Global Missions in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod:

Chile Earthquake Reconstruction

Pr. Bill Gafkjen Assistant to the Bishop, Global Mission

One way for the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to embody our companionship with IELCH and to assist the people of the IELCH to experience the power of resurrection in the reconstruction of their buildings and their lives together as the people of God is to make a gift of money to supply their emergency reconstruction fund. We have already received $2000.00 in unsolicited gifts for IELCH. I pray that God will stimulate the generosity of God’s people in this synod to supply $18,000.00 between now and the end of this year’s Synod Assembly. Why $18,000?

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. [Ephesians 3:20-21]

The country of Chile experienced an 8.8 magnitude earthquake on February 27, 2010. As of early April the death toll has reached 497, about half a million homes have been significantly damaged, and 2 million people are or have been homeless.

Members, leaders and congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH), companion church of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, are among those who have been profoundly affected by the earthquake and are among those who are stepping in to care for others in the aftermath.

ELCA Disaster Response sent $10,000.00 to IELCH to assist with immediate needs after the earthquake.

The IN-KY Synod sent an initial $500 to support the travel costs of Pastora Gloria Rojas, Presiding Pastor of IELCH, as she moved among the 12 congregations and mission centers of the denomination to assess damage, offer comfort, and lead the people of God forward through the rubble toward resurrection.

The list of damages to church-related buildings and other facilities is long, especially in Santiago and around Concepcion.

Roofs have been rent asunder.

Perimeter walls must be demolished and rebuilt.

Congregational meeting areas and fellowship halls are unusable.

Church pre-schools need repair before the swiftly approaching new school year begins.

Portions of parsonages are unlivable.

Sewage systems are broken.

At least six congregations of IELCH have significant damage to their facilities.

As we develop accurate translations of communications we receive from IELCH we will post them on the synod web site along with other information already posted there (http://www.iksynod.org/ministry/globalmission/chileearthquake.asp).

IELCH has requested emergency reconstruction funds from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to address these needs. LWF has been quite generous, but is unable to provide all that IELCH needs; they are still short about US$20,000.00 for their reconstruction.

One way for the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to embody our companionship with IELCH and to assist the people of the IELCH to experience the power of resurrection in the reconstruction of their buildings and their lives together as the people of God is to meet that shortfall.

We have already received $2000.00 in unsolicited gifts for IELCH. I pray that God will stimulate the generosity of God’s people in this synod to supply the remaining $18,000.00 between now and the end of this year’s Synod Assembly, which is only weeks away. Here is how to give:

• Send a check, made payable to “Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA” and clearly marked with “Chile earthquake,” to the synod office (911 E 86th Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240).
  
  
• Bring cash and checks to the sending Eucharist at the Synod Assembly on Sunday, June 6. The offering from that liturgy will all go to the IELCH for earthquake reconstruction.
  
  
• Why not conduct some special offerings and/or awareness and fundraising activities in your congregation in the next few weeks and send the money and stories of what you did along with your Synod Assembly voting members to drop in the offering plate Sunday June 6?
  

Chile Situational Updates

Six Congregations in Need

Rev. Bill Gafkjen, Director, I-K Synod Global Mission

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