Last week, LCC delivered a check of your donations to Rev. Jim Buckman, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois. Faith Lutheran is supporting Damari's aunt, Delonya, by helping raise funds to care for Damari’s four siblings. Her brother is the children’s father. She is a single mother of two, ages 3 and 15, and a foster mother through Lutheran Social Services. Delonya has a strong faith and compassion for children who need a loving, caring home.
 
Pastor Jim Buckman shared with the church the story of Delonya and how, through the generosity of LCC's donors, they can provide the help she needs.

Jeff Chang, President of the Congregation, presented the check to Delonya on behalf of the congregation. He thanked LCC for their help and said Pastor Jeffrey Howell of St. Paul, Chicago, Illinois, has been in contact with Delonya, and all involved, to help with their continuing needs. Delonya thanked all for their support. Her cousin, Janice, and three of the Damari's siblings, Unique (age 5), Daniyah (age 3), and Josalind (age 8), were present to accept the generous gift.
 
After the service, LCC staff member Dianna Bonfield transferred boxes of food from Put Your Hands Together Food Distribution Ministry of Immanuel, Elmhurst, Illinois, to Delonya's car.
 
Arrangements are being made by LCC to deliver beds and dressers that Delonya needs for the children.
 
Thank you for your donations received so far to help Delonya. If you feel so moved, please prayerfully consider donating to continue to support Damari's aunt as she raises his four siblings.

LCC received a request from Pastor Warren Schilf, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palatine, Illinois, for financial assistance for a single woman they are assisting:

Last year, Marilynn notified her family she was diagnosed with Type 3 kidney disease. In the last year, she has gone to Stage 4 with Stage 5 reaching total kidney failure. She has been placed on the kidney transplant list as well as a pancreas transplant list.

She is currently on twice-daily kidney dialysis and is not able to work. She needs financial assistance for her medical expenses to prepare for the hopeful transplant.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Pastor Warren Schilf
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Palatine, Illinois

If you are so moved, please prayerfully consider donating to help Marilynn with her increasing medical expenses.

Rev. Jim Buckman, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, is supporting Damari’s aunt, Delonya, with raising funds to care for his four siblings for her brother, the children’s father. She is a single mother of two, ages 3 and 15, and a foster mother through Lutheran Social Services. Delonya has a powerful faith and compassion for children who need a loving, caring home.
 
With the addition of Damari’s four siblings, ages 5, 7, 11, and 12, Delonya will use your financial gifts to help purchase increased daily essentials for the four children.

She is also in need of a larger vehicle, preferably a van, that can accommodate seven people. If you have a running van to donate, contact LCC at (866) 455-6466.
 
LCC staff member Wayne Kolweier delivered a check with your donations to Maree Garchow, Office Administrator at Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest.
 
Thank you for your donations received so far to help Delonya. If you feel so moved, please prayerfully consider donating to continue to support Damari’s aunt as she raises his four siblings.

LCC received a request from Pastor Michael Liese, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Brimfield, Illinois, for financial assistance for a family in need that St. Paul is assisting.

Mark is a former Lutheran School teacher and principal, and his wife, Susan, daughter of a Lutheran pastor, is a nurse. They have two children.
 
On Sunday, January 9, Susan suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and required emergency surgery. After surgery, Susan seemed to have lost her ability to speak and suffered a loss of movement in her right arm. Mark will be Susan’s full-time caregiver during her long road to recovery and will not be able to work until she is better.
 
They will need financial assistance to cover extensive medical bills and mortgage, utilities, and household expenses of approximately $3,500 a month.

UPDATE: Susan is slowly improving. Her dependence on the ventilator has decreased. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for this family as it strengthens their faith and gives them the courage to walk through this valley.
 
Lord have Mercy!
 
Pastor Michael Liese
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Brimfield, Illinois

If you feel so moved, please prayerfully consider donating to help Mark provide for his family while he cares for his wife.

