"[the God of all comfort] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." |
"We define our mission very simple. Our motto is to survive ourselves and to help others. I think it's God's calling to help those people and to give them the hope we have in Christ." | |
Remember Those Suffering in Ukraine - Natalia's Story
"We live in a state of war. We live in fear and anxiety most of the time, scared to go outside of the house. There's still hope. Your help means support... prayer support, financial support. We need it very much!" | |
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/haiti-medical-clinic-2.jpg?1718293755)
We invite you to read the letter from Meschac St Amour, President and Founder of Habitat for Children Ministries, for more details on how you can contribute to this important cause.
Let's come together to make a difference in the lives of those in need in Haiti.
CLICK HERE to read the letter from President St Amour.
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/haiti-medical-clinic-1.jpg?1718293819)
The current situation of violence and unrest in Haiti has resulted in a critical need for medical care, and together, we can make a difference and bring hope and material support to those in need.
Every dollar counts and can make a huge difference in the lives of those impacted by this crisis. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/update-from-lophane-laurent-mission-haiti-6_orig.jpg)
You can imagine how hard it is right now to feed your family, where the food is very expensive and not easy to find because of gang violence. Before, when the inflation was 15%, I used to buy a bag of rice for about $15, and now, with the inflation of 60%, it costs $45 to $50, and you can’t find it everywhere. In our food package, we give rice, spaghetti, cream corn, sugar, and oil vegetables, and each family receives one and has food for about four or one week, depending on how many people there are in the family.
Please continue praying for Haiti because almost 6 million people are starving or are homeless because they don’t have a job, and 80% of businesses are closed or destroyed by the gangs. Most of the owners left Haiti, so this is a part of the situation in Haiti now. But Mission Haiti never stopped its job in Haiti and kept going on all our projects even though it was difficult for us.
My friends, now you can understand why I say this donation is more than a blessing for my people. Our airport is closed because of gang violence and all the shipping also, and we export almost 90% of the products we use in Haiti.
In the name of the parents and the kids in our scholarship program, especially in my name, I say thanks so much, and May God bless your families and your ministries.
Christ is Risen. He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!
Lophane Laurent
Mission Haiti
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/update-from-haiti-habitat-for-children-ministries.jpeg?1713818829)
We also offered up praises and thanks to all the people who help us and our organizations to continue with God's work while everything is going on in Port-au-Prince. Habitat For Children Ministries is still working diligently in the countryside to deliver food and take care of sick people. We praise God for that opportunity!
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/update-from-haiti-habitat-for-children-ministries.jpg?1713818975)
More than 85% of Haitians leaving the capital have been crowding into buses, risking travel through gang-controlled territory where gang rapes have been reported arm gunmen have been known to open fire on public transport. The transitional council, which will be responsible for choosing a new Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, has yet to be formally established.
"So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Meschac St Amour
President
Habitat For Children Ministries, Inc.
Thank you for joining LCC in supporting our mission to aid the vulnerable in Haiti during these challenging times. Because of your unwavering support, LCC has been able to make substantial donations for food and medicine to Mission Haiti and Habitat for Children Ministries in collaboration with Rev. Cris Escher of Grace Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Port St. Lucie, Florida. |
On Sunday, March 24th, we went to the countryside to distribute food at a church where our missionaries have visited in the past. It was a beautiful day! The service was great, and we were able to provide some relief. The people at church were very hungry, and they said that this was 'A gift from God.' We would like to continue to support the church and the people with food because the country is still blocked in some parts. Hunger has increased because food is expensive, and these people do not have bank accounts or any way to get funding. We at Habitat want to encourage anyone who is interested in doing something to help with this program to do so now. This way, we can continue to provide food for those in need. We encourage you to join in our efforts by making a donation to help those who are hungry. We know that with your prayers and financial support, we can help many people and make a difference. The pastor and the congregation at church were very happy and hope for more support in the near future. Will you be that blessing for them? Meschac St Amour President Habitat For Children Ministries |
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/haiti-vbs.jpg?1711493473)
Thanks to your unwavering support, LCC has been able to make substantial donations for food and medicine to Mission Haiti. LCC is also working for the first time with Habitat for Children Ministries in collaboration with Rev. Cris Escher of Grace Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Rev. Escher currently serves as the Vice President of Habitat for Children Ministries, and the congregation at Grace Lutheran strongly supports this ministry’s efforts in Haiti.
Please join us in our efforts to help save lives in Haiti. The violence and unrest in Haiti have left many innocent people injured, homeless, and in dire need of medical care, food, and shelter. We are working closely with our partners to safely provide essential assistance, including meals and medical supplies, to families amidst the challenges of volatility and violence.
Together, we can make a difference and bring hope and material support to those in need. Every dollar counts and can make a huge difference in the lives of those impacted by this crisis. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.
