Dear Brutus,
My name is Hayden and I am in 4th grade. I met you at the spelling bee and I knew from the start you were my favorite Comfort dog. I think you have a good job because you help people who are going through rough time and to comfort them so they feel better. Your handler gave me your card and I saw your bible verse. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I think this is a good bible verse for you is because you are a kare-9 comfort dog and you work with the soldiers, and they have to be courageous and strong to fight the devil. I hope you have safe travels to wherever you go. Thank you for coming to our spelling bee. Your friend, Hayden
For these handlers, their focus every day is to share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need, or who they meet within their communities. On Saturday, it was time spent sharing our mission with one another, lifting each other up in support, sharing ideas, and most importantly supporting one another in prayer.
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Martha’s Bible verse is John 11:24, "Martha answered, 'I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.'"
Supporting Martha Comfort Dog and her team were the other six Texas LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Phoebe and Pax (St. Paul – Fort Worth), Abner (Bethany – Austin), Damaris (Memorial – Katy), Elijah (Our Redeemer – Wichita Falls) and Gabriel (Messiah – Houston). The significance of the Biblical story of Mary and Martha living in Bethany was very special to this congregation. They learned that Martha Comfort Dog’s sister, Mary Comfort Dog, now resides in Wisconsin but Martha Comfort Dog is now home at Bethany. LCC welcomes Martha Comfort Dog and her team to the LCC K-9 Ministry family and prays for God’s blessing. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Visit Kentucky Country Day School “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 On Monday, April 16, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Rosie (Atonement Lutheran – Columbus, Ohio), Ezra (LCC Staff), and Mercy (Our Savior – Louisville, Kentucky), along with their handlers, deployed to Kentucky Country Day School in Louisville, Kentucky, after the death of one of their high school seniors following an illness. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to the school by the Upper School Director, Kent Martin. The handlers and Comfort Dogs were present for the students and staff throughout the day, bringing them comfort as they grieved the loss of their friend.
The first woman we helped was named Molly. Molly lives in Chokoloskee and works at the small grocery store in Everglades City. During the hurricane, Molly evacuated her home and stayed with her daughter in Naples. But when she returned, Molly saw that she had a lot of water damage. The water had come up about 4 feet in Molly’s mobile home. Our team was able to continue work that was already started in her home by installing some wood flooring in her kitchen and living room. Molly was very appreciative for the work that was done and to have Julie listen to her story. It was a blessing to serve Molly. Obviously the work is more than one person could handle on her own and we heard from other local residents that it’s difficult to even secure licensed help for projects. There are so many people in need of assistance and not enough workers to go around! Fortunately we have some very talented people at Cross who knew exactly what to do!
The second site in Chokoloskee was with a couple named Connie and William. The work we were assigned inside the mobile home was to repair some of the new drywall that was previously hung and mud over the tape. Groups have come through to help this couple with the work but William and Connie have to pay for all the materials. Their issue is that they didn’t even know where to begin with repairs, and they haven’t been able to get any contractors in to do anything. So many people have need for repairs and there’s not enough help to go around. At the third site in Chokoloskee, the guys cut up and loaded scrap metal onto a trailer. There’s an empty lot in Chokoloskee that had turned into a dumping ground. The one neighbor to the lot had tried to put up a sign discouraging dumping, but no one paid any attention. This neighbor has been almost run over, threatened with a knife or being shot, when he had confronted people trying to dump in the lot. The guys cut up and moved remains of a burned out trailer. Other metal was also loaded up onto the trailer. When all was said and done, the trailer full of metal weighed 17,000 lbs! You can only imagine what people thought as they drove by. Here’s this eyesore in the town, an empty lot that had turned into a dump, and a handful of outsiders cleaning it up. We’re reminded of the attitude that our Savior had as He washed His disciple’s feet. To serve someone is to put aside things you feel are rights and privileges and just do what needs to be done to love someone else. Our team demonstrated Christ’s love in a very tangible way, and the neighborhood noticed. The team felt they had accomplished much, but there is still much work to be done. Pastor Matt said that everywhere they went in Everglade City and Chokoloskee, from homeowners to local stores and restaurants, the people would express their gratitude for coming and helping … not forgetting they still need help. They feel blessed for having served.
As a veteran, Brad gave his all to his country. As an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog and Kare 9 handler, he has given comfort and compassion to others in their time of need. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Brad and Ginny care for their family during this time of transition.
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