Update October 24, 2024
Greetings Camp Friends,
It has been four long weeks since Hurricane Helene made landfall and two weeks since Milton. In some ways, it feels longer, and in others, it is still so new. It remains crucial for us to keep you updated on our progress and the ever-changing realities. We write this update after three full days of renewal for the South Carolina Synod Rostered Ministers at Convocation hosted at Lutheridge. Sadly, Southeastern and North Carolina Synods could not gather this year. Still, as our staff welcomed this first group back to Lutheridge on Monday, the gratitude for all the generosity and volunteer time began to take visible shape in the faces and hugs of those gathered.
“You think you have prepared yourself for what it will look like,” shared one pastor. “But I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. I can’t believe the number of trees down. It hurts my heart. Then, at the same time, I can also tell how much work has already been done – even though there is still so much to do – but I am grateful for the recovery response from God’s people. I have hope for camp.” Another pastor, who spent an afternoon with a chainsaw, shared appreciation for the laughter and sounds of playing children that now radiate through the forest more clearly. These voices came from a Day Camp operated in partnership with Lutheridge and the YMCA to provide care for children until schools open back up.
While this group was on campus, we got a call from Lutherock that power had been restored. We will take every win because we had been told it would be the end of November! As Nathan Boykin posted in the Alumni Group, “We have assessed and removed overhanging trees in the camper areas. Carpet and drywall have been ripped out of the Crowsnest, which we learned suffered substantial water damage. The goal is to continue this progress with volunteer groups and have most of the property operational by the end of November. We’re looking forward to an amazing summer ahead! Thank you for your continued support!”
In the same way, I (Mitzie) shared with the SC rostered ministers that we must begin turning our attention to the summer. Registration was set to open on November 1 (fingers crossed), and we aren’t taking our eyes off our primary mission. It will be important for Lutheridge, Lutherock, and Luther Springs to “feel” like camp and not look like a disaster area this summer.
Friends, we believe the camps WILL feel like camp – because YOU have responded, and you continue to respond. I also shared with my SC colleagues, “There are LOTS of feelings. We hurt for our neighbors who have it worse than we do and live in the tension of still needing to rebuild so we can continue to be a place apart that builds community, forms faith, and develops leaders. We have seen how important this work is – because our camp community – a community shaped in this place to serve our neighbors, is springing into action in countless ways – and we need to continue shaping servants long into the future.”
We now are once again able to process gifts coming in the mail and so we have a more complete picture of the gifts you have shared in the last few weeks. We received $100,000 in the initial days after the storm. When we announced a $100,000 matching gift opportunity, you responded with gifts more than double the amount needed for the match. As of right now, through more than 350 gifts and commitments, we have received $403,000 for Hurricane Recovery!!!
Can we just stop here and lift up a PRAYER of GRATITUDE for our incredibly loving and caring camp community? #campstrong
This generosity will give us room to breathe and recover as we continue to wait for new disaster-related invoices and issues to roll in at Ridge, Rock, and Springs. We are bracing ourselves for the final total. We continue to work with our insurance company and apply for grants. Seeing the generosity you have shared, in combination with all the volunteer hours clocked and scheduled, our hope shines more brightly. Just as we can more easily hear the sounds of children laughing through the trees, the light shines more brightly on camp now too. As we met with the Executive Committee of the Board this morning, the sunrise flooded into Mission Hall – a Holy Spirit reminder of this hope.
In Gratitude and Hope.
#campstrong
Mike + Mitzie
