June 2017
Since the tragic day of February 28, 2017, when an EF3 tornado went through Ottawa and Naplate, Illinois, Lutheran Church Charities Disaster Response and LERT volunteers have continued to partner with Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa on behalf of their community’s long term recovery efforts.
So far, LCC staff and LERT volunteers (Lutheran Early Response Team) have returned four times and have completed work at 56 sites, doing debris removal, demolishing garages and utilizing their chainsaw teams to remove trees and stumps from homeowners property as well as in the oldest cemetery in town.
Recently, a request for help was received from a family who needed access to the family gravesites that were covered by downed trees. LCC deployed a large team of LERT volunteers, who worked for the day and cleaned up the entire cemetery. They cut up downed trees, cleared brush, branches and debris and removed it off site to a designated area for disposal. The team gave great care and respect for those buried there.
The family that requested assistance went to the gravesites and was amazed at how the entire cemetery had been cleaned up. One of the crew members had left a slice of a tree at their sites with a cross carved in it and signatures of all who worked that day. LCC later received the following thank you note: “To all at Lutheran Church Charities: Thank you for cleaning up at the South Side Cemetery and for the memorial slice of the tree that was left at our burial plots. That just put the icing on the cake! God bless all of you for your caring and hard work.”
LCC and LERT teams continue to support Zion Lutheran Church and the community. The town governance and long-term recovery case managers have said they are very happy with LCC’s professionalism and how volunteers treat every person with the love of Christ.
LCC is a trusted servant in the community, but it is about much more than just doing physical work. It is about following LCC’s mission of Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need. It is to willingly serve because of what Christ has done and to share His grace and hope with those helped.
The Lord’s work is evident in the young mother with her days old newborn who, having survived the tornado and although losing her home and vehicle, now returns to Zion Lutheran Church after an absence and has her baby baptized.
It is seen as Zion’s pastor, Rev. David Daniel, walks the affected neighborhoods, speaking with people he had never met before, asking if they still need help and offering to pray with them.
Disasters make people more open to hear God’s word of hope, and only Christ knows what seeds are being planted.
LCC seeks to show Christ’s love to all who are encountered through their Bible studies, speaking engagements, congregational trainings, disaster (LERT) and crisis response efforts, K-9 ministries, and international ministries.
For more information on ways you can donate to help LCC continue to Make A Difference, please visit LutheranChurchCharities.org, text @LCCGIVE to 52014 and follow the prompts, or call 866-455-6466.
More Kind Words Received
On June 6, 2017, LCC Director of Disaster Response Kathy O’Day received a letter from the residents of the Village of Naplate, Illinois. A portion of the letter reads: “…Throughout the past several months, Naplate residents have risen to the challenge of clean-up with awesome strength, drawing hope from one another and from volunteers like you. Your generous support has made the unimaginable a little more manageable. Please know that all you have contributed is so deeply appreciated by the members of this community. From fresh meals, hot coffee and clean water donations, to help clearing debris and providing therapy dogs for comfort – your work has reminded our village of the grace and humanity of all people during this trying time. Thank you for all that you have done to repair our homes and to heal our hearts as we begin the long road of recovery. The spirit of volunteerism is strong in Naplate and has been reaffirmed by the actions of charitable people like yourself. The Village of Naplate greatly appreciates your support.”
LCC also received a recent note of thanks from a homeowner in Ottawa: “I cannot say Thank You enough to the individuals from the Lutheran Church Charities (LERT, Zion Lutheran Church) that came to my home and cut up fallen and damaged trees in my yard as a result of the February 28, 2017 tornado through Naplate / Ottawa, Illinois. It was a very hot but windy day but the team cleared up the awful reminder of this horrible storm. Thank you to Bob, Bernie, Amy & Derek! Your hard work and kindness will not be forgotten!”