LCC Helps Victims, Elderly, and First Responders Affected by the Northern California Fires7/31/2018
Dear Ministry Friends and Partners, God will carry you through the Fire! We just finished our 2018 LCC National K-9 Conference Friday night. During the conference we were communicating several times a day with our connections in California about the fires. Each day we were getting word on how rapidly the fires were spreading, and how many people had been evacuated and were in shelters. Many of the people in the shelters have lost their homes and most of their possessions. With the generosity of our donors, Lutheran Church Charities will work closely with our churches, Trinity Lutheran, Redding and First Lutheran, Yuba City, to help relocate the victims, especially displaced elderly, who have been directly affected by the fires. Here are the facts:
This year's conference theme was "With Me on the Road" - going where Jesus leads. So we are preparing to go on the road. Our Mission is to Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need, so we are deploying in shifts to serve those suffering from the devastating effects of this fire. On Sunday, July 29, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California) began visiting first responders to thank them for their dedication and tireless service, including the Cal Fire Command Center and the National Guard soldiers. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California), Eddie (Peace Lutheran – Grand Island, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran – Cairo, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity Lutheran – Lincoln, Nebraska) are on their way to join Reuben Comfort Dog’s team. Plans are to continue to visit first responders and affected families who have been relocated to shelters. Please keep everyone who has been affected by the fires in your prayers as well as all the first responders who put their own lives in jeopardy to serve their communities. Please also pray for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams as they begin deploying. We have some Comfort Dogs already on the ground serving as I write this. God ALWAYS provides, caring for His people in the midst of tragedy - and He will this time as well. Thank you for all of your support in touching lives with the Presence of Jesus Christ - our only hope! Peace in Jesus Christ,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities
"Tonight my husband and I, and our two daughters, will be in a new apartment. We will have to sleep on the floor, but that is okay. We will start new again. And tomorrow we will celebrate my daughter's 5th birthday in our new house. So many people have been so kind to everyone needing help. We have many new clothes and items that have been donated. This is good."
LCC also assisted a family, with 5 year and 3 month old children, to help them secure housing so they can move in to a new apartment tomorrow. They were very surprised and happy that we were able to offer them rental assistance. Tim Hetzner and Kathy O'Day met and prayed with the family. The father told us, “You have no idea what a blessing this is and you are to my family. We cannot thank you enough!” LCC will continue to respond to requests for assistance by the City of Prospect Heights. Local LCMS churches and their members have also responded with many types of donations to assist these families. Mayor Nicholas Helmer of the City of Prospect Heights continues to express his appreciation to LCC and its donors for all of the assistance that has been and will be provided to these families to aid in their recovery process. Please continue to pray for everyone impacted by this tragic fire. LCC will continue to provide Disaster and Crisis Response to our neighbors, bringing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you" Isaiah 43:1-2 LCC has been invited in (we only go where we are invited and never charge those we serve) to deploy and serve the victims from the fires and the first responders as well.
Here are the facts:
Our Mission is to Share the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need, so we are deploying in shifts to serve those suffering from the devastating effects of this fire. Please keep everyone who has been affected by the fires in your prayers as well as all the first responders who put their own lives in jeopardy to serve their communities. Please also pray for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams as they begin deploying. We have some Comfort Dogs already on the ground serving as I write this. God ALWAYS provides, caring for His people in the midst of tragedy - and He will this time as well. Thank you for all of your support in touching lives with the Presence of Jesus Christ - our only hope! LCC Responds to Massive Apartment Fire in Prospect Heights, IllinoisJesus said: "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
Early this morning, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Jacob (LCC Staff), Seth and Marie (Comfort Dogs in Training) visited one of the temporary housing shelters to bring comfort and hope to distraught families. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will continue to visit shelters and on-site where the fires occurred. The Comfort Dogs always bring relief to all of the first responders. LCC Disaster Response is working with local response agencies, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, to provide resources for the displaced families. The LCC headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois, will serve as the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) location for the local agencies to deliver services to individuals and families. LCC Disaster Response is working with local response agencies, the Red Cross, and other COAD partners to provide resources for the displaced families. Please pray for everyone responding and impacted by this tragic fire. If you are so moved, please donate to help LCC help our closest neighbors as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence, and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. Serving Together, Serving Others, in the Name and Presence of Jesus.  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry
Helen Roenfeldt, Director of Haiti Mission in the Florida/Georgia District has asked LCC to help our mission churches get food for the children and adults. LCC is providing $2,000 immediately for food but more assistance is needed. We have started distributing food through our partners in Haiti, to those we can get to, including the elderly, who need us to help with food assistance to get back on their feet. Please keep the people in Haiti in your prayers and any assistance you can provide is greatly needed and appreciated. Thank you for Making a Difference in Haiti.  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Little Children Suffering! Jesus said: "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18:5 Jesus said: "Suffering little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14
