On March 31, an EF-3 tornado at 165 mph tracked just over thirty-four miles from West Little Rock through North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Jacksonville leaving a path of destruction, injury, and death.
 
FEMA now reports that 3,000 structures have major damage or were destroyed throughout the LCMS Mid-South District in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Jacksonville, Arkansas. Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers from multiple states and districts, including ours, have been volunteering to serve those in need.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and seven LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers joined with other volunteers from different states to serve those in need in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, and Jacksonville, Arkansas.

L.E.R.T. volunteers completed work at twenty-eight sites in two weeks, with several of these multi-day work sites due to the extent of the damage on large properties. They were able to provide debris removal, utilize chainsaws and bobcats to remove many downed and damaged trees from tornado-devastated properties, and provide emotional and spiritual care to families who lost their homes.

In one neighborhood, several pine trees fell on and between four yards of homes. None of the homeowners knew how they would be able to remove these large trees. They were very appreciative of L.E.R.T. assistance, care, and crosses given to them.

The LCMS Mid-South District sincerely thanks the Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. volunteers from the following churches that served those in need:

Illinois
Immanuel, Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel, Shobonier – Fran Collier
Lord of Life, Elburn – Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski
St. John, Wilmette – Tom Morrison
 
Iowa
Trinity, Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
 
Wisconsin
Brookfield, Brookfield – CJ Kraft

In two weeks, we made a difference in the lives of those we served with chainsaws and emotional assistance, as well as offering the hope and love of Christ to a hurting community.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCMS and LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Many of the neighborhoods we assessed in North Little Rock are completely devastated. Mr. and Mrs. C. had a beautiful house overlooking the lake. Most of these homes on the lake took a direct hit from the tornado. Their home and cars were destroyed, and most of their belongings are damaged or gone.
 
Mr. C. told us his story of survival as the tornado ravaged their home. He had just walked into the kitchen with groceries when he heard the sirens going off and could see swirling wind heading towards him. He shared that he yelled for his wife to run downstairs, but before either one of them could make it to the stairs, it hit.
 
He was flung across the room and into a wall, and his wife was buried in wood and insulation as the roof was lifted off. He states it was over very quickly, and he just kept yelling for his wife and had to unbury her from the debris.
 
They are both very traumatized and heartbroken. They are overwhelmed with all that has happened, what they have lost, and what to do to start their long recovery.

LCC and other L.E.R.T. volunteers have been assisting them with tree and debris removal and retrieving some of their items from their home and workshop. Mr. C. comes to their home every day to see what he can find and protect it from looters. Mrs. C. cannot bring herself to return as she is so devastated.
 
He appreciates the opportunity to share his story, listen to his concerns, offer hope and encouragement, and lend a shoulder to cry on. It is a blessing to be present with the love of Christ during this difficult time.

In ten days, we now have worked at six homes on this same lake. All are neighbors and greatly appreciate our willingness to spend several days to help clear their properties of many, many trees. L.E.R.T. volunteers serving this neighborhood have also taken much time to listen to their stories and share the mercy and love of Christ with them.

Mr. and Mrs. W., with their four children (ages 6 months, 3, 7, and 12), took shelter in the bathroom as the tornado sirens wailed. Their Jacksonville neighborhood took a direct hit. At least twelve very large pine and oak trees fell on their property. Unfortunately, a large oak tree fell through the center of their home, missing the family by only a foot.
 
According to his father and uncle, whom we met at the house during the assessment, Mrs. C. and the two oldest children are severely traumatized after the storm and are unwilling to come back to the house at this time.
 
Mr. C. is extremely grateful for all of our assistance. They cannot believe that we are willing to remove the fallen trees on their property at no cost for people they have never met before, as well as provide them with household items, groceries, and diapers.

L.E.R.T. volunteers also worked at four neighbors in Jacksonville that had several large evergreens uproot and fall in their yards as well as through one of the homes. They were very thankful for our willing assistance.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCMS and LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

This was a large, multi-state storm. There were over 1,000 reports of tornadoes, damaging winds, and hail. Most reports were from Iowa to Arkansas eastward through the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.

