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Your Donations Needed to Help During Long Recovery Efforts
Photo (left to right): Representatives from Lutheran Disaster Care; Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO; Rev. Eric Johnson, President Southern District LCMS
Tim Hetzner, Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO, was invited to Louisiana to meet with Rev. Ross Johnson, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, Rev. Michael Meyer, LCMS Director of Disaster Response Training, and Rev. Eric Johnson, President Southern District LCMS, to survey extensive damage from Hurricane Laura and discuss recovery plans. Tim Hetzner was able to bring Rev. Eric Johnson donated funds to be used to help meet immediate needs within the Southern District.
 Extensive damage to St. John Lutheran Church in Lake Charles from Hurricane Laura
During this visit, they met with Pastor Charles Miller from St. John Lutheran Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Pastor Shane McCoy from Trinity Lutheran Church in Sulpher, Louisiana, and also visited Grace Lutheran Church in Orange, Texas to see the damage at each of these churches. St. John Lutheran sustained the most damage.
Pastor Miller stated that his home is badly damaged, as well as the homes of most of his congregation members. He is extremely thankful that everyone made it through the hurricane safely and trusts that God will provide for their needs. Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Disaster Response plans to open a camp at St. John Lutheran Church in Lake Charles as a base for volunteers. Once the camp can be safely opened and damage assessments are in process, Lutheran Church Charities will determine what assistance can be coordinated to support recovery efforts.
Lake Charles and surrounding towns may not have power restored for at least the next 4-6 weeks. They currently do not have safe drinking water, which will also take some time to restore. This will be a very long recovery process for many Louisiana coastal cities.
While the group was at St. John Lutheran Church, Lutheran Disaster Care from Arlington, Texas, brought a trailer of supplies that two Texas Lutheran Early Response Teams (L.E.R.T.) had assembled. This included 200 flood buckets, 3 generators, gas, face masks, kitchen kits, quilts, Bibles and devotionals. They all helped unload the supplies into the church for distribution.
Hurricane Laura has caused much destruction, but with your generous donations, Lutheran Church Charities can make a difference by showing the Mercy, Compassion. Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Storm Recovery Update: Northern Illinois 
On Monday, August 10, Northern Illinois experienced a rare derecho with sustained winds of 60 – 90 mph and 15 confirmed tornados, causing widespread property damage throughout many cities.
Since the storm, approximately 75 LCC Disaster Response Teams (L.E.R.T.) chainsaw and heavy equipment operators have completed work at 39 homes, which we served through 19 different Northern Illinois District churches located in their disaster-affected cities. It has been a privilege to serve these homeowners in the name of our Lord.
I had the pleasure of meeting all of you as helped me and my family with the overwhelming clean-up after the tornado made a mess of our property.
To everyone, it was a hot couple of days, and you all selfishly gave everything to help us out, always smiling. We can't thank you enough. Thank you again and God bless you all. Homeowner from Marengo, Illinois
Storm Recovery Update: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
This same derecho barreled through Cedar Rapids, Iowa before hitting Illinois with 100 mph winds causing major destruction to homes, businesses, farms and crops. Kathy O’Day, Director of Disaster Response is currently discussing a possible Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. chainsaw and heavy equipment deployment with Rev. Dr. Dean Rothchild, Iowa East District Disaster Response Coordinator and Jason Koepnick, King of Kings Lutheran Church L.E.R.T. Team Leader. Jason is assessing damage and coordinating all volunteers for the disaster response in Cedar Rapids and would welcome any assistance LCC Disaster Response could provide. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response L.E.R.T. teams are continuing to respond and serve with the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve. We pick up all of our travel and meal costs. We put boots on the ground within 24 hours (often fewer) from the time we get the invite. Please consider a donation to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Disaster Response Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. Comments are closed.
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