Our K-9 Comfort Dogs and Handlers are missing you – because we are restricted in doing what we do! 
 
                                                                God is still very active and wants us to serve you!
 
                                                                 “Come near to God and he will come near to you.
                                                      Wash your hands … and he will lift you up.” James 4:8-10

Where there is a WILL there is a way! Social distancing does not mean that we cannot be close and personal!

                                                          We want to lift you up … listen to you … pray with you.
                                                                 Smile with you and let you know you are loved.
                                                                        Let you know YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

So, although we will honor Social Distancing – We are not Social Disconnecting!
 
Jesus does not do social distancing – He is always there!

Our Comfort Dogs, Handlers, Veterans, Retired First Responders are waiting to connect with you! We love you and want to see you!                                      

The coronavirus made its way to Haiti, considered the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country. The situation is dire and becoming rapidly disastrous. In the United States we can wash our hands as soap and clean water are plentiful. But in Haiti, both are scarce.
 
According to the United Nations, some 35% of Haitians lack basic drinking water services and two-thirds have limited or no sanitation services, making it extremely difficult for people to regularly wash their hands as recommended to deter the spread of the coronavirus. Medical facilities are not accessible for many people and are not equipped to handle this virus with limited or no supplies.
 
In Haiti, many work each day to afford food for that day. Without the ability to work, there may not be food. Even with means to purchase food, there often isn't food to buy. Food is most often purchased in open markets. Masses of people buy and sell at these markets. Social distancing is not an option.

Please help to save one life!

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) continues to work through our Haiti Mission Partners, Ministry in Mission and Mission: Haiti to send emergency funds to Haiti during the current pandemic crisis.
 
Your donations will help establish clean water and soap washing stations in the market areas and churches where Haitians commonly go to worship and socialize. Pastor Marky Kessa pleads that we help save one life as he has assembled a task force to sew face masks for the masses to control the spread of the virus as best they can.

Jackie Rychel, Ministry in Mission, reports:
 
COVID-19 made its way to Haiti. Unlike most developed countries, Haiti cannot "social distance" from each other. Families of 6-10 or more people live in houses the size of an average American bedroom. They take turns sleeping, so each one can have a few hours of sleep in the bed if they even have a bed.
 
Shopping is done daily in an open market to buy food for a meal. Clean water is not readily available for drinking, let alone washing of hands. The medical system can barely support cuts and scratches so a pandemic is out of the question.
 
The President of Haiti announced to the public that everyone should wear a mask. Pastor Marky Kessa has built a task force to sew masks for the community of Jacmel, Haiti and beyond. The masks are one resource, clean water and soap are another. Donations for these items could save lives in Haiti.
 
Clean water stations will be set up in the highly populated market areas for hand washing and masks will be distributed as fast as they can be made. Buckets and soap can be distributed to remote areas where there is no water and more elderly residents.
 
Donations to help the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere battle through COVID-19 could potentially save at the very least one life. The cost to make one mask is $1.00.
 
Thirty dollars will buy enough rice, oil, maggi, canned fish, spaghetti, and soup to feed one person two meals a day for three weeks.
 
Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to enable Lutheran Church Charities to continue to send emergency funds for life-saving supplies and food to Haiti during the current health crisis.

We've pulled together fun, printable activities you can do with your kids or they can do on their own during the "stay at home" phase to help contain the spread of coronavirus.

A message from Tim Hetzner, President/CEO, Lutheran Church Charities

Lutheran Church Charities’ (LCC) mission is and remains the same – to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
 
Tim shares that with the uncertainty that comes during times of crisis and disaster, LCC Ministries remain open to continue to serve others, showing the hope that we have in Jesus Christ!

Please continue to keep LCC in your prayers and thank you for all of your support which allows us to continue to serve people throughout the United States with the Mercy, Compassion and Presence of Jesus Christ.
 
We love you and are there for you!!!

Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities

LCC is experienced in Crisis Response, Disaster Response, and Human Care Ministries. As Christians, this is what we are called to do – to serve you and others in need.
 
Here are just a few examples of how we are serving during the current COVID-19 crisis.

LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) Volunteers

A small team of L.E.R.T. members from St. Peter in Schaumburg, Illinois completed requested work at two different homes for their church members this weekend. The willing servants were Sean Freres, Bob and Barb Royce, Ken and Vicki Kiviranta.

One church member had a diseased pine tree leaning dangerously towards her neighbor's property. The team took down the diseased pine tree, limbed and cut the wood, and moved it curb side for pick up.
 
The other member had a dilapidated shed that was warped and rotting, which invited occasional unwanted critters. The team was able to bring it down fully, cut all the framing and roof up for transport, and then hauled it to the dump.

Ken Kiviranta stated, “In light of COVID-19 we found some positives in our work. Social distancing... no one wants to get near a chainsaw operator. No church services? No problem! Comradery with other church members sustained us nicely, and the result was two happy homeowners with a little improvement to their properties. And we were the church.”

LCC Human Care Ministry

LCC staff is delivering food and needed supplies to those who are homebound. We are also working through our churches nationally helping them to do the same.
 
