 Last Thursday was supposed to be an exciting day as the students and teachers returned to school after the Christmas break in Sussex, Wisconsin. It should have been a time for the children to see their friends and teachers, sharing stories of their adventures during the break or what presents they got for Christmas. It would have been a day of getting back into a schedule, with students filling their minds with knowledge and new skills. But on that first day back to school, a tragic accident happened when five-year-old Finn, a lover of Legos, Avenger superheroes, school, and his family, was struck and killed by a school bus. Losing Finn in this tragic way has deeply affected the students, parents, teachers, and community. This young child’s death is a loss that is difficult to comprehend and hard to put into words for so many. On Friday, January 3, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), and Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois) with their handlers and ministry partners were present at the prayer vigil held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. The community came together to mourn this precious child and to support one another in their grief and shock. The church was filled with family, friends, students, teachers, first responders, and community members who gathered together in prayer for God’s strength, hope, and help and to be there for Finn’s family who needed the support and comfort of the community. It was God at work, bringing people together to lift one another up and reassure them that they are not alone. The Comfort Dogs were there welcoming a gentle embrace and accepting the much-needed touch of their fur. The gentle and welcoming eyes of Charity, Mary, Rejoice, and Samson, promised a safe and loving place for the children and parents. The handlers’ smiles, prayers, and quiet acceptance brought a calmness to the moment. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ) Last Friday morning LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), and Sage (Concordia University Wisconsin - Mequon, Wisconsin) were at Silver Spring Intermediate School where the heartbreaking accident happened. School had been canceled for the students on Thursday and Friday but the Comfort Dog Ministry teams were there to support the teachers who were in shock and heartbroken. They love and deeply care about the students and do all they can to educate and protect them. It showed in their faces and tears how much this tragedy affected them. The Comfort Dogs and their handlers gave the teachers and school staff the time and place they needed to feel cared for, seen, and loved. On Monday, January 6, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Charity (Brookfield Lutheran - Brookfield, Wisconsin), Dora (Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee - Milwaukee, Wisconsin), Mary & Rejoice (St. Paul's - Janesville, Wisconsin), Samson (Zion - Marengo, Illinois), and Tobias (Lord of Glory - Grayslake, Illinois), and and their supportive and caring handlers and ministry partners were there when the students returned to Silver Spring Elementary to care for and comfort the children. So many of the children, teachers, and staff had been there when this horrible accident happened taking such a precious life. The principal, teachers, and the children were so grateful and relieved to have the Comfort Dog Ministry teams there. Comfort Dogs Charity, Dora, Hagar (Faith Lutheran - Appleton, Wisconsin), Mary & Rejoice, Samson, and Tobias will visit the students and staff of the other schools in the district throughout the week to give them a safe place filled with warmth, comfort, and unconditional love. It is a long journey of healing for this community. We pray for them to lean on God and one another, and to trust that they are not alone through their grief and healing. They are loved beyond measure. "And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:19) Comments are closed.
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