On Wednesday, February 22, the Northern Illinois area experienced a freezing rain storm that left a quarter to a half inch of ice on roads, homes, trees, and power lines causing widespread power outages. It also caused a lot of damage and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads.

Gary Kessler, GEO Missionary to Belize, contacted LCC Disaster Response from Belize to ask if we would look at the roof of his home here in Northern Illinois that had sustained some damage from large falling limbs in the ice storm.
 
A L.E.R.T. volunteer from St. John-Wheaton went to his home the same day as his request. He was able to remove several limbs from the roof and patch a small hole so there would be no leaking. We sent pictures of the repair and clean-up to Gary upon completion.
 
The following note of thanks was received:
 
Sue and I cannot thank you enough. Being so far from home, you can imagine how this incident was weighing on our minds. As we serve others here, you have served us back home. What beautiful Christian symmetry. Much love to all our friends at LCC.
 
God's richest blessings to you all,
 
Gary and Sue Kessler
GEO Missionary to Belize

A congregation member and widow from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn received assistance from L.E.R.T. volunteers utilizing chainsaws and heavy equipment. They removed a large limb of a tree that had split and fallen across the front of her home and roof. She was very thankful for the help and compassion shown to her by the team as they worked at her home.

Pastor Blackford from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn had a large tree in his front yard that had split in half during the ice storm. L.E.R.T. volunteers carefully felled the damaged half that was still standing, and cut and moved all tree debris to the curb. He and his wife were very appreciative of our response to make his yard safe for his children and to protect his home from damage.

A Deaconess in Belvidere had two uprooted trees and many limbs come down in their backyard during the ice storm. Five L.E.R.T. volunteers cut and stacked all of the wood from these trees into firewood length and put limbs into a burn pile. The hard work completed by willing hearts and hands to serve a sister in Christ was greatly appreciated.

One neighborhood in Crystal Lake had several homes that experienced tree damage. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers were able to help nine homeowners clear downed trees, limbs, and dangerous hangers from their properties. All were grateful for the willingness of these volunteers to serve them on a cold and snowy day.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Saturday, February 25, LCC held a Basic LCMS L.E.R.T training for new and recertifying team members at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine, Illinois, led by Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response.
 
There were a total of sixteen in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois:

• Hope, Shorewood
• Immanuel, Palatine
• Lord of Glory, Grayslake
• Prince of Peace, Palatine
• St. John, Wheaton
• St. Peter, Schaumburg

 
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.

On Thursday, February 23, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog® Ministry was invited by WFTV Channel 9 Orlando where many are mourning the death of a news reporter from Spectrum News 13. News crews were on the scene covering a homicide when a shooter shot news reporter Dylon Lyons and a photojournalist from Spectrum News 13.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Moriah (St. Luke’s – Oviedo, Florida) and Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida) were happy to provide a little comfort and God’s love to the news teams and staff. The news community is a tight-knit group, working together as they cover the news to keep us informed. Many from WFTV knew Dylon, who had interned with them.

On Friday, February 24, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Moriah (St. Luke’s – Oviedo, Florida) and Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida) attended a candlelight vigil to honor news reporter Dylan Lyons, 9-year-old T’Yonna Major, and Nathacha Augustin, all victims of the gun violence. ICP Orlando Church hosted the vigil to bring the community together and to offer comfort and hope following this tragic loss. What a blessing it was to help provide comfort and to share God’s love with so many people.

We pray for the victims and their families, the news community, the sheriff and police department, the first responders and medical teams, the community as a whole. I know you’ll join us in praying for them, too. Lord, please wrap your loving arms around them, keep them safe, and bring them Your peace.
 
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

This past Sunday, members of Faith Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, showed their love for one of the congregation's truly devoted saints as she recovers from a hospital stay.  The Heart of Mercy & Compassion® was not large enough to hold all the signatures and well wishes!  Adelle's favorite Bible verse on the Heart: Psalm 105:4 "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."

In the early hours of February 7, Milwaukee Police Officer Peter Jerving lost his life in the line of duty pursuing a robbery suspect. His death left a void felt across the entire department, almost four years to the day of the last line of duty death.

