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Dear Christian Friends,

"The Lutherans Are Here" is usually what people say as Lutheran Disaster
Response provides its ministry of hope and hands-on response in disasterous
situations.  For the these past two days I have been traveling with Elaine
Richter (Director of LCMS World Relief and Associate Director of Lutheran
Disaster Response) throughout eastern North Dakota, touching base with
pastors, spouses, and lay leaders up and down the Red River Valley.

"The Lutherans Are Here" was the message given at a press conference
yesterday.  Elaine and I joined Tony Ingle (president of LSS-North Dakota)
and Roger Schwinghammer (Catholic Family Services) to describe what it
means that Lutheran Disaster Response is present in North Dakota.  That
message was carried today on local TV and radio broadcasts, on Minnesota
Public Radio, and in the "Fargo Forum."

"The Lutherans Are Here" was described to 12 pastors and lay leaders in the
Wahpeton, fifty miles south of Fargo, where flood waters still stand behind
dikes, and where-across the river-Breckenridge, Minnesota, has also been
severely affected by the river waters.  Here, in Emmanuel Church, cleaning
supplies are gathered, and the members are helping their neighbors begin
cleanup efforts.

This morning (very early) Elaine and I drove 75 miles north into Grand
Forks, where the waters have receded enough to allow some local traffic.
We visited five Lutheran church facilities (St. Mark, Bethel, Sharon,
Immanuel, and Redeemer), where we saw water marks in the middle of outside
walls, basements that had been flooded, outside damage evident...and we did
not get to see some of the other church locations where severe damage had
occurred.

We returned quickly to Fargo, where 125 ELCA and LCMS pastors, spouses,
visitors were waiting to hear what it means that "The Lutherans Are Here."
We described the outpouring of prayers and financial support from Lutheran
brothers and sisters across the country, and told that the mission of
Lutheran Disaster Response is to help people recover from disasters as they
live through the different stages of chaos to recovery, as they live
through the different phases of grief and loss.

We got into a little Piper airplane and flew up the Red River to Grand
Forks (and beyond).  The river has shrunk in the Fargo area to "only" 4-5
miles wide, and the flood levels are beginning to drop.  In the Grand Forks
area we could clearly see entire neighborhoods in water-neighborhoods
waiting for the Lutherans to come.  North of Grand Forks, towards Canada,
the river widens to nearly 25 miles, and still threatens small towns in
North Dakota.  Our hearts ached as we turned back toward Fargo and flew
over a small country Lutheran church and cemetery standing in the flood
waters.

This evening we held a meeting that included Bishop Rick Foss, District
President Norm Sincebaugh, Tony Ingle, and guests from the Northwestern
Minnesota Synod.  As the Red River slowly returns to normal levels, it will
soon-VERY soon-be time for volunteers to be matched through a local
coordinator to assist in the cleanup efforts.  It is soon time for the
Lutherans to be here-local people, day-trip people, people from across the
country-for the Lutherans to be here to provide a caring presence and
rolled-up sleeves. As soon as a local coordinator is named and volunteers
can become part of the massive cleanup ministry, you will be informed how
you can be present to help.  That person should be in place within the next
two days.

"The Lutherans Are Here" indeed, already providing a spiritual support,
financial assistance, and promising ongoing resources to meet the needs
from the catastrophic blizzards and floods.  Please help the people of
North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota know that the Lutherans are here,
by your generous prayers, and your contributions to

        ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
        PO Box 71764
        Chicago, IL 60694.

In Christ,
Gil Furst

GILBERT B. FURST (written on Thu, May  1, 1997, at 12:43 am)
Associate Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
Internet address: [log in to unmask]
For more information, click on our web site:  www.elca.org/dcs/disaster