Maui Disaster Response
You may have heard about the Maui Disaster. Please pray for the leaders and members of Emmanuel Lutheran, Kahului, Maui. They function as God’s hands and feet to the people of Maui. They are Christ’s ambassadors and bear the presence of the Savior. Pray for their strength and care as they walk beside many in great need, assisting them, and pointing them towards Hope, found only in Jesus.
What is happening?
- The people of Emmanuel are providing immediate response, sharing needed goods and services, and assisting school families who are housing displaced people.
- Two staff from Lutheran Church Charities are deployed to Maui. They will help to organize a response effort able to be sustained by Emmanuel and supported by the CNH (California/Nevada/Hawaii District) and the greater LCMS.
- Infusions of relief dollars from the CNH Disaster Fund, LCMS Disaster Relief, local congregations, individual donors, Orphan Grain Train, and LCEF are enabling a growing response.
- We hope to deploy crisis counseling personnel to assist in ministering to survivors and caretakers, sponsored by LCMS Disaster Relief and the CNH.
Your partnership:
– Pray for those so horrifically affected, those mourning, and strength for caregivers.
– Encourage those you may know on Maui with texts, cards, and emails. Let them know you are remembering them and praying for them.
– Share a gift to support relief work and recovery. You can do that through these three methods:
Become a Trained Christian Volunteer
A disaster may happen anywhere at any time. Are you prepared to respond? Join us at the Lutheran Early Response Team (LERT) volunteer training program provided by the LCMS Office of National Mission. This 6-hour program will help you serve as a trained Christian volunteer, focusing on the most important things to remember as you prepare for–or respond to–a disaster in your community or beyond.
An unparalleled opportunity stands before us to share Christ by offering Christian care in times of disaster. Christ’s mercy is at the center of LERT training and is the basis for everything we do.
Become Certified
After you complete the LERT training, you will receive your certificate and volunteer certification badge from LCMS Disaster Response and the LCMS Office of National Mission.
Flood Buckets and Hygiene Kits
The Michigan District LERT leaders are also asking congregations/ministries in the Michigan District to consider assembling Flood Buckets and Hygiene Kits (PDF format). This PDF explains more about the buckets/kits and how you can support our efforts. This could be a project for your families to either do at home or gather materials for assembling them when we are able to gather together in smaller groups. We have several organizations in our state that are in need of these buckets/kits.
If you have questions, you can email Bruce Collins at bscollins27@gmail.com or Travis Grulke at travis.grulke@michigandistrict.org.
Join or Form a Team
To join a current team or to learn more about forming a new team, contact the Michigan District coordinator:
Latest LCMS Disaster Response Information
For up-to-date information concerning Disaster Response, visit LCMS World Relief and Human Care.
Here is also a Quick Reference Guide for Disasters and Pandemics by the LCMS Disaster Response. (added 5/12/2020)
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