The same derecho that barreled through northern Illinois on August 10 also struck Cedar Rapids and surrounding towns in Iowa first, with 100 mph winds causing major destruction to trees, homes, businesses, farms and crops. Even after all this time, the towns still look as though an inland hurricane went through.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams have completed chainsaw work at 40 homeowner sites during the past two weeks, working out of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are planning to return October 2 – 7 to continue to offer much needed chainsaw and boom lift assistance.
 
Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, responded with a team of 26 L.E.R.T. chainsaw and heavy equipment operators from Illinois and Jason Koepnick, King of Kings L.E.R.T. Team Leader for the Iowa East District and several of his L.E.R.T. volunteers.

Working Several Days to Help on Homeowner Farm
 
Many chainsaw volunteers and all of the LCC Disaster Response heavy equipment spent several days at a family’s several acre farm that was just devastated by the derecho. Mr. V. helped every day as well with his tractor and pulling on rigging. He was so happy to have the assistance because he could not clear the extensive damage done to his property on his own. Although his property looks very different now, it is safe for his children and animals to roam.

Helping Elderly Neighbors with Largest Tree Cut

Several chainsaw volunteers worked with two tractors, bobcat, and the boom lift at an elderly widow’s home and several of her elderly neighbors for two days to clear many trees from their large yards. One of the trees that was so badly damaged and had to be felled was 78” in diameter. This was the largest tree our team has ever cut!
 
The homeowner expressed her gratitude to the team for all their hard work and sent a thank you note:
 
“Thank you so much for all the work you did at my house after this terrible storm here in Cedar Rapids. The workers were so wonderful! I’ll never be able to repay them for all their hard work. THANK YOU! Love to you all as you serve in Jesus name.”

Removing Large Damaged Trees Safely from Front Yard

Another elderly woman had two large damaged trees in her front yard that needed to be removed with the boom lift piece by piece before the remaining trunk could get safely felled. She also sent a note of thanks:
 
“Please allow me to express my gratitude for the truly professional volunteers working for your organization. I am so impressed with LCC reaching out and doing God’s work over and over again across state lines.
 
Please know how very thankful I am to the crew for making it happen at my home. God’s blessings to all!”

A Carved Cross in Tree Trunk Shows God’s Love

Mr. B. was so happy with the cross the team left for him after finishing removing trees from his several acre property.
 
He was very grateful for the help and loved watching the team work throughout the day.
 
He even joined the team for dinner at the host church, King of Kings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Giving Help and Hope to Single Mother
 
A single mother who had experienced many recent life-changing events and storm damage to her home and property was feeling very overwhelmed. Besides cleaning up her property, the team spent time ministering to her. She stated that she felt a weight had been lifted from her shoulders and she could really see the love of Christ offered to her. She even came to dinner a couple nights later at the church to again thank everyone for helping her, but also for really showing her that there is hope in Christ. Her daughter said it was the first time she had seen her mom really smile and laugh in a while.
 
She truly blessed all the volunteers present and served as a reminder that what we do really does make a difference as we bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

LCC thanks all of the L.E.R.T. volunteers for their professionalism, tireless efforts, and ministry over the past two weeks. Please join us in praying for their continued safety when they return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and for the residents of that community who are still recovering from the devastation of the August derecho storm.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, lodging, and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response 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.

On Monday, September 21, three LCC K-9 Ministry teams deployed to Medford, Oregon, to serve victims of the Alameda Fire, which destroyed over 2,300 structures in 24 hours. The fire impacted the towns of Ashland, Phoenix, Talent, and South Medford. At one period of time in September in Oregon, over 200 wildfires burning.
 
Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Gary Clark of St. John, Eagle Point, Oregon, to be with the evacuees of the wildfires in the Medford area who are displaced and staying in area churches, shelters, and at fairgrounds.

LCC’s Rich Martin with Ruthie Comfort Dog (LCC Staff) led two other teams: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado), and Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington).

The teams met with families that lost everything in the fire. Many of the families they met and prayed with had lived in a retirement community where there were once over 50 homes. Only a few remained after the fire.
 
The teams met and prayed with families and Red Cross volunteers at the Jackson County Fairgrounds & Expo. Accommodations included bunks and tents inside the exposition center, families sleeping in their cars, and families who had a camper to sleep in. The teams also traveled to the towns of Talent and Ashland to visit and pray with people looking to pick up the necessities.

People had little or no time to leave their homes. Taking their loved ones and pets to safety, they left most everything else behind.
 
With so much loss and devastation, it will be sometime in finding news homes for many.
 
We ask that you keep these communities and people in your prayers.

California Statewide Fire Summary
 
Critical fire weather continues to fan multiple fast-moving major wildfires, as Red Flag Warnings remain in place over much of Northern California. Currently, there are 27 major wildfires with over 18,000 firefighters on the front lines. During the windy conditions experienced this week, the Glass Fire in Napa County erupted, as well as the Zogg Fire in Shasta County, both growing rapidly and forcing evacuations. Since the beginning of the year, there have been over 8,100 wildfires that have burned well over 3.7 million acres in California. Since August 15, when California’s fire activity elevated, there have been 26 fatalities and over 7,000 structures destroyed.

