In South Barrington, LERT volunteers worked at seven homes in one circle block. The homeowners were so thankful for the assistance. One posted on the LCC Disaster Response Facebook page, “My husband and I are eternally grateful to the men and women that came out to assist us. They were all so kind and compassionate. Thank you all for the amazing work you are doing!” In Hoffman Estates, LERT volunteers worked at the home of a recent widow and stroke survivor who had an uprooted pine tree in her front yard and a very large topped oak tree in her back yard. The team had to fell the remaining 15-foot trunk and remove numerous fallen limbs. She couldn’t believe that we would so willingly do all of this and at no cost. She was in tears when presented with a cross from her tree and thanked everyone present for their care and hard work. A very large and diseased pine tree was topped and needed to be felled for safety reasons at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine. The church's LERT team took care of this to make the grounds safe and received thanks for their willing service. Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers will continue to be available to assist homeowners who have damage from these storms. Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating storms, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the recovery process. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we can BE THERE to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Last week, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their committed teams of volunteers sprang into action, offering their support and comfort in the face of multiple tragedies. Recognizing the importance of being present for those suffering and in need, these compassionate teams stood ready to provide solace and care wherever it was needed. Independence, Missouri - Tragic Death of Police Officer and a Civil Process Server Last week, heartbreak struck Independence, Missouri, when Drexel Mack, a Civil Process Server, and Independence Police Officer Cody Allen were shot and killed, and two police officers were wounded while serving their community. This devastating event has left the community in shock and mourning.
Burnsville, Minnesota - Memorial Service for Three First Responders Killed in the Line of Duty
We thank Gideon Comfort Dog and his team for being present at various vigils and prayer gatherings and handling two shifts a day at the city hall memorial over these past ten days. We're also grateful to LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams Charity, Hagar, Mary, and Tobias for providing additional support by traveling to the memorial service. Pam from Team Gideon said, "When I signed on to this thing called LCC K-9 Ministries, I had no idea that I would acquire new 'family' members, people we can turn to in good times and in bad." In the face of darkness, these bonds serve as a reminder of the power of community and the profound impact of compassion and presence in times of need. We continue to pray for the community, the colleagues, friends, and beloved family of these first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community. May God surround each person who is grieving with His love and comfort. "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress…May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support." (Psalm 20:1-5) East Dundee, Illinois - Sudden Death of a Beloved Music Teacher
Churchville Middle School in Elmhurst, Illinois - Sudden Death of Eighth-Grade Student
We are incredibly thankful for your support, which makes it possible for us to BE THERE where we are needed most. Your donations are making a tangible difference in the lives of the people our dedicated teams of volunteers are able to help during tragedies like these. The love, healing, and comfort we are able to provide are a direct result of your generosity.
Each of the children was very excited to have a bedroom personalized with their wishes. They feel truly blessed by the physical, spiritual, and emotional assistance and care given to them and know they can now move forward in dealing with the aftermath of this tragic fire.
The Makai Foundation and Lutheran Church Charities have covered the construction rebuilding costs of approximately $9,000. Maui Rapid Response and other trades helped rebuild the damaged house so this family could have a safe and permanent home for some time. Emmanuel Lutheran Church also purchased and delivered some of the supplies needed for this build.
Please prayerfully consider donating to help provide affordable housing options for families that lost everything. Your support can make a huge difference in the lives of those affected by these devastating fires. By providing affordable housing, we can help families get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. Join us in this mission to support the Maui community and provide hope for those who have lost everything. Together, we can make a difference!
Posted: January 23, 2024
The recent wildfires in Maui have caused widespread devastation, displacing approximately 12,000 people and leading to the loss of over 3,000 homes, businesses, and land. The impact of these fires goes beyond just physical damage, as they have also caused a loss of identity and heritage, and a loss of ohana (family) for the affected communities.
With over 15,000 applications for assistance filed with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration), it is clear that the people of Maui are in dire need of support. The fires have also worsened the existing housing crisis on the island, which was already a major issue before the disaster struck. This crisis has been exacerbated by the loss of affordable housing and jobs due to the fires, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet. It is clear that the people of Maui need our help and support during these difficult times.
A Multi-Generation Family Struggles to Find Affordable Housing
Lutheran Church Charities and Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kahului are beginning to work with Rebekah Uccellini from the Makai Foundation to help meet the unmet needs of survivors.
Rebekah stated, "In the wake of the disaster, everyone and their brother wanted to help Maui. We knew that it was important for us to pause and listen for the invitation (kahea) of trust. We understood that there would likely be gaps in the system. We chose to observe and identify those gaps in order to ensure that we weren't going in with just best of intentions. We wanted to ensure we had a process in place to effectively catch those who were falling through the cracks in the system."
Exploring "Outside the Box" Options to Provide Affordable Housing for Families in Need
The Makai Foundation is looking into other “outside the box” options to provide affordable housing for families in need. Many properties on the island are in disrepair that, if fixed up, could house families. There is an opportunity for this family to create stability for themselves and return to nature and their cultural traditions on the magical western shores of Maui in Kahakuloa Valley.
Rebekah was introduced to another local family who has sixteen acres of land that’s been in their family for generations. They have watched as many of the homes on their homestead have fallen into disrepair but they haven’t had the resources to do the proper upgrades. It has been painful for them to watch these homes fall into disrepair. Their hearts have been wanting to help Lahaina families and to share what they have, so they have been providing spaces on the land since the fires - free of charge. Last week they showed Rebekah two homes on their land that they would be willing to provide, rent-free for a year, if the Makai Foundation could help them fix them up. The land is quite literally a little slice of heaven on earth. Rebekah brought these families together to see if it would be a good match. The families found out they knew the same people from Lahainaluna, shared stories about the pastor of the church they had gone to, and many tears were shed between them. Since the father of the displaced family is also a landscaper, he offered to help tend to the land, which was music to the owner’s ears. Rebekah states, "I️ watched as the children played on the land, and everyone came to life."
