LCC LERT Volunteers and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi’s Team Join C.A.M.P. Mission Trip for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers, and LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi (Immanuel – East Dundee, Illinois) and his handlers, set out on a very important mission last week – to restore trust, offer reassurance of God’s continued presence, and demonstrate His love and grace through actions, words, and deeds to the surrounding communities of Houston, Texas who are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey.
As part of the Chicago Area Mission Partnership (C.A.M.P.) “Sharing Houston” mission trip, LCC volunteers and Comfort Dog handlers shared mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ during their week of service. C.A.M.P. has been making an annual mission trip since Hurricane Katrina to help with construction needs in disaster affected areas.

From January 6–14, forty-one volunteers from Illinois united with sixteen friends from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas for a week filled with a variety of construction and outreach projects, nightly devotions/music, and the opportunity to get out of their comfort zones and experience “Sharing Houston” with one another and those God put in their path. Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas served as the host site for volunteers with work dispatched through Trinity Klein Lutheran Church in Spring, Texas.

Led by Pastor Phillip Baerwolf of Immanuel - East Dundee and team leaders Sarah Baerwolf, Shelly Davidson, Lark Sanders, Randy Kerkman and Bob Bowne, they  quickly witnessed the incredible need for assistance remaining for the many of the residents who were impacted by the hurricane. The homes that still need assistance with skilled construction are families who had no flood insurance. Mission team volunteers installed, taped and mud drywall; installed new electric, sub flooring, doors and door frames, walls and windows; assisted with organizing, cleaning and providing food pantry items; as well as the listened, shared and prayed with the homeowners.
 
Working with Janice Marut, Top Dog for LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Phoebe (St. Paul – Fort Worth, Texas), LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Levi and his handlers who were coordinated by Terry Sanders, gave cards of encouragement and gift cards to 9 homeowners who needed them the most. These gifts were a welcome relief, a sign of hope, a lift to weary souls and a reminder that our eternal God continues to care for them.

Thank you for your donations to help LCC continue to support families recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

Donate - Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund