 Dear Partners in Ministry: I wanted to give you an update on our multiple Disaster and Crisis Response deployments going on right now in California and in Florida. It seems like it is one thing after the other. The California deployment for the shootings is now also serving all the families displaced from their homes because of the fires happening right now – and we are in the middle of it. People have been emailing me asking are they safe? Folks – our Ministry is not done in safety zones but in the midst of disaster and crisis. They are as safe as all the people we are serving! We PUT and KEEP boots and paws on the ground to be with people who are suffering! It is what Jesus did – IT IS WHAT WE DO as we serve Jesus by serving others in HIS NAME. Please keep everyone in California and Florida in your prayers – as in both places we are serving people who have been traumatized (hurricanes, shootings, and fires). We do a ministry of PRESENCE being there – knowing that Jesus loves them and is there with them, showing compassion, giving a human hug, and PRESENCE is essential. People need to know they are not alone, others care, and are there to help! IT’S WHAT JESUS DID – IT IS WHAT WE DO!
I appreciate the emails from some of you asking how we doing. We are keeping our heads above water just enough to see the Feet of Jesus walking on it! Knowing that we are never alone, and where we are, Jesus showed up before us and we follow HIS lead! It keeps us going! It keeps us serving!  I want to thank all of you for your support in California and Florida for all who are suffering! Please keep all the families that have been displaced in Florida for weeks in your prayers and continue to support them. They are no longer on the news – but they and those who have lost homes in Florida – have a long road ahead of them! But they will NOT BE ALONE thanks to all of you who participate and support the work that Jesus is doing! THANK YOU! The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs, handlers, and helpers are on the ground and working to bring the Mercy and Compassion of Jesus to those suffering in Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities in California and also in Panama City, Florida.
 In Thousand Oaks, California, our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams have been working not only with the victims of the shootings and others effected at Borderline Bar & Grill. They are also in the middle of the fires taking place now and are working with individuals and families that had to evacuate their homes. All around where our Comfort Dog teams are working, they can see the fires burning. They will continue to serve in that area as long as they can provided they are not asked to evacuate. They have served hundreds of people at California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, a reunification center for the victims' families that now serves as a shelter for those evacuated due to the fires, just to name a few. We are in contact with the Pastor from Christ the King who has evacuated his home. Click here to watch a video on LCC K-9 Ministry teams comforting in California  Report from Rich Martin, LCC Director of K-9 Ministries, serving in California now: God had our morning planned before we started. Our devotions did not start on time - no, they did not start at all. From the moment teams gathered in the breakfast areas they came. One by one, family by family. The worried, the tired, and the weary. Sad and teary eyed, their faces brightened as they saw them: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Cubby, Jacob, Hannah, Lois, and Aaron. It was just what the doctor ordered. A spiritual triage from the wounds of life and recent day's events. Evacuees, Red Cross workers, families from near and far. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs were there to listen to their harrowing stories and pray with each one. Sometimes once, sometimes twice, and often as a group with everyone.  The teams moved on to California Lutheran University where they have been for the last three days. Meeting with students who stayed and were sheltering in place. Having the teams there every day gave them the hope and encouragement needed to get through their days. With 10's of thousands of people still under evacuation orders, the teams also continue to make daily visits to the evacuation centers around Thousand Oaks, California, again bringing comfort and hope to those we meet. The fires have put a pause on a time that would have been spent in different circumstances - on the grieving of those lost at the Borderline shooting. We continue to offer our assistance to those affected and to our first responders. We continue to pray for hope, healing, and restoration of lives. We know that physical help and a comforting presence is needed to help the individuals, families, first responders, and volunteers in all of these communities who are shocked, devastated, and feeling hopeless and helpless. Please continue to support us with fervent prayer and if you are moved, continue to help us with expenses. Working Together, Serving Christ, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME! Peace in Jesus Christ,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities Emergency Appeal: LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Deploy to Mass Shooting in Thousand Oaks, California11/8/2018
Update: November 9, 2018
Shootings in one of the "Safest Places" Safety and Hope come from being in the arms of our God! "God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Hundreds of people were there attending a weekly College Country Night, many of whom are students from the various universities nearby. Twelve people were killed, including the brave and heroic Ventura County Sheriff Sergeant Ron Helus who responded and was the first to enter the bar, immediately met by gunfire.
Working Together, Serving Christ, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME! Peace in Jesus Christ,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities
I was at a Pastors conference today and a pastor asked me how LCC was doing and how I was doing! I said - I am keeping my head above water enough to see the feet of Jesus walking on it! Add to all the disasters LCC is responding to - at the same time we are responding to all the Crisis Response requests - and another suicide yesterday of a teen! With AND through YOU, and because of YOU, we bring hope into situations where people are suffering and have lost hope: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46:1-3)  Hurricane Michael, a catastrophic Category 4/5, came fiercely roaring into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, October 10 bringing life-threatening storm surges and destructive winds. Massive power outages incurred soon after landfall. Its path is moving north-northeastward, headed towards many east coast areas that are still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Many areas will have record-breaking flooding. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response is working with the LCMS Southern District to respond with disaster relief assistance as soon as it is safe to do so. Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and our LERT chainsaw teams have been assisting families impacted from Hurricane Florence in North Carolina this week with chainsaws, boom lift, and other heavy equipment. Several LERT teams have remained there in anticipation of further destruction from Hurricane Michael. Your donations are needed so that LCC can continue to provide disaster relief as long as needed. UPDATE 10/18/2018: We have enough scrub buckets and will take what has been made, so please do not make more. Rather, please focus see the updated list of items needed HERE  LCC is working through our LCMS churches to provide scrub buckets to individuals and families that are impacted by the floods. These will be needed immediately to help facilitate critical recovery as soon as possible. You can help Make A Difference by:
LCC is in contact with LCMS churches in the impacted communities. We will be sending completed scrub buckets to LCMS churches to distribute to individuals and families in need wherever recent flooding occurs, such as Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Before beginning a Scrub Bucket Initiative, please contact LCC by email at DRAdmin@lutheranchurchcharities.org or call 866-455-6466 to get specific direction on what is needed and the drop off location. Assembling Scrub Buckets is a great way for individuals, youth groups, outreach ministry teams, schools, or other groups to show others in need the love of Jesus Christ. We are your hands and feet in bringing the hope that only comes through Jesus during times of hopelessness. Thank you for sharing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Serving together, Serving Jesus, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME! Tim Hetzner and the entire LCC Staff LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs have been going into affected areas by invite to serve displaced families at shelters.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. - Isaiah 40:1
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. LCC Disaster Response Supports LCMS South Wisconsin District in Reedsburg, Wisconsin Flood Recovery
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,  Tim Hetzner
President/CEO Lutheran Church Charities 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 |
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