Dear friends in Christ,
Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) continues long-term response to the record number of late winter and early spring storms/tornadoes, even as new disasters impact people.
Here are two updates to inform you about some on-going efforts. The first from John Sims (LDR-Tennessee coordinator) reports about "Camp Noah," a weeklong day camp that helps children work through disaster-caused trauma. John writes,
"With a total of 44 campers at Petros-Joyner School, "Camp Noah" was very much a success! Melanie Goodman and her staff, especially Sam Bernard, achieved all the objectives of "Camp Noah" and the week was all that we had hoped for the children.
"One quick story exemplifying the success: We had two days of thunderstorms at the start of "Camp Noah." Two classes of 9 campers each were terrified and upset in the first storm. Their counselors brought the children to Sam. He talked with them about 'happy clouds' and 'bad clouds.' The eventually all went outside and continued looking into the sky and talking together. The next day's storm there were NO terrified and upset children. Eight months past the tornado, that was quite a change!
"One note: Same added a significant component to the camp - daily meetings with a parent support group. It was extremely helpful to the parents and a follow-up program is being planned for the parents in a month or so, with all the counselors committed to calling the children in two weeks and 4-6 weeks as additional follow-up."
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The second report from Christine Iverson (LDR-Kansas coordinator) is about her work in response to spring tornadoes. She reports,
"Last Saturday, severe weather again hit the area of southeast Kansas that was hard hit by tornadoes on May 4th. I spoke to a woman whose house had just been repaired from the May storms. She lives in one of the two houses left of 40 in the village that was Ringo, Kansas. The other 38 were completely destroyed earlier. 'I was afraid that when I got home on Saturday, that I was going to be wiped out again, that now it was my turn.'
"Recovery from any disaster is long and difficult, but recovery from the May storms has been made complicated by repeated storms and tornadoes in the same area. Some of the places have been hit by other severe weather and even tornadoes several times since early May. Two weeks ago, severe storms and hail hit Liberal, Kansas, again destroying roofs and even shattering safety glass protected church windows. Thankfully, the worst of the hail and storm stopped short of damaging Kismet, where many families now live in FEMA trailers.
"These repeated storms have complicated physical and emotional recovery. Repairs have been held up by rain and subsequent damage. Every time the storms come again, people's fears and stress are heightened. It has made getting on with the job of recovery very hard because it feels as if the next shoe keeps dropping. Children and adults - and even response people - are affected by this repeated stress.
"But even in the midst of such a difficult recovery covering many communities, there is hope. The Church, present before, during and after the disaster carries the word of God spoken as love. LDR trained volunteer disaster case managers are covering southeast Kansas, working with and advocating for people whose homes and lives have been affected by tornadoes.
"The rural nature of much of the damage complicates recovery as well. Many of the people in this isolated rural area of Kansas have lost fencing, outbuildings, and cattle. Some agricultural-related disaster programs have been activated, but because of the strapped financial status of the state, there is no money in the programs even though the programs are open. The paths of these four major tornadoes were 21- 26 miles long, leaving many devastated farms.
"Just three weeks ago, a newly trained case manager was successful in helping a rural couple get safe housing. Their home had been destroyed May 4th. Using the small amount of money received from FEMA for emergency housing needs, they repaired a storm-damaged fifth wheel trailer and had been living in without phone, electricity or running water. With knowledge of the recovery process and a caring heart, the volunteer was able to advocate for them and FEMA moved a trailer house onto their property and got them hooked up to basic utilities. Now, they can live safely and secure while they make further decisions and work at rebuilding their home and their lives. Lutheran Disaster Response and their volunteer case manager will continue to be with them through the coming months. The Word of hope is spoken.
"Tornadoes, storms, and flooding have destroyed and damaged thousands of homes across the midwest. Please, remember all of us in your prayers and be generous. People are always asking, "What does LDR do after disaster?" The answer depends on you. With your continued and generous giving, we can help rebuild many lives and homes, helping those with the most need and the least resources, looking out for those most vulnerable. It is about community. It is about Christ.
"Current needs:
* contributions for direct aid
* unskilled volunteers for field-walking, removing debris so farmers can farm
* skilled volunteers for repair and rebuild
* materials and experienced volunteers for fencing
* your continued prayers"
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Your on-going prayers and support are needed. To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Midwest Tornadoes"
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 and Human Care - "Midwest Tornadoes"
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
Gilbert B. Furst (Written on 08/08/03, at 10:30 AM) 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: 773-380-2719 FAX: 773-380-2493
Please visit our websites: www.ldr.org www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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