Deliverance belongs to the Lord; may your blessing be on your people! – Psalm 3:8 (NRSV)

Today, September 8th is International Literacy Day. It is the 50th anniversary of this day that celebrates the work of individuals, organizations, and governments in their efforts to increase literacy rates all over the world.  In celebration of that, we share this post. It was written by Rev. Franklin Ishida, Area Director for Asia and the Pacific.

________________________________________________________________________________

In Nepal, education is so highly valued that, following the devastating earthquakes in 2015, makeshift classrooms were built immediately so children could continue their learning. In many places, rebuilding school buildings was a great challenge due to the difficult mountainous terrain.

Lutheran Disaster Response, working with partners in Nepal, was not just about rebuilding homes, livelihood, and other infrastructure, but also about building up the very foundations of life: education. One of the partners, United Mission to Nepal, was tasked by the government to help rebuild schools in some of the most inaccessible places.

Shree Oile Basic school was one of these schools rebuilt with funding from LDR. A new two classroom building now stands proud, built in an approved earthquake-resistant design. Compared to the crumbling old building, the new one has tall ceilings, a bright interior, and wonderful environment for learning.

“Our old building was not so bright,” said headmistress Radha Adhikori. “In the summer, especially, children would fall asleep when it was dark inside. It is now bright and it will be better for the students and the teachers.”

The children themselves are excited about the change. “We don’t have to worry about earthquakes and we feel safer now,” said Tara, a student at the school. “We also don’t have to worry when it rains or thunders outside,” noting the sturdy roof on the building. There also are brand new latrines and a clean water supply.

“We hope to achieve so much more in learning now that we have a new building,” said Adhikori. “I am happy for this kind of support for our education. And now, my hope is we can expand this school beyond early childhood and classes 1 to 3.”

Season of Creation – Love

By: Ruth Ivory-Moore

On Sunday, August 20^th I sat in my church service.  The speaker was a young adult with a powerful, gripping voice.  He started the sermon listing the things that he was wary about.  He rattled off an exhaustive list.  But the one item on his list that struck me the most was his weariness concerning the rhetoric from the streets to the highest level of government, that foster the notion of the superiority of one race over another.  This struck an unusual chord with me, especially with the approaching of the  “Season of Creation”, a time to celebrate.  It is a time to celebrate “God the Creator, Christ as the redeemer of creation, and the Spirit as sustainer of creation—to worship God along with all creation, and to express gratitude, love, and a commitment to care for all living things on earth.”

The minister continued to travel down the “weary” path but ended with hope and faith. Human beings are to be stewards of all creation.  “Scripture speaks of one humanity, created by God.  Scripture tells of a diverse people reconciled to God through the blood of the cross, a people set free for the work of reconciliation. It heralds a new freedom and future in one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”  (A Social Statement on Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture.) Scripture also “…witnesses to God as creator of the earth and all that dwells therein (Psalm 24:1). The creeds, which guide our reading of Scripture, proclaim God the Father of Jesus Christ as “maker of heaven and earth,” Jesus Christ as the one “through [whom] all things were made,” and the Holy Spirit as “the Lord, the giver of life” (Nicene Creed) …Humanity is intimately related to the rest of creation. We, like other creatures, are formed from the earth (Genesis 2:7, 9, 19). Scripture speaks of humanity’s kinship with other creatures (Psalm 104, Job 38-39) … We are to love the earth as God loves us.  (A Social Statement on Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice).

The Season of Creation runs from September 1^st through October 4^th.  Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA Advocacy are collaborating to celebrate this season through lenses of understanding, awareness building, and love.  We will especially highlight accompanying our brothers and sisters before, during and after disasters.  Especially as our Lutheran Disaster Response team works diligently, along with local their affiliate, synods, and congregations to foster help and hope for those left homeless or otherwise affected by Hurricane Harvey now, and for years to come.

We begin with a prayer.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son.  Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne.

Lord in your mercy”

       Hear our prayer.

(Adopted from ELW prayers.)

Remembering Katrina in the Face of Harvey

by: Rev. Michael Stadie

For most people, the last week of August means back to school or looking forward to the Labor Day weekend. But for many others, this is a time of pain, hurt and sadness for August 29 is the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the gulf coast and the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Isaac coming ashore in the same area as Katrina did. Now with Hurricane Harvey, this week will never be the same for hundreds of thousands who are being impacted by the storm. The rest of their lives will be marked as “before Harvey” and “after Harvey.”

