Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President/CEO, and Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, continue to work with Emmanuel Lutheran Church leaders as they navigate the Maui wildfire recovery process and minister to those affected. They meet weekly on Zoom with church and school leaders. Last week, the leaders reported that they are continuing to supply the community distribution sites in Lahaina and Kula based on specific requests. They have also been able to provide gift card assistance to eight teachers from Main Prep Academy in Lahaina who totally lost their homes, as well as other families referred to them from the family assistance center Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for Maui Through a strong partnership with Orphan Grain Train, LCC will be sending 120 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) to Maui. Thank you to Tim Laabs, HMC Project Manager, and our HMC volunteers and partners who cut wood, painted, glued, packed, and are driving the hearts and markers to Orphan Grain Train’s facility in Norfolk, Nebraska, from Fort Collins, Colorado, and from Northbrook, Illinois. More updates to come once they arrive in Maui. Please pray for clear shipping channels and delivery to Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School. Lutheran Church Charities is continuing to support Emmanuel Lutheran Church leaders as they navigate this recovery process and minister to those affected by this devastating fire. Becky Soppe, MS, LMHP, a GracePoint team counselor from Omaha, Nebraska, specializing in family and youth ministry, is now in Maui, providing spiritual and emotional care on behalf of Emmanuel Lutheran Church at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Hawaii VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) assigned this shelter to Emmanuel to serve families staying there. Becky led spiritual and emotional care training to Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) certified volunteers so they would be knowledgeable and comfortable ministering to survivors. She has also been available to meet with Emmanuel students and staff as requested. She arrived last Wednesday and will be available until this Friday. Her expertise has been invaluable to Emmanuel and survivors. Providing Tuition Assistance for Emmanuel School Families Lutheran Church Charities is providing tuition assistance for Emmanuel Lutheran School families that are now struggling to make their payments due to loss of income from the fire destroying their place of business. In addition, many families have taken in and are supporting other family members who have lost everything, increasing their household size and expenses. Emmanuel did not want to lose any family at a time when they need the most support. Your generous donations make it possible for the school to operate effectively, providing continued education and ministry to struggling and hurting families. Emmanuel Lutheran School has also continued to provide requested items needed to the community distribution points for survivors in Lahaina and Kula, Hawaii. You Can Continue to Be There with LCC The congregation of Emmanuel and the people we have met and minister to extend heartfelt “Mahalo nui” for prayers and financial support sent on their behalf. The greatest need is for financial donations to help the people of Maui. They do not have the ability to take in any more donations of items. If you are so moved by this disaster, please donate generously so that we can help survivors with this unfathomable loss. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by these wildfires as well as for the local first responders, LCC staff, and volunteers that help during the long recovery process. Be there with LCC to show them the love and presence of Jesus!
Lutheran Church Charities is ready to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. We only go where we are invited and we never charge those we serve. LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Comments are closed.
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