It breaks my heart every time I
go outside. Far Rockaway. The area where I spent the last 7 years doing
Sidewalk Sunday School. The people whom I saw almost every week. Struggling. No power, no heat, no phone… in many places
still without gas or running water (even though gas and running water have been
restored to some areas but not everywhere still).
I HATE SANDY (the hurricane)!!!
On Saturday I was in Far Rockaway
again doing the relief work with Metro Ministries. As I was standing by one of the trucks I saw
a woman I knew from one of my Sidewalk Sunday School sites (mind you we’re at least
38 blocks away from where she lives). She cried and told me they lost
everything…
I wish you could see this with
your own eyes. People still staying in
the apartments with no heat (some apartments closer to the ocean had broken
windows). Many apartments on bottom
floors (1st and 2nd) got flooded destroying every piece
of clothes and furniture and mattress and blankets these people had – how can
one get warm with no heat and no blanket?
Many apartments got looted. One
of my dear families lost everything not because of the flooding but because
they returned to the looted home. They
have no clothes, everything of value had been carried away, their mattresses
slashed to find hidden money (as if they had any).
And now as if that weren't enough struggle - a snow storm hit NYC yesterday.
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| on my way home from work - a snow storm |
It’s killing me to not be able to
do much. The organization Bryan & I volunteer at has done amazing job at
going out into the affected areas of Red Hook, Coney Island, and my dear Far
Rockaway and handing out blankets, food, and water. There is still so much need.
I wish I could help that
family. I wish I could buy those girls
new clothes and new mattresses but I can’t.
We gave them our sleeping bags and some towels and things… but it seems
so little…
Last night I wanted to write the
post and ask you to send money so we can buy some clothes and mattresses for
this family and others. But I realized
that even though it is important – it is more important that you ask yourself
this question – “What can I do to help?”
I assure you the need is huge.
What can I do to extend God’s love to these people who are getting more
and more desperate now with this snow storm that fell upon the city? Can I send money? Can I send clothes? Can I pray? Can I send blankets? Can I… options are endless as to what you can
do.
This morning I am not asking you
for money. Sometimes it is easier to
write a check than to allow God to break your heart for the suffering of the
people. Beware of that danger.
I am asking you to get involved
in whichever way you can. I am asking
you to seek God and do whatever you can to help these people (whether it
involves sending money or not).
The Scripture I’m about to quote
is often used in reference to two people getting married or two friends. I urge you today to read it as brothers and
sisters in Christ – family to those who you may not know personally but who so
desperately need your help. Many of them
are all alone in their trouble now.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11)
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| The snow storm has hit NYC - and many people are still struggling without water, heat or basic necessities |
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