A Dream Land for Displaced Families
The land is an absolute dream and a prayer come true, knowing that by helping local families fix up their homes, they, in exchange, will be providing refuge for fire-affected families in need. Rebekah states, "There is much potential to provide more opportunities and affordable housing on the island for these families for the long haul with the help of willing partners, like Lutheran Church Charities and Emmanuel Lutheran Church."
Please prayerfully consider donating to help provide affordable housing options for this family in need. Your support can make a huge difference in the lives of those affected by these devastating fires. By providing affordable housing, we can help families get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. Join us in this mission to support the Maui community and provide hope for those who have lost everything. Together, we can make a difference!
Spiritual and Emotional Care Needs for Survivors
Emmanuel leadership is also exploring options to provide a dinner for survivors followed by a meeting place for adults to receive support and children to play and explore art therapy, which has been well-received in the community recovery centers that will be closing at the end of the month.
Lutheran Church Charities continues to support and encourage Emmanuel Lutheran Church leaders as they navigate the next phase of this long-term recovery process and minister to those affected by the devastating fire. Emmanuel Lutheran School has also continued to provide requested items needed to the community distribution points for survivors in Lahaina and Kula. The congregation of Emmanuel and the people they have met and minister to extend heartfelt "Mahalo nui" for prayers and financial support sent on their behalf.
About the Makai Foundation
The Makai Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity focused on rebuilding Maui after the deadly wildfires of 2023. Their goal is to:
They do this by partnering with local businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals who can provide assistance for survivors, especially those who fall between the cracks, and without the red tape many government and other agencies may have.
They do this by publishing brief stories about the survivor with unmet needs and the amount requested to meet these needs for the donors/partners to see if they could help. This is where Emmanuel Lutheran Church and LCC will assist in meeting these identified and vetted unmet needs of families and individuals.
Unity Walk Rallies Lahaina Community
We invite you to watch the broadcast from The Unity Walk that took place along LCC's Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and crosses at the memorial site.
It was an honor for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to be invited to attend the Nebraska Association of Women Police & First Responders Conference in Omaha last week. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eden (Peace - Columbus, Nebraska), Joanna (Christ Lincoln - Lincoln, Nebraska), Katie & Phinehas (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska), and their teams were blessed to be there to offer solace and support to attendees navigating heavy topics surrounding trauma and suicide. Lutheran Church Charities prepared and sent Hearts of Mercy & Compassion for the police officers and firefighters attending the conference to show support, encouragement, and appreciation for all they do for the community, acknowledging their sacrifices and the daily challenges and heartbreak. LCC K-9 Police Ministry Handler Jim with LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Phinehas and LCC K-9 Police Ministry Handler Troy with LCC K-9 Police Ministry Dog Eden were at the conference to bestow the hearts to these dedicated police officers and firefighters who serve each day. These brave women and men's calling is to serve, knowing they will face new challenges and uncertainty each day. We keep them in our prayers for God's protection. We thank their dedication and courage to serve and protect our communities. Psalm 23:4: "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no danger, because you are with me; your rod and your staff, they protect me."
LCC received a request from Pastor Chuck Ridley of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church in Sugar Land, Texas, to help Becky, a mother of two, get back on her feet. Becky’s mother, Nancy, passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 2024, just ten days shy of her 76th birthday. Becky had been her mom’s full-time caregiver for the past six years, so she had not been working a regular paying job. Nancy had hip surgery a few years ago and needed surgery on the other hip, so she had been very limited in her mobility for quite some time, requiring Becky and her two daughters to move in and take care of her. Nancy was a registered nurse her whole life and always cared for everyone else, even providing for her daughter and granddaughters as they cared for her daily physical needs. Becky is now scrambling to make ends meet for herself and her daughters. In addition to cremation costs, she has regular monthly bills to take care of with no income now. $5,000 would go a long way in helping Becky in this time of unexpected loss and grief. Please help this mother of two get on her feet as soon as you are able. Peace in Christ, Pastor Chuck Ridley Fishers of Men Lutheran Church Sugar Land, Texas Please prayerfully consider donating to help Becky and her family get back on their feet. Any contributions towards helping her with current expenses would be greatly appreciated and would go a long way in easing their burden. Let's come together to support this family in need.
Thanks to your generous donations, a dedicated Spanish-speaking pastor has relocated to Illinois to serve the local community. Your support will enable him to bring comfort, guidance, and hope to those in need, making a positive impact on the lives of many. LCC received an update and request from Rev. Jorge Mazariegos of Vida y Fe/Life & Faith Church in West Dundee, Illinois. Dear Friends, We wanted to give an update on Pastor Juan Aguilar and his wife Zarina, who made their move from Nebraska to Illinois the first week of February. They have been able to settle in well and are very excited to start serving the Lord at Vida y Fe Church. Unfortunately, during their move, they had issues with their only car, whose transmission had failed. Due to the financial situation of the church and the fact that they just moved, they are not able to afford to fix the car. They have been quoted the price of $3,900 to fix his transmission. Pastor Juan and his wife are people who have a humble and serving heart and deeply desire to be able to spread the love and message of God's word. Due to this, we ask that you consider our petition to help him be able to fix his car. Thank you, and may God bless you. Rev. Jorge Mazariegos Vida y Fe/Life & Faith Church West Dundee, Illinois
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