This past weekend brought unbelievable devastation to the Southeast Asian country of Myanmar. On May 3, Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit the Yangon and Irrawaddy Delta areas of Myanmar. Current estimates are that more than 100,000 were killed, 41,000 are missing and up to one million are homeless. The numbers are expected to continue to rise and there is great concern right now for a second level health disaster outbreak in the most affected areas. This is the biggest natural disaster in Asia since the tsunami of December 2004 and the country will require immediate and substantial assistance.

WELS is providing an initial gift of $25,000 through international relief agencies that are already working in these areas. Some of the agencies and the help they are providing are outlined below. Some have been asking WELS Relief Committee about volunteering in the area. Right now that is impossible since even governments are having a hard time getting in to provide the assistance needed. Many are thankful that there are already relief agencies working in the area and they are being allowed to continue their work with the help of the outside world.

• One group WELS Relief Committee is working through is CARE. They have been working in Myanmar for 14 years, with a range of programs focusing on food, security, health, HIV and AIDS prevention, and water and sanitation. Because of their presence in country, they are one of a few organizations granted permission by the government to respond.

• CARE has 500 local staff members in Myanmar working on projects in 120 villages and towns nationwide

• WELS Relief efforts through international agencies will focus relief efforts on the provision of water, food, shelter materials and sanitation in areas severely affected by Cyclone Nargis. Our response will initially target affected communities in Yangon and Moulemain townships where there is current presence. Assessments have already started in South Dago and Thaketa, two townships in Yangon.

• Initial relief efforts will provide plastic sheeting, food, jerry cans, water purification and oral rehydration solution (for diarrhea) to those affected in South Dago and Thaketa.

International relief agencies have identified this as a Level One Emergency. This means that this is currently the organization’s top priority. The mounting financial needs to assist the victims in this time of crisis are some of the largest some relief agencies have seen. The need is great already and mounting. WELS Relief has been contacted and we are looking for ways to partner together to help provide solutions for people in dire circumstances - consistent with God’s directive to do good to all in need. This is also an opportunity for WELS members to be charitable to those who are suffering.

Pastor Phil Schupmann
Chairman, WELS Relief

Thank You Lord

To borrow the words of a past Synod President; “All that has needed to be said has been said about the subject, it just hasn’t been said by everyone.” So it is that everything has probably been said that needs to be said about the Katina Relief Project at Crown of Life Lutheran Church in New Orleans, La. (Except maybe that now it is officially ended). But please allow me to add my thoughts.

A week ago Sun., April 20, Crown of Life conducted a special worship service and threw an old fashion southern crawfish boil to thank the nearly 1,200 volunteers who came over the past two and a half years to help restore their church, fellowship hall, parsonage, and homes in their community. The church sign read “Thanks for bringing us home.” It was a bright sunny day, just perfect for the event. Our Synod President and other past volunteers came many miles to help make the event that much more special.

The pastor of the congregation, Pastor David Sternhagen delivered the sermon of the day and as usual, put things in the right perspective for us. He said many times in his sermon; “That we saw it with our own eyes.” (Meaning members, volunteers and community members). Highlighting the many wondrous and sometimes miraculous things the Lord either did for us or though us during and after the hurricane. And then the thank you’s started. Pastor, on behalf of the congregation thanked the volunteers, President Schroeder thanked the volunteers and the congregation for his opportunity to serve and for their partnership in sharing the gospel with the community. Pastor Schupmann thanked the volunteer coordinators and congregational leaders for their service, and we all thanked the Lord for giving us all things through his Son who died for us on the cross so we could live and serve Him and each other.

After the service, the crawfish was dumped on the picnic tables, the band began to play, and people hugged and laughed and shed tears of joy. Tours were given of some of the homes restored, and the thank you’s continued. It was a fitting end to a truly blessed project.

As I reflect back on this relief project and the others I have had the honor and privilege to serve, though each has been completely different and the volunteers who have come to serve are rarely the same folks, the end result is always the same:

1. that salvation through Christ crucified is faithfully proclaimed and;
2. that virtually every volunteer goes away with the perception that they received spiritually more out of their service than the people they served received out of labor from them.

For this, I think I can speak for everyone who has ever volunteered on one of our relief teams. Only one thank you is necessary, THANK YOU LORD. “Not unto us Lord, but unto you be honor and praise.”

Mark Vance
WELS Committee on Relief
Disaster Relief Project Coordinator

After 2 1/2 years of rebuilding at Crown of Life and the surrounding community, members, volunteers, and friends gather for a service of praise and thanksgiving.

Listen

Listen to Pastor Phil Schupmann, chairman for WELS Committee on Relief.

Watch Pastor David Sternhagen’s sermon on streams.wels.net.