On Sunday, June 23, Tim Hetzner, President / CEO of Lutheran Church Charities spoke at Immanuel, Bartlett. Pastor Susan Tyrrel invited Tim to give a presentation in their Fellowship Hall on the LCC K-9 Ministry. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma and Ruthie (LCC Staff) and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) were also there with LCC staff member Rich Martin and handlers, Terri Albright and Carol Gehrke.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Myra will serve as St. Andrews Lutheran Church’s bridge to showing the Mercy, Compassion, and Presence of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. 

Myra Comfort Dog’s Bible verse is 1 Peter 5:2: “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.”

Holy Cross Lutheran Church’s LCC K-9 Comfort Dog is Jared. Jared will serve as their handlers’ bridge so they can be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. 

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Jared’s Bible verse is Psalm 100:5: “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Donna Williams, Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator invited Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response LERT teams to return to Kansas with chainsaw assistance after an EF-4 tornado went through Linwood and Bonner Springs, Kansas on May 28. The damage was very evident throughout these small towns.

The Northern Illinois and Kansas District LERT teams spent this past week working together to help residents recover. They stayed at and worked out of two Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches in Basehor, Kansas: Trinity Family of Faith, Pastor Jason Boetcher and Risen Savior, Pastor Robert Weinkauf.

These LERT team members were able to complete major chainsaw work and debris cleanup at 13 homes and at the church. The Kansas District LERT team members and affected families expressed their appreciation to all present with many thanks and hugs.

Clearing Extensive Tree Damage for Risen Savior Member
John is a Risen Savior congregation member who had a large wooded property surrounding his home. The tornado destroyed most of his trees, leaving them twisted, broken, with limbs hanging precariously and many laying on the ground. He stated he didn’t know how he would ever be able to remove that many trees or make his property safe again. Then, he heard about LERT teams who would come and help him with chainsaws. The Kansas District chainsaw team spent several days doing what they were able. The LCC LERT teams brought in the boom lift and other equipment to complete the work. John and his wife were very grateful for all of the assistance. They appreciated the gift of a quilt and a cross made in their tree.

Helping a Widow Remove Damaged Trees and Rebuild Grandson’s Broken Swing Set
A very recent widow and another Risen Savior member are neighbors who saw their entire neighborhood change after the tornado went through. They both had minimal damage to their homes, but multiple trees down on their properties. Many of their neighbors, however, had destroyed homes or homes with belongings totally gone from the foundations. The LERT team spent the day between both homes removing downed and damaged trees. We also took the time to repair the widow’s grandson’s swing set that had been twisted and blown though the yard. It meant a lot to her, as she never expected all the trees to be taken care of and for someone to go above and beyond to rebuild the broken swing set. We all prayed that we helped bring the comfort and hope of Jesus Christ to her as she is coping with many losses.

Father Witnesses God’s Protection While Tornado Hits Their Property
This father took his family with two little girls to a shelter in the basement of his parents’ home, which was just down the road from them. He then drove back to their house to get the dogs who were still in the outdoor kennel and to try to get the cows in the barn. As he was putting the dogs in his car, he could see the tornado approaching and knew he had no time to leave. He pulled the dogs out and ran into the house. As he was closing the door he heard many cracks of trees and destruction occurring. He said it seemed like eternity but was actually over in seconds. When he came out of his house, the car he had quickly exited was crushed to the ground by fallen trees. His barn and shed were destroyed and there were trees down everywhere around the house, and in the pasture. His home where he sheltered sustained no damage. He and his family know that God protected and saved him. Listening to his story was to hear and see the hand of God in the midst of chaos. The LERT team members felt privileged to help this family who was very thankful for the assistance.

Clean-up at Host Church After Storm Damage
Friday, June 21 was the last day in Kansas for the LERT teams. It just so happens that a strong storm with torrential rain and 50-70 mph wind gusts swept through the area. Trinity Family in Faith and several of the churches’ neighbors had half a tree and many limbs come down. The LERT team felt it was very fitting that we ended the work week serving at the church and its neighbors.

Please keep all of the tornado and flood impacted communities in Kansas in your prayers as they continue their long clean-up effort and recovery.

On Saturday, June 22, several LERT team members performed chainsaw and lift work at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in McHenry, Illinois. The church had several trees with broken limbs from storms, evergreens to be trimmed and a dead tree to be felled. The following LERT team members came to assist:

Shepherd of the Hills, McHenry:
Alan Holm, Ron Jones, Bruce Preston

St. Peter, Schaumburg:
Tom Amundsen, Sara Blanchard, Ken Kiviranta

Trinity, Lisle:
Ed Boerman, Dick Sonntag

It was a full day of work and fellowship for the LERT team members. Pastor Tom Rogers expressed his appreciation for all the work to help make the church grounds safe.

On Thursday, June 20, all Nebraska LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eddie (Peace – Grand Island), Joanna (Christ – Lincoln), Katie (Trinity – Fremont), Moses (Christ – Cairo), Nicodemus (The Rock – Seward), Priscilla (Trinity – Lincoln) visited Good Shepherd Sanctuary in Gretna, Nebraska providing love and comfort to a community that has been torn apart by a tragic vehicle accident involving the deaths of four teenagers and serious injuries of one. Heavenly Father, please wrap your arms around this hurting community.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26

On Tuesday, June 18, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) visited the DuPage County (Illinois) Sheriff's Office to bring comfort and thank everyone for their service!

On Tuesday, June 18, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dogs Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois) and Julia (King of Glory – Elgin, Illinois) responded to the Downers Grove (Illinois) Police Department for a special debriefing.

A veteran police officer there had passed away unexpectedly on June 16, and the LCC K-9 Police Ministry teams were blessed to offer comfort to everyone at the gathering. The teams also visited with those who were working in the department, and couldn't attend the meeting.

On Wednesday, June 19, K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh returned to the police department to spend some time with additional staff and friends who could not be there the previous day.

Despite their grief, these dedicated public servants continue their work in the service and protection of others. Please keep them in your prayers.

On Saturday, June 15, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Nigel (LCC Staff) visited with emergency room staff, Chicago Fire Department paramedics, private ambulance service paramedics, and Chicago police officers (10th District) at Mt. Sinai Hospital, a level 1 trauma center. The visit was part of a pilot program to help reduce stress among first responders, and it was a blessing to bring some comfort to them!

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40​

On Monday, June 24, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited children at the Chicago Heights Library to share the story of the Comfort Dog Ministry. The children loved learning about the Comfort Dogs and spending time with Kare 9 Brutus.

On Monday, June 24, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited World War II Navy Veteran, Clarence Kuhlman. Clarence served our nation honorably and shared his memories with Brutus and Gene. It was an honor and privilege to meet Clarence and bring some love and our thanks to him.