As I write this, countless people in the greater Houston area are being rescued every minute. There are some 17,000 people in shelters and dozens more are being prepared to receive those displaced by the storm. And it is still raining. Because there is so much water, it will be weeks before the water recedes enough for people to safely see what, if anything, is left of their homes and for the relief efforts to begin. Because of the immense destruction, it will be many years before most homes will be repaired or rebuilt and people find their new normal.

The images we have seen on the news this week, survivors walking through chest-high water or waiting to be rescued, first responders and volunteers risking their lives to save others, dozens if not hundreds of people in shelters all bring to mind what happened 12 years ago. For most of us, we are saddened to see the devastation, heartened by the rescues, and inspired by the resiliency seen in those who have gone through the flooding. But what is not seen is the fear, anxiety, and depression people are feeling, or the feelings of being retraumatized by those who have gone through Katrina, Isaac or one of the other hurricanes that brought suffering to so many lives. Yes, Hurricane Harvey has brought physical destruction to the gulf coast area but has also opened old wounds. As you remember those impacted by Harvey in your prayers, please also remember those for whom this storm brings back memories of another frightening time.

So, no matter if this is a person’s first hurricane or if they have been in the path of many storms, Lutheran Disaster Response through our local affiliate, Upbring, will be there for them to walk with the survivors on the long road to recovery as they find their new normal.

On August 14th, after several days of heavy rains, significant flooding and deadly mudslide occurred in and around Freetown, Sierra Leone. In a message, Bishop Momoh of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone (ELCSL), wrote, “Today is a sad and sorrowful day for Sierra Leone due to flooding and land slide at various part of Freetown.” He reported that there were 420 lives lost and a large number of injured survivors. According to Sierra Leone’s Office of National Security, there are an estimated 3,000 or more people have lost their homes and are in need of immediate relief. The number of casualties and affected families are expected to increase in the coming days.

“Keep us in your prayers.” – Bishop Momoh, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone”

Bishop Momoh went on to say, “The church is currently putting together food and non-food items for the internally displaced persons.”  Lutheran Disaster Response has sent an initial $2,000 to ELCSL for immediate relief activities. Through our companion and other partners on the ground, we will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to accompany our companion church and other partners on the ground.

In closing his message, Bishop Momoh wrote, “Keep us in your prayers.” As people of faith, we know the power of prayer and so Lutheran Disaster Response asks that we all continually be in prayer for The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, the local government and all those impacted by the mudslides.

Reflection on a visit to the Elizabeth, New Jersey Detention Center

by Executive Director of ELCA Domestic Mission, Stephen Bouman

I joined Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in a visit to the Elizabeth, New Jersey Detention Center for undocumented immigrants.  It was a convening of the many partners and allies in New Jersey who accompany civil society and its issues with the Gospel.  Maristela Freiberg (Director for Evangelical Mission) represented the leadership of Bishop Bartholomew and the synod’s partnership with the churchwide ministry of the ELCA.   Sara Lilja (Director-Lutheran Episcopal Advocacy Ministry of New Jersey) and Bishop Mark Beckwith, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark represented the collaboration between the New Jersey Synod ELCA and The Episcopal Church in New Jersey.  Linda Hartke (President of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) made present the great partnership between LIRS and the ELCA.  Alaide Vilchez Ibarra (Migration Advocacy Director from the ELCA Advocacy Office) and John Potter (Journalist from ELCA Mission Advancement) made personal the partnership of our national Churchwide ministry.  We came at the invitation of Pastor Ramon Collazo, pastor of Santa Isabel Lutheran Church in Elizabeth and their parish leaders. Ramon is also chaplain at the Detention Center and has established respectful relationships with the leadership of the Center, which has opened doors for the visitation and worship Lutherans provide.  Deeply moving for me was the lay volunteer visitors, mostly retired, from various local Lutheran congregations who regularly visit the detention center.  There was true grassroots agency here.  They used their power to convene, invite, and to seek invitation.  Any church can do this.

It was a full, emotional, troubling, hopeful day.  We shared time with the young people and their leaders of the confirmation camp sharing stories about their own experience with immigrants in their family history and relationships, the issues involved, a biblical framework.  We met with the leaders assembled above and their efforts to accompany those being deported where families are being ripped apart, as well as to advocate on issues of policy.  Pastors talked about the challenges and opportunities of conversation with their own parishioners who have divergent views on immigration issues.  The PICO community organizer spoke about keeping the issue of race front and center in dealing with immigration issues. Volunteers talked about how Saturday visitations at the Center was the best part of their week and helped give a human face to these issues in real and deepening relationships.  Pastor Ramon and his leaders spoke about the life and leadership of their parish, and how they are trying to nurture and form leadership for their emerging Latino ministry.

