Title: Lutherans Rebuild after Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Floods
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 8, 1999

LUTHERANS REBUILD AFTER TORNADOES, HURRICANES AND FLOODS
99-14-083-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- This spring Lutheran Disaster Response, a
ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), continues to provide financial
assistance, pastoral care, resources for children and support for care-givers to survivors of tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. 
     In Arkansas, a record-setting 38 tornadoes struck the state Jan.
21 killing seven people and destroying 427 homes, severely damaging 900
others, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster
Response.  Furst visited Royal Oaks and other areas in the state April
5-7.
     Lutheran Disaster Response volunteers continues to remove debris,
repair and re-roof homes and buildings.  Three tornado shelters --
underground safety facilities -- will be built in Royal Oaks.  Among the
people the shelters will serve include an 80-year-old couple, a widow in
her 70s and a handicapped child, said Furst.  
     Lutheran Disaster Response also continues to work in Puerto Rico,
where 400 volunteers have repaired houses and churches and removed
debris following island-wide destruction from Hurricane Georges six
months ago.  Furst visited the island March 24-26.
     "So far, 88 minor and major repairs have been made to houses,"
said Furst.  "More than 1,500 properties have had debris removed. 
Fourteen church properties are scheduled for or have received repairs."
     Volunteers from Kentucky, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Wisconsin and other areas will continue to provide recovery
assistance in Puerto Rico.
     "On the first day of spring we visited pastors, lay leaders and
flood survivors in southwest Texas," said Furst.
     About five months ago floods affected more than 1,350 square miles
in southwest Texas -- Cuero, New Braunfels, Seguin and Victoria --
causing half a billion dollars worth of damage, said Furst.
     "Although many repairs have been made, I am surprised to see
houses still standing as broken shells, people putting flood-damaged
furniture and water-soaked, moldy sheet rock and insulation on
curbsides, and empty lots where houses once stood," Furst said.
     In Victoria, the goal is to work on 250 flood-damaged houses for
people who have the greatest needs, said Furst.  About 60 percent of the
homeowners there are over the age of 60, and 35 percent are below the
average median income level.  Furst said intensive repair work will
begin in June and continue for at least another year.
     Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA Southwestern Texas Synod and
the LCMS Texas District have distributed $370,000 to help flood
survivors and support the relief ministries in southwest Texas.  Two
fraternal benefit societies -- Lutheran Brotherhood,  Minneapolis, and
Aid Association for Lutherans, Appleton, Wis. -- have also provided
financial support.
     Lutheran Disaster Response will help manage the relief work with
Lutheran Social Services of the South though the ELCA Southwestern Texas
Synod and the LCMS Texas District.
     "I left Texas deeply aware of the sorrow, loss, grief and turmoil
in so many hearts," Furst said.  "But I also see God's people present
and active, offering help, encouragement and love.  Signs of recovery,
hope and new life are already beginning to blossom."
     "As I stand with people affected by wind and floods, hurricanes
and tornadoes, I am also deeply aware of God's presence," said Furst.  
     "Through Lutheran Disaster Response, people in desperate
situations are experiencing the humble servanthood of Jesus Christ
through the ministries of their Christian brothers and sisters," he
said.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html