Blog: The Calm Before the Storm

Disaster Reponse & Emergency Preparedness, News & Updates

Tropical Storm tractors are closely watching the formation of numerous storms. Current news cycles are filled with “spaghetti” drawings and possible impacts of these storms. This is the calm before the storm – the opportunity for us to take action, prepare our homes and congregations so that

If impacted, necessary supplies are in place
If in a position to provide aid and resources, systems for getting the info out, collecting, and distributing them are ready to go.

This past week, was a busy Deployment week. The groups that were housed at Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville and Camp LinnHaven/Mountainside, Linnville came from 6 Districts, included 4 District Disaster Response Coordinations, and 4 RSOs (Lutheran Church Charities, Shepherd’s Heart, Trinity Athens GA Mobile Food, Lutheran Servants for Christ.) In addition, 2 SED Chainsaw Trainers in Training received their next level of training. Thank you Rev. Mark Moretz and David Critchley.

During this deployment, several member homes received LERT TLC! At last, trees were worked on, a porch replaced, and homes experience repair. It was a picture of the power of a Synod coming together to serve.

We are currently looking for help with a roofing project, tree work in Spartansburg SC, and a small inn with demolition and rebuilding. If you are interested in helping, please email sjhiller@aol.com.

The Calm before the Storm, the SED Disaster Response Conference will be held February 5-7, at the Crown Reef Beach Resort in MyrtleBeach SC. Please save the date. Registration will be available by September 1.

Note from LCC Journal from Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville Deployment:

Today the teams in North Carolina were very busy. Five volunteers worked again with Housing Assistance preparing the site for footers to support the new deck to be built and moving decking to the work site. These guys spent time digging deep holes in hot and humid conditions and with smiles on their faces and a heart willing to do whatever was needed.

The remaining volunteers completed three chainsaw sites. The first homeowner and caretaker runs the Historic Johnson Farm. It was built in 1847 and when Mr. and Mrs. Johnson passed in 1915 with no children, it was left to the school district of Henderson County for future generations to enjoy and learn. It is a working farm with 15 buildings and students tour it every year. It has artisans making crafts from the early 1900’s, a large beekeepers grove to harvest honey and walking paths with many time period stops to see along the way. They were thrilled to have our group there to cut and move many fallen and leaning trees that they could not do on their own around their several acres. The next site the team moved to was Mr. and Mrs. J., who are 90 year old, disabled congregation members. They needed help cutting fallen trees and limbs near the pond on their property so they could be burned. Everyone spent time sitting on their porch talking to Mr. and Mrs. J, who were from New York and still have family there, so they really enjoyed talking to the New York volunteers. Pastor Neil Mittelstaedt from St. James was honored to be able to offer them God’s Word and Communion. The last site was in Bat Cave. This mountain community was cut off for 4 months after the hurricane and still has several closed roads. The team working at this homeowners’ home was able to carefully remove some fallen trees in danger of rolling into his home as well as several widow maker limbs. All of these homeowners were presented with cross slabs from their trees. Everyone walked away from their sites knowing they made a difference and shared the love of Christ with those that they served.