On April 26, nineteen EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes tore through Nebraska, leaving a trail of destruction in many communities. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response had been asked by Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, to provide chainsaw and debris removal assistance with heavy equipment in communities around Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska with Mick Onnen, Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator.
When her site was completed, the LERT team presented her with a quilt and a signed tree slice with a cross. She insisted on praying a blessing over each team member to show her appreciation. LERT volunteers spent two days helping clear many downed trees from a several acreage property of a husband and wife who are Omaha police officers. The tornado leveled their two-story home and garage, as well as rolled their trailer and pickup truck. They were overwhelmed with and greatly appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community, volunteers, and fellow officers. he destruction and trauma experienced by many residents are widespread, but the spirit of community and faith is providing much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process. It is a blessing to listen to their stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we serve those in need.
Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS LERT chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 3. This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders Marty Johnson and Ed Boerman. On Saturday, May 4, thirty basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and LERT team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush from the camp. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director, expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare the property for campers. The eighteen first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and bucking trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members. LERT chainsaw volunteers from the following Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina churches were in attendance: Illinois
Christ the Rock, Rockford Good Shepherd, Frankfurt Heartland, Normal Immanuel, Batavia Immanuel, Belvidere Lord of Life, Elburn Prince of Peace, Palatine St. John's, Union St. John, Wheaton St. Paul, Rockford Trinity, Lisle Trinity, Roselle Indiana Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso North Carolina Eternal Shepherd, Seneca
A total of 31 individuals participated, representing various teams and churches across Illinois.
It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need.
In South Barrington, LERT volunteers worked at seven homes in one circle block. The homeowners were so thankful for the assistance. One posted on the LCC Disaster Response Facebook page, “My husband and I are eternally grateful to the men and women that came out to assist us. They were all so kind and compassionate. Thank you all for the amazing work you are doing!” In Hoffman Estates, LERT volunteers worked at the home of a recent widow and stroke survivor who had an uprooted pine tree in her front yard and a very large topped oak tree in her back yard. The team had to fell the remaining 15-foot trunk and remove numerous fallen limbs. She couldn’t believe that we would so willingly do all of this and at no cost. She was in tears when presented with a cross from her tree and thanked everyone present for their care and hard work. A very large and diseased pine tree was topped and needed to be felled for safety reasons at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine. The church's LERT team took care of this to make the grounds safe and received thanks for their willing service. Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers will continue to be available to assist homeowners who have damage from these storms. Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating storms, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the recovery process. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we can BE THERE to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Thanks to You, They Were Able to BE THERE
Anna Piro shared the team's sentiment, "We all worked well together, falling into the tasks at hand. As you can imagine, there has been much joy and laughter throughout our trip with each other and those we worked with. Belize was good to us, and we have loved the people we met at Camp Concordia and Good Shepherd." The Northern Illinois District and Lutheran Church Charities thanks each of these volunteers for their willing service in Belize. The Lutheran Mission Belize posted the following thanks on their Facebook page: "We are so grateful for the hard work of these Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers this past week! They took down damaged and diseased trees in several locations throughout Belize, including at Camp Concordia. They have been a blessing!" Please prayerfully consider donating to help with costs accrued on this LERT mission trip to Belize that served those in need.
There were a total of 19 in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois:
Christ the Rock, Rockford Immanuel, Belvidere Immanuel, Dundee St. John, Union St. Paul, Rockford Trinity, Lisle It is good to see how the LCC Disaster Response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need. CLICK HERE to learn more about getting trained to serve as a LERT volunteer. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Serves In Belize To Help with Multiple Property Cleanup1/30/2024
Help them continue to BE THERE
The following Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members spent the last week in Belize: Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb
All of the families served by the team expressed their deep appreciation that their properties are now safe for their children to play and that they would not have to worry about falling trees causing major damage in the next storm. The team feels blessed to be serving their brothers and sisters in Christ. Please continue to pray for the team, Pastor Herb and Markie Burch, Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, and GEO Missionaries Jordan & Justin Langston, and Gary & Sue Kessler, as they each serve the people of Belize in the Name of the Lord.
Tennessee Homeowners Are Grateful for Help Received Following a Devastating December Tornado1/9/2024
Several local teams and District Disaster Relief Committees (DDRCs) from other districts worked with Jan in Madison, Tennessee, immediately after the tornado before Christmas to help many homeowners. The week after Christmas, DDRCs Jan Simko, Pastor Ed Brashier, and Pastor Trae Fistler, with his Faith in Action Disaster Response team, finished work on many sites. Steve Chester from St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, was also invited to join them for this final week. Steve brought in his bobcat to move multiple very large and downed trees and worked tirelessly from December 26 to December 31. He was very glad to be able to assist with his heavy equipment. Homeowners expressed their deep appreciation for the team's efforts, which allowed them to clear their properties and avoid costly professional services. Through their work, the LERT volunteers also shared the love of Christ with those they served, making a meaningful impact on the community. Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Gary Kessler, Globally Engaged in Outreach (GEO) Missionary to Belize, and Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District President, to remove multiple dead and storm-damaged trees from properties in Belize: Concordia Mission House grounds in Belmopan, a local partner church in Orange Walk and at the Belize Zoo in La Democracia. The storm occurred many months ago, but none of the organizations could afford to hire crews to do the cleanup. They are all very happy to finally have their properties made safe for visitors. The following Northern Illinois District Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) members volunteered for this mission trip to Belize and will be serving January 24 – 30: • Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, LaFox • Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton • Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb The teams will be taking their own chainsaws, ropes, rigging, and personal protection equipment. Once in Belize, they will also be renting a tractor with a grapple and lift to use for the week. The Northern Illinois District Missions and Lutheran Church Charities, through donations, have committed to fund this team’s trip expenses, which are estimated to be approximately $8,000. Gary Kessler and Rev. Dr. Allan Buss appreciate LCC’s disaster response team's commitment to serve in Belize and the opportunity to help support this endeavor. Please prayerfully consider donating to help fund LERT mission trip to Belize to serve those in need. |
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