 Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Jeremy Sanders, Battalion Chief, Cal Fire, Employee Support Services, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be with the first responders protecting life and property of those affected by the California wildfires. As thousands of firefighters continue to battle dozens of fires in California, two LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams continued to give much needed emotional relief to hundreds of firefighters working out of two base camps in Northern California. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California) and Micah (Light of the Valley – Elk Grove, California) and their teams met firefighters and support teams at Cal Fire base camps at the Alameda Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, and Napa Valley Fairgrounds in Calistoga, California throughout the week.
 Aaron Comfort Dog has been busy traveling between the Pleasanton and Calistoga Cal Fire Base Camps serving the firefighters and support staff from all over the West Coast who are battling the LNU Lightning Complex Fire and the Santa Clarita Unit (SCU) Lightning Complex Fires in Northern California. These fires alone cover almost 700,000 acres. These brave heroes have been out on the line for 14 days. They are hot, exhausted, and missing their families and pets. Some are anxious as they await their orders to either finally go home or to be re-assigned for another 7- 14 days. Most just grabbed on to Aaron and hug him for a long while. Sometimes even tears surfaced as they told us about their dogs at home and how they miss their families. Aaron Comfort Dog and his team have been to so many fire base camps through the years that we oftentimes hear from a distance, “Is that Aaron?” It is reassuring to know that our visits make an impact and that these selfless heroes remember us. We are blessed to be the hands and feet of Jesus!
 Micah Comfort Dog went to the Alameda County Fair Grounds in Pleasanton to provide comfort to the SCU firefighters and support staff. It was a great visit with many of the firefighters mentioning how much they missed their dogs and that Micah made their day. Some of the support staff were joking about who Micah loved the most. It was an honor to be there as the firefighters were going out and those coming back in after being out for 24 hours. There is a village of people that support the firefighters, such as the food service, laundry, security, facilities, training, and accommodations, air-conditioned sleeping units, keeping the grounds clean, etc. The SCU fire has burned 383,157 acres as of Monday morning and is 60% contained.
Please pray for these courageous men and women who put their lives on the line to stop these dangerous and destructive fires. God bless them all and those affected by these fires.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Bring Love and Support to the Firefighters Helping Battle California Wildfires  Lutheran Church Charities was invited by Jeremy Sanders, Battalion Chief, Cal Fire, Employee Support Services, to bring the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be the with the first responders protecting life and property of those affected by the California wildfires. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John's - Napa, California) and Micah (Light of the Valley, Elk Grove - California), and their teams deployed over the weekend to offer comfort to the firefighters and their leadership teams at Cal Fire Base Camp in Pleasanton who help battle the California wildfires. California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed in an update Monday that the extent of the fire damage ravaging the state is now at 1.2 million acres, nearly the size of the entire Grand Canyon.
Please pray for these courageous men and women who put their lives on the line to stop these dangerous and destructive fires. God bless them all and those affected by these fires.
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1) LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meals costs. We put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please consider a donation to the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.  The Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dogs have been invited by Rev. Travis Ferguson, Associate Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church and School, La Mesa, California to comfort families, students, and friends grieving the tragic loss of a parent of four children who attend their school. Many other students in the school have also suffered the loss of someone close to them making this a difficult time for everyone. From Wednesday, October 30 through Saturday, November 2, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Jessy (St. Paul’s – Concordia, Missouri) and Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada) and their handlers will comfort students during school chapel service as well as visit each classroom. They will also visit the family, a Junior High Lock-In, and attend the funeral on Saturday. In addition, more than 200,000 people have been evacuated and are displaced due to the Kincade wildfires in Northern California. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California) is the first to deploy to bring comfort to many of the displaced seeking safe shelter, as well as the first responders risking their life to serve and protect the many communities involved in yet another catastrophic disaster. LCC never goes where we are not invited and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry NEVER charges those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We also always put boots and paws on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite.
Please help LCC as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Together, we can be the Hands, Feet and Presence of Jesus Christ to La Mesa, Northern California, and surrounding communities impacted by both of these tragic events. Please support us by prayer and if you are so moved, help us with travel expenses.
During this fire devastation, the teams also attended to the Law Enforcement Officer community after the Line-Of-Duty death of Sutter County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Bandit. Deputy Bandit and his Handler Sgt. John Perez were working mutual aid with Butte County in wake of the Camp Fire.
Please continue to keep all of these families in your prayers as they seek to restore their lives. In addition, please pray for the first responders and volunteers who continue to battle the wildfires and search for those who are missing. Only in the arms of God is there a safe place! “God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 Lutheran Church Charities is currently on multiple Disaster and Crisis Response deployments in California (mass shooting and fires) and in Florida (Hurricane Michael). The California deployment for the shootings is now also serving all the families displaced from their homes because of the fires happening right now – and we are in the middle of it. There is still widespread devastation in Panama City, Florida, and our Disaster Response LERT volunteers are on the ground this week to do chainsaw work, tarping roofs, and anything that needs to be done to help those who are still not in their homes from Hurricane Michael. In addition, the semi-truck is arriving today with food and other critical items donated to help the 6,000 individuals each week that Trinity is serving. We PUT and KEEP boots and paws on the ground to be with people who are suffering! Please keep everyone in California and Florida in your prayers – as in both places we are serving people who have been traumatized.
