Mission Trip to Louisiana

A mission team from Gloria Dei left Saturday, Oct. 8 to remove debris and clean up homes in Lacombe, Louisiana. Some of the team members are already back, while others are staying until Saturday, Oct. 22. The road ahead is marked with intense restoration as reported by the following e-mail from Ellie Menz, IOWAY Director of Iowa District West:
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Send more workers is the call from Pastor Tim Phillips, Gloria Dei, Urbandale. Pastor Phillips is heading a team of 12 who are calling themselves the “Dirty Dozen.” Rochell, relief organizer at Village Lutheran Church in Lacombe says they are her ‘Angels.’ Rochell is very happy for the help and encouragement because she has received requests for help from 51 families.
The “Dirty Dozen” team members are Allan and Rachel Crandall, Sarah Hensel, Jeff and Zach Olson, Ron Oolman, Pastor Phillips, Mark Pierson, and Marv Rohn from Des Moines area; Richard and Judy Wardenburg, from Wilton; and Donna Bogner from Cedar Rapids.
Please pray for the team. Pastor Phillips said that the devastation is unbelievable and that photos and words can not describe the situation. They are helping members of Village Lutheran Church clean out their houses and clear away trees and limbs. He told me of a pile of bricks which used to be a brick house before it was hit by 185 mph wind a 20’ water surge.
The team is staying at the church in the motor home provided by Pastor Bruce Jackson, and on sleeping bags and cots in the fellowship hall of the church. Food is being provided for all workers.
Five of the ‘Dirty Dozen’ will be returning to Iowa Saturday, Oct. 15 and a group of four will be leaving Iowa on Saturday to take their place. The four are Ron Aschbrenner, John Bush, Bruce Williams, from Concordia, Cedar Rapids and Valerie Wilson from Trinity, Cedar Rapids. They have been busy collecting bed sheets, respirator masks, bleach and sprayers.
Please pray for the “Dirty Dozen,” for more workers and for the people who experienced the Katrina storm.
— God’s Blessings, Ellie

Future Mission Trips
The need is great in Louisiana; therefore, Iowa District West is encouraging teams to help in the relief effort. The following are teams on the Louisiana radar:
Pastor Gus George, St. Paul, Council Bluffs is planning to head a group of workers to Lacombe. He plans to leave Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 29 and return Sunday, Nov. 5.
Tim Kightlinger is planning a trip for college-age adults in January. If you are interested in helping or supporting this team, please contact Tim Kightlinger at 278-5544, ext. 212.
In addition, teams are being formed for college-age adults during spring break. Pastor Mark Heilman, Memorial, Ames is tentatively planning a servant-event trip for the second full week in March.
If you want to help, but can’t go now, please contact Pastor Phillips at 278-5544, ext. 204 or tphillips@gloriadeionline. He will be back in the office on Monday, Oct. 24.

The Funds
Gloria Dei established a segregated financial account earmarked specifically for disaster relief with the goal of reaching $25,000 by October 10. And praise be to God, our goal was met! This fund will now more than double due to matching funds from LCMS World Relief/Human Care Fund and Gloria Dei’s Discretionary Mission Budget line item.