Thanks to You, They Were Able to BE THERE
Last week, the following Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members returned from their mission trip of service in Belize, which involved removing multiple dead and storm-damaged trees from properties of the LCMS mission Camp Concordia, the education center of the zoo, missionaries and congregation member homes. Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb |
Camp Concordia is the central point for various LCMS mission groups who come to help Pastor Herb Burch, his wife Markie, and GEO Missionaries Gary and Sue Kessler (from Lord of Life, Elburn) share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the country of Belize. Mission groups also help Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, along with GEO Missionaries Jordan and Justin Langston, who serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in the Valley of Hope. Most of the families from this community are refugees fleeing El Salvador and Nicaragua. |
The Lord of Life LERT team had purchased a new Echo 355T chainsaw and extra bars and chains to use in Belize. At the end of the trip, the saw and a pick-a-roon were given to Eleuterio Muzul, Camp Concordia’s construction manager, to maintain the properties. He and all staff felt they better understood how to safely use the chainsaw and the proper technique for felling trees because of the willing teachers. Marty and Larry also purchased and replaced worn parts and repaired their older camp saw and equipment. |
Eleuterio is a skilled carpenter and his first usage of the new saw was going to be cutting a cross in a tree stump. He also took much of the wood from the many trees cut down to be milled to make items for the church or those in need. He built the altar and area at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in the Valley of Hope using different types of wood to show the diversity of all God’s children. He is a willing servant, at the camp, church and pastors homes. He also brings his son and nephew to work every day to teach them how to work and serve with their hands. |
LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry team from Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee, Illinois, sent several mini stuffed LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs with the LERT team to pass to children. They gifted one to GEO Missionary Langston’s child and the rest to Pastor Flores. He plans to give them to several special needs children he visits with in Belize. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/lert-belize-mission-trip-5.jpg?1707326663)
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!"
Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Serves In Belize To Help with Multiple Property Cleanup
1/30/2024
Lutheran Church Charities was 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, which included the Concordia Mission House grounds in Belmopan, a local partner church in Orange Walk, and the Belize Zoo in La Democracia. |
Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn
Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton
Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb
Camp Concordia is the central point for various LCMS mission groups who come to help Pastor Herb Burch, his wife Markie, and GEO Missionaries Gary and Sue Kessler (from Lord of Life, Elburn) share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the country of Belize. Mission groups also help Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, along with GEO Missionaries Jordan and Justin Langston, who serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in the Valley of Hope. Most of the families from this community are refugees fleeing El Salvador and Nicaragua. |
The team did chainsaw work for several days at Camp Concordia, the homes of each of the pastors and missionaries, and a congregation member. They removed several storm-damaged, dying (due to parasitic air plants) and leaning cedar, palm, and mango trees that posed a danger to homes and outbuildings that all have been in fear of coming down in the next storm. A boom lift and CAT skid steer were rented, along with chainsaws. The team brought their own personal protection equipment, several bars and chains, and rigging for the lift. Marty Johnson also provided proper and safe practices of tree removal to the camp construction and landscape managers as they worked with the team. They have been very eager to learn and helpful in clearing the debris. |
The LERT team also worked at the Belize Zoo in very hot and humid weather. The zoo has 30 acres that serve as a refuge for injured or abandoned wild animals native to Belize, nursing them back to health to return to the wild or remain at the zoo if they could not survive otherwise. More importantly, it is also an educational center that all school children visit. The “public” schools in Belize are run by Christian groups, which is why Gary Kessler included the zoo in the request for assistance. |
The team, with Xavier (the CAT operator) assisting, took down many trees that were dead, diseased, and/or leaning near the entrance and driveway into the zoo. The Zoo manager was most concerned about a very large dead tree near the entrance that they feared could come down and block the main entrance, land on their main building (office, ticket area, museum, cafe, store), in the parking lot with cars, or injure people. Zoo employees helped direct traffic and visitors away from the entrance and part of the parking lot so that they could safely cut and remove these dangerous trees. They even had an audience on several occasions watching the work being done. The zoo manager and staff were very grateful for making their grounds safe for visitors. |
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.
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 serving in Belize and the opportunity to help support this endeavor. Please prayerfully consider donating to help fund this LERT mission trip to Belize to serve those in need. |
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/belize.jpg?1704249307)
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.
BE THERE with LCC to Provide the Gift of Food this Christmas for Children in Haiti's Tent City
11/28/2023
Provide Basic Food Staples for Children in Haiti
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/published/haiti-christmas-food-appeal-3.jpg?1701216579)
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration for many, but for children in Haiti, it can be a time of hunger and uncertainty. With your help, we can make a difference by providing food for these children during the Christmas break.
![Picture](/uploads/7/9/9/3/79931806/editor/haiti-christmas-food-appeal-2.jpg?1701216639)
Your donation will go directly towards purchasing nutritious meals and ensuring these children have the sustenance they need to thrive. Together, we can bring some much-needed comfort and hope to these vulnerable children. Your donation will show the love and compassion of Jesus to these children in need.
Help make a difference this Christmas for the children in Haiti with Lutheran Church Charities.
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