“Many folks have asked if this is Katrina-like. In many ways it is far worse since the population density is far greater, and the weather and temperatures are terrible. People are really hurting up here: keep praying for resources to sustain recovery operations that allow us to reach others in their time of need” — Arklie Hooten, MNA Disaster Response Director

Super Storm Sandy left major damage throughout many areas, primarily in New York and New Jersey. Initial assessments have been done by the Presbyterian Church in America’s MNA Disaster Response staff in conjunction with local PCA leadership. Our focus is now marshalling critically needed resources to PCA congregations and establishing volunteer staging areas in New Jersey and New York, allowing our churches to reach their communities with Christ’s love.

A relief worksite is up and operating in Atlantic City NJ in partnership with New City Fellowship Mission PCA, pastored by church planter Santo Garofalo. Teams from NJ, SC, NC, VA and PA have been on the ground since day one undertaking mucking, gutting and debris cleanup, including direct assistance to PCA families. First Presbyterian Church PCA of Stanley NC has deployed their shower trailer team to stand up operations in Atlantic City. We anticipate the need for traveling teams through at least April 1, 2013. MNA is funding site management positions and channeling other resources to help Pastor Santo impact this community. Another way to help is to give a strong gift to help renovate a blighted property that is being converted into a bunkhouse. The bunkhouse, once renovated, will facilitate the hosting of future short term missionaries and disaster response volunteers.

Another PCA church that we are assisting that was extremely hard hit is Redentor PCA in South River NJ, a multicultural congregation pastored by Rev. Fernando Freitas. The following is a portion of an email received by Rev. Freitas:

Our Church, Redentor Presbyterian Church, is a 17 year-old community planted in South River, to reach especially (at that time) the Brazilian community. Even though the majority of its 68 members is still comprised of Brazilians immigrants, today it is a multicultural church, with people also from Portugal, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Peru and Ecuador.

In October of 2008 God gave us an opportunity to buy our own building that is very close to the center of our town. The building was totally remodeled by the grace of God and the efforts of our own members and friends. In December 3, 2010, we started to use it, when we had the first Worship Service there. However, during the hard weather under Hurricane Sandy our building had its basement completely filled with flood water along with the rest of downtown, South River, NJ.

Redentor has lost their entire electrical, heating, and alarm systems. The church is now scrambling to gather for worship and other services at the homes of members, some who are also dealing with major loses. Redentor has also lost furniture and kitchen supplies. Their insurance policy does not cover any of these loses that are estimated in the tens of thousands or more. Volunteers have traveled from PA to assist with the restoration of the electrical system and contractors have been identified to undertake the replacement of the mechanical systems. Please consider a strong financial gift to help make these repairs. Teams from upstate NY and PA are scheduled to undertake repairs to congregant’s homes. Please consider forming a team and coming to help.

A third location in New Jersey we are concentrating on is Calvary PCA in Allenwood. Although the Calvary family is mostly unaffected, they are focusing on the hard-hit coastal areas of Manasquan and Bay Head, channeling resources to those in need. Calvary is uniquely positioned as a gateway to possibly the most devastated New Jersey coastal areas. Keep praying for MNA and church leadership as we grapple with a long-term strategy. Many areas are still closed to outsiders, but we anticipate access soon. Once the hardest hit areas are open we anticipate a long haul here — working alongside like minded agencies, to establish a “beach head” here for at least several years. Pray for opportunities to be involved with rebuilding and for wisdom as new building regulations are pushed down to faith based groups anxious to reach these areas with God’s laborers.

A fourth and fifth site and volunteer staging areas are being established in NY, working with PCA churches undertaking operations at Coney Island, Rockaways, Breezy Point and Howard Beach, probably the hardest hit areas of NY. Distribution of commodities and critically needed supplies has been underway at these sites since day 1. We are partnering with another organization and sharing a warehouse to receive and redistribute critically needed donated items. Please contact us if you have the ability to collect and deliver a concise cache of items to the warehouse. A site manager has been identified to oversee traveling relief teams and the position is being supported by MNA. We are focused on the communities of Long Island and a focus is on folks living in subsidized housing with a concentration on The Towers, an extremely underserved populace even before the storm. We have a volunteer hosting site set up and can coordinate overnight traveling teams which are equipped to gut, pump and muck storm damaged homes. If distance is a hindrance please prayerfully consider a financial gift to facilitate the movement of others, including college students, who can respond now.

For the most part, other PCA church facilities in Sandy’s path are primarily in tact and most all have power restored. However the financial impact of this storm is substantial to our sister congregations due to cancelled services and the work of our churches through mercy in helping meet the needs of their congregants and communities. MNA has already advanced funds to storm impacted congregations assisting with unmet financial obligations caused by the storm. Please consider helping us to help our sister churches.

In response to the request of local PCA leadership in the affected areas, MNA Disaster Response is providing needed resources and volunteers to assist in this major recovery effort. A designated fund has been established to receive donations to assist with the financial needs. Please know that MNA charges no fees for administrative overhead; therefore 100% of all donations to MNA Disaster Response go to serve those who are in desperate need.

To volunteer, you must register! To register as a disaster response volunteer, please click here. [Editor’s note: the original URL (link) referenced is no longer valid, so the link has been removed.]

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