To: [log in to unmask]
Dear Christian friends,
As I sit in Charlotte Amalie answering and writing my e-mail, I can hear
the hammerblows of Lutheran volunteers echoing in the air. On rooftops of
homes, volunteers from Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Iowa, are completing
repairs to homes damaged in September 1995 by Hurricane Marilyn. At
Frederick Lutheran Church--the oldest Lutheran Church in the western
hemisphere--"Laborers for Christ" (LC-MS) have completed reroofing the
parsonage and are working on the parish hall.
Many changes are taking place just now, as Lutheran Disaster Response and
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response pepare to complete "Phase I" (reroofing and
repairing houses of hurricane survivors) by May 31. Three projects remain
to be completed on St. Croix. Three social workers minister to the needs
of the islanders. Lynn Askew (New Jersey) is filling in as volunteer
coordinator until March 23, when Chuck Merriman (Nebraska) comes back to
conclude that responsibility. Joe Pryor (Alaska) is now the construction
supervisor, and he will stay until this phase is completed. The canopy at
Reformation Lutheran Church has been erected, and provides a defined and
protected worship area for the congregation.
We hope to have a concluding service and celebration early this summer,
and, when plans are firm, information will be shared with you. "Phase II"
is scheduled to begin in the fall, when we will rebuild the roof of
Narareth Lutheran Church (St. John), work on repairs to Frederick Church
properties, and rebuild Reformation Church. "Mission Builders" (ELCA) and
"Laborers for Christ" (LC-MS) will be directly involved in these
construction projects.
As the hammerblows of Martin Luther on the doors of the Castle Church in
Wittenberg changed the life and future of the Church, so the hammerblows of
Lutherans on the rooftops of the Virgin Islands are changing the lives and
reshaping the future of the Virgin Island survivors of Hurricane Marilyn.
Allow me, on their behalf, to express appreciation to the over 650
volunteers who have given of their time and abilities in the Virgin Islands
over the past 18 months, and to all who continue to provide prayer and
financial support.
In Christ,
Gilbert B. Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sun, Mar 16, 1997, at 5:49 pm)
Associate Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
Internet address: [log in to unmask]
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