Rev. Don Love of Calvary Lutheran Church in Watseka and the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency has asked for more LERT volunteer assistance to help congregation members and residents of Watseka, Illinois, still trying to clean up from the February flooding. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, LCC DR staff, and LERT team members will be partnering with the Central Illinois District of the LCMS for another muck-out workday on Thursday, April 5.

We will be doing muck outs, power washing of basements, removing carpet, drywall insulation and debris removal from homes damaged by the historic flooding in February. We will also be able to provide mold remediation with the foggers and disinfectant recently purchased.

This community has been hard hit and homeowners are struggling to recover. LCC LERT volunteers will continue to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ with those who are suffering and in need who are feeling exhausted and discouraged.

Pastor John Brazeal and Principal Geri Brazeal of Christ the King Lutheran Church and School (Chicago, Illinois) request your financial assistance for a third grade boy who attends Christ the King Lutheran School. After a week of searching for Zayd, Pastor Brazeal learned from the police department that the child was found wandering around Midway airport. Zayd’s mother, who is mentally ill and suffers from bipolar disorder, had been hospitalized but refused to take her medication. After leaving the hospital during a mental health breakdown and thinking Zayd was Satan, she kicked him off an elevator, abandoned him, and left for Louisiana.  

The police and DCFS have placed Zayd in the care of his 80 year old great grandmother who is living on a meager fixed income. Christ the King asks your help to assist her with the additional cost of raising a child: food, clothing, medical care, and keeping Zayd in the Christian School at Christ the King with its nurturing environment. $2,500 will cover most of these expenses.

Help be Christ to Zayd and his widowed great grandmother. As Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14  

Please keep Zayd, his great grandmother, and mother in your prayers.

She snatched up the baby and took cover in the bathroom just as a large evergreen fell through the roof directly over the bed she had been in with her baby. Each time she told the story all could see the hand of God protecting her. In her words, “No one was hurt! Praise God!” Her husband also worked with this team for two days removing the tree from their roof and clearing other trees from their property. They were very grateful for the help they received from the LERT teams.

At another home, a widow and her daughter had several large trees come down around their home and yard. They also had a 30’ tree that was dangling near their home and electrical wires. They were able to tie ropes to pull and insure the tree fell where it was safe while removing it with chainsaws. As the tree fell and hit the ground both women began to cry. Steve Chester went and talked with them immediately and they said, “I have not cried since my husband/dad died 18 months ago. This is beautiful what you guys are doing for us.” This team worked at their home for four days removing trees, branches and the stumps. She told all who came by her home that “She had nine angels working in her front yard.”

These are just a few examples of how LCC LERT volunteers serve as the hands and feet of Jesus to individuals recovering from a disaster. LCC thanks all of our LERT volunteers for their continued dedication and compassion. Please continue to keep all those impacted by the Jacksonville, Alabama tornado in your prayers.