A total of 31 individuals participated, representing various teams and churches across Illinois.
It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need.
On Tuesday, March 5, LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Brutus, Nigel (LCC Staff), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) and their veteran handlers spread love and compassion to sailors and recruits at the USO at Great Lakes Naval Station in North Chicago.
The monthly visits of the Comfort Dogs bring joy and comfort to those serving our nation, especially to those experiencing being away from home for the first time. The Comfort Dogs and their teams always receive a warm welcome and are honored to bring love and support to our heroes.
We received the following comments from Paula, the visit facilitator:
You may not be aware that many of our students are newcomers learning English. Having an opportunity to speak to an adult in a new language is tremendously beneficial for growing their confidence. Many of our students do not have dogs and getting to get close to a gentle, safe, big dog also gave them a positive experience with animals. Thank you for making positive ripples throughout our Hoffman community. It is a real pleasure to see and hear about how you have trained these dogs to be helpers not just for our students, but also for supporting families in trauma after disasters. Please let them know what a positive impact they made on our families, and how much they helped our Literacy event. We thank you again for blessing our event with your kind handlers and your patient pups! Paula
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."
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