Violent storms and a record number of tornadoes - almost 400 in early May - have left a trail of destruction throughout the central and southern parts of the United States. Forty-five people have died, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed. "Jackson looks like downtown Baghdad," was an early report from Tennessee, where twelve deaths were reported from tornadoes that also brought torrential rains and hail the size of golf balls and softballs to Jackson and the surrounding area.
Among the 19 states that sustained damage from these violent spring storms, Tennessee, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois, and Oklahoma were particularly hard hit. Residents of Oklahoma City, who witnessed the extensive destruction of a massive tornado in 1999, are again cleaning up in the aftermath of new tornadoes. In Missouri, the entire downtown area of historic Stockton was reduced to a pile of rubble. "I've never seen anything like this, in pictures or otherwise," said Congressman Ike Skelton. "The word devastation doesn't do it justice."
Our church is helping tornado and storm survivors through Lutheran Disaster Response, a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Partnering with local Lutheran social ministry organizations, LDR provides immediate aid, in coordination with the U.S. government and the Red Cross. And, after the news cameras and emergency crews leave the scene, LDR will continue to work in partnership with Church World Service and other faith-based organizations to help disaster survivors on the months or years - long path to recovery.
Your help is needed! Please pray for those affected by the violent storms of recent weeks. And please give generously. 100% of gifts designated to specific disasters are used for that purpose. Give through your designated check to Christ the King Church or directly to: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764.