Our Comfort Dogs are on the road to Texas and Ohio for the shootings as I write this – with the other Comfort Dogs clearing their schedules (yes, they have busy schedules and we have to honor commitments of individual needs each day in their community) to be able to deploy. 

My heart breaks when I think of all the individuals, families, and all the First Responders that are affected by these senseless acts. I want to cry out and say “HOW LONG OH LORD” will this continue. I know His answer – Be Faithful in Doing what I called you to do – Bring my PRESENCE to those suffering and show my Mercy and Compassion to them. Give them HOPE that the world can’t and never will.

So that is what we are doing! Keep all in your prayers as we have many moving parts in deploying and serving.

Another community is devastated by senseless shootings in less than 24 hours! Many are asking “when will this stop?” We don’t have the answers to all of these tragedies, but we do have comfort, reassurance and hope through our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Rev. Kevin Wilson, Ohio District President, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), Rev. Mark Carlson from Emmanuel in Kettering, Ohio and John Pyron, Manager for Disaster Services with Lutheran Social Services. Rev. Phil Esala, former pastor at Emmanuel, is also assisting with deployment arrangements.

LCC never goes where we are not invited and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We also always put Boots and Paws on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite.

TRAGIC!  A community devastated by these shootings! In the midst of crisis – Jesus is there to bring comfort to those suffering and afraid! It’s what Christians do. We bring Jesus – We bring His Presence and Your Presence and support for the victims and their families and the El Paso Community. Join us in bringing this Mercy and Compassion and Jesus’s Presence.

On Saturday, August 3, a large crowd of back-to-school shoppers at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, were suddenly running for their lives when a young male began shooting throughout the store. So far, 20 people have been reported killed and over 26 wounded, with victims ranging from 4 months to 82 years old. Some of the injured are in critical condition.

Lutheran Church Charities has been invited by Rev. Roger Schlechte, Rocky Mountain District President, Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer, Pastor & CEO of Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care and Pastor Stephen Heimer from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church both in the heart of El Paso, Texas.
 
Rev. Martin Danner from Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, and Janice Marut, Regional Director for the LCC K-9 Ministry Southwest Region, are assisting us with deployment arrangements.

The following LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams are the first but not only deploying to serve this devastated and hurting community, and all of the first responders who bravely serve them: Abner & Martha Comfort Dogs (Bethany – Austin, Texas), Damaris (Memorial – Katy, Texas), Gabriel (Messiah – Houston, Texas), Joy (Gloria Dei – Houston, Texas), Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), and Ruthie (LCC Staff).

LCC never goes where we are not invited and the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel, hotel, and meals costs. We also always put Boots and Paws on the ground within 24 hours (often less) from the time we get the invite.

Watseka, Illinois
A heartfelt thank you for your support of our deployment this past Memorial Weekend to Watseka, Illinois. We were on the ground Friday through Sunday, and because of the outpouring of support – both people and resources – we were able to finish all the affected areas from the 90mph winds that went through that area! All of you are a blessing to them and us! Thank you.

Nebraska Flooding
LCC continues to provide financial assistance to families in Nebraska, through Trinity – Fremont, Good Shepherd – Fremont, and Christ Lincoln – Lincoln, that are still recovering from the flooding this spring.

Linwood, Kansas
Yesterday, LCC Disaster Response received an invite from Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Disaster Response Director, and Donna Williams, Northeast Kansas District Disaster Response Coordinator to go into Linwood, Kansas. It was hit with an EF4 tornado with winds of 170mph that was on the ground for 32 miles. At times, it was a mile wide which devastated both Linwood and Lawrence.

Linwood is a small rural town of approximately 400 people, located 30 miles west of Kansas City, Missouri. They greatly need our expertise and assistance.

Jefferson City, Missouri
We also received an invite from Kent Kunkel, one of the Missouri District Disaster Response Coordinators (and also an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog handler) into the Missouri capital of Jefferson City. The Missouri tornado tore a 32-mile path through that area causing devastating damage, especially in one of the poorest sections of Jefferson City.

Meanwhile, we still have teams working in sections of the Northern Illinois District (NID) from the storms that have taken down limbs and trees, and caused flooding.

Please keep all the above people in your prayers, including all the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy out in various locations.
 
Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those suffering.
 
Serving Together, Serving Others in Need, as We Serve Jesus!

Pastor Gerber stated, “Every person who entered the church, whether it was an evacuee or volunteer, will feel the love of Christ and know they were family.” Dawn Gilfry, Top Dog for Katie Comfort Dog, and her team provided comfort and care to those who stayed in their church and are continuing to reach out to them as they were moved to another shelter. They are committed to following and helping these families through this long recovery process that is just beginning.
 
Pastor Gerber and Dawn Gilfry state they are currently assessing how many church and school families are affected. They know 1 staff member, 1 congregation member, and 5 school families have lost their homes completely. They anticipate many more families with losses will be identified in the coming days as the water begins to recede both within their congregation and in their community. They will be helping people with basic needs and housing expenses. 
 
Your donations are greatly needed to help LCC and Trinity Lutheran Church serve their members and their community. If you are so moved, please donate now, and please keep Trinity and their surrounding communities in your prayers during their long recovery.

LCC is also watching the river levels in surrounding areas of our district that may also experience flooding in the days and weeks ahead with snow melt and warmer temperatures occurring. If you know someone that is in need of assistance in the Northern Illinois District (NID), please contact Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response at 866-455-6466 or dradmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org. Our LCC LERT teams are willing to respond with the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please keep all those affected by flooding in the Northern Illinois District and surrounding states in your prayers as they face many losses and a long recovery.

Update: November 9, 2018

LCC Disaster Response has been asked by the Southeastern District to come in and help. LCC will deploy to assist in Hurricane Florence recovery. LCC LERT teams have been asked to be on standby to deploy to the hardest hit areas to provide assistance with pumping out water from churches and homes, mucking and gutting, and providing chainsaw assistance. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams are also ready to deploy to provide mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please join LCC in praying for all of the families impacted by the recent devastating storms and for all of the first responders, LERT teams, and volunteers helping those in need.

Because LCC will be spread out throughout the country right now, your prayers and assistance are needed to help us serve those affected in various areas and states.
 
Thank you for all of your support in being Jesus to those suffering.

Peace in Jesus Christ,

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:  

• We have been invited by Disaster Response Coordinator Pastor Phil Zabel, Pastor Brian Cummins of Trinity Lutheran Church, Redding, and CAL Fire.  
• Over 110,000 acres burned, 1,400+ structures destroyed, 27% contained
• Over 40,000 people have been evacuated with more expected.  
• First Lutheran in Yuba City is standing by to be our support congregation. This is the home of LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Reuben, led by Top Dog James Casner.
• Local convalescent homes in Yuba City are taking in evacuees and have requested K-9 Ministry teams.  

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,