Subject: Leonard the Turtle

Story reported by Sabrina Schweppe, member of the team. Friday Mar 17

The Campus Ministry Team (CMT) was working on their third house during the week that they were serving in the St Bernard Parish.  During the second day of mucking our the house Pastor Marty Marks  wearing the additional hard hat work gloves and breathing mask was assigned to cleaning out a bath tub filled with foul smelling, oily, contaminated mud and muddy water that had a motorcycle helmet, towels and who knows what else in and had been that way for six months.  As Marty was mucking it out he discovered a live turtle in the tub.  He rescued the turtle and with the help of Sabrina and some of the team members they cleaned it up gave it some fresh water.  Team members earlier had found an aquarium so they thought that it was a family pet and called the family.

When they contacted the family they said they were animal lovers but they had no pet turtle but thought they might like to keep it.

While waiting for the family to arrive Sabrina affectionately named the turtle Leonard.  After the home owner arrived and visited with the team for short while and shared his own personal story and help the team identify that Leonard was a Green Back Turtle  he decided that since the turtle was not their pet and ended up in their bath tub because of the hurricane the Sabrina should take it home with her.  

When the CMT heads back home on Saturday they will have a new passenger in the car with them named Leonard.

Camp Premiere - Progress Report as of March 16, 2006

Update from Camp Premiere - 03/14/06

An on site report from the Katrina 03/11/06 Campus Min. Immanuel DeKalb Team who are in New Orleans

I'm writing this on my palm pilot from Camp Premiere. We just finished day 2 of clearing houses. We finished one and were able to save many items for the family. Then we started a new house and the smell of old tuna got to everybody. We still made good progress and should be done tommorrow. We will be doing our Bible study on Bourbon Steet tonight. I hope to have Lena Urlaub write more later on a real computer. Food is great and plentiful! Blessings all... Marty out.

(Submitted by Rev. Marty Marks)

I Received the Blessings

Feb 27, 2006 - New Photos from Voice of Care Team

Click for more pictures from Hurricane Relief this week

February 6 - Notes from Judy K. and Judy M. from Camp Biloxi, Mississippi

Articles sent to us from Base Camps / Volunteers - Jan 30, 2006

Volunteer News from Camp Biloxi: January 30

This past week two teams of LCC Snow Birds arrived at Camp Biloxi as a result of special request of the medical coordinator of the Biloxi Free Medical Clinic. John Dutscheck a Parish Nurse from Wisconsin has been serving as a long term volunteer and coordinator of the Biloxi Free Medical Clinic since November 1. Between Nov 1 and Christmas this clinic saw on an average of 20 to 25 patients a day. Since Christmas John reports that number has doubled and then tripled to where they now see between 60 and 75 patients a day. Many of the medical complaint they see are stress and grief related. Beside the request for recruiting more medical personnel to serve in the clinic he asked if LCC could help recruit people with a counseling background: licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, pastors, social workers, pastoral counselors and Stephen ministers.

Judy Kelly, member of Our Savior Luth. Joliet and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with special training in disaster and crisis counseling and Judy Mills's member of Lutheran Church of the Ascension Northfield and a Stephen Minister arrived this past week and before they officially began their work on Monday they found that their special skills were put to work immediately. They soon realized how desperately they were needed. As Judy M so aptly put it - "They need a listening ear to hear their pain and hurt their fears and frustrations. We can't fix it. We can only listen but that's what they want and need.

Judy Kelly shared that shortly after they arrived and were getting acquainted with the camp and the clinic she found that she was engaged in listening to stories of one man who had temporary relocated and was told that he could have a FEMA trailer and could move back to Biloxi. He gave up the safe haven he had to the disappointment of finding that since he has now returned he has no place to live and is now homeless and living on the streets.

Many people who were in apartments or public housing that was destroyed by the Hurricanes have no place to pitch their tents and sleeping bags. Another man told Judy that he was hiding in the woods because he had been moved out of the park where he tried to live.

