WELS Committee on Relief recently helped with $3,000 in humanitarian aid to Albania. Also the following thank you was received from a family affected by the flooding in Fargo-Moorhead, N.D., area: 

Dear Members of the WELS Committee on Relief,

We are members of Shepherd of the Valley in West Fargo, N.D., who have been adversely affected by the flooding of the Red River in Fargo-Moorhead.  Our children, grandchildren, fellow church members, and other volunteers worked tirelessly to save our home and other homes on our street. They sandbagged, monitored pumps day and night, and moved as many of our possessions as they could to a higher level.   However, on March 26, we and our neighbors were forced to evacuate due to water coming over our roads.  We have been living with our daughter and family in Bemidji, Minn., since then.

Our basement, garage, and shop sustained considerable damage when we had to turn off water and power; and we could no longer monitor the several pumps that we had running.  Many appliances and items were destroyed (furnace, hot water heater, water softener, washer, dryer, freezer).

Several other of our church families were also impacted.  Our pastor and other church members spent time helping all of us in our efforts to keep the water out of our homes.  We deeply appreciate all the labor and prayers offered in our behalf.  Pastor contacted your committee, and you have responded generously with a monetary donation.  We humbly accept this assistance which will help defray our many expenses.

We trust in the Lord and look to Him for guidance as we deal with the massive clean-up job ahead of us.  Our confidence and joy rests in the assurance of Easter Sunday:  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!    “O Lord, You promise that in all things You work for the good of those who love You.  Help us see Your loving hand in this time of trouble.  Save us from doubt, relieve our anguish, and lead us through these dark days with the light of Your presence.”  (CLW, p. 137)  Glory be to God!

Larry and Vivian Weseloh
Moorhead, Minn. 

Keep up-to-date on WELS Relief news or to make a donation, visit www.welsrelief.net.

$10,000 was recently granted to the WELS Mission in Zambia, Africa, to help it recover from recent storms that damaged many of their buildings. The dollars will provide repairs to the roof of the parsonage in Myimba, damage to the roof of the study center in Choma, and the destruction of the church building at Malakata and the roof at Kabeleka. 

View more photos.

In Feb. 2008 WELS Relief helped with tornado damages through a grant to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, Ark.  Some of those funds not used at the time coupled with an additional gift of $2,500 enabled the congregation to provide generators for their church members and community to use during a recent severe ice storm.  In addition to the purchased generators, one of the WELS Relief disaster relief trailers was dispatched from Mobile, Ala., to bring more generators and other relief supplies.  Read more in the Forward in Christ article.

WELS Relief sent an initial grant of $5,000 to help our congregation in Moorhead, Minn., deal with the initial stages of the flooding expected from the Red River. As of March 30, the entire community is hoping that the temporary dikes hold and their city will be preserved from further destruction.  We pray that God will hear the prayers of his faithful and act in accordance with His will.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10

Friends,

Relief work is all about seeing and responding to the needs of others. Your gifts of money and skills bring physical relief to suffering humanity. The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also an overflowing expression of thanks to God.

The events we’ve experienced in recent years serve to exercise faith and give us opportunities to display compassion and Christian love. I wish everyone could know how much care we have been able to give to other people in need because of the love you have shown in Christ. Thank you for your Christian love.

Yours sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Philip Schupmann
Chairman
Visit us at welsrelief.net
philipschupmann@msn.com

A new four-page pamphlet is available to view online as a PDF or order. Contact Pastor Schupmann to order.