Just Being Here Means So Much…

Update November 5, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

By Yeathus Johnson

Yesterday we spent time cleaning and helping families recover from the aftermath of Sandy. People who have lived in neighborhoods for 40 and 50 years never experienced nor fathomed anything close to this magnitude. Like many others, we had no power or utilities for days.

As we helped a couple in Jersey City yesterday, the woman began to sob uncontrollably, thanking us over and over for just being present. She stated, “Even if you guys did nothing, just being here to hug us means so much.” People are feeling lonely, abandoned, and forgotten.

As the Body of Christ we can make a difference and live the call together, especially during hard times like this. Please join me in praying for families, neighbors, communities, and churches affected by Sandy. We are not helpless and hopeless. This is our moment! Churches in our district have opened their doors because they have heat, Wi-Fi, hot coffee, and hope. People are seeking hope, needing hope and longing for hope. Christ is our hope, and He lives in each of us.

As many of you are aware, the zones of catastrophic damage were in Long Island, Staten Island, and the Jersey Coast. We were at Visionary Church in Jersey City late last night gutting everything because they received five feet of water from the river. Other churches were almost destroyed; we have pastors who lost everything and displaced people who attend Alliance churches. People all around us just need our best efforts. We can do a lot even as we work to organize our own lives.

Temperatures are dropping and inclement weather is on the way. If your church wants to send work teams, supplies, or the gift of presence to those affected most deeply, a point person (probably your pastor) should call Paul Kiser, director for the Metro District Disaster Relief Team, at 609-709-3527. This is our first line of district-wide relief coordination.

What you can do

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A special fund has been created to gather funds to spearhead immediate relief efforts. Give to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and help CAMA, the relief and development arm of The Alliance, support these needs.

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Make your check out to “CAMA” and write “Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund” on the memo line. Then mail your gift to Compassion and Mercy Associates, P.O. Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO, 80935-3500

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