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.
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.
Thanks to You, They Were Able to BE THERE
Anna Piro shared the team's sentiment, "We all worked well together, falling into the tasks at hand. As you can imagine, there has been much joy and laughter throughout our trip with each other and those we worked with. Belize was good to us, and we have loved the people we met at Camp Concordia and Good Shepherd." The Northern Illinois District and Lutheran Church Charities thanks each of these volunteers for their willing service in Belize. The Lutheran Mission Belize posted the following thanks on their Facebook page: "We are so grateful for the hard work of these Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers this past week! They took down damaged and diseased trees in several locations throughout Belize, including at Camp Concordia. They have been a blessing!" Please prayerfully consider donating to help with costs accrued on this LERT mission trip to Belize that served those in need.
Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Serves In Belize To Help with Multiple Property Cleanup1/30/2024
Help them continue to BE THERE
The following Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members spent the last week in Belize: Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb
All of the families served by the team expressed their deep appreciation that their properties are now safe for their children to play and that they would not have to worry about falling trees causing major damage in the next storm. The team feels blessed to be serving their brothers and sisters in Christ. Please continue to pray for the team, Pastor Herb and Markie Burch, Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, and GEO Missionaries Jordan & Justin Langston, and Gary & Sue Kessler, as they each serve the people of Belize in the Name of the Lord.
Tennessee Homeowners Are Grateful for Help Received Following a Devastating December Tornado1/9/2024
Several local teams and District Disaster Relief Committees (DDRCs) from other districts worked with Jan in Madison, Tennessee, immediately after the tornado before Christmas to help many homeowners. The week after Christmas, DDRCs Jan Simko, Pastor Ed Brashier, and Pastor Trae Fistler, with his Faith in Action Disaster Response team, finished work on many sites. Steve Chester from St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, was also invited to join them for this final week. Steve brought in his bobcat to move multiple very large and downed trees and worked tirelessly from December 26 to December 31. He was very glad to be able to assist with his heavy equipment. Homeowners expressed their deep appreciation for the team's efforts, which allowed them to clear their properties and avoid costly professional services. Through their work, the LERT volunteers also shared the love of Christ with those they served, making a meaningful impact on the community. Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Gary Kessler, Globally Engaged in Outreach (GEO) Missionary to Belize, and Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District President, to remove multiple dead and storm-damaged trees from properties in Belize: Concordia Mission House grounds in Belmopan, a local partner church in Orange Walk and at the Belize Zoo in La Democracia. The storm occurred many months ago, but none of the organizations could afford to hire crews to do the cleanup. They are all very happy to finally have their properties made safe for visitors. The following Northern Illinois District Lutheran Church Charities Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) members volunteered for this mission trip to Belize and will be serving January 24 – 30: • Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, LaFox • Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton • Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb The teams will be taking their own chainsaws, ropes, rigging, and personal protection equipment. Once in Belize, they will also be renting a tractor with a grapple and lift to use for the week. The Northern Illinois District Missions and Lutheran Church Charities, through donations, have committed to fund this team’s trip expenses, which are estimated to be approximately $8,000. Gary Kessler and Rev. Dr. Allan Buss appreciate LCC’s disaster response team's commitment to serve in Belize and the opportunity to help support this endeavor. Please prayerfully consider donating to help fund LERT mission trip to Belize to serve those in need. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response and Lutheran Early Response Teams (LERT) have been asked to remain on standby at this time in responding to the tornadoes that tore through Tennessee and Kentucky on Saturday, December 9. The Montgomery County, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has told Pastor Trae Fistler of Faith Lutheran Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, through which LCC LERT volunteers would be working to provide assistance for the community, they cannot accept any more volunteers to assist with tree and debris removal at this time. The roads are impassable in much of the town, utilities are still in the restoration phase, and residents are being overwhelmed by those coming into the town as they are still trying to assess their own damage. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinators will remain attentive to needs and continue to be available for assessments, and remain in communication with the EMA director in these upcoming weeks in order to determine when a response will be more beneficial for the community.
Lutheran Church Charities, the Northern Illinois District Disaster Response Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT), has been asked by Jan Simko, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinator, to deploy to Faith Lutheran Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to provide assistance from an EF-3 tornado with 150 mph winds that occurred on Saturday, December 9. This tornado was on the ground through Clarksville, Tennessee, and multiple rural towns in Kentucky for 43 miles and just over an hour, causing the loss of three lives, many injuries, and significant damage to hundreds of homes, businesses, schools, infrastructure, and vehicles in both states. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Chainsaw Team Leader Pete Springmire will arrive in Hopkinsville on Friday, December 15, to assist Pastor Trae Fistler in assessing the damage. LCC LERT volunteers will arrive on Sunday, December 17, to begin work on Monday, December 18, continuing through Saturday, December 23
We look forward to BEING THERE to provide the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are in need at this time.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. BE THERE with LCC to show them the love and presence of Jesus! LCC President/CEO, Rev. Chris Singer, along with HMC Project Manager, Tim Laabs, have arrived in Maui to work with Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kahului to prepare and place 99 Hearts of Mercy & Compassion at a memorial site uniquely chosen for this purpose in Lahaina Leif Sjostrand (Congregational President), Russell Wilson (Head Elder), and Diane Wilson (Church Secretary) from Emmanuel have arranged for volunteers and newly trained Maui LERT team members to assemble the crosses and add names to the hearts for those who lost their lives in the Maui wildfires. Friday morning, volunteers will move the hearts and crosses to the memorial site located on Hokiokio Place in Lahaina, between the Lahaina Bypass and Honoapiilani Hwy. Saturday morning, November 11th, volunteers specifically trained to offer comfort and hope to those visiting the site will return to the memorial site with Pastor Singer. The Dedication Ceremony honoring the lives lost will take place at 10:00 a.m. Attendees are invited to write messages of hope and healing on the hearts, which will then be presented to the families. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the wildfires who are now facing the long process of recovery. BE THERE with LCC to show them the love and presence of Jesus! BE THERE with Lutheran Church Charities |
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