Hurricane Relief Update

By Pastor Ronald Boelte

We haven’t seen it on the news lately and you may be wondering what’s going on in the south. The hurricanes that hit our country, especially Texas & Louisiana area still need our help. The work has not finished, even though the news people have left. The work will not be done for a long time, and the Oklahoma & Kansas Districts are working together organizing teams to go and help those who still need our help. They are organizing and getting ready to go with teams to help the people of Slidell, Louisiana.

The teams can range in size from 1-8, they can be gender mixed. Tents and cots are provided but you need to bring bedding, and you need to provide enough time for you to get some things done while there. Teams need to have a broad plan and idea of what it can do and provide all tools that may be needed to get it done. Most meals will be provided, but personal snacks should be taken. They also request that you have some form of personal insurance in case of an accident.

If you are interested in being on a team or putting together a team you will need to go to the LCMS World Missions and Word Relief website and download the following forms to fill out: "Disaster Relief Volunteer Information Form", "Emergency Information Reference", and the "Risk Disclosure, Consent, and Waiver Agreement." You must keep a copy for yourself and then send a copy of the forms to our District Coordinator at the following address.

Mark tells me that we should work through our Circuit Counselors, who will then work with Mark. He says "scheduling is critically important. Communicate! Communicate!" Also he stated that cash donations are still needed to assist in the districts’ work and that you can send them to:

Many teams have already been sent down to help, and a team is being sent from Blackwell this week, and a team from Enid is going down during Thanksgiving to serve the people in the area a Thanksgiving meal and hold a one day Bible School for the children. God bless their efforts and ours as we bring our help and relief to this area that has been devastated.