Stress is also taking its toll on those people who are in public service; health care workers, police, EMTs, government workers. Their stress is constant and they find that they still are working shifts that are still 24/7 and it is now 5 months later.

Yours In Christ Jesus, Dianna Bonfield

Email from Faith-Geneva Team - 01-24-06

From: Steve Okpisz
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2006 5:41 PM
To: Dianna Bonfield
Subject: hello and trip info

We came back tired and with poison Ivy but beside that we had a great trip.

Just so you know Lamb of God is well equipped with supplies. They have masks and filters for everyone. boots, work gloves, thin rubber gloves to wear under the leather work gloves, a kit with a first aid kit and other supplies to take on site, They had shovels, wheel barrels, hammers, power washers, hazmat suits, goggles etc.

They also don't recommend the goggles with holes on the sides since the mold can get in that way and water etc. Their goggles were solid on the sides. You might want to note that on your list.

Staying at peace was wonderful. They are great people there. They do have poison ivy in the woods and need to get that killed.

Attached is an article that will be in the daily herald in the next few weeks. I also submitted it to the Northern Light for March.
For the Attached Article, click here..

Thanks for all your work with the trip!

God Bless, Pastor Steve

Further emails from Ocean Springs Base Camp

From: Jan Gerzevske
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 10:08 PM
Subject: Ocean Springs Update 4

Dear Prayer Partners,

The work team returned to Pat's house today and continued removing wallboard, carpeting, etc. Tom was nice enough to clean out the bathtub that had been filled with water during the flood. Needless to say it was a little "ripe" after 4 months of "brewing." Team members evacuated the house while he was doing it. Praise the Lord for Tom's willingness to clean up the gunk.

Pat's Mom came with Pat today. She watched as the FEMA garbage picker removed all her belongings from in front of the house. She saw a vase she wanted to keep and it was rescued along with a couple other items. It is so hard to see your entire life go into a dumpster. Tomorrow the team is returning to clean the yard which is filled with litter.

I had the experience of working at the distribution center today. I was working with the group that was pulling and packing food for the food boxes.

It was very rewarding and very tiring. When you have the box completed it weighs anywhere from 25-30 lbs as we are using 10# bags of rice. Now  I know what items are in abundance because they come from FEMA. They have tons of canned green beans, peas and corn. Also potted meat and luncheon meat (ie Spam or a likeness to it) and spaghetti , rice, tuna and peanut butter. What we don't have continually are canned soups, a variety of canned fruit, cereal and goodies like instant pudding. Also there wasn't tomato sauce to go with the spaghetti being given out. Also in short supply are the box meals like mac and cheese that only need to have water added.

As the day continued and things ran out, the boxes didn't have as much variety but they were better than no food. We packed continually from about 9:30 till 3:30 pm with a 45 minute break for lunch. In a way I felt I was helping more people than just being at the job site helping one person.

Please pray that the center continues to receive donations of needed items for the food boxes. Jan W and Linda have purchased food from several stores with monetary donations they received prior to coming down here to supplement what is at the center. Praise the Lord for the donations. That is a great way to do it because the money is spent here in the community where it is so needed.

Here are some of the observations from the nurses today. Lots of people today that were bi-polar needing meds. Their doctors are gone and so are the prescriptions at wherever they were purchasing the meds. In some cases they are only taking pills once every 2 or 3 days to stretch them which only leads to problems. Pray for this situation.

One patient said she is better off than before the hurricane because now people care. Before the hurricane no one cared what happened to her and her family. Pray that we will always take notice of those around us and their needs.

Several observations that have been expressed include the unbelievable patience of the people at the clinics. They don't come to ask how much longer it's going to take or get upset with the time they have to spend waiting.

Most of the frustration that is seen is toward FEMA and the insurance companies down here.  At one of the clinics today an Episcopal Priest came to hand out crosses to the people there and all were more than willing to have them, some openly expressing that this is what keeps them going.

