{"id":3205,"date":"2017-11-15T15:00:57","date_gmt":"2017-11-15T21:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/disasterresponse\/?p=3205"},"modified":"2017-11-15T13:15:37","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T19:15:37","slug":"caribbean-hurricane-response-reflection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/disasterresponse\/caribbean-hurricane-response-reflection\/","title":{"rendered":"Caribbean Hurricane Response: A Reflection"},"content":{"rendered":"

In late October, a\u00a0small delegation from the ELCA traveled to Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. They walked together in prayerful solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Caribbean Synod and the Lutheran Social Services of Virgin Islands. Here, Johanna Olson,\u00a0Manager for Relationships for the Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa in the ELCA Global Mission Unit, shares a reflection of her time as part of the delegation.<\/p>\n

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From October 16th<\/sup> to the 25th<\/sup>, I traveled in a Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) delegation to meet w\/ the Caribbean Synod, its pastors in\u00a0Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Island and met with congregation leaders and was fortunate to worship in congregations, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.\u00a0 We also met with Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands and with FEMA and other voluntary organizations active in disaster.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

We were also hosted by the Caribbean Synod, in Puerto Rico and LSS of the US VI, in the Virgin Islands.\u00a0 Colleagues, who were also hit by the hurricanes, found us housing, picked us up and drove us to various meetings.\u00a0 They drove us through horrible traffic without traffic lights, because of downed electric poles and downed electricity.\u00a0 Staff also welcomed us into their homes, dear reader, without electricity or running on expensive generators to feed us and for us to just talk and eat good food and relax.\u00a0 For some of us, this was a time to re-connect with old colleagues, and for some of us, a time to meet colleagues we\u2019ve been talking to over the phone for the last several weeks, hearing updates from the disaster and the church response.\u00a0 Receiving robust hospitality, in such a challenged setting, is a humbling gift from God.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This togetherness that we explored and lived with our island colleagues, in our conversations, meetings and car rides set in the destruction from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico and the United Virgin Islands has a name to it:\u00a0 accompaniment.\u00a0 In Global Mission, in ELCA synods and congregations across this country, with our companion churches throughout the world, we talk and endeavor to live this, this quality of walking together in a solidarity that practices interdependence and mutuality.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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This is hard work.\u00a0 How does my nine-day visit afford interdependence and mutuality with our Puerto Rican and Virgin Island brothers and sisters?\u00a0 They don\u2019t leave the disaster site.\u00a0 The electricity doesn\u2019t suddenly turn on for them, the jobs they\u2019ve lost suddenly do not return, the friends and family they have that have moved to the continental United States suddenly don\u2019t re-appear.\u00a0 The life they once knew doesn\u2019t immediately come back.\u00a0 It won\u2019t come back.\u00a0 The things I am describing to you are mourning, this is compounded grief.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The ministry of Lutheran Disaster Response is about the long-term recovery, commitment to serve people impacted by the disaster years after the event.\u00a0 LDR is a wonderful ministry of accompaniment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

We stay in close communication, amid cell phone communication challenges, to promote awareness of things going on and the things that change, it seems, daily, and to support them in their steps into recovery, for their parishioners, their congregations and of course, the broader community.\u00a0\u00a0 And we pray into new ways of being together, of listening to God direct our minds and actions.<\/em><\/p>\n

I imagine if you\u2019re reading this you\u2019ve contributed funding to Lutheran Disaster Response.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t, please consider making a gift today.\u00a0 If you are interested in volunteering, the response is not set up yet to receive volunteers for rebuilding.\u00a0 Please be patient.\u00a0 LDR is here for the long-term, so come back to this site again for further information.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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Johanna Olson<\/strong>\u00a0served as Lutheran Disaster Response – U.S. staff from\u00a0 1<\/em>998 to 2005. She currently serves as\u00a0Manager for Relationships for the Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa in the ELCA Global Mission Unit.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Be a part of the response:<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Pray<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Join us in prayer and partnership, and to help spread the word in your congregation. You can find additional resources for worship here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Give<\/strong><\/h4>\n

We invite you to stand by all the communities impacted by the recent hurricanes. Your gifts to Hurricane Relief<\/strong><\/a> ensure that our church will be able to provide help and hope for those affected by this disaster for years to come.<\/p>\n

Additional Ways to Give<\/em><\/p>\n

Checks or money orders can be sent to:
\nLutheran Disaster Response<\/em>
\n P.O. Box 1809<\/em>
\n Merrifield, VA 22116-8009<\/em>
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\nWrite\u00a0\u201cHurricane Response\u201d<\/em>\u00a0on your check memo line.
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\nGive by phone at 800-638-3522<\/p>\n

Connect<\/strong><\/h4>\n

To learn more and Stay connected to the latest events and our response to this and other disasters:<\/p>\n