Ortiz Family Fellowship Sunday 2 4 2018 St Paul Evangelical

Ortiz Family Fellowship Sunday 2/4/2018 St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Norwood Park, IL

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Hurricane Maria — a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds — made direct landfall on Puerto Rico, bisecting the entire island drenching it with feet of rain. This was only 13 days after

The Ortiz Family’s Story – Part 1 For eight hours, Jose and his family waited out the terrifying storm that totally decimated the tiny island of Puerto Rico. They huddled together in a bathroom listening to the howling fierce winds, pounding torrents of rain, and the sounds of crashing debris. More fortunate than most, they had a cinderblock brick home and, by God's grace, emerged with no loss of life or serious injuries.

Some perspective… Hurricane Maria was like a 50 -mile-wide tornado that made a direct hit on the island

Monday after Maria hit… “Make no mistake — this is a humanitarian disaster involving 3. 4 million US citizens, ” Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said. By the record books, it was the fifth-strongest storm ever to hit the US, and the strongest storm to hit the island in 80 years. “The devastation is vast, ” Gov. Rosselló said in a statement. “Our infrastructure and energy distribution systems suffered great damages. ”

Long Term Impact – Lack of Power

Long Term Impact – Lack of Clean Water

Long Term Impact Housing – Homes were destroyed or heavily damaged Communications – Cell towers destroyed Farming – Farms decimated with 80% of crops lost Jobs – Businesses close due to damage or lack of power Weather reporting lost – Due to radar towers being damaged, making it harder to predict future storms.

The Ortiz Family’s Story – Part 2 The reality of the devastation set in when they saw how most of the homes in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico were flattened or no longer there. Things became worse when the people realized there was little or no food, clean drinking water, fuel, or electricity. When Jose learned that the pharmaceutical company where he managed the warehouse laid off all its employees indefinitely, they decided to permanently relocate their family back to Illinois, where they once lived.

Coming to the Mainland With relief and resources being slow to arrive in Puerto Rico, many flee the island for the mainland. Multiple news agency report in January that an estimated 100, 00 Puerto Ricans are living in hotels on the mainland, with whole families sharing one hotel room.

The Ortiz Family’s Story – Part 3 In October of 2017, the Ortiz Family did the same thing, coming back to Illinois, where they had lived before, to start over. Jose secured a job from the same company where he had worked previously for six years, as well as getting his 20 year old daughter a job on a different shift. With their combined paychecks, the family of four was living in a one bed studio hotel room with a furnished kitchenette. Paying $400 dollars a week for rent and trying to buy food, the family was barely making ends meet.

The Ortiz Family’s Story – Part 4 On December 3 rd St. Paul Lutheran Church was notified of their situation. With compassionate hearts, the congregation rallied and found donations of household goods to furnish an apartment for them. St. Paul contacted Lutheran Church Charities to ask if we could assist with an appeal for the first month's rent, security deposit, furniture, and helping the family find a better living arrangement. Today marks 64 days and look what God can do through his people, when we respond in love!

The Ortiz Family’s Story – Part 4 (continued) Two days before Christmas Eve, the family got a lead on an apartment in the complex where they used to live. On Wednesday, December 27, with the help of an LCC donor, Jose was able to pay the 1 st month's rent and security, sign the lease for the apartment, and move to a spacious 2 bedroom apartment they could afford. The following morning, LCC Staff member, Dianna Bonfield, and LCC volunteers Jim Beckley (Prince of Peace - Palatine, Illinois), Jeff Boberg and Joe and Adam Sienkiewicz (St. Paul - Canfield), moved furniture and household goods for the family to their apartment. On January 2, Dianna Bonfield and Jim Beckley picked up more furniture.

Starting Over

The Believers Share Their Possessions 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4: 32 -35 NIV

Facts About Puerto Rico Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. According to a new Morning Consult poll published in the New York Times, only 54 percent of Americans know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. If Puerto Rico were a state, it would be the 30 th most populous — with more people than Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska combined.

This Ministry Made Possible by God’s people serving Him through… The members of The staff, volunteers and donors of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Charities 3020 Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062 LCC is an RSO (Recognized Service Organization) of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. www. lutheranchurchcharities. org 5650 N. Canfield Rd. Norwood Park, IL 60631 an LCMS

Resources for this presentation https: //www. vox. com/science-andhealth/2017/9/26/16365994/hurricane-maria-2017 -puerto-rico-sanjuan-humanitarian-disaster-electricty-fuel-flights-facts Lutheran Church Charities – Making a Difference Newsletters, December 2017 and January 2018 (various editions)