Pray that faith continue to be strengthened and that we continue to show Jesus love in all that we do. Everyone is so happy that the faith based organizations are working because they seem to be the only ones doing things here.

Please pray for Dr Sam Schneider who claims to be an agnostic that he will see the Lord working in the lives of the people he is treating and through them the Holy Spirit works in his life.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

In His Love,

Jan & Connie

Following are excerpts from emails

received from The Trinity Lisle Team that left on January 7 to go to Christus Victor Base Camp in Ocean Springs.

“We had our first look at the destruction. Seeing it in person is a whole lot different that seeing it on TV. We saw a cemetery that the storm surge had swept into and back out knocking down tombstones, throwing them around like tinker toys and even raising the covers from some of the crypts. Nothing was sacred...

“We were told tonight that it will take at least 8 years to rebuild everything that has been destroyed here. We were also told that they could not do it without all the help and support they have been getting from across the country. Pray that others will be called to come lend aid and assistance also. There are 280 volunteers here at the moment...

“After breakfast this morning we received our assignments. Linda, Carol and Karen were off to free clinics-Linda was with 2 doctors and Carol and Karen went to a different site for their clinic. Mark helped in the kitchen--he was up at 4:30 am to start his day. Barb, Becky, Lenore & Tom went to the distribution center and the rest of us went to remove ceilings and insulation that had been damaged...

“We praise the Lord for all the items that were donated for the trip. They are so happy to have them.”

"Hurricane Quilters" sending 70 quilts South...

Barb Harrison and Bonnie Clark deliver Quilts to LCC Office.

The "Hurricane Quilters" were organized by several quilters from Trinity Lutheran Church in Marseilles who wanted to respond in a personal way to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. They received donations of fabric, thread and batting. The first day of quilting more than 30 women from all over LaSalle County showed up to help. They met three more times and finished a total of 100 quilts. Some of the quilts have been distributed already to Katrina evacuees that have settled in this area. LCC has arranged for the remaining quilts to be distributed to families in the Gulf States.

"Hurricane Quilters" in Marsailles, Illinois

Housing Needs for Retired Pastors in Gulf States

Upon visiting the Gulf States last week, I met many retired pastors who have lost EVERYTHING! I am compiling their list of needs, but one need is housing for them while decisions are being made with insurance and whether they can repair or rebuild their homes. Recreation Vehicles would be a huge plus for them to live in while these things are sorted out. If you have a recreational vehicle that you would like to donate please contact me at 866-455-6466 or email me at TimHetzner@LutheranChurchCharities.org
Thank you, Tim Hetzner

Also, if you would like to contribute financially, Dollar per Dollar, to help Retired Church Workers who have suffered great loss,
click here and select "Katrina Retired Workers Fund".

Hurricane Wilma Relief / Florida Keyes....

Kyrie after Katrina
By Rev. Larry Beane

Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us.

Mercy is a prominent theme in Holy Scripture and in the liturgy. When we gather for Divine Service, the first thing we sing after being absolved of our sins is the Kyrie: "Lord have mercy."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, opportunities for giving and receiving mercy abound. People from many walks of life have joined hands and hearts to give aid and comfort to victims, to help in rescue and relief operations, and to show compassion to people who have lost so much. In the case of a small group of us Lutherans in the New Orleans area, the Lord created an unlikely team to go about His works of mercy.

New Orleans businessman Ramsey Skipper serves on the Board of Elders at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Metairie, LA. His home in the once-beautiful Lakeview area of New Orleans was destroyed by waters that engulfed the entire first floor of nearly every home in that neighborhood. After the hurricane, he had moved his wife and two small children to Houston. Upon returning almost two weeks later, Ramsey was determined to enter his home to try to retrieve some of his family's possessions - especially things dear to his small children.

