Katie expressed her heartfelt thanks to LCC for continuing to remember them and being there with financial assistance from immediately after the hurricane to now getting back into their home. She was so surprised to receive another check this week which will be used towards completing their home.
Katie stated, “I am so looking forward to living in my home again and being able to invite family and friends that have supported us through it all, over with us to celebrate this new beginning. Then to just getting back to normal family life in our home, sleeping in a real bed, cooking meals, sitting with a cup of tea and just enjoying time together with our children and grandchild.”
Although Hurricane Irma was two years ago, the Bachmans, like many families who have been devastated by disaster, are still struggling to recover. Please prayerfully consider helping the Bachman’s complete their home recovery efforts.
NID LERT members include:
Trinity – Lisle, Illinois: Ed & Jan Boerman, Skip & Karen Sorenson, Don & Cindy Totter St. John – Wheaton, Illinois: Steve Chester, Marty Johnson & Rich Wren Prince of Peace – Palatine, Illinois: Jim Beckley St. John – Dillsboro, Indiana: Steve Black LCC and Pastor Glander extend a heartfelt thank you to these dedicated LERT members for sharing their talents and compassion for others in the name of Christ Jesus. The families helped are very appreciative.
Trinity – Lisle, Illinois: Ed & Jan Boerman, Skip & Karen Sorenson, Don & Cindy Totter
St. John – Wheaton, Illinois: Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, Rich Wren Prince of Peace – Palatine, Illinois: Jim Beckley St. John – Dillsboro, Indiana: Steve Black Ft. Meyer’s, Florida: Rit Kahmer, Dan Dumouchelle Please join LCC in praying for the safety of these volunteers during their time of service to the Amigos Center families and for all of the families still recovering from Hurricane Irma.  Your Donations Continue to Make A Difference
On January 19, Lutheran Church Charities received the following letter from Rev. Robert Selle, CEO, Amigos Center, thanking LCC for making a difference in the lives of the Amigos Center clients: Dear Friend in Christ, I want to thank you, the staff and volunteers of Lutheran Church Charities for making a profound difference in the lives of the families of Southwest Florida. Hurricane Irma changed the lives of thousands of people in Southwest Florida, some for the worse, some for the better, but all for the glory of God. LCC has been with us since the immediate aftermath of the hurricane and has walked along with us as we minister to the most vulnerable among us, all to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I first met Deaconess Kathy O’Day and other volunteers of LCC just days after the hurricane. We were still trying to assess the impact of the hurricane on our community, our staff and our own families. I had never heard of LCC before that but now give thanks to God for your labor of love. For three months now LCC has worked with Amigos Center staff to identify, assess needs, provide logistics and humanitarian support to more than 92 families. The support provided by LCC has helped open doors for us to a grateful community. Thank you Tim for the assistance that LCC gave to me, our staff, our church families and our community. All has been to the glory of God. Blessings in Christ, Rev. Robert V. Selle, CEO Amigos Center 13 Amigos Center Families Still Need Beds and Appliances There are thirteen families still waiting to receive beds with one family needing appliances as well. All of these are families waiting for repairs or rebuilding of their homes. They are extremely thankful that LCC and its donors are willing to help them after their repairs or rebuilding is done. Please prayerfully consider donating to help complete the Amigos Center family needs!
Katie began by sharing about her first day back after the hurricane and how her lesson plan, which was created before the school year started, was to teach her students that “God’s Got It!” Looking back, she can see how God has been present with her and her family throughout all the trials of losing their home and ongoing struggles with their insurance company. They know He is with them now as they hope to begin rebuilding their home and lives. It is a struggle living in a small motorhome, but they are grateful to be able to stay on their own property to care for their animals and work on their demolition and rebuild. There has been, and probably will continue to be, good and bad times, but Katie is reminded daily that “God’s Got It!”
