 |
 |
To: [log in to unmask] Dear friends in Christ, "The Lord is good to those who seek his face in time of sorrow, providing comfort to the weak and grace for each tomorrow. Though grief may tarry for the night, the morn shall break in joy and light with blessings from his presence." So the words of a Finnish hymn setting of Psalm 34 describe the presence and compassion of God in times of need and sorrow. ELCA Domestic Disaster Response and Lutheran Disaster Response (a cooperative ministry with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) is preparing to respond to Hurricane Georges, which tore across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico yesterday (September 22) and early this morning. There have been reports of at least six fatalities, and widespread damage to houses and commercial buildings. Many areas devastated by the hurricane are closed to relief efforts, because of dangerous debris that must be removed. As of this initial report, I have been unable to establish telephone communications with anyone on the Virgin Islands. I spoke this afternoon with Bishop Franciso Sosa (ELCA Caribbean Synod), who reports that several congregations in Puerto Rico have had structural damage, and "there are a lot of houses with substantial damage and trees lost." LCMS mission congregations in the western part of Puerto Rico are being contacted for damage assessment. As soon as the airport is open for commercial traffic, I will lead an LDR team to establish a church response effort. Needs and damages on the VI will be assessed by Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands (Chris Finch, president). It is all but certain that volunteers will be needed to help with cleanup and repairs. Counseling services will be provided for those who are living through yet one more disastrous hurricane. A more detailed report will be posted as soon as I have additional information, including information on how to volunteer. We will initiate immediate relief activities and develop a recovery program, working with Church World Service to involve a broad spectrum of the faith community. Hurricane Georges is a cruel and destructive visitor at the end of this summer season, and continues to pose a threat to the U.S. mainland. But the promise to God's people, through God's people, is to provide "comfort to the weak and grace for each tomorrow." You can help now by keeping in your prayers our brothers and sisters who have been affected by Hurricane Georges. You can help by sending contributions to: 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 In Christ, Gil Furst GILBERT B. FURST (written on Tue, Sep 22, 1998, at 5:19 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