Here are just a few of the places where LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Jacob and Hannah (LCC Staff), Cubby (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado), Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), and Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California) and their teams have been serving in Thousand Oaks:
The Camp Fire is in Northern California which completely and literally wiped off the map the town of Paradise. Nearly 40,000 displaced, most of whom lost their homes and everything. Untold numbers of people lost their lives or are unaccounted for. Reports to date are stating that over 90 firefighters who have been risking their life to battle the horrendous flames have lost their own homes due to the current wild fires.
Lord of Life – LaFox: Larry Zagorski, Terry & Mary Kramer, Kevin Krage, Dave Smercina, Jeff Straughn Prince of Peace – Palatine: Jim Beckley St. John – Wheaton: Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, David Schesselman, St. Peter – Schaumburg: Ken Kivarante, Tom Amundsen Trinity – Lisle: Clay Arnold, Ed & Jan Boerman, Skip & Karen Sorensen, Mike Kostecki, Carl Witt Trinity – Roanoke: Ron Wagner Trinity – Roselle: Kristin Bilar, Bob Pautsch Trinity – Tinley Park: Joel Powless Indiana St. John’s – Dillsboro: Steve Black Almost every home and business has been affected in some way in Panama City. The destruction is widespread. Many families are living in damaged homes because of limited other housing options. The schools are planning to open this week with children now from several schools having to attend the ones not damaged too severely. The local hospital is not able to reopen for another three months. Only one grocery store is open in town and the checkout lines are always long. Everyone is managing the best they can in a difficult and trying situation. Trinity Lutheran is helping their community by providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support. They are distributing food and supplies to thousands of affected residents each week with many willing volunteers. They are also housing the many teams who are coming in from all over the country to assist in recovery. Our LERT team has already tarped several roofs after removing trees from them and doing chainsaw work and debris removal. We are privileged to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
On Tuesday, November 13, Kathy O’Day and Sean McAdams, LCC Media Specialist, were invited to meet with Pastor Dave Gieseking from Living Water Lutheran Church in Mexico Beach, Florida. Hurricane Michael, with its 155 mph winds and 15’ storm surge, totally wiped his church and home away along with coastal towns. Pastor held worship service on the beach this past Sunday morning to offer the hope of Christ in the midst of chaos. Living Water was known as the “community church” as its doors were always open and they served the community needs with its presence and willing hearts and hands. Help will be needed in this community for many years to come. CLICK HERE to view to Pastor Dave as he shows the devastation and shares his story With your help, LCC is blessed to provide the physical help and a comforting presence needed to help individuals, families, first responders, and volunteers in all of these communities who are shocked, devastated, and feeling hopeless and helpless. Please continue to support us with fervent prayer and if you are moved, continue to help us with expenses.
 Dear Partners in Ministry: I wanted to give you an update on our multiple Disaster and Crisis Response deployments going on right now in California and in Florida. It seems like it is one thing after the other. The California deployment for the shootings is now also serving all the families displaced from their homes because of the fires happening right now – and we are in the middle of it. People have been emailing me asking are they safe? Folks – our Ministry is not done in safety zones but in the midst of disaster and crisis. They are as safe as all the people we are serving! We PUT and KEEP boots and paws on the ground to be with people who are suffering! It is what Jesus did – IT IS WHAT WE DO as we serve Jesus by serving others in HIS NAME. Please keep everyone in California and Florida in your prayers – as in both places we are serving people who have been traumatized (hurricanes, shootings, and fires). We do a ministry of PRESENCE being there – knowing that Jesus loves them and is there with them, showing compassion, giving a human hug, and PRESENCE is essential. People need to know they are not alone, others care, and are there to help! IT’S WHAT JESUS DID – IT IS WHAT WE DO!
I appreciate the emails from some of you asking how we doing. We are keeping our heads above water just enough to see the Feet of Jesus walking on it! Knowing that we are never alone, and where we are, Jesus showed up before us and we follow HIS lead! It keeps us going! It keeps us serving!  I want to thank all of you for your support in California and Florida for all who are suffering! Please keep all the families that have been displaced in Florida for weeks in your prayers and continue to support them. They are no longer on the news – but they and those who have lost homes in Florida – have a long road ahead of them! But they will NOT BE ALONE thanks to all of you who participate and support the work that Jesus is doing! THANK YOU! The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, handlers, and helpers are on the ground and working to bring the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus to those suffering in Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities in California and also in Panama City, Florida.