California Wildfires Deployment
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John’s - Napa, California), Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, California), Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California), and Reuben (First Lutheran - Yuba City, California) continued to serve first responders and utility workers at several base camps.
 
Aaron and Lois Comfort Dogs comforted first responders and Pacific Gas & Electric utility workers at the base camp in Tollhouse, California fighting the Creek Fire.
 
Micah and Reuben Comfort Dogs were with Cal Fire personnel at the SQF Fire base camp in Porterville California.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deploying to Elberta, Alabama
 
After yet another hurricane battered the gulf coast, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited to be with members of St. John’s Lutheran in Elberta, Alabama, and their community. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Lizzie (Trinity - Savannah, Georgia), Luke (Christ the Shepherd - Alpharetta, Georgia), and Peace (Trinity - Orlando, Florida) with their teams will be deploying this Thursday to be with those who have struggled in the latest of storms.

LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Micaylah, 7th Grader
 
Micaylah struggles with learning disabilities. She loves animals and wants to be a zoologist.
 
I hope this letter finds you and your family doing well. This COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the world. My family knows firsthand how devastating this disease can be. My husband became ill in March. Our 13-year-old daughter, Micaylah, was worried sick about him. It was hard for her to even focus on school or anything else. It was even harder to see my husband sick like that, and I honestly didn't even know if he was going to make it through.
 
I cried and prayed nonstop. I tried to remain strong for him and my daughter, but it was hard. I've never seen him that ill before. He was sick for about six weeks, in which he could not work. During that time, my hours at my job were reduced, which made matters even worst. We were not able to pay our bills and we fell behind in our daughter's tuition. While my husband's health has gotten better, we are still struggling to catch up with our responsibilities.
 
Our daughter's schooling is essential to us. She wants to work with animals when she grows up. She knows everything about animals. They are so vital to her. She has a gift, and we want to foster it. Please help my husband and I to keep her at Christ the King Lutheran School. They are AWESOME there, and they have helped my daughter come a long way.
 
Thank you in advance for your consideration. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family and please stay safe. Family is everything!
 
Thank you

Magic, 6th Grader
 
Magic is a sixth grader who is struggling with learning disabilities and Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF) is assisting Christ the King in getting Magic tested through the Board of Education for Special Ed classes. This is on hold until the virus allows normalcy in the educational programs and testing.
 
Magic likes basketball and games. He excels in art. He loves helping Pastor Brazeal with school chapels.
 
My son Magic enjoys the outdoors; from going swimming, to the parks, museums, going to the movies, playing with friends and family, basketball. Magic spends his time with family and studying - math is his favorite subject. Magic is interested in becoming an engineer and being able to have his own engineering company. Magic also spends his time learning to cook different foods and the foods he likes.
 
Tasha

Your donations help children like Micaylah and Magic stay in the Christ-centered environment of Christ the King Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, Illinois.

Pastor John Brazeal, Principal Geri Brazeal, the school staff, and members of the congregation have been sharing the life-changing love and grace of God, in Jesus Christ and a quality education for the children of the families they serve for 47 years.
 
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, many families have lost their jobs and are unable to pay the school tuition. As COVID-19 lingers on, the future of the children staying in school at Christ the King grows bleaker.

Please prayerfully consider donating now to the scholarship program to keep children like Micaylah and Magic in school and Christ the King serving their community.

The freezer will help Immanuel to provide greater assistance especially to churches who don’t have refrigeration and need to pick up food on a weekly basis and give it out immediately.
 
As the program director of Immanuel Lutheran Church-Put Your Hands Together Food Outreach I have a request that will positively affect our ministry and every other food ministry in the Northern Illinois District. We have been blessed with overwhelming amounts of food donations from the major airlines in Chicago, mostly which is frozen that we re-distribute to ministries and food relief agencies.
 
In order to store this food even for one night requires a large walk in 10x10 freezer, freezer kit, 49 cuft., upright 2-door or portable freezer pod rental.
 
We ask that if any used models for sale or donation become available please keep us in mind for any freezers or refrigerators, even if we need to install several smaller ones.
Pictured is the most reasonable and readily available model, under $3,000 brand new that would immediately serve our needs.
 
Thank you for considering our request and spreading the word and the Word! 
 
Jayne Siou,
Put Your Hands Together Food Outreach
Immanuel-Hillside Food Pantry
 
Please click on the button below to make a financial contribution towards the purchase of the freezer.

Alternatively, if you have a freezer to donate, contact Dianna Bonfield at (224) 257-4371 or email her at Dianna@LutheranChurchCharities.org.

