As he traveled to Haiti to work on the continuing LCMS long-term earthquake response, LCMS World Relief and Human Care Director of Disaster Response Rev. Glenn F. Merritt monitored the aftermath of the magnitude 8.8-quake that hit Chile on Feb. 27, 2010. At least 700 people died and an estimated 2 million are homeless in this new disaster, which triggered tsunami warnings in 53 nations and territories, according to news reports.

Give now to Chile earthquake relief

Message from Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director, LCMS World Relief and Human Care

In the event of a local crisis or natural disaster, special consideration should be given to the needs of our congregational members with various types of disabilities. This is especially true in the event of evacuation operations. The elderly and people with disabilities may respond more slowly to a crisis and often don’t immediately comprehend the magnitude of the situation. In some instances, reaction time is decreased. Age related impairments may also affect their ability to hear and understand warnings and broadcasts concerning a disaster in their area. Our congregations need to know about the needs of their members and be prepared.

Families have been devastated by the earthquake.

Latin America responds — Haiti earthquake special issue 
Puertas: Open Doors in Latin America and the Caribbean
Bimonthly publication of LCMS World Mission LAC Regional Office, Panama

"In the days following the earthquake the Lutheran response came first through the hands of an extremely young church body; the Lutheran mission in the Dominican Republic. Gathering at their border with Haiti in a small dusty town named Jimani, the missionaries alongside a small team of Dominicans rushed to aid a quickly overflowing hospital...."

Dominican Republic missionaries Rev. Ted Krey and Danelle Putnam share some of their Haiti rescue and relief efforts following the earthquake of Jan. 12 in two YouTube videos.

In the event of a disaster, by federal mandate any volunteers responding to the disaster must be trained and certified or they will be turned away. Our Synod’s program complies with all of the federal government’s criteria for this certification. If you are interested in this kind of in-depth training to become a certified disaster team member, you may be interested in "Lutheran Early Response Training" (LERT) offered in the South Wisconsin District this spring at Good Shepherd, 4311 104th St., Pleasant Prairie, on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The LCMS assessment team coordinated by LCMS World Relief and Human Care and LCMS World Mission returned to the Dominican Republic from Haiti late on Jan. 23. James Neuendorf, a communications specialist missionary with LCMS World Mission in Latin America, provided photos today of Haitian people struggling to cope with the disastrous Jan. 12 earthquake. Go to LCMS World Mission's YouTube channel to view a video slideshow of images from Haiti, set to the music of a Haitian Lutheran congregation in Jacmel, Haiti, singing "How Great Thou Art," on Jan. 22, The LCMS assessment team was able to join this community of believers as they, despite the destruction and suffering surrounding them, offered up a spontaneous song of worship to the Lord. View photos from the assessment team at LCMS World Mission's Picasa album. Detailed updates from the assessment team and other disaster response updates are available from LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

When a natural disaster occurs of such magnitude as the earthquake that hit Haiti Jan. 12, it is heartwarming to see how many organizations come forward to help in whatever way they can. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is no exception. Likewise, closer to home, the South Wisconsin District has an opportunity to help in a most direct way.

Is your congregation ready for a disaster? What would you do first? Are you equipped to help others in such a situation? Everyone is fully aware that disasters can occur at any time, in any place. The South Wisconsin District disaster response team is trained and willing to take your congregation through the plan put in place by LCMS World Relief and Human Care. The next congregational training will be offered Saturday, March 20 at Elm Grove Lutheran, Elm Grove, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Register online

On the "Faith in the Dominican Republic" blog, Barb Below (director of social ministry at Lutheran World Relief and Human Care) spoke with Danelle Putnam, missionary in the Dominican. She writes, "I spoke with Danelle this morning and she told me that everyone there is okay. She explained that her, Rev. Krey, Rev. Ries, Willy and Joseph (vicars) and Ramon (theology student) were studying in the church building in Santiago when the earthquake hit.

LCMS World Mission asks you to join in prayer for the people of Haiti suffering from the affects of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12.

Members from St. John, Glendale, working in Port au Prince with a Lutheran mission team, have been reported safe. They are expected to return to Milwaukee later this week.

As news of what is being called the largest earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years reached LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) on Tuesday, the Synod’s mercy arm began preparing to reach out in the Caribbean nation with much needed assistance and working in cooperation with Lutheran partners.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn., has a ministry called "TLCare" that offers hospitality to those receiving medical care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. TLCare now has lodging to offer LCMS brothers and sisters at no cost. The small apartment is located on the edge of the Mayo campus and is available first come, first served. For more information, please contact Jennifer Jurgensen, tlcjennifer@charterinternet.com or call Trinity at (507) 289-1531.

With the recent mobilization of over 3,400 members of the 32nd Brigade and the 732nd in Tomah (with Pastors Doug Fleischfresser and Gene Henke, LCMS chaplains) the stress on military members is rising.

The military has resources available to all military members, whether they are active duty, National Guard or Reserve. To see some of these resources, visit militaryonesource.com. For emergency purposes, Military OneSource has a tollfree number that is operational 24/7, (800) 342-9647.