 In Thousand Oaks, California, our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams have been working not only with the victims of the shootings and others effected at Borderline Bar & Grill. They are also in the middle of the fires taking place now and are working with individuals and families that had to evacuate their homes. All around where our Comfort Dog teams are working, they can see the fires burning. They will continue to serve in that area as long as they can provided they are not asked to evacuate. They have served hundreds of people at California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, a reunification center for the victims' families that now serves as a shelter for those evacuated due to the fires, just to name a few. We are in contact with the Pastor from Christ the King who has evacuated his home. Click here to watch a video on LCC K-9 Ministry teams comforting in California  Report from Rich Martin, LCC Director of K-9 Ministries, serving in California now: God had our morning planned before we started. Our devotions did not start on time - no, they did not start at all. From the moment teams gathered in the breakfast areas they came. One by one, family by family. The worried, the tired, and the weary. Sad and teary eyed, their faces brightened as they saw them: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Cubby, Jacob, Hannah, Lois, and Aaron. It was just what the doctor ordered. A spiritual triage from the wounds of life and recent day's events. Evacuees, Red Cross workers, families from near and far. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were there to listen to their harrowing stories and pray with each one. Sometimes once, sometimes twice, and often as a group with everyone.  The teams moved on to California Lutheran University where they have been for the last three days. Meeting with students who stayed and were sheltering in place. Having the teams there every day gave them the hope and encouragement needed to get through their days. With 10's of thousands of people still under evacuation orders, the teams also continue to make daily visits to the evacuation centers around Thousand Oaks, California, again bringing comfort and hope to those we meet. The fires have put a pause on a time that would have been spent in different circumstances - on the grieving of those lost at the Borderline shooting. We continue to offer our assistance to those affected and to our first responders. We continue to pray for hope, healing, and restoration of lives. We know that physical help and a comforting presence is needed to help the individuals, families, first responders, and volunteers in all of these communities who are shocked, devastated, and feeling hopeless and helpless. Please continue to support us with fervent prayer and if you are moved, continue to help us with expenses. Working Together, Serving Christ, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME! Peace in Jesus Christ,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities Emergency Appeal: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deploy to Mass Shooting in Thousand Oaks, California11/8/2018
Update: November 9, 2018
Shootings in one of the "Safest Places" Safety and Hope come from being in the arms of our God! "God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Hundreds of people were there attending a weekly College Country Night, many of whom are students from the various universities nearby. Twelve people were killed, including the brave and heroic Ventura County Sheriff Sergeant Ron Helus who responded and was the first to enter the bar, immediately met by gunfire.
Working Together, Serving Christ, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME! Peace in Jesus Christ,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities
Pastor Philip Zabell, LCMS California, Nevada, and Hawaii (CNH) District Disaster Response Coordinator, who we have been keeping in close contact with since the fires began, sent this note of thanks to LCC:
“Thank you to LCC for walking with us during this time of disaster in Northern California. Your prayers, the comfort dogs, and now the financial support are most appreciated. May God richly bless the people of LCC with continued vision as to how He wishes you to be instruments of His mercy to those impacted by disaster.” As of Sunday, August 12, this fire alone has burned 201,680 acres resulting in the loss of 8 lives and 1,077 homes. It is only 43% contained with many more homes threatened. And this is only one of the fires currently burning in California.
On Monday, July 30, three LCC K-9 Ministry teams from Nebraska joined Reuben Comfort Dog: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity Lutheran – Lincoln, Nebraska). Aaron Comfort Dog (St. John’s – Napa, California) and his team, joined the teams at the end of the week, deploying as soon as they returned home.
The LCC K-9 Ministry teams met daily with firefighters at the camp during breakfast before they left to fight the Carr Fire, and they met with them when they returned back in the early evening. Over 4,000 first responders and support individuals are working on this fire. During their days, the teams visited with evacuees at shelters throughout the area, a visit to the coroner’s office, a firefighters memorial service, and medical aid stations. “After being away from family and friends for weeks at a time, @comfortdogs makes it a little bit easier. Thank you @comfortdogs my day has been made!” “I met Moses and Priscilla Comfort Dogs today. I am deployed to the Anderson fairgrounds near Redding, California, in support of the Carr fire. They were both so soft and adorable. Thank you and them so much for the comfort you bring victims and first responders. I didn’t want to let go of them and as I walked away, I actually teared up a little.” Aaron Comfort Dog shared the following: “This little boy loved getting miniature me and of course being with his brave Dad.” So far, the Carr Fire near Redding has burned more than 163,000 acres and is 45 percent contained. The wildfire has killed two firefighters and five civilians, and has destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Conditions were extreme with temperatures over 100 degrees. Extra precautions were taken for both Comfort Dogs and handlers. Please keep everyone who has been affected by the fires in your prayers, 911 operators, and all the first responders who bravely put their own lives in jeopardy to serve their communities. |
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