The LCC K-9 Police Ministry® was invited by Wisconsin Law Enforcement Death Response Team (WI LEDR) to attend critical post-incident debriefs and go on wellness visits department-wide. LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Benjamin (LCC Staff), Charity (Brookfield - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Eve (St. John's - Lombard, Illinois) and Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), and their active and retired law enforcement handlers were able to aid officers, command staff, communications staff, and administrative staff as they mourned the loss of a fellow officer and colleague.

During these visits, many were offered an opportunity to have meaningful conversations, talk with fellow officers experiencing the same feelings, and sometimes cry into the fur of the K9s. We were honored to be present with the entire department as they process their grief, remember the life and service of Officer Jerving, and take the next steps toward healing.  

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for another." John 15:13

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry brought much-needed comfort, care, and love to East Lansing, Michigan, after the tragic shooting at Michigan State University (MSU) that took the lives of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson and left five others critically injured.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries were invited by Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy, Bishop & President, English District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Rev. David A. Davis, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Michigan District President, Rev. Curt Dwyer, Lead Pastor, and Rev. James Robinson, Campus Ministry Pastor, at Martin Lutheran Chapel in East Lansing, Michigan, and Pastor Trevor Sutton at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Haslet, Michigan, to be present last week throughout the community.

Within hours, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Anna (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Claudia (Trinity – Toledo, Ohio), Dove (Peace – Fremont, Indiana), Jared (Holy Cross – Fort Wayne, Indiana) and Jude (St. Peter – Three Rivers, Michigan) and their handlers departed from their communities in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to East Lansing, to be a physical presence of love, comfort, and peace to those who are in shock and grieving.

LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry provided three hearts and crosses, one cross for each of the young students killed, and placed them at the memorial site.
 
The students, parents, faculty, and community are numb, devastated, and in shock and are still trying to comprehend the violence that struck this Michigan State University community. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers spent time sitting with many affected, letting them gently pet and receive love and comfort from the K-9s.

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams spent time with many at the vigil held at MSU last week and within the community at East Lansing. The Comfort Dogs welcomed MSU students and faculty with their gentle and loving eyes to sit with them, providing a comforting and quiet place to be. Much comfort and attention were given to the Sparrow Hospital medical staff who took in the victims with urgency, skill, and care.

Pastor Trevor Sutton and the congregation at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church were a welcome and helpful partner to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams who deployed to East Lansing. Pastor Sutton helped the LCC K-9 team build connections with MSU faculty, students, and the local hospital. The St. Luke’s congregation was a thoughtful and generous host to the six LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams.

LCC is very grateful for the support of the MSU faculty and students, MSU Friendship House, the East Lansing community members, and local businesses. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams are also grateful for their time spent with Phi Delta Theta, where Brian Fraser was president of the fraternity. The members of Phi Delta Theta lost a friend and a brother, and their hearts are broken.

The MSU community is in need of our support, love, presence, and prayers as they begin their journey of grief and healing. Each hour a gentle hug, a kind word, and a prayer for God’s comforting presence are needed. We pray for the MSU community, the families, and the loved ones of Brian Fraser, Alexandria Verner, and Arielle Anderson. We lift up the five others critically injured for strength, healing, comfort, and rest so they may go home soon to their families and friends.

After the K-9s visit, LCC received the following note from Dan Winter, Executive Director, of Friendship House MSU:

Please join LCC in praying for the entire Michigan State University community and for all of the first responders who heroically responded during this incredibly difficult time.
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry never charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them.

Last week, Lutheran Church Charities staff attended the Best Practices in Ministry conference hosted by Christ Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a free conference to encourage LCMS professionals and lay church workers as they minister to and reach out with the gospel of Christ to others. Over 2,300 participants attended from churches, RSOs, universities, and other groups.
 
LCC staff, K-9 Comfort Dogs, and their ministry teams were exhibitors at the Lutheran Church Charities table, offering care, prayers, and sharing the mission of the LCC ministries with attendees and their families. Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, was a keynote speaker.

Those attending were: Rev. Chris Singer, President & CEO; Lynda Streich, LCC Board of Directors; Deaconess Dianna Bonfield – Human Care Services & Volunteer Coordinator; Tim Laabs – Project Manager, Hearts of Mercy and Compassion; Dona Martin – Sr. K-9 Coordinator In-Process Churches; Deaconess Kathy O’Day – Director of Disaster Response.