people of West, Texas and the surrounding communities.

Present at the beginning of the service were LCC President Tim Hetzner, Barb Granado with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Hannah, and Katie Hetzner along with several college students from Carthage with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Luther. The children of the family were presented with Easter Baskets from the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the family was presented with a check for more than $10,000! The look on their faces would have been similar to the women at the Tomb when they came to find Jesus! Because of all of your efforts – you made EASTER one that not only celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ but the New Life we have because of that fact. Thank you for MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!!

LCC received the following from the mother on Facebook:

Hi! I am the woman whose family was presented with this amazing blessing. First of all thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Lutheran Church Charities. We were to say the least speechless and overwhelmed with humbleness & gratitude at such a king gesture. My family will forever be grateful to Pastor Jake Dickerhoff for the impact he and the members of Risen Savior in Byron have had on us. No matter what trials we have endured my testimony in My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ will NEVER falter and my faith in Him if forever. And finally thank you to the Friends of Christ the Rock Lutheran Church and the members & pastor for making us feel so welcome yesterday for the gorgeous Easter service. GOD IS GOOD and it is a day we will never ever forget! Thank you:

LCC Received the Following Request from Meagan Seals Mother, Luellen

"We are the Seals Family. Our daughter, Meagan, was born with a very rare brain disorder. 1 in 10,000 babies born with her condition die at birth. Meagan has beaten the odds.

Her condition is Encephalocele, it is where the brain forms on the outside of her head and she had to have surgery after birth to repair her head. She is very handicapped mentally and physically; she can not sit on her own or walk. She is in a wheel chair all the time. Meagan also suffers from seizures and infantile spasms daily. Meagan also has an older brother and two sisters. We are in need of a van for her chair and with all of our medical bills we are unable to get one on our own."

Request from Pastor Don Love from Calvary Lutheran Church, Watseka, Illinois

They are financially strapped and can hardly stay afloat. They were counting on the $350 a month to help with their house rent. They also have a very hard time paying the co-pays for all of the medicine that the mom is on.

This family has been through a lot and will now lose mom in a few months. Mom continues to be very stressed due to the financial burden they carry. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Continues Ministry to Homeless and Unemployed

St. Matthew makes an appeal for prayers and donations for Pastor Loza.