Committee on Relief Chairman Pastor Philip Schupmann received the following thank you from Pastor Daniel Wagenknecht.

Dear Pastor Daniel,

I was at my brother-in-law Alex’s home on Mon. morning.  His house had been completely destroyed by the fire.  You were the first person to make contact with him and offer assistance from your church.  You offered him whatever he felt he needed.  I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your church’s kind generosity.  You came to him even before his own church did.  He had left his house the day of the fire with nothing. He had no time to evacuate.  He only had his car. He is a bachelor.

I have told everyone that I have come across about your church’s act of kindness.  It will not be forgotten and was so much appreciated.  This is what makes us the community that we are. Thank you!  
 
Tom and Maria

Vicar Seth Bode, Pastor Dan Wagenknecht, and several other members of Grace in Yorba Linda, visited with some families who lost their homes in the area Sat.  Two miles north of the church, on Dorinda Rd., one man had just arrived at his house to sift through wreckage.  When Pastor asked him if he had immediate needs, he said he had no clean clothes.  Pastor gave him enough to buy some clothes.  He was so grateful, he showed a statue of Jesus and a cross he had found in the rubble, a precious keepsake from his Italian grandmother.

In the Green River development in Corona, about seven miles east of the church, Pastor and Vicar visited with four households whose homes were destroyed.  Three of the families needed some cash to buy immediate necessities.  All four families appreciated the food and drinks we brought, which were provided by the firefighters of Yorba Linda Station 32.  Area residents have been so grateful and generous to the firefighters that they have more than they can eat!  They were happy to share.

The majority of the money granted from the WELS Committee on Relief is being given to the member family who lost their house.  The latest count of homes destroyed in Yorba Linda is 113.  It is incredible that no lives were lost.  The flames were driven by 20-30 MPH sustained winds with gusts up to 60 MPH.  Some residents had no warning, and seconds to escape while flames surrounded their homes.  Everyone here at Grace, Yorba Linda, is grateful for the support of our brothers and sisters in WELS.  We know with God’s help we will be okay.

Current information on the fires in California can be found in the November 17, 2008, Together newsletter.

This photo shows the wildfire approaching Yorba Linda from the east. Photo provided by Pastor Daniel Wagenknecht.