New Orleans, La.
The story behind the ad
Rebuilding Homes, Restoring Hope
Beyond the Gulf Shores
How the ELCA and Lutheran Disaster Response help communities around the world:
Mozambique
In 2000, heavy rains in neighboring countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe forced the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique above capacity levels, causing major floods that displaced people, animals and destroyed livelihoods, houses and crops. In partnership with Lutheran World Federation, ELCA Disaster Response helped to supply some 8,000 families with shelter, blankets, kitchen equipment, and clothing.
Central Plains, U.S.
In 2007, waters contaminated with 45,000 gallons of oil flooded several small cities and widespread rural areas in southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma. Together with Lutheran Disaster Response, the ELCA is responding with case management and spiritual care for those whose lives have been impacted.
Tsunami-affected South Asia
In December 2004, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Indonesia caused a devastating tsunami, killing over a quarter-million people and leaving countless homeless. ELCA members responded by donating over $11 million within the first year. Their resources continue to support a five-year recovery and response effort, rebuilding homes, buildings, schools, and places of worship, as well as providing spiritual healing and support to thousands of survivors from Indonesia to Kenya.
Darfur, Sudan
Fighting between rebel groups and the government-backed militia has directly and indirectly affected more than six million people, resulting in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises in recent times. The ELCA continues to support relief efforts in Darfur, committing significant financial contributions toward the Action by Churches Together appeal.
Most Americans will never forget what the days following Hurricane Katrina were like. Many felt helpless as they watched the events unfold and slowly realized the scope of the damage and the volume of lives lost and changed forever. The record-breaking 2005 hurricane season included 15 hurricanes, of which Katrina was the biggest, and caused total insured losses of over $47 billion.
But during those dark days following the storm, moments of hope, compassion, and kindness emerged. And the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was there. During the immediate aftermath of Katrina, several congregations in the affected communities became shelters and food distribution centers for the evacuees.
ELCA congregations around the country mobilized support campaigns, and organized the mass donation of goods, volunteer hours and, most importantly, monetary gifts. To date, since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, donations have surpassed $27 million.
The potential of these gifts is maximized in partnership with Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR), a collaborative ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. LDR has implemented a long-term recovery and assistance plan dedicated to providing:
- spiritual and emotional care,
- emergency hardship grants,
- volunteer coordination, and
- long-term rebuilding and case management.
You don't do this for other people and get feedback that's so positive without understanding that there's something bigger than you going on.
With the help of the ELCA, families in New Orleans and along the Coast are rebuilding their homes and getting back on their feet. Thousands have been helped so far, and the help continues to this day. Over 1.3 million service hours have been donated by ELCA volunteer groups composed of college students, retirees, skilled laborers, medical personnel, retired military and more.
Some of these hours were volunteered by Don French, 63, one of more than 18,500 members who headed down to the Gulf Coast with the ELCA to help rebuild following Katrina. Married to a practicing Lutheran, Don attended services in his native Waukesha, Wis., mostly to support his wife. But the profound experience of helping others heal after the disaster steered him toward discovering a deeper relationship with God. Recently baptized, Don finds that he often tells stories of the powerful encounters he had with the people there. He notes, "You don't do this for other people and get feedback that's so positive without understanding that there's something bigger than you going on."