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To: [log in to unmask] Dear Christian friends, "We have no power, no water, some phone connections, and damage." So Pastor Angel Perez, who serves a Lutheran congregation in Mayaguez (on the Puerto Rican west coast) reported when I spoke with him on Tuesday. I am returning from three-days in Puerto Rico, where the situation is already different from early last week. Chaos is giving way to the reality of loss - "we have no roof, we have no furniture, we have no clothes, we have no house." Many areas have no electricity or telephone service. Streets and roads are lined with branches, twisted roofing, ruined clothes, damaged furnishings. Blue tarps are beginning to cover exposed ribs of broken roofs. There have been six suicides. Statistics continue to rise (45,000 houses destroyed, 45,000 damaged). People are angry (at the government, FEMA, the Red Cross, the church, even God). These are the normal dynamics of every disaster. But there is another constant, too. The church is here, offering immediate relief and preparing to help over the long haul. These days included many meetings for Bishop Sosa (ELCA Caribbean Synod), Lynn Askew (LDR Disaster Team), Brooke Burkey (LDR construction advisor), and me: with leaders of other faith communities and voluntary agencies, with representatives of FEMA and the Red Cross, with a mayor and community representative, a seminary president, parish pastors, volunteers, and survivors. Lutheran Disaster Response is participating in relief efforts by distributing tarps, food, medical supplies, and clothing). Forty people from Dorado whose houses were destroyed are being housed at the synod's Camp Eduardo Voig. Housing is being prepared for volunteers from outside Puerto Rico. Local LDR staffing is being expanded to provide coordination of and meals for volunteers and to help manage the response. The first distribution of emergency cash grants has been made, and the first division of grants to homeowners is being calculated. This morning we helped members of area Lutheran congregations unload and sort local contributions of food and clothing, of adult personal items and children's playthings. They brought these donations to Reconciliacion Lutheran Church, which will serve as a distribution center. When people of faith see others in need - no power, no water, no roof, no house - we reach out to others with the same love God has touched our lives in Jesus Christ. How can you help? -- In your personal and congregational prayers, remember all whose lives have been filled with the grief of loss by Hurricane Georges -- Volunteers are needed immediately for debris removal and emergency tarping. We will have a direct "800" number installed to our Puerto Rico LDR office within the next week (or two). Until then, please call my assistant, Ms. Johanna Olson (1-773-380-2822) for details. -- Your cash contributions are crucial to provide for people's immediate needs, as well as to enable a long-term response. Please send your 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 Thu, Oct 8, 1998, at 3:48 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