The congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hobart, Indiana, officially welcomed their newest LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, Jael. Jael joins Trinity’s LCC K-9 Ministry team with Comfort Dogs Barnabas and Isaiah. The team of handlers was commissioned by Pastor Nathan Kramer. We were blessed to have LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Caleb (Immanuel - Valparaiso, Indiana), Naomi (Holy Cross - Indianapolis, Indiana), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), along with members from their teams, attend church with us to welcome Jael into the ministry.

There were no words to express the sadness and grief experienced by those who attended the visitation for 20-year-old Cameron Bawolek of South Elgin, Illinois, this past week. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bekah (Immanuel - Belvidere, Illinois), Eunice (LCC Staff), Hannah (LCC Staff), Jacob (LCC Staff), Julia (King of Glory - Elgin, Illinois), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) and their handlers were blessed to attend and bring comfort to Cameron’s family and friends.

Cameron was funny, loving, determined, and knew how to make people smile. He was looking forward to returning to the University of Nebraska this year. He had a huge and caring heart and loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by many, especially his church family at King of Glory Lutheran Church, Elgin, Illinois. Pastor Doug Swanson of King of Kings Lutheran Church, Mason, Ohio, who helped guide Cameron through his faith journey at King of Glory, returned to assist with the funeral.  

On Saturday, August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti taking more than 1,500 lives, decimating homes, schools, offices, and churches across the country and leaving hospitals overwhelmed with thousands more injured.

Meanwhile, Grace lashed Haiti as a tropical depression on Monday, August 16, dumping up to 10 inches of rain before regaining tropical storm status early Tuesday. The heavy rains pelted people huddling in fields and searching for survivors.

To make matters worse, Haiti is also struggling with the coronavirus pandemic, recovery from other disasters, and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse last month.

Our Mission Partners in Haiti are asking for help to provide the most urgent needs of water, food, hygiene kits, and blue tarps, which can be used to make temporary shelters. There is also a need for funds for search and rescue and medical teams responding to the crisis.

Travel to the most affected areas is difficult but not impossible, so the desperately needed supplies can be purchased in Haiti and delivered to the affected areas.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and is in desperate need of help. Our Mission Partners will use your donations to bring relief to those most affected by this latest disaster.

Please donate generously to help the people of Haiti as they once again face a devastating humanitarian crisis.

On Tuesday, August 17, LCC staff member Nikki Deacon delivered a check for $12,000 of your donations to Pastor John Brazeal and Principal Geri of Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Illinois. They were overwhelmed by your generosity! “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” was all they could say.

Pastor John and Principal Geri continue their 47-year ministry in a part of the city where many people are afraid to go. They reach out with the light and love of Jesus, connecting the children of their community with a strong educational and Christian foundation, which allows the children to know that they have much more worth than what the streets of Chicago tell them.

Christ the King provides small classes, violin lessons, dance classes, and services that help serve the well-being of the students. Pastor John and Principal Geri also put a strong emphasis on serving others which, in a community where people struggle to meet basic necessities, they give out of the love of their hearts sharing in response to what is given to them.

As the finances of the church changed, Pastor John and Geri, out of their love of the students and commitment to their community, do not take a salary.

Supporting Christ the King Lutheran School is an investment in an incredible ministry where life-changing relationships are established, and an incredible education is earned.

 Mirahri’s mom shares:

“Mirahri is one of five children and is very excited to go back to Christ the King this year, seeing his teachers and reconnecting with friends.

He is ready to learn! Any assistance is greatly appreciated!”

Donte wrote to LCC himself, an eloquent student; he shares that his grandparents have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in such a way that leaves them unable to pay his school tuition.

“That is why I am asking for any help that Christ the King Lutheran School can assist my family and me; it would be very helpful and greatly appreciated.”

On Monday, August 9, and continuing for several hours, strong storms with torrential downpours produced a confirmed ten tornadoes, four of them in Sycamore, as part of an outbreak of severe weather in the Illinois counties of DeKalb and Kane. Then, from August 10 through August 12, all of northern Illinois experienced severe storms with 50 – 70 mph winds, causing widespread tree and home damage.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and several LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw leaders began assessing damage in many communities each day, while other L.E.R.T. teams provided chainsaw assistance. In 10 days, we completed 24 sites in 14 different communities with 66 volunteers.

These three sites required chainsaws, heavy equipment, and the boom lift in operation for seven days. Scott, one of the homeowners, had his entire family working with us each day so that his kids would see volunteers joyfully serving them and their neighbors in their time of need.

These families have been overwhelmed with the amount of damage. They are so appreciative of all of the assistance and care showed to them.

Sam received a frantic call from his elderly and disabled parents after strong winds blew over a large neighbor’s tree onto their garage, workshop, and yard, as well as pulled live wires into their property. Although they were grateful the tree and wires did not hit their home, they did not know how they would clean up all of the damage.

Sam worked with the L.E.R.T. team, cutting the large limbs from the roof and yard. His mom and dad sat in the yard and watched all of the work being done. She kept praising God for the angels he brought to help them. When the team was finished, she gave all hugs, blew kisses, and said a blessing.

Lutheran Church Charities also extends many thanks to the 66 volunteers that have come from the following 26 Lutheran churches in Illinois and Wisconsin:

Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Illinois, is in desperate need of a reliable vehicle. They currently have a 2000 Toyota Sienna that LCC gave to them a few years ago. Unfortunately, it has “bit the dust” and is no longer safe to drive. The repairs needed to make the van safe to drive are well in excess of what the van is worth.

Christ the King uses the van to pick up food and other much-needed supplies to support their outreach work in the community. They need either a van, SUV, or a pick-up truck with a cap cover to continue their outreach. A donated vehicle or a connection to one would be a great help.

If you have a vehicle to donate, please contact LCC at LCC@LutheranChurchCharities or call 866-455-6466.

You may also donate toward purchasing a vehicle for Christ the King by clicking the button below.

Because of your support Rev. Marky Kessa, Pastor at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jacmel, Haiti, was able to provide a Vacation Bible School (VBS), which gave the children an opportunity to learn about Jesus and His love for them. In addition, meals were provided for the children, which, for many of them, was their one meal for the day.

The VBS was so successful that Rev. Kessa decided to continue it as the children are traumatized from the earthquake, and VBS occupies their time bringing them closer to the Lord.

Please consider donating to help support the continuation of the VBS in Haiti for the next several weeks.

On Friday, August 13th, the Put Your Hands Together (PYHT) Food Pantry of Immanuel Hillside, Illinois, hosted a Food Distribution where nine of LCC Ministry partners picked up food to distribute while sharing the love of Jesus.