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Dear Christian friends,
I worshipped yesterday at San Marcos Lutheran Church in Guaynavo, Puerto
Rico. The congregation is celebrating an anniversary year, and Bishop Sosa
was scheduled to preach. When plans were made for this service, there was
no thought given to the possibility that the sermon would reflect disaster
response ministries on the island and personal losses by the members. A
young child was baptized during this service, and Holy Communion was
celebrated. As we shared the Peace of the Lord (La paz del Senor), I saw
sustained caresses, tear-filled eyes, and words of thanks.
During her announcements, Pastor Marysol Diaz spoke directly to me and
said, "Thank you for being here and for feeling what we feel." She was, in
fact, thanking you and thanking her church, which encircles those affected
by disasters with God's loving arms, which responds to restore hope and new
life in God's name.
As we live out our baptism, renewed by the Lord's Supper, we are privileged
to help bring "La paz del Senor" to people experiencing sorrows, pains,
loss. The world (just now, Hurricane Georges) may be writing the agenda,
but God's grace provides the mission and the response.
Before I returned to the San Juan airport, Bishop Sosa and I met with two
young families who sustained a total loss of their houses and possessions.
We were able to assure them of the continuing love and support of God and
of God's people. As tears rolled down our cheeks, there were also
expressions of thanksgiving and hope.
Now, as we watch further destruction on the mainland by Hurricane Georges,
let us renew our prayers and prepare to contribute volunteer hours and
financial support - that we may share with the survivors of this major
catastrophic hurricane "La paz del Senor."
To contribute:
ELCA Domestic Disaster Response - "Hurricanes"
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
LCMS 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 Mon, Sep 28, 1998, at 4:51 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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