On April 26, nineteen EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes tore through Nebraska leaving a trail of destruction in many communities. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response had been asked by Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, to provide chainsaw and debris removal assistance with heavy equipment in communities around Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska, with Mick Onnen, Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator. The Northern Illinois District volunteer deployment to Nebraska has ended. We were able to serve 32 homeowners with chainsaws, lifts, and heavy equipment, as well as give some blessing buckets and gift cards from local churches. Deaconess Kathy O'Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response (DR), and LCC DR Equipment Manager Jamie Miller, along with 27 Northern Illinois District Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) chainsaw volunteers, served from April 29 through May 10 with volunteers from several other districts.
Serving Overwhelmed Homeowners with Significant Property Damage Mr. and Mrs. H. rode out the storm in their home and found themselves facing significant damage to their property. The sound of their roof being torn off and trees snapping filled their home with fear and uncertainty. Their barn, crucial for their livelihood as they raised pigs and chickens, was completely destroyed in a matter of seconds. Feeling overwhelmed by the devastation and unsure of how to begin the cleanup process, they were grateful for the support of their fellow Lutherans who came to their aid. They not only received practical help in cleaning up the debris but also experienced the comforting presence of Christ's love within their community. Clearing 35 Storm-Damaged Trees from Homeowner's Property
Powerful Testimonials from Property Owners One of LCC's final work sites was at the home and ranch of Mr. and Mrs. McG. Despite minimal damage to their home, the devastation to their horse stables and barn, along with the multiple downed trees on their property, left them feeling overwhelmed. However, the team's swift and efficient work in making their property safe brought them a newfound sense of hope and relief. Mrs. McG. stated, “All week we have felt overwhelmed and at a loss, but in one day, you have given us hope and lifted our burden.” She gave the team several hugs and thanks for assisting and caring for them during their time of need. Mr. and Mrs. G. lost their home and had their wooded property severely damaged by the tornado. Despite the loss and damage they faced, Mrs. G. took the time to express her sincere gratitude in a thank you note sent to us for the assistance they received, and the mercy and compassion shown to them. “Thank you so much for coming and serving! We could not feel more uplifted and cared for during this whole ordeal. It was truly an honor to meet you and your team. We came home last night and we will head back for Mother’s Day weekend to get more things arranged. Take care! We are truly thankful for people like you!” Mick Onnen, the Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator, sent a message of gratitude expressing his thanks to all those who served and supported the disaster response efforts in the district. “On behalf of the Nebraska District LCMS and LERT members, I'd like to extend heartfelt thanks to each of you for your hard work and dedicated service to the Omaha area residents in the aftermath of the recent tornadoes. I am humbled to see your faith and compassion in action for the hurting folks in the Omaha area. We heard so many sincere words of thanks from those we served. They really appreciated your work and the help you provided. As the DDRC, I extend thanks to each of the daily leaders - without you things would not have run smoothly. And to each of you, a big hug for your part in serving our community. May God bless you all as you continue to serve where He leads.” Lutheran Church Charities thanks the following LERT volunteers for their willingness to serve: Illinois Alleluia, Naperville - Ann Quigley, Rachel Rogers Good Shepherd, Elgin - David Vollrath Immanuel, DeKalb - Pete Springmire Immanuel, Dundee - Carl Fischer, Matt Flynn, Terry and Denise Fuelling, Doug and Kelley Hoyt, Al Navarro Immanuel, Shobonier - Fran Collier Lord of Life, Elburn - Mark Holstein, Kevin Krage, Terry and Mary Kramer, Vince Miller, Larry Zagorski Prince of Peace, Palatine - Jim Beckley St. John, Wheaton - Marty Johnson Wisconsin St. Paul's, Janesville - Lark Sanders Prince of Peace, Menomonee Falls - Roger Kautz St. Paul, Grafton - Mark and Beverly Brueggemann The destruction and trauma experienced by many residents is widespread, but the spirit of community and faith has provided much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process. It has been a blessing to listen to the survivors' stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we served those in need. Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. Thanks to You, We Were Able to BE THERE!
On April 26, nineteen EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes tore through Nebraska, leaving a trail of destruction in many communities. Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response had been asked by Rev. Ross Johnson, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Director of Disaster Response, to provide chainsaw and debris removal assistance with heavy equipment in communities around Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska with Mick Onnen, Nebraska District Disaster Response Coordinator.
When her site was completed, the LERT team presented her with a quilt and a signed tree slice with a cross. She insisted on praying a blessing over each team member to show her appreciation. LERT volunteers spent two days helping clear many downed trees from a several acreage property of a husband and wife who are Omaha police officers. The tornado leveled their two-story home and garage, as well as rolled their trailer and pickup truck. They were overwhelmed with and greatly appreciative of the outpouring of support from the community, volunteers, and fellow officers. he destruction and trauma experienced by many residents are widespread, but the spirit of community and faith is providing much-needed hope, encouragement, and help in beginning the long recovery process. It is a blessing to listen to their stories and offer a word of encouragement and prayer as we serve those in need.
Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. Lutheran Church Charities held a Basic LCMS LERT chainsaw operation and safety classroom instruction at Walcamp in Kingston, Illinois, on May 3. This class was co-led by LCMS Chainsaw Certified Instructors and LCC advanced team leaders Marty Johnson and Ed Boerman. On Saturday, May 4, thirty basic and advanced chainsaw-certified LCC staff and LERT team members worked as chainsaw and heavy equipment operators and draggers to clear downed and dead trees, limbs, and brush from the camp. Bill Indelli, Walcamp Executive Director, expressed his sincere thanks for all of the work completed to prepare the property for campers. The eighteen first-time chainsaw operators received individual instruction and guidance from advanced team leaders as they began to safely practice felling and bucking trees and limbs, as well as serving with chainsaw team members. LERT chainsaw volunteers from the following Illinois, Indiana, and North Carolina churches were in attendance: Illinois
Christ the Rock, Rockford Good Shepherd, Frankfurt Heartland, Normal Immanuel, Batavia Immanuel, Belvidere Lord of Life, Elburn Prince of Peace, Palatine St. John's, Union St. John, Wheaton St. Paul, Rockford Trinity, Lisle Trinity, Roselle Indiana Christ Lutheran, Valparaiso North Carolina Eternal Shepherd, Seneca
A total of 31 individuals participated, representing various teams and churches across Illinois.
It is good to see how the disaster response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need.
In South Barrington, LERT volunteers worked at seven homes in one circle block. The homeowners were so thankful for the assistance. One posted on the LCC Disaster Response Facebook page, “My husband and I are eternally grateful to the men and women that came out to assist us. They were all so kind and compassionate. Thank you all for the amazing work you are doing!” In Hoffman Estates, LERT volunteers worked at the home of a recent widow and stroke survivor who had an uprooted pine tree in her front yard and a very large topped oak tree in her back yard. The team had to fell the remaining 15-foot trunk and remove numerous fallen limbs. She couldn’t believe that we would so willingly do all of this and at no cost. She was in tears when presented with a cross from her tree and thanked everyone present for their care and hard work. A very large and diseased pine tree was topped and needed to be felled for safety reasons at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Palatine. The church's LERT team took care of this to make the grounds safe and received thanks for their willing service. Lutheran Church Charities LERT volunteers will continue to be available to assist homeowners who have damage from these storms. Please pray for all of the communities affected by these devastating storms, including the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff that help during the recovery process. LCC never goes where we are not invited. We NEVER charge those we serve! If you are so moved, please donate to the LCC Disaster Response Fund so that we can BE THERE to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.
Thanks to You, They Were Able to BE THERE
Anna Piro shared the team's sentiment, "We all worked well together, falling into the tasks at hand. As you can imagine, there has been much joy and laughter throughout our trip with each other and those we worked with. Belize was good to us, and we have loved the people we met at Camp Concordia and Good Shepherd." The Northern Illinois District and Lutheran Church Charities thanks each of these volunteers for their willing service in Belize. The Lutheran Mission Belize posted the following thanks on their Facebook page: "We are so grateful for the hard work of these Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteers this past week! They took down damaged and diseased trees in several locations throughout Belize, including at Camp Concordia. They have been a blessing!" Please prayerfully consider donating to help with costs accrued on this LERT mission trip to Belize that served those in need.
There were a total of 19 in attendance from the following teams or churches in Illinois:
Christ the Rock, Rockford Immanuel, Belvidere Immanuel, Dundee St. John, Union St. Paul, Rockford Trinity, Lisle It is good to see how the LCC Disaster Response ministry is continuing to grow with volunteers willing to share the mercy, compassion, presence, and proclamation of Jesus Christ in service to those suffering and in need. CLICK HERE to learn more about getting trained to serve as a LERT volunteer. Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) Serves In Belize To Help with Multiple Property Cleanup1/30/2024
Help them continue to BE THERE
The following Northern Illinois District, Lutheran Church Charities LERT team members spent the last week in Belize: Larry Zagorski, Max Metz - Lord of Life, Elburn Marty Johnson and Anna Piro - St. John, Wheaton Pete and Christel Springmire - Immanuel, DeKalb
All of the families served by the team expressed their deep appreciation that their properties are now safe for their children to play and that they would not have to worry about falling trees causing major damage in the next storm. The team feels blessed to be serving their brothers and sisters in Christ. Please continue to pray for the team, Pastor Herb and Markie Burch, Pastor Benjamin and Karina Flores, and GEO Missionaries Jordan & Justin Langston, and Gary & Sue Kessler, as they each serve the people of Belize in the Name of the Lord.
Tennessee Homeowners Are Grateful for Help Received Following a Devastating December Tornado1/9/2024
Several local teams and District Disaster Relief Committees (DDRCs) from other districts worked with Jan in Madison, Tennessee, immediately after the tornado before Christmas to help many homeowners. The week after Christmas, DDRCs Jan Simko, Pastor Ed Brashier, and Pastor Trae Fistler, with his Faith in Action Disaster Response team, finished work on many sites. Steve Chester from St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton, Illinois, was also invited to join them for this final week. Steve brought in his bobcat to move multiple very large and downed trees and worked tirelessly from December 26 to December 31. He was very glad to be able to assist with his heavy equipment. Homeowners expressed their deep appreciation for the team's efforts, which allowed them to clear their properties and avoid costly professional services. Through their work, the LERT volunteers also shared the love of Christ with those they served, making a meaningful impact on the community. Lutheran Church Charities thanks our generous donors and volunteers for their willingness to serve. Thank you for your faithful prayers and support for all of the communities affected by the catastrophic tornadoes and those responding to assist. |
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