LCC received the following requests from Pastor Hesham Shehab, Salam Christian Fellowship, Lombard, Illinois:

Dear Friends,
 
We need assistance with windshield repairs for a convert from Islam. It was the Grace of God that Paul did not lose control when a sharp flying object broke his windshield while going 65 on the highway.
 
Paul uses this car to help new immigrants and refugees drive. He has been a faithful servant of God who returns the favor that Salam offered him when he first arrived in the USA.
 
Please show the love of Christ by donating generously to this cause. The cost is $400.
 
In God's Peace,
 
Pastor Hesham Shehab
Salam Christian Fellowship
Lombard, Illinois

LCC received the following requests from Pastor Hesham Shehab, Salam Christian Fellowship, Lombard, Illinois:

Dear Friends,
 
A young Lebanese American woman was injured in a hit-and-run accident. She needs help with rent this month. She applied for SSI, but it requires six months for Social Security authorities to make a decision. She has no family in the U.S. but Salam Christian Fellowship. The amount needed is $600.
 
Please show the love of Christ to this disabled Christian woman by donating generously to keep a roof above her head in this cold winter.
 
In God's Peace,
 
Pastor Hesham Shehab,
Salam Christian Fellowship
Lombard, Illinois

Dear Friends,
 
We need financial help fixing a car for an Afghan refugee who arrived from Afghanistan three months ago. Abdul got his Driver's License on Saturday. He worked at the US consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, and speaks some English. He got a job in Chicago and needs that car to be reliable for his commute. He is hardworking and supports his family that stayed behind in Afghanistan. Please show the love of Christ to this Afghan family by donating generously towards the car repairs. The amount needed is $800.
 
In God's Peace,
 
Pastor Hesham Shehab,
Salam Christian Fellowship
Lombard, Illinois

On Sunday, November 14, the LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry attended a presentation by Lt. Fahim Masoud at Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois. Lt. Masoud recounted his experiences as a translator for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, joining the U.S. Army and becoming a U.S. citizen. The LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry presented Lt. Masoud a U.S. Army-themed quilt for himself and a patriotic-themed quilt for his family, who recently came to the U.S. from Afghanistan.

Born during the Soviet-Afghan War, Fahim became an Afghan interpreter for the U.S. Army at the age of 17. Within a few years, he immigrated to the United States on a student visa and became a U.S. citizen. In 2018 Fahim joined the Illinois Army National Guard, where he currently serves as an Army Intelligence Officer. Earlier this year, he supervised the Guard’s mission at several suburban Chicago vaccination sites. It was at one of these vaccination sites where he connected with Pastor Jim. Fahim and his wife attended Easter worship at Faith Lutheran Church. His story received national media attention in August when Fahim worked tirelessly to evacuate his family from Afghanistan.

Last month, LCC sent your donations to Rev. Jim Buckman, Faith Lutheran Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, and Chaplain with the United States Air Force Illinois National Guard for Lt. Masoud. The need for this family is great and ongoing.
 
Please prayerfully consider supporting Lt. Masoud, who risked his life to serve our troops in Afghanistan, as he takes care of his family who made it safely to the United States. He is grateful for the support that he has received.

LCC received the following request from Senior Pastor Jerry Hays, St. Peter, Schaumburg, Illinois, to aid a family in need:

A family from Missouri is relocating to Illinois due to the medical needs of the father; after having been diagnosed with COVID-19, he received a lung transplant at Northwestern Hospital. As a requirement of the surgery, he must be within 50 miles of the hospital for one year. 
 
His wife and children will be making the move in December, depending on his progress and discharge from his current rehab center. This family is in need of a two-bedroom place to live while in Illinois ($1500 or less) and assistance with everyday living expenses.
 
Senior Pastor Jerry Hays
St. Peter, Schaumburg, Illinois
 
If you have or know of a place that falls within the family's needs, please email Nikki Deacon at ndeacon@LutheranChurchCharities.org, or if you would like to donate to this family, follow the link below.