In July, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Lake Ozark, Missouri, attended handler training and met their K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz. Since that time, the team has actively trained and built a relationship with K-9 Boaz. LCC is pleased to announce that Christ the King has successfully completed the placement process. The team was commissioned by Pastor Ron Lehenbaurer on Sunday, September 27.
 
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz will serve as Christ the King Lutheran Church’s bridge to show the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. K-9 Comfort Dog Boaz's Bible verse is Galatians 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”
 
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. When the Lord calls, we must go and serve Him. Isaiah 6:8 tells us, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me.’”
 
The following new LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry handlers have heard that call:
Top Dog Deb Graf, Cheryl Conroy, Michael Graf, Linda Linsenbardt, Robert Moeckel, Maggie Moe, Victoria Schoening, and Bob Tostenrud.
 
LCC is honored to include the following law enforcement handler to the LCC K-9 Police Ministry: Bob Tostenrud, Officer - Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department (1975-1979)
 
God is with them as they begin this new journey as part of the LCC K-9 Ministry.

LCC received a thank you note from a mom whose four young children had a wonderful experience with LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Amos (Our Savior's Way - Ashburn, Virginia) at the airport while waiting in line to check in for their flight.

Hello,
 
I wanted to share my family’s wonderful experience with sweet Amos and express our gratitude.
 
The world pandemic has been complicated and stressful for everyone in different ways. Our version was that we had been serving our country in the Middle East and had the opportunity to come to America for a month to unwind before going to our next posting in Africa. There were so many uncertainties for our travel and many complications that we encountered in our time back in America, but we were grateful for every silver lining.
 
In the stress of another journey around the world with four young children and many suitcases to help us in our move I saw beautiful Amos with his “please pet me” harness in line at the airport. We have always wanted a pet, but our career and growing family have made it complicated. I know how soothing and centering God’s creations can be for us, and especially what great therapy being with animals can be. My daughter can be quite anxious sometimes and I have been researching traits to look for in a pet that could benefit her in our next home. I knew that if she could interact with a comfort animal like Amos she could be calmed and comforted better than many other methods I could provide.
 
I asked the kind lady who was traveling with Amos if my children could pet him and she said "yes." It brought tears to my eyes to see my children calmed and happy sitting around a beautiful silky dog while we waited in line for all our bags to be checked at the airport. It can be a lengthy process to check us all in and having Amos to engage with the kids was a serious treat. To me, it was a little gift from God to all of us that Amos was there at Dulles airport. The simple experience touched my heart and reminded me once again that God is mindful of us, He loves us and sends His mercies in many ways.
 
I am grateful for the creative, inspired ministry, Amos, and all involved provided my family and many others.
 
Thank you,
Lauren

LCC's Ministry Director Nikki Deacon and LCC volunteer Bob Morris presented donations to Pastor Cesar Sifuentes, of “Comedor San Mateo” Soup Kitchen at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois, and his wife Elly.
 
Thank you for helping St. Matthew’s to be the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching out and feeding the hungry and homeless in their community.

Thanks to a generous donation of yoga mats from Kathleen Enstrom, the children at Immanuel Christian Academy-Hillside were able to comfortably practice physical distancing

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Oregon this Week to Bring Love and Support
to the Evacuees Affected by the Wildfires

Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs were invited by Pastor Gary Clark of St. John, Eagle Point, Oregon, to be with the evacuees of the Oregon wildfires in the Medford area who are displaced and staying in area churches, shelters and at fairgrounds.
 
More than 2,300 structures were ruined in only two days. Half of the town of Talent, Oregon, was destroyed with hundreds displaced.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Cubby (Redeemer - Fort Collins, Colorado), Isaac (Redeemer - Spokane Valley, Washington), and Ruthie (LCC Staff) deployed with their team members on Monday, September 21, to Medford, Oregon, to offer comfort and bring compassion. Yesterday, they met with over 200 displaced victims of the Alameda Fire.

California Wildfires Deployment Update

Last Thursday through Saturday, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Micah (Light of the Valley - Elk Grove, California) spent several days at the SCQ Fire base camp in Porterville, California, to comfort the firefighters and support staff. 
 
Many remembered Micah from a different camp in Pleasanton, California, and were excited to see him again!

The Sequoia Complex Fire is a joint command of the U.S. Forest Service, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team, Cal Fire and National Park Service.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron (St. John’s - Napa, California) and Lois (First Good Shepherd - Las Vegas, California) were requested to visit Pacific Gas & Electric workers as well as Cal Fire workers at their base camps in Tollhouse, California (near Fresno). 
 
They visited with hundreds of employees who are working tirelessly to control the fires and restore power to the areas affected. The teams attended early morning shift changes and visited the support staff at the camps throughout each day. They also visited a nearby hotel where evacuees were being housed.
 
With so many fires burning all over the west coast, we have our work cut out for us, but God continues to lead us to places where we can serve bringing the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus. 
 
Please pray for all of these heroes who sacrifice and risk so much! 

LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.