On February 6, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and aftershocks hit Turkey and the surrounding regions. Exactly two weeks later, on February 20, a 6.3 magnitude quake shook the same area, bringing further destruction, additional deaths, and more injuries.
 
According to Reuters, as of March 13, the death toll in Turkey has risen to 48,448. The combined death toll, including those killed in Syria, has climbed to more than 54,000. The earthquake and subsequent powerful tremors injured more than 115,000 in Turkey, leaving millions sheltering in tents or seeking to move to other cities.
 
Every day people are tasked with looking for food and necessities to survive.

Rev. Chris Singer, Lutheran Church Charities President & CEO, has been working with President Kurt Buchholz of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) on ways to bring assistance and the hope found in Jesus Christ to people in Turkey and Syria who are directly impacted by this catastrophic disaster.
 
“I am excited to work with President Kurt Buchholz and the great ministry of LHM. In the face of such dire and large scale need we find our help will be better together,” shares Rev. Singer. “Much of the news has highlighted that people in this devastation feel forgotten. But we know that the Lord is attentive to their cries of suffering (Psalm 22:24). LCC can bring them mercy, compassion, and assurance with your help. Let’s bring hope together!”

Lutheran Hour Ministries is incorporating a holistic approach to sharing God’s love by attending to people’s physical and emotional needs as well as their spiritual needs. They are currently gathering emergency supplies to be sent to a partner church in Turkey for distribution to people affected by the earthquakes. Often the recipients of holistic efforts like this desire to learn more about God through Christians moved to reach out in love.

Join LCC in praying for our brothers and sisters in Turkey and Syria, as well as for the safety of the dedicated first responders, to remain strong in faith during these difficult times. LCC never charges those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need.
 
Note: LCC is not collecting items to ship, only financial donations to cover the cost of shipping and the purchase of additional needed supplies.

LCC received the following update from Pastor Doug Warmann of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, Illinois:

Dear Christian friends:
 
Thank you for your generous support for the grieving family of five children and their mother expecting her sixth child in the next few weeks! Although it is a challenging task caring for so many children when you are pregnant, the mother has done an excellent job providing for them and training them to care for one another. 
 
After being away from work for several months for a work injury, the mother returned to work at UPS in January. The last month has been especially difficult as the mother as well as her oldest son, were briefly in the hospital to receive tests and follow-up care. It continues to be a struggle to find an affordable caregiver for so many children. She is also looking for a new home as their current home is quite small for six children. 
 
Your prayers and financial support have helped the family to survive during the last nine months. Thank you for your kindness! Please pray for a safe delivery, a healthy child, wisdom in adjusting to the changes that another child brings, and an affordable childcare provider. 
 
As the Lord leads, we invite your support for them. 
 
Pastor Doug Warmann,
Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle, Illinois

On Sunday, March 12, Rev. Chris Singer was officially installed as President & CEO of Lutheran Church Charities at Lord of Glory Lutheran Church in Grayslake, Illinois. The installation was officiated by Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Northern Illinois District President, and attended by Pastors Brian Davies of Lord of Glory Lutheran Church, Grayslake, Illinois, Edward Blonski of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, Jim Buckman of Faith Lutheran Church, Lake Forest, Illinois, James Kirschenmann of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Glenview, Illinois, and Hesham Shehab of Salam Christian Fellowship, Lombard, Illinois.
 
The event was well attended, with many LCC K-9 Ministry teams and LCC Disaster Response volunteers present to help celebrate the next chapter of LCC.
 
LCC is grateful to Pastor Brian Davies and our friends at Lord of Glory for hosting the service and reception. Thank you for your support and prayers. God will continue to be present in the lives of those served through LCC and Rev. Chris Singer!
 
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." (Psalm 9:1)

On Saturday, March 11, LCC Kare 9® Military Ministry Dog Amos (Our Savior’s Way - Ashburn, Virginia) and his veteran handler joined LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Kezia (Emmanuel - Baltimore, Maryland) to bring comfort and love to a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Event  in Bethesda, Maryland.

The event was held for pre and post deployment Air National Guard service members and their families from New Castle, Delaware; Baltimore, Maryland; Washington, D.C. and Langley, Virginia. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams were present for attendees as they spent the day learning about all the resources available to support them as service members prepare to leave or return home.

During one emotional moment, a service member shared that she was there for both post and pre deployment as she had just come home and was getting ready to leave for the next assignment.  She talked through tears about how much hugging the comfort dogs was helping her let go of her worries and how she wished her children and husband were able to have a dog to comfort them while she was away.

It was a blessing to be able to bring smiles to the attendees and to honor their selfless service during this stressful period.