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Dear Christian friends,
The 1999 hurricane season officially began June 1, and it is predicted to
be as severe as last year. I have just returned from Puerto Rico, where
newspaper ads are encouraging people to properly connect emergency
electrical generators and stores are selling steel window covers in
preparation for hurricanes.
Lutheran Disaster Response is still responding to Hurricane Georges, which
devastated Puerto Rico last September. Some 8,000 houses are still covered
with tarps. This week new staff members have joined Brooke Burkey and Mary
Ann Stewart as LDR continues repair and recovery efforts in areas due west
of San Juan.
As we drove through the Dorado area, I could see obvious signs of recovery.
So far nearly 500 LDR volunteers have repaired over 125 houses and removed
debris from over 1,500 homes and yards. Over $300,000 has been expended
for direct assistance grants, emergency supplies, building needs, and
operational costs. Spanish language resources for children have been
developed and distributed.
We visited a family that is now back once again in their very modest house.
As we stood talking, the mother of the family showed me a face of Jesus she
painted on their front door, to show her gratitude to God. Down the
street, another couple spoke with the staff, as LDR prepared to bring
volunteers to make repairs to structural damage on their house. They were
smiling with joy and appreciation.
We plan to conclude this Puerto Rican response at the end of August, almost
one year after the hurricane struck. A full cadre of volunteers is already
scheduled to help.
The church's disaster response ministry doesn't stop when the disaster
disappears from the TV news of the local newspaper. The steady and
on-going prayers, contributions, and volunteers of congregations make it
possible for LDR to be present and active for the long haul.
As we enter a new hurricane season, you can help continue and conclude the
church's response to Hurricane Georges in Puerto Rico. Your prayers are
supportive to the survivors and to those who are helping. Your generosity
will help meet the on-going expenses and provide the materials needed to
complete this response.
To contribute:
ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response
PO Box 71764
Chicago, Illinois 60694-1764
Credit card gift line: 1-800-638-3522
LC-MS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
Credit card gift line: 1-888-930-4438
Thank you for all you are doing to sustain the church's response of help
and hope to Puerto Rico.
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Tue, Jun 8, 1999, at 10:33 am)
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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