The facility, in a warehouse in an industrial strip in the shadow of Newark Airport, is a drab, off-putting place.  We surrendered our driver’s licenses and went through the metal detectors.  We spent time with Warden Orlando Rodriguez who described how the Center functions.  It is a for-profit business.  Homeland Security is seeking to expand the number and capacity of these facilities.  He described their attempt to provide housing, food, and safety for the inmates in as humane a way as possible.  He described how their employees take deportees directly to the airport gate and put them on the plane.  As he spoke about their work the effect on me was chilling.  They do their work efficiently with a sense of duty.  Grateful for the humanity being expressed, I was not for a moment distracted from the fact that these are still vulnerable people incarcerated for profit.  We put people, often fleeing for their lives and apart from their families, in jail.

We had the opportunity to worship with about forty of the men, as they do every week.  We were the guests and they welcomed us and many conversations immediately broke out throughout the room.  The worship included readings, an inspiring message from Bishop Eaton (a direct and beautiful expression of the presence of Jesus and the hopeful power of the Gospel) and Bishop Beckwith.  There was a time of extended prayer and individual blessings. Prayer, blessing, emotion, embraces and holding hands, the passing of stories rippled through the room.  Many of the men were from West African countries, some from Latin America, a few from Asia.  I held a man from Columbia as he wept telling his story of six weeks of incarceration hearing nothing from his family and having no family in the US.  I was moved to tears seeing the friendship and affection between the volunteer visitors and their friends in the Center.  There were some connections formed between some of the detainees and LIRS and Santa Isabel which will receive follow up.  I was humbled by how eagerly our visit was received, how close to despair yet clinging to hope many of them are, their deep expressions of spirituality, and how vivid the presence of Jesus is in their lives.  In this harsh environment, they have formed community with each other and I saw numerous moments of mutual empathy and care.   I could imagine them as neighbors, members of my church.

Then we met with about fifteen of the women, who seemed to be mostly from Central America.  Several were walking attentively one of the women who entered the room.  She was crying.  We heard that her brother had just been killed by a gang in El Salvador yesterday.  We prayed for her and laid hands on her.  Again there were many conversations, prayers, blessings moving through the room.  I was able to hear several stories of mothers missing their children, of horrific conditions which caused them to flee, of death and despair back home.  Again I noticed how they care for each other and how gratefully they received our visit and the deep spirituality which permeated the room.  We left, but I am proud and humbled to be a part of the church where we know that tomorrow our presence and ministry continues through gifted and faithful partners.

Thoughts

Being in a room with someone changes everything.  We weren’t dealing with an “issue” or “cause” in Elizabeth yesterday but human beings made in God’s image.  Far from “resourced professionals” and “needy clients” there were human faces, great giftedness, the radiating presence of Jesus.  We can disagree on “red or blue state” policies, but church is where we share the same space with every child of God, and I believe that growing relationships with immigrants, refugees, can transcend the fear and paralysis around this issue.  And if we can’t talk and listen to each other in our own congregations about these things I’m not sure what the church has to offer the world at this point in our communal life and history.

What would it look like for every one of our congregations to nurture and support those who are willing to leave the building and visit those who are detained across our country, but also the immigrants in our own communities, and share the stories.  Those Lutheran lay volunteers I met in Elizabeth could be any one of us in any place.

It’s time to say no to incarceration which commodifies human beings in for-profit jails.  Steady, redundant, relentless advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and prayer must continue to be our public witness.  The goal is still comprehensive immigration reform grounded in the deeply spiritual values of keeping families together; helping people come out of the shadows and living in full community; securing and defending basic human rights for all people; a path to the future where everyone belongs and can offer their gifts to the community.  The world needs to see the church show up here, maybe providing a reason to give the Gospel and a life of faith another hearing.

The core of the visit and the ministries we witnessed and heard about was prayer and worship.  The heartbeat is still the power of the presence of Jesus to draw us together in prayer and then move us to spiritually rooted action in the world.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Please pray for the safety of migrant children and families that are being detained and those on the journey and for justice as they reach their destinations. Remember those who have lost everything and all those who are working to respond.

Give

Your gifts are needed now to help with immediate relief. Gifts designated for AMMPARO will be used in full (100 percent) to assist those directly impacted and have fled for safety.

Connect

To learn more about the detention centers, what the ELCA is doing, and how you can get involved:

• Visit the AMMPARO website at elca.org/ammparo for more information and resources.
• Like AMMPARO on Facebook.
• Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook.
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Visit our website at LDR.org
• Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.