June 2007

Galatians 6:9-10 — "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

As believers we never become weary in "doing good" and we never give up when it comes to helping those in need. On behalf of our Synod, LCMS World Relief & Human Care continues to reach out with ‘a touch of mercy’ to the victims of disaster and tragedy. Over the past few months there have been many opportunities and challenges to continue our ministry of mercy to the hurting and helpless here at home and around the world.

Here are some of the national disaster responses this spring:

• March 23 - Tornado struck Clovis, NM - $16,500 to Immanuel Lutheran Church, the Rocky Mountain District and Lutheran Family Services of Colorado
• March - Additional funding needed to help LCMS families recovering from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans - $20,926 for Rebuilding Assistance in partnership with the Southern District and Camp Restore
• April - Additional assistance needed for recovery process after massive flooding struck the Colonias of El Paso County - $58,642 in partnership with Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response and Ysleta Lutheran Ministries (The number of families living in extreme poverty within this Texas-Mexico Border community is staggering.)
• April 14-20 - Nor’ Easter swept across New England - nearly $30,000 to assist churches, LCMS members and their communities recover from the devastating floods
• April 24 - Tornados struck Eagle Pass, TX - matching grant of $10,000 plus an additional $10,000 to assist the victims of the storms in Eagle Pass and across the border in Piedras Negras, Mexico
• May 4 -Massive tornado struck Greensburg, KS - immediate grant of $30,000 to assist the 13 members of Peace Lutheran Church who lost their homes (In addition, LCMS World Relief & Human Care has offered the Kansas District a matching grant of $200,000 to assist with additional tornado and flood damage from the storms across Kansas during the week of May 4-11.)
• May 5 - Tornado destroyed the ranch and business of LCMS members in Plankinton, SD - $10,000 through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Pastor Richard Milbrandt
• May 10-12 - More than 9-inches of rain pelts Eastern and Central South Dakota - initial grant of $10,000 for clean up and repair to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen (An estimated 75-90% of homes and businesses in Aberdeen received flood damage. Additional grant requests are still coming.)
• LCMS member and his family forced to relocate to Camp Wood, TX in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita -$1,500 for short-term relocation assistance through Trinity Lutheran Church in Uvalde, TX and Pastor Don Olson
• Lutheran pastor and his family who had relocated to Columbus, OH following Hurricane Ivan needed to return to Florida due to health issues - $5,000 plus other relocation assistance through Zion Lutheran Church in Columbus and Rev. Larry Kudart

Here are two of the international disaster responses:

• Fire broke out along Damka Street, Old Sta Mesa, Philippines - $2,750 through local congregation of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines for low income victims of the fire (Plans are to coordinate with local officials an ongoing survey to determine unmet needs.)
• Peace treaty signed in Southern Sudan and repatriation began - $62,800 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan (The grant has helped bring church leaders and their members back to their villages and re-unite them with their families.)

A great way to help with these efforts and more is to give "Where LCMS World Relief and Human Care Needs it Most!"