Homeowners and the Learning Tree Are Blessed by LCC Disaster Response Assistance in Alabama4/13/2021
“You are a blessing sent from God.” – Homeowner L.E.R.T. Chainsaw Team Members Continue Serving in Devastated Areas of Alabama for Second Week On Thursday, March 25, the National Weather Service reported eleven tornadoes with EF ratings ranging from EF-1 to EF-4, ripped through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia causing seven deaths, multiple injuries, and widespread structural and tree damage.
For a second full week, Lutheran Church Charities Director of Disaster Response, Kathy O’Day and Lutheran Early Response Teams (L.E.R.T.) are deployed and serving in Alabama. At the invitation of Rev. Ed Brashier, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southern District, recovery efforts continue in the towns of Ohatchee, Wellington, Jacksonville and Piedmont. We are serving out of Trinity Lutheran Church in Gadsen, Alabama, with Pastor John Reynolds. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Erica Brown, Resource & Development Coordinator, The Learning Tree, Ann Cusey, Homeowner, and Mark Brueggemann, LCC L.E.R.T. volunteer share how the LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams brought mercy and compassion when responding to the Alabama tornadoes. Click on the image below to watch the video.  Since arriving the Monday after Easter, thirty-one LCC Disaster Response L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members have joined the Southern District L.E.R.T. team members to assist those affected by these devastating tornadoes clear properties of downed and damaged trees, and debris utilizing the boom lift, dump trailer, bobcats, ditch witch, and tractors with grapples. This will help them begin their long road of rebuilding and recovery.
Clean-up Continues at The Learning Tree and Staff Member Properties Property damage has been extensive at The Learning Tree Residential Schools for Children & Adults with Developmental Disabilities but care and enthusiasm for their students and residents has not wavered. The director, property manager, and staff can’t believe LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members traveled such a great distance to help them in their time of need. They continue to see the hand of God provide for them during the tornado recovery efforts. They look forward to having safe properties, bringing back their students and residents, and helping everyone return to their normal schedule. Helping Elderly Couple with Property Clean-Up
Serving Overwhelmed Staff Member with Property Damage
Removing Large Tree that Landed on the Home of Man with a Disability  Bob and his family huddled in their bathroom wearing their bicycle helmets as they heard the tornado pass and the trees crashing onto their house and down on their property. When they came out, a large tree was resting on their roof but they were very surprised to see that it didn’t go through or damage the interior of their home. Due to his disability, he knew there was no way he could begin to remove the damaged trees. He is very thankful that LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams came with their equipment to assist. If it weren't for all of the faith-based groups helping the community, he doesn’t know how he and his neighbors would be able to clean up all the damage to their properties.
Other LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw team members have been working on several large jobs that took several days. Property owners have been overwhelmed with the clean-up task and are overjoyed when they witness the hands and feet of Jesus helping them. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General 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. Please keep the families affected by the tornadoes in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff while we are deployed to Alabama.
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS. 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and teams are looking forward to joining the Life Skills class for the Pontiac Township High School’s Virtual 5K Run for Respect on April 17 and 18. The K-9 Comfort Dog teams that have received their 5K bibs are excited to walk as a team. Fifty-three LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their teams from twenty-two states will be participating in this 5K walk from their home communities.
We look forward to walking together as the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to support our friends of the Life Skills class at Pontiac Township High School. On Tuesday, April 6, LCC K-9 Ministry teams were invited to honor Texas Trooper Chad Walker, who tragically lost his life last week after coming to the aid of what he thought was a disabled motorist. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Abner (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Martha (Bethany – Austin, Texas), and Triton (Messiah – Plano, Texas), and their ministry teams traveled to a small town east of Waco - Groesbeck, Texas, to be with Trooper Walker's family, friends, community and department. This is whom we honor today. This is the family and community for whom we pray. On Wednesday, April 7, the Texas LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams were honored to serve in this deployment. Along with the sadness of the occasion, one great thing we all noticed and appreciated was a picture of hope we saw everywhere. Green rolling fields were covered in so many amazing wildflowers. God has not turned his compassion and love away from this family, this town, this department. He made that very clear to us as we witnessed His renewal in the rebirth of the fields. One more certainty to us, the thin blue line that runs through Groesbeck and Limestone County is anything but thin. It's strong and vibrant, and compassionate. We saw so many examples of that today as we visited with family, friends, and law enforcement officers from all over this country. God bless the Walker family. On Thursday, April 8, as law enforcement officers and first responders entered the Groesbeck High School football stadium, it was like watching a roll call of cities and counties all over the state. Mingled in among them were officers and first responders from other states, many of whom traveled great distances to be present for a final farewell. They came to honor the life of Trooper Chad Walker. They came to show great respect to the family and friends he left behind. They came to participate in a service that showed dignity and courage to those who watched in person or online. In-person, the crowd consisted of over 5,000 people who filled the bleachers, sat in chairs on the field, or lined the stadium's perimeter. The Texas LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and ministry teams were honored to be present for Trooper Walker's funeral. We were honored to serve in response to the service of a man who will remain in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25:23
Lutheran Church Charities Welcomes New Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) Certified Members
 Voice of Hope Mission, a mission for Arabic speakers in Chicagoland, is seeking $2,300 in monetary donations to purchase video recording equipment. Pastor Karim Yaghleji reached over 200,000 people worldwide with the good news of Christ, and the mission’s Facebook page has over 5,000 followers right now. Pastor Yaghleji used his cellphone to record some videos and other recording equipment that he no longer has access to. The mission does not have any funding as of now.
Your donations for this equipment will help the mission reach more people and give them the chance to know Jesus. The funds raised will purchase a tripod, lighting, a good quality microphone, and a camera. Please prayerfully consider donating to help Pastor Yaghleji reach more Arabic speakers with the good news of Christ. St. Matthew's Soup Kitchen, Chicago, Illinois, Is Grateful for Food Donations to Help Those in Need4/12/2021
Our ministry partner, Mission:Haiti, continues to support the ongoing needs in Haiti. LCC received the following urgent requests:
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