Greeting brothers and sisters of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod,

Thank you for the overall support that has been showered on us this past week here in the Prescott Arizona area. It has been a week filled with tragedy, sorrow and broken hearts. As most of you know, half the town of Yarnell, Arizona was destroyed and the whole town was evacuated due to the Yarnell Hill fire. Tragically, 19 Granite Mountain Hot Shots perished while fighting the fire on June 30, 2013. They were our local crew; many grew up in the area.

This tragedy has hit our church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley Arizona, home of God’s World Pre-School and Childcare, and our entire quad-city community very hard. Hot Shot Joe Thurston, father of one of our Pre-School families died, leaving behind a loving wife and two sons, ages 3 and 6. Hot Shot Wade Parker, one of our members’ nieces’ fiancé died also.

Trinity and I, their pastor Tim Blau, have been overwhelmed by the calls and emails from the Pacific Southwest District President Larry Stoterau, Vice President Vince Harmon and our Circuit 28 churches. I would also like to thank the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod under the leadership of President Harrison and Glenn Merrit, international director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care for their quick response to our need of comfort to the Hot Shot families, their friends, the entire Fire Department and our community.

On July 1^st we were in contact with Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) and asked them if they could send Comfort Dogs our way. On July 4th seven dogs and eight handlers flew in from three different states under the leadership of Tim Hetzner, President of Lutheran Church Charities. They came to our church and got to ‘work’ right away as they spread themselves through the crowd of hundreds of people from our community that were gathered to watch the fireworks.

The next 4 days were filled with tears, hugs, comradery and, most of all, comfort from 7 beautiful Golden Retrievers. We visited many fire stations and firefighters. Many of the fire fighters enjoyed seeing the dogs come into the station. At first they just patted their heads, but soon many were on their knees embracing the dog. They allowed the dog to comfort them and absorb some of the pain they were enduring. The dogs graciously and compassionately allowed it to happen. It was extremely moving to witness God’s grace and comfort.

We visited the Memorial Fence around Station 7 where our Granite Mountain Hot Shots were based. The setting was somber, many tears were flowing and many memorials tugged at hearts. As the dogs walked the fence line many people stooped to hug them. For some it allowed a smile to come to their hearts, for some it allowed the tears to begin to flow.

Comfort Dogs were invited to a private gathering of the families who had lost loved ones. They visited the Pre-School family (mom and two boys age 3 & 6) who lost their Hot Shot dad in the fire and were invited back the next day for more hugs, love and comfort from these beautiful dogs. They visited nursing homes and our homebound members. They attended the parade at the Courthouse Square where thousands of people gathered for Prescott’s Annual 4^th of July Parade and they spread comfort throughout the crowd.

In addition to comfort, they pass out Bible Verses as well. Each dog has their own Facebook Page where you can track their journey. Each dog has their own business card with a Bible verse on it to spread the love and compassion of Christ. If we were to hand a Bible Verse to a stranger, most would drop it into the nearest trash receptacle, but the dogs are handing out the Bible Verse so people are more receptive to receiving the card! Many look up the dog on Facebook, where they again see the verse. The Comfort Dogs enable us to touch people that wouldn’t normally approach us. They also are allowed into places that the community wouldn’t normally be able to go.

This week’s events will affect our community for a very long time. Our entire community will need long term after care, especially those directly affected.

What does Trinity Lutheran Church need to continue to reach out to these families long term?

• Funds for long term counseling, therapy and child care for Joe Thurston’s family
• Funds to quickly bring in two comfort dogs to Trinity. They will be used daily from year to year to reach out to the Thurston family, other Hot Shot families, and the entire Fire Department Community.
• Funds to reach out to the residents of Yarnell whose homes were destroyed. Many residents lost absolutely everything in the fire.

Trinity Lutheran has set up three separate accounts for these needs.

Thank you for your prayers and your overwhelming support this past week. We continue to reach out to our entire community, congregation and Pre-School as we comfort them with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Caring through Christ,

Pastor Tim Blau