The Bachman family lost most of their belongings as a result of flood waters from Hurricane Irma. Through your generosity, LCC plans on assisting them with beds, bedding and appliances. Please consider donating to help LCC share the mercy and compassion of Jesus to the Bachman family.  Lutheran Church Charities and Pastor Karl Glander, Director of the Amigos Center in Immokalee, thank donors for showing mercy and compassion through their generous donations to help the Amigos Center families who are still recovering from Hurricane Irma. Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, returned from spending a week in Florida using your donations to purchase and distribute bedding and appliances to families who have or will receive their beds. Pastor Karl Glander shares how the families are filled with joy and gratitude as their brand new items were delivered.   Maria In December, LCC shared the story of Maria and her struggles following the hurricane. Maria lost everything but saw the hand of God putting people in her life to help her. Kathy prayed with Maria, asking God to continue His blessings in her life and give her courage and hope for the future. Last week, Kathy visited Maria who couldn’t wait to show Kathy her new bed and appliances. Maria talked about how she can cook all of her meals now, such as tortillas, rice and beans. She has gained weight because she can cook and sleep in her own home that is almost completed by volunteers and churches that have been giving and helping her generously. Maria told Kathy, “I lost everything, but to see the good in people that want to help just restores my faith.” Maria continues trusting that God will provide and bring blessings when she needs them and praising Him for all He has done.  Antonina Kathy returned to the community that was hit extremely hard by Hurricane Irma to visit Antonina. In November, LCC shared what it had been like for her family whose home was severely damaged by the storm. Antonina was excited to show Kathy her new beds, sheets, and mattress protector in the bedroom that her husband had fixed. Speaking through Evelyn, case manager for Amigos Center, Antonina stated they are so comfortable to sleep on and clean. She expresses thanks to LCC for providing them for her family. Even with the language barrier, Kathy could see her smile and hear the gratitude as she showed the beds and bedding stating over and over, “Muchas gracias!”  Brijida Brijida was so grateful for the new beds and bedding. She can’t believe that LCC and its donors were so good to her. Brijida kept repeating “God bless you” as she held and squeezed Kathy’s hands. 13 Amigos Center Families Still Need Beds and Appliances
There are thirteen families still waiting to receive beds with one family needing appliances as well. Twelve live in an apartment building that is still waiting for a new roof to be completed by the end of February. The roof has been tarped since the hurricane, so residents are currently using air mattresses to sleep on. One Immokalee family with three children are rebuilding their home which was damaged beyond repair and then demolished. All of these families are extremely thankful that LCC and its donors are willing to help them after their repairs or rebuilding is done. Please prayerfully consider donating to help complete the Amigos Center family needs! Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, in Florida to Help Amigos Center Families in Need1/15/2018
 Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, will be in Florida the week of January 14th to work with Pastor Selle and Pastor Glander of the Amigos Centers located in Bonita Springs and Immokalee, Florida. While there, Kathy will purchase bedding for all remaining families who have or will receive their beds as part of their recovery from Hurricane Irma. Your donations have made a difference in the lives of many Amigos Center families. LCC donors helped provide beds and appliances for 77 of the 92 Amigos Center families to date.
Help LCC complete the needs for all 92 families in early 2018. Thank you for showing the love of Jesus to the Amigos Center families.  You have helped LCC provide for the critical needs of many Amigos Center families in Florida who are still recovering from the devastation left by Hurricane Irma. LCC is partnering with the Amigos Center located in Bonita Springs and Immokalee, Florida to assist the families they serve. Most of these families had major roof or flood damage or totally lost their home, causing many beds and appliances to be ruined.
Your Donations Are Still Needed! Your donations are already making a difference in the lives of many Amigos Center families. Church and Bible study attendance have doubled as they can see people being the hands and feet of Jesus caring for their needs. These families have received either beds, bedding or appliances by the end of 2017. Help LCC complete the needs for all 92 families in early 2018. Thank you for showing the love of Jesus to the Amigos Center families. Join LCC as a Friend in Christ "Adopt an Amigos Center Family"
Your donations are already making a difference in the lives of the Amigos Center families!
Pastor Glander and Pastor Selle send heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all of the support Lutheran Church Charities and its donors has sent their way. It is making a difference in the lives of many people. Church and Bible study attendance have increased as they can see people being the hands and feet of Jesus caring for their needs. Rosa expressed, "Mucho gracias! My kids really needed the beds and I needed the stove and refrigerator. I could have never imagined there would be such wonderful caring people to want to help us!" Dear Lutheran Church Charities, Thank you so much for the pillows, sheets, and blanket for our daughter's room! We finally have a general contractor coming next week to finish drywall, painting, and flooring. The new items will then be put to good use. God Bless! LCC Director of Disaster Response, Deaconess Kathy O'Day, received a call from Sharlene, Mattress Firm Commercial Sales Coordinator, who calls each family to schedule delivery of ordered beds. She stated, "Every person I speak with expresses thanks and gratitude for calling and bringing beds. Even with a bit of a language barrier, I get what they are saying and I don't usually hear this and it has been such a pleasure this holiday season. I hope you are hearing this about what your organization is doing, because we think this has been great to be a part of!" This is just one example of how Lutheran Church Charities uses your special gifts to help others during their times of greatest need - always in the name of Jesus Christ! |
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