After completing recovery efforts from our own tornado and wind event the same day in Northern Illinois, LCC Disaster Response was invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, and Jan Simko, LCMS Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinator, to assist with catastrophic tornado recovery in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, arrived in Little Rock the day after Easter to begin assessing tornado damage with LCMS District Disaster Response Coordinators from other states. The Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers are working out of Christ Little Rock Lutheran Church and School.

Kathy assessed damages in Jacksonville, Arkansas, with Pastor Kevin Conger of Hope Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. Pastor Conger’s wife, Lois, handed out household items donated by congregation members to families affected by the tornado.
 
Many of these families had major damage, or their home was completely destroyed. Homeowners were grateful for the love shown to them by caring Christians.

Many homeowner sites have extensive damage and clean-up efforts will take 1-2 days to complete. L.E.R.T volunteers are on the ground this week and already serving. Additional LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers will arrive by Saturday. There is much work to be done and our volunteers are blessed to serve with willing hands and compassionate hearts, showing Christ’s love and care to those in need.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCMS and LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response worked through the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Illinois. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response and LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers completed work at thirteen sites in Belvidere, Cortland, and Carpentersville, with many being multi-day jobs due to the number of trees downed, damaged, and technical skills required to safely remove them.

The site many L.E.R.T. volunteers worked on the most over several days were two neighbors. They had multiple leaning and downed trees between their homes and on their property. One neighbor was a new homeowner, and the other was a L.E.R.T. team member. Both said they felt overwhelmed by the unexpected devastation and how all of the trees would be removed safely.
 
The L.E.R.T. team member said being on the receiving end of help and care was very different. The new homeowner couldn’t believe that we would spend several days working on just their home and showing her Christ’s love and care. She hugged many volunteers and cried tears of relief at how she was blessed by all.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is working through the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere, Illinois. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers have been busy assessing damage and serving affected residents in several hard-hit communities, especially in Belvidere, Illinois. Belvidere had a 100 mph tornado, 900 yards wide, that traveled 27 miles resulting in one death, multiple injuries, and extensive property damage.

This week, Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Northern Illinois District President, and Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President / CEO, visited homeowner sites and met with the volunteers to thank them for serving. They also met with residents sharing the hope of Jesus Christ during this Holy Week.

Assisting Multiple Neighbors with Property Damage
LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers worked on one block for two days serving five different homeowners that each had multiple large pine trees leaning or downed on their properties. Each of these families were very appreciative to have willing hands and hearts to work hard to make their homes safe again.

LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers came to the aid of a daughter and a parent with a disability. A tree had fallen and blocked access to their home via the wheelchair ramp.

She was very grateful for the help to get this removed so they could enter and exit their home safely.

She was also very happy to receive a cross on a slice from their tree to share with family. It seemed very appropriate and special this Holy Week.

After completing recovery efforts in Northern Illinois, LCC Disaster Response has been invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, LCMS Director of Disaster Response, and Jan Simko, LCMS Mid-South District Disaster Response Coordinator, to assist with catastrophic tornado recovery in Little Rock, Arkansas.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) Disaster Response actively monitored the strong storms and tornadoes moving throughout the Southeast this past week. Homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses are severely damaged. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and the LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers are ready to respond and serve as invited.

The EF-4 tornado obliterated Silver City and Rolling Fork, Mississippi, with winds of 170 mph. “The city is gone,” shared Mayor Eldridge Walker of Rolling Fork. At least twenty-six people were killed and dozens injured after powerful storms and one long-track tornado pummeled the Southeast last Friday night, ripping roofs off homes, leveling some neighborhoods, and knocking out power for thousands, according to local officials.

Search and rescue efforts have now been completed. Due to the extensive tornado damage, specialized heavy equipment is needed to clear structural debris giving access to homeowner properties. LCC Disaster Response is on standby.

