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Dear friends in Christ,
"Angels are visitors from God. You are God's angels as you bring God's
good news message in this bad news situation." This is how Dr. Foster
McCurley (Lutheran theologian and co-author with Alan Weitzman of "Making
Sense out of Sorrow") described the pastors, counselors, and volunteers
with whom he was meeting - "angels" reaching out to others in disaster
recovery.
I just returned from eastern North Carolina, where the scope of the
Hurricane Floyd flooding continues to stagger my imagination, where the
impact of the flooding weighs heavily on the hearts and in the lives of
thousands. It is one year since Hurricane Floyd brought unprecedented
disaster to eastern North Carolina. Latest statistics indicate 55,000
homes were damaged, including 17,000 uninhabitable and 7,000 destroyed.
Fifty-two people died. Most survivors have plowed through a frustrating
maze of paperwork, but for many with limited resources rebuilding is just
beginning. Most people are still not anywhere near returning to their
homes.
But there is progress. George Strunk, LDR coordinator, reports seventy-two
teams of 579 volunteers have made a significant contribution to the
situation. Over $800,000 has been provided, and unknown amounts of food,
cleanup supplies, and furniture were distributed. A "portable personal
care unit" - mobile shower and toilet facilities for volunteers - is being
put into service because of the generosity of the North Carolina Women of
the ELCA, NC Lutheran Brotherhood, and LDR of North Carolina. NC Aid
Association for Lutherans provided funds for a new disaster cargo van.
"Camp Noah," a special day camp for children recovering from disasters, was
offered in Pender and Duplin counties.
In the midst of many meetings, I participated in gatherings of survivors,
clergy, counselors, and caregivers in the Greenville area. LDR sponsored
two opportunities for community members and helpers to meet with Pastor
McCurley. He provided grief and loss insights from a Biblical perspective,
strengthening people to deal with their own needs or for those they came to
help.
Where are we now? Dale and Jean Peercy (LDR construction consultants) are
busy in interfaith efforts preparing sites for volunteers. They have over
100 situations ready for workers. Because of strong cooperation with other
denominations, Lutheran volunteers likely will work side by side with - and
sometimes under the supervision of - Methodists, Church of the Brethren, or
Christian Reformed folks.
LDR will be present in North Carolina, offering help and hope, for the long
run. But more "angels" are needed, volunteers to come in Jesus' name and
deliver "Good News" in this adverse situation. More "angels" are needed,
"angels" like the Fargo volunteers who said, "We want to return to North
Carolina with interest what North Carolina gave to us in our time of need."
As people of faith continue to respond, please offer your prayers and
support for both the disaster survivors and the disaster "angels."
To volunteer: Call George Strunk, 1-888-336-4250.
To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response - "Hurricane Floyd"
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
Yours in Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Fri, Oct 13, 2000, 4:29 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
