Led by Deaconess Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and Jamie Miller, LCC Disaster Response Equipment Manager, Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers are halfway through the second week of working around Asheville, N.C., and Hendersonville, N.C., areas that were devastated by hurricane winds and flooding nearly a month ago. Working out of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church in Hendersonville with Pastor Jonathan Christensen, crews have assessed 86 sites with requests for assistance coming in daily. In the first week, 27 LERT volunteers joined together to cut damaged and leaning trees, remove safety hazards, and clear debris for residents in the region. As the second week began Monday, 21 volunteers were continuing to serve. Altogether, teams have completed work at 29 sites, several of them multi-day efforts. LCC LERT teams will continue to serve in the area until at least November 9 and would value your prayers and support. Coming up on November 6, LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Skopak of Emmanuel Lutheran Asheville will join with multiple LCMS congregations and residents in the region for an evening of community togetherness and spiritual support to help the recovery process. “We’ll explore the importance of connection and healing, share awareness of post-disaster challenges, and introduce tools like psychological and Spiritual First Aid™ to identify next steps in the recovery journey,” Singer said. “Together, we can rebuild not just our homes but our spirits.” GOD-MOMENTS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPLOYMENT During the first 10 days of the deployment to North Carolina, Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers have used Spiritual First Aid™ to encourage residents who have been struggling emotionally in the weeks since the storm. Team members have supplied tangible goods to meet physical needs, such as quilts, space heaters, and gift cards, which have been provided by Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod congregations in the Northern Illinois District. Some highlights:
LCC LERT team members worked on the property of a Mr. W. His family of eight could not live in their home because a large tree was leaning on it and threatening to fall through it. He also had a lot of downed and broken trees on his property. With multiple health issues, he could not afford to clear the debris. As he told us, “I may not have much, but I do have a family — and we just want to be able to come back home and be together again safely.” He was very thankful for all the work that was done so he and his loved ones could return home.
From veterans and Red Cross workers to needy families and law enforcement officers, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on the lives of North Carolina residents of every walk of life. High winds and high water devastated the western part of the state taking the lives of 95 North Carolinians and isolating communities. Helene tore a deadly path through the mountains of western North Carolina, dumping extreme rainfall and causing catastrophic flash flooding. Numerous locations received 1-2 feet of rain or more between Sept. 24-28. Some towns are in ruins. There are toppled trees everywhere; roads, bridges, and driveways are washed out; homes and businesses have been destroyed by flooding and landslides. Many homes remain without power or running water. In response, Lutheran Church Charities answered calls for help last week, deploying a six-member LCC Care Team trained in Spiritual First Aid™ to Asheville, N.C., on Friday. Drawing from three different churches in two states, the team distributed food and supplies and offered spiritual and psychological support to those affected by the storm and the first responders who are helping them. Serving on the LCC Care Team are Heidi Gilbert-Then, a parish nurse from Faith Lutheran Sussex, Wisconsin; Crystal Sherrill, Bethel Lutheran Claremont, N.C.; Jordan Sherill, Bethel Lutheran Claremont, N.C; David Hedrick, Bethel Lutheran Claremont, N.C; Tina Simmons, Bethel Lutheran Claremont, N.C.; and Tony Spencer, St. Stephens Hickory, N.C. “The people impacted by the hurricane are dealing with a lot of loss and grief. I’m grateful our team was able to step into their lives to offer encouragement and the hope of Jesus as they start the long process of healing. Please join us in praying for them throughout their recovery journey,” said Heidi Then. Read daily mini-stories about the LCC Care Team’s boots-on-the-ground ministry on the LCC Hurricane Response Page.
LCC LERT volunteers invited by LCMS, Southeastern District
LCC Disaster Response LERT volunteers have been invited by Rev. Ross Johnson, LCMS Director of Disaster Response and the Southeastern Disaster Response Team, to provide chainsaw assistance in and around Asheville, N.C., and Hendersonville, N.C. These LCC Disaster Response teams also have been asked to provide mucking and gutting work; distribute meals, water, and supplies; and provide spiritual and emotional care. Specific assignments and response locations will be determined in real time, said Sally Hiller, Disaster Response Coordinator for the Southeastern District. Details are fluid and changing as the response continues, she said. “This disaster is unlike any we have ever seen, so planning has been challenging, said Kathy O’Day, Director of LCC Disaster Response, who will deploy with LCC LERT volunteers from October 21 to November 9. “The Southeastern District leadership and local pastors are very glad we are coming to serve alongside them to offer the hope of Christ to their hurting communities.”
Food and supplies headed to North Carolina
A pallet of food and supplies from LCC is on the way to Immanuel Lutheran in Asheville, N.C., and St. Peter’s Lutheran in Conover, N.C. Both congregations will hand out the provisions to families in need via car lines at their church properties. LCC also is looking to train LCMS churches across the Southeast and Mid-South in Spiritual First Aid™ and crisis response care. LCC’s Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry will deliver HMCs to first responder agencies and the families of fallen first responders across North Carolina. As schools regain power and return to classes, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams will arrive to visit children, teachers, and administrators.
LCC is monitoring Hurricane Milton
Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response team is watching the track of Hurricane Milton, which explosively grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 threat with winds as high as 180 mph on Monday. Milton was expected to vacillate between a Category 4 and 5 menace as it churns in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters are projecting a landfall on early Thursday morning near Tampa, Florida. In the midst of Hurricane Helene response efforts, LCC will be prepared to work with the Florida-Georgia District to deploy when it is safe to do so. |
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