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Dear friends in Christ,
As I drove through and flew over Florida yesterday, it was clearly evident
that the wildfires reported in the media continue to rage and disrupt life.
Tens of thousands of residents have evacuated their homes due to the fires
that flare up and resurge, closing coastal highways and destroying homes
and businesses. Ms. Judith Bunker, our Lutheran Disaster Response Florida
Coordinator, reports that the fires have affected 67 counties, but the most
severe situations right now are in Brevard, Volusia, Orange, and Flagler
counties. Yesterday the entire county of Flagler was evacuated.
Ms. Elaine Richter (Assoc. Director of LDR) and Dr. Gary Harbaugh
(Florida-Bahamas Synod Staff) both report that, after contacting number
pastors and judicatory offices, it appears (as of today) that no members
have sustained injuries, no member homes have been destroyed, and no church
facilities have received damage. But at best these reports are sketchy:
One pastor is certain that some of his members may have been directly
affected since the news reports of burnings include streets where some of
his members live. But he does not know where they are at the moment,
because of the mandatory evacuation.
There is hope for heavy rain today. But there is also apprehension about
lightening that usually accompanies heavy rain. Yesterday, the light rain
(which did little good) produced 14 lightening strike/fires, according to
today's newscast.
This disaster is still very much in the immediate response phase. The
needs of the people will be more easily assessed after pastors and members
return to their homes and communities. LDR is present now, offering prayer
and emotional support. And LDR will be present in the days and months
ahead, long after the headlines have been written and forgotten.
Your prayers of support are so very helpful, even now in this chaotic,
blazing moment. And your contributions will enable the church to respond
quickly and appropriately, when the smoke has cleared and the dimension of
the destruction is known.
To contribute: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response
PO Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764
In Christ,
Gil Furst
GILBERT B. FURST (written on Sat, Jul 4, 1998, at 4:41 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