At an impromptu staging area on Veterans Memorial Boulevard near the levee break that left 80% of the city under flood waters, Ramsey found a boat that many others had been using to get back to their homes. With the help of a French freelance photographer named Laurent Guerin, Ramsey piloted the boat to his home. He was able to break into a window and retrieve some items from the second story. Upon returning, some firefighters asked Ramsey and Laurent for their assistance in the recovery of both the living and the dead. Laurent, a self-described atheist, put his cameras down, and devoted himself to helping the effort. In spite of their differences in politics and religion, Ramsey and Laurent quickly became good friends, and were soon joined by Ramsey's pastor, Rev. Brad Drew, of Mt. Olive.

Ramsey realized that many people were desperate for help in retrieving irreplaceable family photos, crucial insurance papers, and stranded pets. The three men began an operation on their own, navigating the toxic waters, shuttling people to their homes, breaking into houses with axes and crowbars, and helping people move around their dark and dangerous homes.

Once inside, people were horrified and traumatized by what they saw: hazardous filth, mold, furniture ruined and overturned, dead animals, and the pervasive stench of rot. These were people not only in need of transportation, but of Christian compassion and mercy.

The team grew as others began to help. Rev. David Lofthus, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Harahan, LA, and myself, Rev. Larry Beane, associate pastor of Salem Lutheran Church, Gretna, LA returned to the New Orleans area after evacuating our own families. We were looking for ways to lend a hand in the relief efforts. We soon found much to do in our ravaged city. We were later joined by Rev. Charles Keogh of Faith Lutheran Church in Olympia, WA who had made the long journey to help.

Also joining our group was Michael Lohr, a Hollywood, CA photo studio owner who had come to New Orleans to assist in pet rescues. He and several veterinarians and helpers hooked up with our team, which had been dubbed tongue-in-cheek as LEMA: the "Lutheran Emergency Management Agency."
Lutheran Church Charities heard about the operations, and immediately asked how they could help. We were all deeply moved by LCC's compassion and Tim Hetzner's efficiency in getting us what we needed. In response to a request for more boats and manpower, LCC rapidly sent us three flatbed boats, outboard motors, dozens of waterproof hip-waders, and many volunteers to help our growing team.

While the group continued running "missions" into the black rivers that used to be city streets, James Bennet, a reporter from the New York Times, asked if he could be put on a boat to write a story for the newspaper. Ramsey answered politely, but firmly: "No." The men were there to help people get into their homes, not to provide transportation to reporters. However, upon observing James' kindness and compassion toward the victims over the course of several hours, Ramsey relented, and allowed him to accompany himself and Laurent on a few sorties. They were joined by Lynsey Adario, a New York Times photographer more used to capturing scenes of devastation in Afghanistan and Iraq than in America. James' lyrical article about the unlikely alliance between the Lutheran layman, his pastor, and the atheist photographer ran on the front page of the Sept. 13 Times. The article included some of Lynsey's haunting images.

There were plenty of opportunities to show Christian compassion and mercy to people who were utterly distraught over the devastation of their homes, the destruction of their precious heirlooms, and the loss of their pets. People also gravitated to the pastors on the team who had plenty of opportunities to give pastoral care to the suffering and distressed.

At just the right time, the Lord provided our team with people with specific skills. Gregory Brown, a waiter at the well-known Barreca's restaurant, volunteered to serve as cook for the large group. Barreca's also provided the team with several meals free of charge. Henry Berger, one of my parishioners with expertise in Information Technology, helped us in getting our wireless computer up and running. Volunteers from all over the United States, many of whom were dispatched to us by the LCC, helped with the tedious work of cleaning and disinfecting our equipment. Rev. Brad Drew opened his parsonage to anyone who needed a place to stay. Mount Olive's gymnasium became a warehouse of supplies for people in need.

