LCC Helps Victims, Elderly, and First Responders Affected by the Northern California Fires

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs in Northern California to Bring Comfort and Hope through Jesus Christ

"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.

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,

Tim Hetzner
President/CEO
Lutheran Church Charities

DONATE - Northern California Fire Victims Fund

Donate - K-9 Travel- Northern CA Fires