LCC Deployments in CA and FL Updates – Shooting – Fires – Hurricane Michael

Only in the arms of God is there a safe place!
“God is our safe place and our strength.
He is always our help when we are in trouble.”  
Psalm 46:1

Lutheran Church Charities is currently on multiple Disaster and Crisis Response deployments in California (mass shooting and fires) and in Florida (Hurricane Michael). 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.

There is still widespread devastation in Panama City, Florida, and our Disaster Response LERT volunteers are on the ground this week to do chainsaw work, tarping roofs, and anything that needs to be done to help those who are still not in their homes from Hurricane Michael. In addition, the semi-truck is arriving today with food and other critical items donated to help the 6,000 individuals each week that Trinity is serving.
 
We PUT and KEEP boots and paws on the ground to be with people who are suffering! Please keep everyone in California and Florida in your prayers – as in both places we are serving people who have been traumatized.

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California Deployment Update

In Thousand Oaks, California, our LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams have been working with the victims of the shootings and others affected at Borderline Bar & Grill. They were in the middle of the fires taking place now and were working with individuals and families who had to evacuate their homes. All around where our Comfort Dog teams were working, they could see the fires burning. 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. We are in contact with Pastor Tim Barkett from Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newbury Park who has evacuated his home.

Here are just a few of the places where LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Ruthie, Emma, Jacob and Hannah (LCC Staff), Cubby (Redeemer – Fort Collins, Colorado), Lois (First Good Shepherd – Las Vegas, Nevada), and Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California) and their teams have been serving in Thousand Oaks:

• Borderline Bar & Grill: Saturday & Sunday vigils
  
• California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran): Thursday night vigil, daily at counseling center, Monday town hall meeting  
• Christ the King Lutheran Church: Friday & Sunday morning
• La Quinta Hotel: evacuee guests
• Red Cross Evacuation Center, Thousand Oaks

The LCC K-9 Ministry teams were invited to the Cal Lutheran town hall meeting on Monday morning. There were about 400 in attendance. Many staff, faculty, and students have lost homes. The Comfort Dogs were present to help those in attendance reduce their stress, share their worries, and pray with them. While there, they met President Chris Kimball (Cal Lutheran), the Ventura County Sheriff, and University Pastor Scott Maxwell-Doherty. They also attended a Veterans Day gathering at the Cal Lutheran veterans' center. It honored alumni Justin Meek who sacrificed his life to save others at Borderline.

LCC K-9 Ministry handler Bonnie Fear sharing how their presence made a difference

Red Cross Volunteer sharing how the Comfort Dogs helped families cope with the widespread devastation

At the same time, other LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry teams are serving in the widely devastated communities in Butte County, California. After initially deploying to Thousand Oaks, Aaron Comfort Dog (St. John’s – Napa, California) redeployed to Chico and joined Reuben Comfort Dog (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California) and teams waiting for their Comfort Dog from St. Andrews in Stockton and Light of the Valley in Elk Grove. They are comforting the thousands of victims of the Camp Fire and the first responders protecting life and property at locations such as:

• Base Camp in Chico: first responders
  
• Oroville Police & Fire
• Neighborhood Community Church in Chico: worship & shelter site
• Evacuation Shelter in Yuba City

The Camp Fire is in Northern California which completely and literally wiped off the map the town of Paradise. Nearly 40,000 displaced, most of whom lost their homes and everything. Untold numbers of people lost their lives or are unaccounted for.

Reports to date are stating that over 90 firefighters who have been risking their life to battle the horrendous flames have lost their own homes due to the current wild fires.

Donate - Thousand Oaks, CA Shooting & Fires - LCC K-9 Travel Fund

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

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Florida Deployment Update

Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and thirty LERT Chainsaw team members arrived in Panama City, Florida on Saturday, November 10, to work out of Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul McComack and Pastor Ed Brashier, Southern District Disaster Coordinator. The team members are from Illinois and Indiana:

Illinois
Cross Lutheran – Yorkville: Derek Kowalczyk
Good Shepherd – Elgin: David Vollrath

Lord of Life – LaFox: Larry Zagorski, Terry & Mary Kramer, Kevin Krage, Dave Smercina, Jeff Straughn
Prince of Peace – Palatine: Jim Beckley
St. John – Wheaton: Steve Chester, Marty Johnson, David Schesselman,
St. Peter – Schaumburg: Ken Kivarante, Tom Amundsen
Trinity – Lisle: Clay Arnold, Ed & Jan Boerman, Skip & Karen Sorensen, Mike Kostecki, Carl Witt
Trinity – Roanoke: Ron Wagner
Trinity – Roselle: Kristin Bilar, Bob Pautsch
Trinity – Tinley Park: Joel Powless

Indiana
St. John’s – Dillsboro: Steve Black

Almost every home and business has been affected in some way in Panama City. The destruction is widespread. Many families are living in damaged homes because of limited other housing options. The schools are planning to open this week with children now from several schools having to attend the ones not damaged too severely. The local hospital is not able to reopen for another three months. Only one grocery store is open in town and the checkout lines are always long. Everyone is managing the best they can in a difficult and trying situation.

Trinity Lutheran is helping their community by providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support. They are distributing food and supplies to thousands of affected residents each week with many willing volunteers. They are also housing the many teams who are coming in from all over the country to assist in recovery.

Our LERT team has already tarped several roofs after removing trees from them and doing chainsaw work and debris removal. We are privileged to show the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

On Sunday, November 11, our team tarped several roofs in anticipation of heavy rains and high winds this week. We tarped the roof of Ms. Simmons who told us about riding out the storm in her home. She shared, “It wasn’t supposed to be as bad as it was until all of sudden it was! The wind was the loudest I have ever heard, made my ears pop, and I could hear trees falling and windows breaking. It lasted 2 ½ hours, which I spent fearfully sheltered in my bathroom, praying for the winds to cease, storm to pass, and for all to survive. When it was over, I had a tree on my roof which also blocked my driveway as well as a couple trees down in my backyard. Several of my neighbors had their homes completely destroyed. I could not believe the destruction and still cannot fathom how this community will ever really recover."

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Sasha (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina), Luke (Christ the Shepherd – Alpharetta, Georgia), Hope (Faith – Marietta, Georgia), and Peace (Trinity – Orlando, Florida) arrived in Panama City over the weekend to bring comfort to those impacted, first responders, and volunteers. They also greet individuals who come to Trinity’s distribution center for assistance. On Veteran’s Day, Kare 9 Sasha and Hope, along with their veteran handlers, were invited by Pastor Paul McComack of Trinity to visit the State Veterans Home to thank residents for their service to our country as well as the staff that cares for them.

On Tuesday, November 13, Kathy O’Day and Sean McAdams, LCC Media Specialist, were invited to meet with Pastor Dave Gieseking from Living Water Lutheran Church in Mexico Beach, Florida. Hurricane Michael, with its 155 mph winds and 15’ storm surge, totally wiped his church and home away along with coastal towns. Pastor held worship service on the beach this past Sunday morning to offer the hope of Christ in the midst of chaos. Living Water was known as the “community church” as its doors were always open and they served the community needs with its presence and willing hearts and hands. Help will be needed in this community for many years to come.

CLICK HERE to view  to Pastor Dave as he shows the devastation and shares his story

Donate - Hurricane Michael Disaster Relief Fund

Donate - LCC Disaster Response Fund

Donate - LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Fund

With your help, LCC is blessed to provide the physical help and a comforting presence needed to help 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.