LCC is in contact with Rev. Philip Zabell, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) District Disaster Response Coordinator for California-Nevada-Hawaii (CNH), to discuss ways in which LCC Disaster Response can provide support to churches and families in the affected areas of California who have been greatly impacted by the on-going historic atmospheric river storms.
LCC never goes where we are not invited. The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund so that we may show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Wednesday, February 22, the Northern Illinois area experienced a freezing rain storm that left a quarter to a half inch of ice on roads, homes, trees, and power lines, causing widespread power outages. It also caused a lot of damaged and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads.
 
Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers have continued to respond to multiple requests for chainsaw assistance in several towns, including Palatine, Inverness, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Campton Hills, Elburn, La Fox, Marengo, Belvidere, McHenry, South Elgin, and West Dundee. Currently, we have completed work at thirty-three homeowner sites, with a few more requests for L.E.R.T. volunteers to complete when the ground can dry so equipment will not sink in the yards.
 
Last week, L.E.R.T. volunteers completed work at several different congregation members’ homes using the lift and/or bobcat. Each homeowner was very appreciative of the assistance and care shown to them. This local ice storm was an opportunity to demonstrate how L.E.R.T. volunteers can serve in our own communities.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Wednesday, February 22, the Northern Illinois area experienced a freezing rain storm that left a quarter to a half inch of ice on roads, homes, trees, and power lines causing widespread power outages. It also caused a lot of damage and downed trees and limbs on roofs, yards, and roads.

Gary Kessler, GEO Missionary to Belize, contacted LCC Disaster Response from Belize to ask if we would look at the roof of his home here in Northern Illinois that had sustained some damage from large falling limbs in the ice storm.
 
A L.E.R.T. volunteer from St. John-Wheaton went to his home the same day as his request. He was able to remove several limbs from the roof and patch a small hole so there would be no leaking. We sent pictures of the repair and clean-up to Gary upon completion.
 
The following note of thanks was received:
 
Sue and I cannot thank you enough. Being so far from home, you can imagine how this incident was weighing on our minds. As we serve others here, you have served us back home. What beautiful Christian symmetry. Much love to all our friends at LCC.
 
God's richest blessings to you all,
 
Gary and Sue Kessler
GEO Missionary to Belize

A congregation member and widow from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn received assistance from L.E.R.T. volunteers utilizing chainsaws and heavy equipment. They removed a large limb of a tree that had split and fallen across the front of her home and roof. She was very thankful for the help and compassion shown to her by the team as they worked at her home.

Pastor Blackford from Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn had a large tree in his front yard that had split in half during the ice storm. L.E.R.T. volunteers carefully felled the damaged half that was still standing, and cut and moved all tree debris to the curb. He and his wife were very appreciative of our response to make his yard safe for his children and to protect his home from damage.

A Deaconess in Belvidere had two uprooted trees and many limbs come down in their backyard during the ice storm. Five L.E.R.T. volunteers cut and stacked all of the wood from these trees into firewood length and put limbs into a burn pile. The hard work completed by willing hearts and hands to serve a sister in Christ was greatly appreciated.

One neighborhood in Crystal Lake had several homes that experienced tree damage. LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers were able to help nine homeowners clear downed trees, limbs, and dangerous hangers from their properties. All were grateful for the willingness of these volunteers to serve them on a cold and snowy day.

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Thursday, January 12, a strong storm system moved through four states with high winds, large hail, and a tornado outbreak, including thirty-eight powerful tornadoes, of which three were long-track EF-3 tornadoes with 110+ mph winds that caused major damage to homes, businesses, and schools.

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, Jamie Miller, LCC DR Staff, and twenty-seven LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw volunteers have completed work at sixty-two sites after two weeks of serving in Selma, Alabama. They were able to provide debris removal and utilize chainsaws, lift, and bobcats to remove many downed and damaged trees from tornado-devastated properties.
 