Our long days of work were followed by lively evenings discussing the Gospel - especially with our ever-inquisitive guests. Some of our most interesting conversations were with our atheist friend Laurent, a veteran of the French special forces - whose integrity, sense of humor, and resourcefulness we all grew to respect and admire. It was a profoundly moving moment when Laurent told us that had he met us sooner, he might not have been hostile to Christianity. Within a few days, he donned one of LCC's distinctive "Christ is Our Hope" T-shirts. Several non-Lutherans grilled us about what Lutheran Christians believe, teach, and confess. All three of us local pastors were able to conduct services at our churches that Sunday - and were blessed with visitors anxious to hear the Gospel.

As the waters receded, "LEMA" had a challenge. Boats would no longer be of use, and yet people were still flocking to us for help. One lady showed up looking for us, having heard what we were doing. She cried out: "Where are the Lutherans!" To the people in need of help, the name "Lutheran" had become synonymous with good works and acts of mercy. To meet the changing situation, we again appealed to LCC, this time for four four-wheel-drive all-terrain-vehicles, and a slew of equipment to run them. Although Federal Express was not even delivering packages in the New Orleans area at this time, LCC found a way to equip us in less than 24 hours. The very next day after our e-mailed request, everything was delivered to us by Rev. Dr. Paul Anderson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge. LCC had also sent a semi truck full of food, water, clothing, toys, blankets, baby supplies, toiletries, etc., a wireless laptop to facilitate communications, as well as a 24-foot RV, driven by Allen Busse, to serve as a command center and housing for volunteers.

With our mission moving from sea to land, so to speak, we began pulling small trailers with the ATVs, driving through knee-deep water and over every imaginable obstacle in order to continue our work. We continued rescuing dogs, cats, birds, and even turtles and snakes - reuniting distraught children with their beloved pets. Sometimes we found ourselves on our hands and knees washing the toxic muck from people's feet. The gratitude of the people was overwhelming.

The pastors typically wore black shirts and clerical collars on these operations - a uniform which proved every bit as comforting to the faithful and useful for access as the camouflage worn by the National Guard troops who waved us into these restricted areas.

Every "mission" was unique, and we were filled with a driving desire to help every person who sought our aid. We were all greatly moved by the people we were helping: their grief, their sense of loss, their courage, their joy, their desire, and their gratitude. In the midst of the great destruction, there were small victories: the retrievals of pets who survived for more than two weeks with no food or water, the recovery of business and insurance papers, pictures of babies and ancestors, crucifixes, and irreplaceable heirlooms. There were also many people who were unable to recover anything - refugees with only the clothes on their backs. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we were able to provide food, clothing, water, and toiletries to those who lost all the material goods they own.

As the waters receded further, ATVs were no longer needed to get into homes. As folks came streaming back into New Orleans' devastated neighborhoods (including areas outside of New Orleans that were also subjected to storm surges and levee breaks), they needed help. Our churches became outposts of relief as LCC continues to send supplies that people so desperately need.

And if that were not enough, LCC continues to support Lutheran schools as they endeavor to reopen. LCC's unbelievable kindness and ability to cut through red tape helped make it possible for our school, Salem Lutheran in Gretna, to not only re-open, but to open our doors to a record number of students - nearly 300! We are able to bring the Gospel to many children whose homes have been destroyed, including many who have never been able to attend a Christian school before.

Thanks to our Lord's mercy - brought to us through the godly work of LCC - we have ourselves been blessed. Flowing from the Lord's mercy to us, we are humbled to be allowed to be instruments of His divine mercy to others "even as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:36). The Church's ministry of mercy will be needed in our region for a long time to come. Lutheran Church Charities has played a crucial role in the rebuilding of New Orleans, and will continue to bring the Lord's blessing to us, our churches, and our schools for many years to come.

Thank you, LCC, and thanks be to our merciful Lord Jesus Christ!

