IOWA MISSION DISTRICT
Disaster Response
The Iowa Mission District works closely with the NALC Disaster Response Coordinator, Mary Bates, to help get supplies and other resources where they are most needed, whether here in Iowa, or across the country.
Our mission district area coordinator is currently Betty Burkhalter. Betty can be reached by phone or text at 815-323-9999, or by email at bettyburkhalter@hotmail.com.
Each congregation in the Iowa Mission District is encouraged to have a local disaster response contact person on record that can be reached in case of emergency. Make sure Betty has that person's name and contact information!
The Iowa Mission District has two warehouses. One is located just north of Chatfield, Minnesota, on Highway 52, and is maintained by our mission partner, Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota. The other is located in Boyden, Iowa, and is maintained by St. John's Lutheran.
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Click HERE to access the latest disaster kit content lists (flood buckets, health kits, school kits, etc.), located on the website of the Women of the NALC (wnalc.org). Blankets, quilts, Bibles and gifts cards (i.e. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart) are always needed. Feel free to include items decorated with a U.S. flag, patriotic or religious symbols, messages, or your group or congregation's name.
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Disaster Response Update
Thanks to the GENEROUS donations from Old East and Old West Paint Creek Lutheran Churches, the tool trailer is now completely outfitted! It is ready for our maiden voyage to Davenport, November 14-16! A small team will be working in a home that was damaged by the July flooding of the Mississippi River. We'll be repairing and replacing windows, cleaning out a basement, and installing a new sump pump. Our electrician plans to tidy up some unnecessary wiring in the basement ceiling. Additionally, we hope to do some basic clean up in the surrounding yard - debris removal, mowing and trimming.
The SEMAC (South East Minnesota Area Christians) team returned to the NW Iowa region to work on homes damaged by last year's severe flooding. The last trip to them to Rock Valley, while this year they focused their efforts in Spencer. SEMAC has been working together for over 25 years under the leadership of Larry Vomhof. Larry is a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Larry and his wife Deb manage the NALC Disaster Response Warehouse located in Chatfield, Mn. The group is made up of Christians of many denominations who come together to help those in need. They generally do two mission trips each year. Their team is made up of experienced carpenters, electricians, plumbers and dry wallers.
There is still a lot of work to be done in NN Iowa. More volunteers are needed. Maybe you and/or your congregation want to form a team by yourselves or with other congregations in your community. I can get you the work if you can get a team together! Let me know how I can help!
Betty Burkhalter
NALC Iowa Mission District
Disaster Response Coordinator
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Iowa Mission District Youth Mission Trip Coordinator
Are you wanting to plan a mission trip for the young people in your congregation? If so, we now have a designated coordinator for youth mission trips! Alana DeMoss has recently agreed to fill this position for the Iowa Mission District!
Alana is from First Lutheran in Manchester and has assisted Pr. Tony Ede multiple times coordinating past trips. Alana can be contacted by phone/text at 563.920.8476 or by email at fivekidscrazy@outlook.com
So, if you want to plan a trip, reach out to Alana! She in turn will work with the National Disaster Response Coordinator, Mary Bates, to determine possible locations and dates.
If you have adults who would like to do a mission trip, you can reach out to Mary Bates directly.