 Two LCC staff and affiliate LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been deployed to centers and are currently serving displaced children. Lutheran Church Charities has received invites, and we imagine we will continue to receive invites, for the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs to be present with children who are displaced from their families because of the current situation. Displaced children are in shelters in at least 15 states. LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry has K-9s in 23 states. LCC does not get involved with the "politics" of events - but we cannot ignore the plight of helpless children who are frightened, alone, and in need of comfort. LCC will be deploying our Comfort Dogs to the centers and ministries that are housing and temporarily holding children who have come into our country. LCC will not be disclosing the locations of where we will be. We will be working with the many dedicated workers who are taking care of the children. LCC never charges those we serve. We cover all of our transportation, lodging, and meals by the generous donations of those who believe and support what we do and our Mission - to share the MERCY, COMPASSION, PRESENCE, and PROCLAMATION of JESUS CHRIST to those who suffer and are in need. Please keep all the children in your prayers as well as all people involved. Thank you for your prayers and support. Serving Together, Serving Others, in the Name and Presence of Jesus.  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry Tragic Shooting - 10 Dead - LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deploying to Santa Fe High School in Texas5/18/2018
"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted..." Isaiah 66:13 Students, Faculty, and Staff Flee from Active Shooter During 1st Period Classes 9 Students & 1 Teacher Killed, Officer Critically Wounded, Others Injured, and Many Traumatized
Gloria Dei has students who attend Santa Fe High School and is in the process for an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog. They have already deployed staff to the hospital to be with impacted families and first responders. LCC never charges those we serve. It has allowed us, without hesitation, to go when and where we are invited. The nature of our deploying comes with a cost, as last minute travel is generally the most expensive. So we rely on your generosity to help us serve those who are suffering and in need. Please remember students and their families, staff, faculty, first responders and this community in your prayers. Your gifts to the K-9 Travel Fund are greatly appreciated. LCC also hands out stuffed dogs to those most affected by the shooting. That is made possible by your generous gifts. Thank you for your prayers and all of your support!  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1 May your unfailing love be my comfort. Psalm 119:26
We have been invited by Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, Maryland, and by the Administration of Great Mills High School. LCC’s response to the request was WHEN and WHERE. It’s what we do because of what Jesus has done for us! LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will begin to deploy to Maryland on Saturday, March 31 and Easter Sunday, April 1. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will be coming in from Connecticut, Tennessee, South Carolina, and possibly other states to be there for the teachers and students. Sasha Comfort Dog (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) will be the first to arrive attending Easter sunrise worship service at Trinity. LCC K-9 Ministry Handlers and Comfort Dogs respond even on Easter Sunday because being there, serving those who have gone through crisis and tragedy, is what Jesus would do. Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who suffer and are in need is what we do. Because of the great sacrifice of Jesus for each of us, to give us Hope and Life, we share that with others! LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Also Responding to Jennings County High School Following Death of Two Students Another emergency request was received late Thursday from the school administration of Jennings County High School in North Vernon, Indiana. A 17 year old female student died in a car accident early last week and the boyfriend committed suicide at the end of the week. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs will be with students, faculty and staff as they return from spring break on Monday, April 2, after the loss of these two students. LCC never charges those we serve. It has allowed us, without hesitation, to go when and where we are invited. The nature of our deploying comes with a cost, as last minute travel is generally the most expensive. So we rely on your generosity to help us serve those who are suffering and in need. Please remember all in your prayers this Easter. Your gifts to the K-9 Travel Fund are greatly appreciated. LCC also hands out stuffed dogs to those most affected by the shooting. That is made possible by your generous gifts. Thank you for your prayers and all of your support!  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities  On Wednesday, February 14 - Valentine's Day - another horrific mass shooting has occurred. As the school day was coming to an end at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, gunshots were heard resulting in approximately seventeen people killed, with many others either physically wounded or emotionally devastated. Since the start of 2018, in just seven weeks, there have already been eighteen shootings in U.S. schools, and many have resulted in injury or death. With this increase in frequency, communities are living with fear and anxiety wondering when the next one will occur.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been invited by Rev. Stephen Carretto of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Boca Raton, Florida, to bring comfort and compassion to students and their families, faculty, staff and first responders. LCC never goes where we are not invited and LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meal costs. We also always put Boots and Paws on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite. Please help LCC as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this devastated community and the first responders who serve them. Please support us by prayer and if you are moved, to help with travel expenses. LCC K-9 Ministry Teams Help Students, Faculty, Staff and Community Begin Their Recovery  On Monday morning, January 29, LCC received a call from the Marshall County High School after the shooting last week. Within 4 hours, 12 LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and 19 handlers were on their way to support the survivors of this tragic event. For most of the day Tuesday, the school of about 1,200 students were let out in shifts from class to greet the Comfort Dogs. Some students, traumatized by the event, were accompanied by counselors and the presence of the LCC K-9 Ministry teams was part of these students’ first steps of coping with what happened. Among the students was one girl who was wounded in the shooting, while many simply expressed their emotions of shock, grief, and disbelief. There were a lot of tears shed in these hours, but much hope and comfort given through presence and prayer.  Here are some of the comments we have already received since arriving in Benton: “Thank you so much for allowing us to have comfort dogs. They are very comforting and make it a lot easier to be in the school. Petting the dogs makes me feel safe being in the school." “Thank you so much for coming. It has already helped a lot of us there so much. People are laughing and smiling all around the school. They are all talking about the dogs being there.” “My son attends Marshall County High School. This has been such a blessing. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for truly providing comfort to these kids. Absolutely amazing!”  Please continue to pray for the LCC K-9 Ministry teams in Benton and particularly for this community as they begin to put the pieces back together. Teams are planning visits to where the town has set up counselors to help families, as well as visits to the areas around the school who received students as they were fleeing the scene.
If you are moved to do so, please support us to help with travel expenses so that we can continue to bring the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to this hurting community. |
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