St. Paul, Norwood Park Trip Video

November 6, 2005 - Volunteers from St. Paul, Norwood Park have returned from their relief efforts in the Gulf States.  They created a short slideshow/video to show the work being done there.

Click here to play the video (4:33) 

Personal Update from Rob Mardian (member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Joliet, IL)

 November 5, 2005 - Volunteer in Metairie, Louisiana:
Our group from Joliet arrived at Atonement camp the afternoon of Friday the 28th of October. We were prepared to see hell on earth, and reminded that there wasn't a soul there whose life hadn't been affected by the storm.
            After we were given a final briefing and had our tools loaded, we huddled for prayer as the smell of sewage wafted through camp. We were making our way to Chalmette, LA to a family's home that was under ten feet of water, and whose first floor was under a half foot of mud. As we entered a security checkpoint, soldiers in HuMVs and the sheriff's department checked each car's reason for entry. To the left, dozens of boat trailers were tangled with trucks, fencing and long bent pieces of sheet metal. To our right, dozens more stuck straight up out of the swamp. Boats from the slips were perched precariously atop equipment at a repair shop. A gas station was stripped of all signage, its windows broken out. A tug boat settled in the middle of a field. The mud now seven weeks old had dried and had been plowed onto the roadsides and corners of parking lots. And aside of those going in, there was nobody to be seen.
              It was our job to get our homeowners on the path to recovery. It began by removing the pudding-like mud, and pancake batter-like goop as we made our way in to get the furniture. The contents were then taken to the curb where they would likely sit for a long time until they were picked up. Then we removed all the cabinets, drywall, and carpets. This job took six men four days.
             While we were busy doing His work, the Lord perfectly provided and cared for all our needs:  we had enough safety equipment, strength and tools to do the job we were submitted; the weather was excellent-- if it had been in the eighties as is typical, the smell might have been too much; a 70+ year-old man was doing the work of a man in his thirties; a man who had caught a cold on the trip recovered even faster than it developed! Our basic needs were met to say the least!
             Everywhere in this disaster, complete with evil, frustration, heartbreak, and great loss is the Lord Jesus Himself. He takes the shape of workers who dig families out. He takes the shape of the cooks who feed the men and women who come to help. He takes the shape of the drivers who bring food, supplies, and workers.  He takes the shape of people who welcome strangers that offer food, help and shelter. It is the Good Shepherd saving His sheep through the missionary efforts by bringing New Orleans His hope, His healing and new life in Him.

Report from Katrina Site at Atonement Lutheran Church & School, Metairie, LA

From: Rev. Matthew Troester      Sent: Saturday, November 05, 2005 9:54 PM

Dear Tim,

I want to thank you for helping to coordinate the groups now staying at Atonement Lutheran in Metairie.  I had the privilege along with one of my members, Pastor Schlote from Our Savior, Joliet and some of his members to join with a group from Memphis, Tenn. and go into a neighborhood in Chalmette to help clean houses.  Chalmette was under 8 - 10 feet of water, and most homes there are single story, so the water was up over their ceilings.  My greatest joy was working with the other volunteers whom I consider to be salt of the earth, true heroes in God\'s sense of the word, who lifted my spirit and the spirits of those whose houses they were cleaning.  What an incredible group! 

For two days I helped along with this crew.  On the third and last day that I was in Metairie, Wayne Rhode (one of my members) and I went to Mount Olive Lutheran Church, a Hispanic congregation in Metairie to help Pastor Jesus Gonzales around his church.  Some of the members from Pastor Gonzales\' church have not returned yet to their homes.  But the church in Metairie is a known force in the community, opening their doors for English as a second language classes, and many other community activities to let them know that Christ cares for them. Pastor Gonzales literally runs the ministry there on a shoe string and touches the lives of many in the community for Christ.  What a great ministry for us to support with our prayers and our gifts, especially in this recent catastrophe.

