I have just returned from visiting the affected areas hardest hit by Hurricane Michael a week ago. The single word I would use to describe the situation in the Panama City Area – DEVASTATION!
 
I was part of a group with Southern District President Rev. Eric Johnson, Rev. Curt Schultz, Emeritus District President, Rev. Michael Meyer, LCMS Disaster Response, Rev. Ed Brasher, Southern District Disaster Response Director, Rev. David Goodine, Executive Director Camp Restore, and Pastors from the Southern District, both affected and in the area.
 
We went into the affected areas that were torn apart by the 150 mph hurricane winds. Trees, roofs, buildings and homes, power lines, and just about everything in Hurricane Michael’s path were torn apart or flattened. Several of our churches were damaged to the point that they may not re-open. Others were hit but are still open. There is NO ELECTRICITY in the whole area – hoping and praying they can get it back up in several weeks – but with most electric poles down that would be a minor miracle as new poles need to be put up throughout the community. 

At weekend worship services on October 13 – 14, Lutheran Church Charities was the Featured Mission Partner at Prince of Peace in Palatine, Illinois. Deb Baran, Rich and Dona Martin (LCC Staff), and Steve MacKay, Co-Lead of the Palatine LERT team were present to share information about how LCC Disaster Response, Palatine LERT, and LCC K-9 Ministries serve communities in times of crisis and disaster.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Emma and Ruthie (LCC Staff), JoJo (Living Christ – Arlington Heights, Illinois), Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Flex (LCC Squad) were present to visit with members and guests. The K-9s also made a special visit to all of the POP Children’s Ministry classrooms to talk about how they comfort and help others in need.

We all have seen the destruction Hurricane Michael has left in its path. LCC has been maintaining contact with Rev. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer, Directors of LCMS Disaster Response, who are reaching out to all pastors in the affected areas in the panhandle of Florida and surrounding areas of the Southern and Florida-Georgia Districts.
 
Tim Hetzner, President / CEO of Lutheran Church Charities, attended a LCMS Planning and Assessment meeting held at Hope Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa, near Panama City, Florida, by President Johnson of the Southern District on Monday, October 15. LCC Disaster Response has been invited by Pastor Paul McComack from Trinity Lutheran Church in Panama City, where we will be working out of once it is safe to do so.

This weekend, LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Gideon (St. Michael’s – Bloomington, Minnesota) and his law enforcement handler attended the Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) Blue Light Service at the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial. The service is held each year to honor Minnesota law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty. Police Ministry Dog Gideon was honored to be there and represent the LCC K-9 Police Ministry.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”  Matthew 5:9

On Thursday, October 11, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ladel and Malachi (St. Matthew – Hawthorn Woods, Illinois), along with LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Shiloh (Christ Our Savior – Dixon, Illinois) visited the Wauconda Police Department. Chief David Wermes and other members of the department were given a presentation on the LCC K-9 Ministries. They were also thanked for their service and told that they are all in our prayers. "For the one in authority is God's servant for your good." (Romans 13:4)

Over the weekend of October 12-14, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were kept very busy attending open house events at numerous local Fire Stations. National Fire Prevention Week is always commemorated the second weekend of October to remember the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene attended three open house events. At the Beecher event, Kare 9 Brutus was joined by Kare 9 Mahlah (Our Savior – Milford, Illinois) and veteran Al. In Lemont, Kare 9 Brutus and veteran Gene visited with attendees. In Elmhurst, Kare 9 Brutus was joined by LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and Eve (St. John’s – Lombard, Illinois). At all the events, the LCC K-9s gave comfort and love to all they met.

On Thursday, October 11, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited students and staff at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, to share the story and mission of the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry. Whenever Kare 9 Brutus visits Roosevelt, the students and staff are thrilled to see him, and to get their share of comfort and love.

On Wednesday, October 10, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) and veteran Gene visited the Emergency Department staff at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The LCC K-9 Ministry was invited to bring comfort and compassion to the staff during a memorial service for their colleague Oscar, who died suddenly in March. Kare 9 Brutus loved those whose hearts were aching at their loss.

Thursday, October 11, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Adeena (St. John – Burlington, Illinois) and Eunice (LCC Staff) spent time with students at Kaneland High School in Maple Park, Illinois. Adeena and Eunice Comfort Dogs saw lots of great kids and their handlers got to tell the students all about the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry.

On Sunday, October 14, the Elmhurst Fire Station in Elmhurst, Illinois, held its annual open house for the community. Hundreds of people showed up on a beautiful day. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eve (St. John – Lombard, Illinois) and Susie (St. Peter – Arlington Heights, Illinois) and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dog Brutus (LCC Squad) were there to educate everyone about the Comfort Dog ministry. They comforted many children, parents, firefighters and veterans!