 The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their dedicated handlers have had a busy time the last two months. God has guided the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and the teams from different parts of the country to share His love, mercy, compassion, and presence with the hurting during some of their darkest moments. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry felt God’s direction as He led us to His people in Waukesha, Wisconsin, after the horrific tragedy during their Christmas parade on November 21. Then a couple of weeks later, God opened the way to share His love in Oxford, Michigan, after the tragic shooting at the Oxford High School on November 30.  The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers and ministry partners brought a distraction to the confusion and loss that the people in these communities were feeling. The Comfort Dogs were able to bring calm during a chaotic time and a smile in the midst of their sadness. It seems that everywhere we turn, people need hope. It is hard to see the light when we are surrounded by darkness at times. God is there, no matter where we find ourselves. God follows us into the darkness, and in His presence, we see compassion, faithfulness, and hope. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:11-12 There are so many encounters that the Comfort Dogs and their handlers had, where you could see God’s hand in the moment. Oxford, Michigan The mother the LCC K-9 Ministry team met in the Meijer’s parking lot in Oxford, Michigan, is just one of those moments. One of the handlers saw a woman heading toward her car wearing an Oxford sweatshirt and stopped to ask if she had children who attended the high school. The woman shared that she has two children who attend Oxford High School and that one of her children had been sitting next to the shooter in class just before they had changed classes. The handler prayed with this mother, who is grateful to have her children alive and well and yet is grieving for the families who lost their son or daughter. This mother shared what a comfort it has been to the kids to have the Comfort Dogs in their community. The principals from the schools in the surrounding Oxford communities were so grateful to see the students smiling and talking while spending time with the Comfort Dogs at their schools. The Comfort Dog Ministry is about sharing the hope and light that God provides during our darkest times.
 The LCC K-9 Ministry teams met Kristin, who has followed the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs for years and finally got to meet them at Meijers with her children after they saw a post on Facebook that the team would be there with LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Gideon (St. Michael's - Bloomington, Minnesota), Malachi (St. Matthew - Hawthorn Woods, Illinois), Mary (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and Beloved Comfort Dog in training. When she found out the Comfort Dogs were coming to "her town," it brought the tragedy home to her. She was very grateful that the Comfort Dogs and their handlers were there for her community of Oxford, Michigan. I just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to talk with me yesterday at Meijer. I am amazed by your teams' compassion and dedication to helping the communities affected by such horrific events. Being in a position like you are, constantly surrounded by tragedy and heartbreak, is an extremely heavy job. LCC K-9 and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion (HMC) Ministry teams are serving with open hearts to listen to the hurting, bringing them hope, comfort, and prayer. The hearts/crosses were placed at the memorial at Oxford High School for people to sign and leave condolence messages, pray, and pay their respects to the four lives lost so far.
The LCC K-9 ministry teams will continue to serve this hurting community after the Christmas break as invited. Please join LCC as we pray for the Oxford High School community during this incredibly difficult time. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministry NEVER charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. We know that comfort is needed to help this shocked and devastated community and the first responders who serve them. Waukesha, Wisconsin The LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs and their ministry teams continued to serve throughout the Waukesha community, and first responders as invited to help them continue to process their grief following the Christmas parade tragedy. The LCC K-9 Ministry teams will return for more visits as invited.  On Sunday, December 19, LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin) and her ministry team visited Waukesha Fire Station 2 and Station 5. These brave gentlemen were working the evening of the Christmas parade tragedy. The team presented them with an LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion filled with signatures and words of encouragement from congregation members of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and Brookfield Lutheran Church. When they see this heart in their station they will know how loved and appreciated they are. "We are so blessed by these guys and can’t wait to go back for more visits to continue to support our awesome first responders!"
LCC received this heartfelt thank you note for the support provided to the Waukesha community: We sincerely appreciate your participation in Waukesha's Friends and Family Resource Center that was established to provide support to Waukesha Community after the Christmas Parade tragedy. Please pass along our thanks to all of the handlers that responded.
The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry is one of presence. The LCC K-9 Comfort Dog teams are always amazed how God directs their paths and places before them the people He wants them to love and comfort. "It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you ... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." Mother Teresa
LCC never goes where we are not invited. LCC’s K-9 Comfort Dog and Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Ministries NEVER charge those we serve as we bring the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Please keep the Waukesha, Wisconsin community in your prayers following the devastating tragedy.
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