William D. Cochran
Director of School Ministry
National Mission, LCMS
1 800-248-1930 ext. 1716
1 314-996-1295
1 314-996-1124(fax)
bill.cochran@lcms.org
"LUTHERAN SCHOOLS: Securing Each Child's Future"
From: LEA Leadership Network [mailto:LEADNET@LISTSERV.CUIS.EDU] On Behalf Of Jeremy Schamber
Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 11:35 PM
To: LEADNET@LISTSERV.CUIS.EDU
Subject: [LEADNET] Update on Joplin #2
Dear Members of One Body In Christ,
First of all, I want to thank you for your emails and words of encouragement. It has already impacted many of the people who continue to rely on us to help get them back on their feet. Kim Marxhausen, your card couldn't have come at a better time. You have always amazed me since my days at Seward.
Our church and school has always struggled in the area of "outreach ministry". Even though our school is eighty percent community members, we haven't always put our best foot forward when it comes to "outreach ministry". Although we have wonderful leaders, Pastor Mech and Jason Glaskey, who are great models for outreach the people haven't always embraced it. This has changed! You and I both know bad things happen because of sin. Yet, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can use these challenging times to glorify God and rely on Him to strengthen us. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". Our members, following the examples of our leaders, are doing a great job reaching into the community and ministering. Its reminds me so much of pentecost. What seemed to be a helpless time to minister, the Holy Spirit strengthened the disciples and enabled them to do the unthinkable. This is exactly what is happening within our church and school.
The school continues to be used as an outreach to the community. Once again, the devastation is across the street over the railroad tracks. The tornado lasted for six miles which puts Martin Luther School in the middle. Three miles to the west is complete devastation and three miles to the east is complete devastation. We just happen to be on the outer edge of it all.
Currently, we have four classrooms with possible structural damage and deadly mold. These classrooms have been closed to the public and are not in use. I hope to have more information soon.
We are reaching out to St. Mary's Catholic School (completely destroyed) hoping they will be able to use our facilities with us or possibly use our property for a temporary school.
Since my first update, I have been informed of one more teacher's home destroyed . She has been added to the list below.
Lutheran World Relief, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Lutheran church Charities, have been working with us along with the MO District office.
Lutheran Church Charities have brought "Comfort Dogs" which has been a very successful and amazing ministry to witness.
Local Lutheran congregations and schools have been providing meals at MLS for the community and volunteers from all over the U.S.A.
Donations are starting to arrive. Unfortunately, this will be a very costly and time consuming process.
How can you help?
Monetary gifts or gift cards (Visa Cards) for teachers church families and school families who lost their homes.
Monetary gifts to offset tuition for families. Many families lost their homes and their jobs with in a few seconds.
Funds for a Comfort Care dog. This dog would live with my family but be at school all day to work with students and families within the church and school. The dogs are trained and are a pure bred Golden Retriever. This dog cost about $8000. My wife and I would take care of all food and veterinarian expenses. I'm still amazed of how these dogs continue to help families. http://www.lutheranchurchcharities.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=377&Itemid=116
Funds for a storm shelter at the school.
Toys - New not used
Letters of encouragement to give to families as we distribute food, water, and other items into the community
Diabetic foods
Gatorade/Powerade/something different from water
Sunscreen/aloe
www.immanueljoplin.com has a more specific up-to-date list of items needed
We do have an ice machine coming next week!
Thank you so much for all of your support. Please continue to pray for your family in Joplin!
Donations may now be sent to the school:
Martin Luther School
2616 Connecticut Ave.
Joplin, MO 64804
Mrs. Doner - Math Teacher - Lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Robertson - Second grade teacher - lost their home and vehicles
Mrs. Randles - Preschool teacher - lost their home and vehicles (Husband is Joplin fire chief)
Mrs. Parker- Spanish Teacher - Lost their home
Mrs. Billings - Art teacher - severe damage to home
Miss Thorne - Kindergarten Teacher - Damage to home
Mrs. Cook - Science Teacher - Lost her brother
Pastor and Karen Mech - Parsonage has damage and mold
Church - Will need new roof
School - Possibly new roof, will need boiler repairs, needs new hot water tank, broken window, play ground fence needs repairs, air conditioners need repairs, possible structural damage, and mold.
30 church families lost their homes or have severe damage ("member" school families are now included with church families)
4 school families lost their homes
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In His Guidance,
Jeremy Schamber, Principal
Martin Luther School
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Joplin, MO
417-624-1403