Detroit Chaplain Works High School Trauma

One of the kids at HWHS tried to rob a pizza delivery man with a fake gun. The pizza man had a concealed weapons permit and shot the kid point blank, fatally. I was called by Wayne Co. Crisis Response to go and help.  What an awesome opportunity to minister! Here is a note from the Social Worker on staff at the school. What a precious group of kids! So hurt from life and so wounded at such a young age.


High School Social worker sends a Thank you….

Mindy:

Thank you very much for helping me yesterday.   You where awesome with our kids.  I really appreciate your help.  I could never of been successful without you.  You have a big heart and a great talent for working with youth.  Thank you, thank you and thank you again and again!  You are WONDERFUL!  Let me know how I can help you in the future.  I owe you big time!  I enjoyed meeting and working with you.  Keep in touch.

Sincerely,

School Social Worker
Harper Woods Public Schools

Thanks Chaplain Keith!

Dear Champlain Williams,

My name is Bill W. of Kerrville Texas. I am 73, my wife is 72 and is a patient at M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston. After a strange accident in the M.D. Anderson parking garage, where I had lost my eye glasses, I was asked by a really nice fellow if I needed help. Well, since I could not see much, I asked if he was a deputy sheriff. "No," he said, "I am a chaplain." My wife was waiting for me at her Doctor's office, then to be admitted for her treatment. This special man was Sr. Chaplain Dr. Keith Robinson.

To make a long and very meaningful success story short, Chaplain Keith, met and cheered up my wife, drove me to four eye glass doctor/shops. He was obviously highly skilled in communication, personal relations and medical issues all with real kindness to all involved and with a great sense of humor.

I had my much needed new glasses in about four hours. I became very interested in Keith’s work and the organization. I am blessed to have a ranch here in the central Texas Hill Country. I have invited Keith and his family to be our guests. He says he will come some time but he is always on a project "south America, Angel Flights", etc. I finally asked Keith (sort of demanded), your name so I could express my sincere admiration and appreciation for him and his work. It has been a real treat to know him. I simply cannot express what it is like to see him in action and wanted someone important in your organization to know.

Best Regards,

Bill W.

IFOC Chaplains at Tucson

Eight chaplains from Albuquerque left 7 am on Thursday Jan 13th, arriving at 3 pm and immediately went to the Safeway store the site of the incident. Spent the next 3 hours at the scene, talking and praying with many people driving through the parking lot and stopping to observe the site. The store was closed and ¾ of the lot was still taped off with Police tape keeping people away form the scene.

Connected with Pastor Jonathon Alameda and set up a meeting on Friday morning 10 am with Pastors Pete LaJoie, Adam Parsons and Jonathon Alameda.

Friday morning,  4 chaplains went to the Funeral of Federal Judge Roll, and spent four hours ministering to the community.  Pete LaJoie went with us to the Safeway Mall and introduced us to the store managers of the other stores in the mall.  Ministered to many of the employees and continued to minister to all that dropped by the site. Afternoon and evening we spent at the UMC where a memorial was set up for all the victims.  Attended the candlelight vigil that evening and prayed with hundreds that were grieving.

First visit to the Congress woman’s office memorial site, spent many hours ministering to all.  Many coming from far away wanting to be a part of this tragedy and not understanding their grieving process.   UMC, Safeway and Congress woman’s memorial sites consumed the day and ended again with another candle light service.  I was asked to lead a pray service and speak words of encouragement to the gathering at the UMC by a local minister from the Tucson area.

Sunday morning we attended service and were asked to attend the funeral service of Dorword “Dory” Stoddard the man who saved his wife’s life by protecting her, and died in his efforts.  Over 800 attended the service and we all help with the set up and clean up and prayed with many.I would best guess we spoke to 1000 to 1500 people, praying for over 400 of them. Made many contacts with local Police, State and the State Legislative Chaplain who called me and asked about our training and wanted more information on CISM Classes we offer.

It was an honor to go and serve.
Calvary of Tucson was very appreciative of our work and assistance.


Chaplain Lt Colonel Les Palmer
Corps Commander
International Fellowship of Chaplains