On Monday February 19th, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Shiloh (Christ Our Savior - Dixon, Illinois) and Mahlah (Our Savior - Milford, Illinois) with their law enforcement handlers visited with first responders at the Parkland (Florida) Recreation Center, where Red Cross and other agencies were offering services. While there, the K-9 teams had the opportunity to meet Peter, who is a retired Coral Springs firefighter/paramedic and current CERT member who responded to help after the high school shooting. The K-9 teams were honored to provide him with an LCC K-9 Police Ministry patch and a Prospect Heights Fire Department patch (LCC's home fire department). Thank you for your service, Peter!
Comfort in a Time of Distress – Hope in the Midst of Tragedy. What LCC and our Comfort Dog Ministry Does! Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 In the Parkland High School shootings on Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday – there were those victims who laid down their lives to save others. GREATEST LOVE! We remember and honor that Jesus showed each of us that same love. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:1 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
They have sat with children, sometimes still bandaged or on crutches, while they explained what happened to them or their friends. The teams have grieved with family members who have lost a loved one or those who are simply hurting or confused. Phrases like, “Maybe I will be OK,” and “This is the first time I have felt happy in days,” and, “Maybe now I can finally sleep” have been heard countless times. The K-9 teams have spent a great deal of time where the memorials are set up for those who lost their lives, alongside the counseling centers that have been arranged for those who have to carry on in the aftermath. There have been so many tears shed and prayers offered. But while the events are truly tragic, we do not grieve with them without hope. Thanks to your generous support, comfort has been brought to suffering people and, with your help, together we get to be a few of the lights that shine in the darkness. Please continue to pray for the teams, for the work of LCC, and for the restoration of this community. To view more pictures of the Parkland deployment, please visit the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Facebook Page. LCC K-9s In The News
The Trinity Green Trails Lutheran Church - Lisle, Illinois LERT team hosted an Advanced Training Workshop - Children & Disaster on Saturday, September 9. The training workshop was led by Dr. Lauren Wellen, Distinguished Professor of Early Childhood Education at Concordia University Chicago. There were 37 people present from the following LERT teams:
and LCC K-9 teams:
This training provided information about how children react to stress, trauma, disaster, and death and ways to help children, parents, and families cope in their aftermath. It was very informative and well received by all present and will be useful when responding to disaster and crisis.
On Wednesday, February 14th, Lutheran Church Charities received the following kind note of appreciation:
Thank you very much for attending the Buddy’s Place Monthly Gathering with the four wonderful dogs. The families were very comforted and thoroughly enjoyed the presence of the dogs and the humans who care for them. Take good care and thank you for this important mission work, Michelle Halm Director, Buddy's Place
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