Pastor Ed Brashier, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Southern District Disaster Response Coordinator, will continue to operate a LCMS base camp for L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers through Pastor Steven Washington at Trinity Lutheran Church in Selma until at least February 20th as there are many more residents needing assistance.

Rev. Chris Singer, LCC President & CEO, Kathy O’Day, Pastor Steven Washington, and a homeowner share how LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers bring the Presence of Christ to a Community in Need.

Pastor Steve shares, “On behalf of our church, our congregation, we’re very excited to be given the opportunity to be partnering with the arm of Christ, the legs of Christ, the gifts and talents of Christ that have been embodied by the members of our disaster response teams. We are just excited here at our church to welcome, to embrace, and to be a part of what our church body is doing for our many, many people here in Selma.”
 
“It was our blessing that they came to offer their service. God manages to have angels all around us. I say that they are our guardian angels,” shares a homeowner. “Of all the groups here, I’m most proud and elated that we have a Lutheran Response Team and I’ve been singing it all over town. Just to know that we are in that mix of groups that volunteer and donate their time. It’s a blessing.”

Miss Helen watched four of her neighbors on her block receive help from our L.E.R.T. volunteers before she finally asked for help herself. She explained to Kathy O’Day that she was 82 years old, a widow, and did not know whom to trust anymore for help.
 
She stated she asked her neighbors what they thought of the work done by the L.E.R.T. volunteers, and after hearing great reviews, she stated she was willing to trust us to help rid her front yard of very dangerous large hanging limbs.
 
She was well pleased with the men who used the lift to make her property safe again, shared the mercy and compassion of Christ, and presented her with a quilt from their congregation.

LCC L.E.R.T. and congregation volunteers also helped Forged by Fire, a LCMS Recognized Service Organization (RSO) that cooks and serves meals to those in need after a disaster. Over two days last week, Forged by Fire prepared and served approximately 1,200 hot meals from the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church to the community.

Lutheran Church Charities, the LCMS Southern District, and Trinity Lutheran Church of Selma sincerely thank the twenty-seven L.E.R.T. volunteers that came from the following churches to serve:

Illinois:
Heartland Normal – Tony Buchberger
Immanuel DeKalb – Pete and Christel Springmire
Immanuel Dundee – Matt Flynn
Immanuel Palatine – Jim Beckley
Lord of Life Elburn – Terry and Mary Kramer, Max Metz, Larry Zagorski
Shepherd of the Cross McHenry – Alan Holm
St. John East Moline – Ken and Janet Hill
St. John Wheaton – Marty Johnson, Dave Mummah, Dave Schlesselman, Rich Wren
St. John Wilmette – Tom Morrison
St. Paul Rockford – Dean and Carol Ulrich
Zion Ottawa – Dave and Cindy Reif
 
Indiana:
St. John Dillsboro – Steve Black, Ruth Weisbrod
 
Iowa:
Trinity Davenport – Ken Stotmeister
 
Wisconsin:
St. Paul Grafton – Mark and Beverly Breuggemann, Stu Natale

If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating tornadoes in the hardest-hit area of Selma, Alabama, during the long recovery process.
 
LCC works in coordination with LCMS Disaster Response national and local districts of the LCMS.

In September, the town of St. Peters, Missouri, experienced major flooding. The Lutheran Church of St. Peters and Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles have been helping residents recover ever since. Missouri Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T.) volunteers helped with mucking immediately following the flood, and this church has been hosting L.E.R.T. volunteers willing to help with the rebuilding process over the past several months.
 
Last week, LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers Laura Ciletti and CJ Kraft from Brookfield Lutheran Church in Brookfield and Roger Kautz from Prince of Peace in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, deployed to drywall homes in the Copperfield Subdivision. They were joined by a team from Oklahoma as well. Rev. Ross Johnson, Director of LCMS Disaster Response, observed the L.E.R.T. teams working and had dinner with them.
 
They shared that they “had a blast” serving and enjoying time with the church host families. They felt it was a blessing to serve.