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Dear friends in Christ,
Elsie Riley, 92-years-old, hid in the closet with her dog Peaches when the
tornado sirens sounded and the winds started blowing. When it was over,
she could see the open sky above her. Her house, garage, neighborhood was
now a pile of rubble and debris. The house she lived in as a young girl,
and had lived in for the past 50 years, was gone. In face, all that she
had know as "home" was gone.
Three months ago, on April 21, a devastating F-4 level tornado torn into
the Hoisington, Kansas, community of 2,975. One person was killed, 182
homes were destroyed, 52 sustained major damage (and not repairable), and
392 had minor damage.
I just returned from Hoisington, Kansas, where I spent several days with
Bernice Karstensen, President of Lutheran Social Service of
Kansas/Oklahoma, which is managing the Lutheran Disaster Response efforts.
During my visit we traveled with Christine Iverson (LDR coordinator for
Kansas and Oklahoma) and Jim Lohmeyer (LDR coordinator in Hoisington). We
had the opportunity to meet with Kate Debes, Hoisington Ministerial
Association Disaster Recovery Coordinator, many of the Lutheran pastors
whose members were affected by this disaster, the local Unmet Needs
committee, and several individuals who lost their homes, businesses, and
precious keepsakes.
"I miss my friends and my church," Elsie said. She now lives in the next
community, and doesn't get around much anymore. There are many people like
Elsie in Hoisington. Joyce lived in her house for 40 years. It is
shambles, now, as is the market where she worked. Gary was in the bowling
alley he owned. His business is destroyed. Dolores lost her store, her
house, and her car. She felt blessed that she could find her Bible and
wedding rings in the debris. Again and again we saw and heard stories of
narrow escapes, terror, and loss.
But we also heard thankfulness, too. "I lost a lot, but I have a lot to be
thankful for. People have been helpful. The church has been helpful."
As Hoisington recovers, indeed the church has been - and will be - helpful.
LDR was present from the beginning, offering support and emergency
assistance. And long after others have left, the church will continue to
be on hand to help for the long haul. "Camp Noah" (a weeklong day camp for
children who experienced the trauma of disaster) is being planned for two
weeks next month. Volunteers for cleanup and repairs are being coordinated
through the Ministerial Association. Care for the clergy is being
provided. Counseling is available for the survivors.
You can help the church provide help and hope for the people of Hoisington,
Kansas, as they travel the long road to recovery.
You can offer your prayers of support for those who have lost so much as
well as for those who are present and offering assistance.
You can volunteer to help with the cleanup and repairs.
To volunteer:
Call Kate Debes at 1-620-653-9976 for information.
You can provide financial support, which enables the church to provide the
staff and materials needed to continue its help.
To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
Credit card gifts via the web: www.elca.org/disaster
LC-MS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Fri, Jun 29, 2001, at 4:25 pm). Director for
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE (Division for Church in Society) and
LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LC-MS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Please visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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