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Dear friends in Christ,
Within the past month people in eastern North Carolina have endured the
impact of three hurricanes. Flooded streams, often filled with chemical
and organic pollution, are just now receding. Rains, which dumped
additional inches of water, have ended. Dry winds are blowing in North
Carolina again, and the sun is shining once again.
Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod) has been
reaching out to the survivors of these hurricane-induced floods from the
beginning. The LDR response is being coordinated through Lutheran Family
Services in the Carolinas (Senior Vice President Carl Miller is managing
our response), along with the North Carolina Synod (ELCA) and the
Southeastern District (LCMS).
Many people from across the country have been contacting LDR and wondering
how to reach out to their brothers and sisters in this time of crisis.
There are several ways.
>> Prayers are always helpful, and provide a powerful spiritual support to
those who are affected and to those who are providing assistance.
>> Cash contributions (not material contributions) help to provide
immediate assistance to the people, and enable needed items to be purchased
in the disaster areas. This supports the local economy, keeps jobs in the
area, and eliminates the expense of shipping and storage.
>> Volunteers can be utilized to help with the daunting task of clean-up
and repairs. George Strunk has just been employed to serve as LDR
coordinator for eastern North Carolina. He will spearhead efforts in the
Hurricane Floyd clean-up and recovery, and will coordinate volunteers.
To volunteer:
Call George Strunk at 1-888-336-4250 (this is a toll-free number)
To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Hurricanes"
PO Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Credit card contributions: 1-800-638-3522.
LCMS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
The wind and rains have ceased, the streams are returning to normal levels.
The lives of thousands have been changed forever by the forces of
widespread destruction. Please join the forces of widespread recovery in
North Carolina, and support this response to bring help and hope in Jesus'
name.
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sat, Oct 23, 1999, at 4:40 pm)
Director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (Division for Church in Society),
Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry of the ELCA and LCMS)
8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago 60631 PHONE: 773-380-2822 FAX: 773-380-2493
Visit our website: www.elca.org/dcs/disaster
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