Thanks, Tim and LCC for helping to organize this visit, and I pray that many others will go and see for themselves what a blessing it is to let God use them to lend a hand to our brothers and sister in the Gulf Coast area, and reach out to those who don\'t know Christ yet.

Blessings,

Pastor Matt Troester 
________________________
Rev. Matthew Troester
St. Paul Lutheran Church & Pre School
6201 Vollmer Road
Matteson, Illinois
www.stpaulsonline.org

LCC Volunteer Allen Busse Returns to Gulf States
(Click on photo for a larger view) Pictured at Left is Allen Busse next to the pickup Truck w/Cap that has been supplied by Mike Mooney Chevrolet-Cadillac Inc.of DeKalb, Illinois for use with Relief Efforts in the Gulf States. Allen returned to the Gulf States on Monday morning, October 31, with the truck and the tools that have been donated thus far.  We are continuing to collect tools for the work crews that will be stored by Allen Busse in the truck.  Allen works with all the crews LCC sends down.Click Here for the LIST of TOOLS

Additional Truck / Van still needed for continuing Katrina Relief Efforts.
Lutheran Church Charities is in need of another truck or Van to haul supplies for our work crews to aid in transporting and storing Tools, etc.  If you know of someone or would like to donate a WORKING truck or van, please call Tim Hetzner at LCC at (866) 455-6466.

(Pictured at right are Wayne Rhode, Rev. Loy Schlote, & Dick Milling - “After a hard days work.”)
Personal Update from Volunteer Down in Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish
 November 1, 2005 - from Rev. Loy Schlote:
Over the weekend the team went to Chalmette in St Bernard Parish and helped a family clean out their 2-story house.
The second story was not damaged but the first floor was under 10 feet of water and everything there was lost and had to be thrown out. It smelled horrible from decayed food and sewage.  They had to wear masks the whole time. On the floors of the house there was still a foot of watery sludge that was mixed with oil. They were removing the sludge by wheelbarrows-full along with the furniture that was in the house. Rob Mardian, one of the Joliet volunteers, described the experience as "Its like being inside the garbage truck and cleaning it out". Today the rest of the team returned to the same neighborhood to help some other neighbors. Loy and the Vicar stayed in Metairie to meet with Pastor Dave Loftus on Monday.  Tuesday they meet with Pastor Brad Drew to help with some shut-in calls. On Wednesday, they are going to do a Preschool chapel. On Thursday they are going to do a service in a nearby Nursing home and visit shut-ins.
Plywood floors are down in the tents. Half of the mobile kitchen has arrived. The other half is still coming later this week. Pastor Schlote doesn't know if it will be up and running by the time they leave or not. However, he said, they are not starving.  God always provides and people have been feeding the volunteers. They haven't even touched the stuff they brought with them.

A quick example: Luther Lutheran has a gross income this year of $100,000. He has an IRA of $4,000,000 and wants to help his favorite charity with a large gift. Luther withdraws $1,000,000 from his IRA bringing his total income to $1,100,000. Luther donates the $1,000,000 to charity by December 31, 2005 and deducts this amount. His taxable income is $100,000. Please check with your tax advisor to assure that any requests for withdrawal are made in a timely manner and understand how a withdrawal might affect your specific circumstances.

To contribute to Katrina Relief efforts - click here and check Hurricane Katrina Fund
To contribute to the the Katrina Gas Fund, click here and check Gas Fund.
Click Here to donate on line and check Katrina/LCMS School fund
Click here for the most recent update

Other ways to help: . . . .
To see Opportunities for YOU to get involved, Click Here . . .

LCC needs Volunteers for LOCAL projects here in Northern Illinois over the next few weeks. If you plan to volunteer for the efforts in the Northern Illinois area, Click Here...

For those wishing to provide Housing for Displaced Families, Click Here...

Lutheran Church Charities - working through Parishes - has started a fund to assist in ministering to the families and communities hit by this disaster. Dollar per Dollar your gift will be distributed to those effected by this event.