Last week, LCC received a call from an individual who is confined to a wheelchair and was asking if we provide a service of driving people to doctor’s appointments. The caller had a very crucial doctor’s appointment a few days away. Due to COVID-19, the caregivers of the caller are not allowed to take the individual to the appointment even though they are still allowed to provide in-home care. An LCC volunteer who is a firefighter was contacted and was able to help out. The person in need was very grateful for the assistance!
 
LCC staff and volunteers are also praying with people via phone and through email. If you would like prayer support, please call our office at 866-455-6466 or email us at [email protected].

LCC K-9 Ministry
 
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams are staying connected in different, creative ways. See the article below for just a few of the many ways they continue to serve in their community.

 Ways you can Make A Difference in connecting with others
 
•   Support LCC Ministry Teams
•   Call and check on family, friends, and neighbors
•   Help someone who is homebound
•   Share words of support and encouragement
•   Pray with and for others

With regular visits suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, LCC K-9 Ministry teams continue to use creative ways to stay connected with schools, nursing homes, living assistance, and more. During this time of social distancing, even if it's only virtual or through a glass door, their presence is needed more than ever!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia)
Amos Comfort Dog invited his Facebook friends to join him for a story time as his caregiver Matt read “If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart.” He also encouraged his followers to worship virtually with his home church.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Cubby (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado)
Cubby Comfort Dog and her handlers visited the outdoor courtyard at Park Regency Loveland Assisted Living. The residents were happy to see Cubby and smiled while pretending to pet her through the glass door. The team also prayed with the residents.
Such a joy to serve in this way!

Cubby Comfort Dog's team also distributed postcards and e-cards including Cubby's Bible verse and tips to stay healthy.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Eve (St. John's - Lombard, Illinois)
Eve Comfort Dog walked with Pastor Dan Wegrzyn and his son, Daniel, to the perimeter of Park Place of Elmhurst, Illinois where they provided window visits and waved to the upper level residents, some of whom came out on their balconies. God will always provide a way!

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Joy (Gloria Dei - Houston, Texas)
Joy Comfort Dog and her handlers offered prayers and virtual pets on her Facebook page asking her followers to post comments. "So today we decided, I would just sit here calmly like I do when I visit with you in person and you can give me virtual pets!! I miss you all so much, so come on... let me know you’re petting me!! Please comment and let us know who we need to pray for in your family”

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel - East Dundee, Illinois)
Levi Comfort Dog and his handlers reminded his Facebook followers about the importance of reaching out and connecting with others during these challenging times: "Pick up the phone, or send an email. A harried parent, a lonely senior, or stressed college student could sure hear a supportive voice right now. Leave your prayer needs and encouraging comments to others on this post. Together, we can create a community of joy, not of fear." Levi also encouraged his followers to worship virtually with his home church.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California)
Micah Comfort Dog made the news with Pastor Jay Reed, and his handler/caregiver, Marilyn Hunter. Light of the Valley is helping their community, especially seniors by dropping off food, running errands, etc.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois)
With help from his handlers, Tobias Comfort Dog posts daily inspirational messages on his Facebook page and his handler created a fun "Hello" video. Click on the picture on the left below to watch it.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Zillah (Immanuel - St. Charles, Missouri)
Zillah Comfort Dog and her handlers brought her regular Monday "Reading with Zillah" to the students of a local school via a video.
 
Zillah's team also recorded videos on their empty church campus to help spread some comfort.

Haiti is considered the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country and, according to the Portland Press Herald, doesn’t have any resource to fight back the coronavirus epidemic as the virus starts to spread inside the densely populated nation of roughly 11 million people.
 
Haitians rushed to buy food, gas, soap and face masks last Friday after the announcement of two imported cases of the coronavirus was made.
 
According to the United Nations, some 35% of Haitians lack basic drinking water services and two-thirds have limited or no sanitation services, making it extremely difficult for people to regularly wash their hands as recommended to deter the spread of the coronavirus.
 
Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) continues to work through our Haiti Mission Partners, Ministry in Mission and Mission: Haiti to send emergency funds to Haiti during the current health crisis.

Jackie Rychel, Ministry in Mission, reports:
I’m in Haiti right now waiting for American Airlines to take me home. This population cannot manage social distancing. They live in houses smaller than most of our bathrooms. They shop in very crowded open markets and ride in packed tap-taps which are converted pick-up trucks with benches in the back. Haiti just reported their first 5 COVID-19 cases. Lord have mercy!

Please prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to enable Lutheran Church Charities to continue to send emergency funds to Haiti to help provide food for Haitian adults and children.
 
Thirty dollars will buy enough rice, oil, maggi, canned fish, spaghetti, and soup to feed one person two meals a day for three weeks.

From now through June 30, 2020, Thrivent will be providing an extra $1 for every $2 donated for the first $1 million in donations made through Thrivent.com. Help Thrivent make a combined impact of $1.5 million!
 
All Thrivent Choice® enrolled organizations are eligible for the match. Thrivent also pays all processing fees, so 100% of your support goes right to the cause.
The matching opportunity will go until the $500,000 match is met or June 30, whichever comes first.

CLICK HERE to select Lutheran Church Charities as your charity of choice. Thank You!

Visit Thrivent’s site for more information at www.livegenerously.com.
 
Thank you for your support of Lutheran Church Charities and Thrivent!