When a humanitarian crisis happens anywhere in the world, it gives me comfort to know that
Lutheran organizations will be there to share the hope, care, and love of Jesus.

On June 24, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds of each other — a
magnitude 7.2 followed by a magnitude 7.5. It was the strongest earthquake to affect our
global neighbors in more than a century.

The most heart-wrenching impacts are centered in Caracas and La Guaira, where more than
100 buildings have collapsed. Brave search-and-rescue operations are working tirelessly in the
hardest-hit areas, and the full extent of casualties is still emerging.

As followers of Christ, we know that when our neighbors suffer, our faith calls us to respond
with God’s love and compassion.

St. Luke’s is part of the ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. As members of St. Luke’s
we have a presence much thanks to two organizations:

Currently, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is responding through trusted, long-standing partners in
Venezuela, including the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela
(IELV). ELCA partners have deployed assessment teams to affected areas, working together to identify urgent needs, provide immediate relief (e.g. food, shelter, water) and coordinate a plan for long-term assistance.

Since 1973, LDR has remained grounded in their mission to share God’s hope, healing and renewal with people impacted by disasters. They recognize that every disaster is local and that community leaders and organizations are best equipped to address needs following a disaster. They accompany partners worldwide across the disaster cycle—response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness—providing financial support, technical assistance, advocacy and networking. This work is relational: they stand with communities, congregations, and synods, social ministry partners, community-based organizations, tribal nations, companion churches and ecumenical partners.

Through the faithful work of network partners, the Community of Practice, LDR is trusted and dependable. They work with everyone and stay as long as needed, often for years. Key work includes providing emotional and spiritual care for affected people and leaders who respond, assisting communities holistically to meet varied needs, promoting disaster risk reduction by helping communities mitigate impacts through stronger infrastructure and preparedness planning and providing long-term recovery by addressing unmet needs months or years after a disaster strikes.

Lutheran Disaster Response is requesting funds = GIVE NOW

In 1945, World War II left an estimated one-fifth of the world’s Lutherans homeless. Here in the United States,
Lutheran churches in at least 20 states mobilized to help in Europe through a new agency called Lutheran World Relief.

​Much has changed in 80 years. But in thousands of congregations, in millions of offerings and in uncounted prayers, U.S. Lutherans continue to support Lutheran World Relief’s work. Today they are in VENEZUELA due to the EARTHQUAKES: You can rush help to neighbors now.

LWR Emergency Response Team is already at work, coordinating with their network of local and regional partners in Venezuela. They are moving at the greatest speed to reach the families who need your help most.

Priority needs include:
Emergency medical care and trauma treatment
Safe water and sanitation services
Emergency shelter for families who cannot return to their homes
Food assistance and essential supplies

LWR will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.

Your gift does more than send relief. You remind survivors that they are never alone — that their faithful sisters and brothers around the world are praying for them and responding to their needs.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Christ in a hurting world. Thank you for sharing your God-given spirit of love with neighbors in desperate need.

​Lutheran World Relief, TRIPLE YOUR DONATION TODAY = VENEZUELA RELIEF

​The theme at Camp Wapo this summer is “WONDER.”