Together We Continue to Make A Difference

Sharing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need

California Wildfires Lutheran Church Charities is monitoring the wildfires in Napa and Santa Rosa, California. We are in contact with Pastor Zabell, the CNH (California, Nevada, Hawaii) District Disaster Response Coordinator. He reports that there has been approximately 5,700 homes lost in these communities. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napa reports that 2 staff members and 5 congregation members have lost their homes. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Santa Rosa reports that 20 congregation members have lost their homes. There are still 35,000 people displaced due to damage to homes or the very dangerous air quality. LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Aaron (St. John’s – Napa, California) and Reuben (First Lutheran – Yuba City, California) and their ministry handlers have been a constant presence in the shelters, with first responders, and throughout their communities providing mercy, compassion, presence and hope in Jesus Christ during these difficult times.

Donate - K-9 Travel Expenses Fund

Florida Update

Deac. Kathy O'Day, Director of Disaster Response, is returning to Southwest Florida next week to make plans with Amigos en Christo on how Lutheran Church Charities can support families affected by Hurricane Irma in their recovery. Pastor Glander and Pastor Selle from Amigos en Christo are completing the assessments of affected families from both of their sites in Immokalee and Bonita Springs. Kathy will also meet with Pastor Browning and preschool teacher, Katie Bachman, from Hope Lutheran Church in Bonita Springs.

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Sasha (Island Lutheran – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina) with Phil and Brenda Burden, and Luke (Christ the Shepherd – Alpharetta, Georgia) with Clay Zimmerman recently returned from spending a week in Bonita Springs, Florida and its surrounding communities. Working with the pastors from Hope Lutheran Church and the Amigos Center, these two teams visited people who have been greatly impacted by Hurricane Irma. Just a few of the many places they brought comfort and the hope in Jesus Christ to include:

Hope Lutheran Church – Bonita Springs
Estero Fire Rescue - Estero
Red Cross Shelter – Estero
Life Care – Estola
The Amigos Center – Immokalee
Arlington of Naples, a Lutheran Retirement Community – Naples
Lambs of Faith Preschool at Faith Lutheran Church – Naples
Marine Corps League meeting at Faith Lutheran Church – Naples
Naples Fire Department – Naples
NCH Healthcare – Naples
Peace Lutheran Church Early Learning Center – Naples
Good Shepherd Early Learning Center at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Donate - K-9 Travel Expenses Fund

Donate - Hurricane Irma Disaster Relief Fund

Texas Update

LCC continues to work through our Texas District contacts and ministry partners to help impacted communities still recovering from Hurricane Harvey.

Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers Pastor Greg Hintz, Steve Goetsch and Ken Kiviranta (St. Peter – Schaumburg, Illinois) and Bob Pautsch (Trinity – Roselle, Illinois) returned on October 15 from a week of serving in Houston, Texas. Getting job assignments through Trinity – Klein, this group had many opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, bringing both physical assistance and spiritual support to those still recovering from Hurricane Harvey. Pastor Hintz shared with LCC how being present during recovery and rebuilding gives hope to those impacted.

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As we stood at the entrance of the garage on the cul de sac, we were trying to imagine how the water had been so high in the house as the foundation was already 6 ft. above the street. The homeowners told their story that the 52+ inches of rain that had fallen over the 3 day period had not been the main problem for them. It was when the waters were released at the reservoir when it became trouble. The waters had to be released so that the reservoir itself would not break and damage many more homes and businesses. That is when the waters rose and entered the home with 4 ft. inside! The wife said miracles abounded that they did not get shocked from the electricity that had still been working as they waded through the waist high water. They both told of the rescue raft that took them to the boat, with their 3 children, in the middle of what used to be their street ... all while avoiding the snakes swimming in the water looking for shelter too! Even though we had worked hard spraying down the bleach/water application and were sweating profusely in 85+ degree weather, she asked us for a hug and thanked us tremendously for making a sacrifice and a great difference to help restore their lives back to "normal." It truly has been a blessing to reach out with the love of Christ and bring relief in the opportunities He gives us!

God bless,
Rev. Greg Hintz
Associate Pastor
St. Peter – Schaumburg, Illinois

Volunteer in Texas

Donate - Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund