CHICAGO (ELCA) -- This Easter season Lutherans from across the country continue to participate in recovery work in North Carolina and Texas after massive disasters affected both states.
Seven months ago Hurricane Floyd struck about 18,000 houses and destroyed more than 4,000 homes in North Carolina. Today members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and homeowners in Grifton, Seven Springs and Vanceboro, N.C., continue to repair homes and clean up debris caused by Hurricane Floyd.
"As we drove through Grifton, Seven Springs and Vanceboro, I noticed many homeowners still cleaning up debris and piling it on the edge of their property, tearing out carpeting and wallboard, elevating houses, and continuing the long, slow process of recovery," said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst, director for Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the ELCA and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Furst is a pastor of the ELCA.
Furst met April 14-17 with representatives of Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas and coordinators of Lutheran Disaster Response. He said relief work in North Carolina "is going slowly, but steadily."
"A steady stream of volunteers are signed up and coming to help," Furst said. More volunteers are needed, "for the job is enormous and far from done." Volunteers with some building skills are especially needed, he said.
"As we enter Holy Week, I see many 'death' scenes in North Carolina -- ruined houses, long rows of FEMA trailers, small towns with damaged houses, and people reeling from the effects of Hurricane Floyd seven months later. But we, people of faith, will not end our faith journeys this week with the death of [Jesus Christ] on Good Friday, but with his resurrection on Easter Sunday," Furst said.
Furst said he is reminded that "hundreds of people across the country are responding to the needs of the people in North Carolina with prayers, contributions and volunteers. I know that hundreds of disaster survivors trust the Lord that people will come and help."
In October 1998, heavy rain produced floods that devastated 1,350 acres in southeastern Texas. Twenty-nine people died and thousands were left homeless. The floods produced about $500 million in damages to property and land.
"Unless you have been touched by a natural disaster, you might not understand the time it takes to repair and rebuild," said the Rev. Norman Hein, Lutheran Disaster Response director for Lutheran Social Services of the South, Austin, Texas.
"In Texas, for example, some people forced from their homes still are unable to move back. Others were so traumatized that they are only now beginning to make decisions and get on with their lives," Hein said.
Lutheran Disaster Response continues to coordinate volunteers from throughout the country in ongoing relief efforts in southeastern Texas, Furst said. In Victoria and Cuero, Texas, volunteers help with construction projects. Furst said all volunteers are welcome, but those with "electrical and sheet rock skills are especially needed."
Long-term response is possible because of volunteer and financial support, according to Furst. Lutheran Disaster Response of Lutheran Social Services of the South has channeled a total of $350,000 in financial support from individuals, congregations and other sources to help flood survivors. Furst added that the $350,000 includes contributions made by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response.
"Although the floods in Texas are no longer big news items, the opportunity for ministry is as great as ever -- in Texas as well as in other Lutheran Disaster Response sites like North Carolina," Furst said.
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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:
Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands, please include:
Lutheran Disaster Response
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
800-638-3522
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
