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The Woodlands Church dispatches 'convoy of compassion' with critically-needed items to New England coast

Published 12/04/2012

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Hours after Hurricane Sandy had passed through the northeast, Woodlands Church had already connected with their partner churches and ministries letting them know their concern, as well as commitment, to be on the ground as soon as possible to help assess and address the difficulties millions of residents were facing.

Thousands came together from The Woodlands Church bringing food, diapers, and other critically-needed items for our 'convoy of compassion' to New York City and New Jersey. Many from all over the country blessed the effort with financial gifts for direct aid.

As their resources arrived on the East Coast, their staff met and organized an immediate distribution with a network of churches representing the hardest hit, under-resourced areas on the eastern shore of New Jersey. Mobilizing scores of college age students, first on the list to receive aid were hundreds of elderly, trapped in the dark for several powerless days in their high-rise apartments. Households with small children were next, most of them down to the last of their food and diaper supplies. There was no electricity, no gas, no internet, and very few stores open. And those stores who managed to operate, accepted "cash only," but people had no cash on hand.

With a 'boil water order' but no electricity, the water distributed through the convoy was a welcome sight and bolstered hope. Other teams arrived to expand the impact and engaged relief and recovery efforts focused in one of the hardest hit areas of Queens, providing food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, and other daily essentials to those who were in their third week without any help.

Relief team members also served alongside New York Dream Center staff and volunteers to assist with cleanup which included shoveling sand, removing drywall, insulation, and flooring in flooded units and removal of debris and damaged goods from homes. Other places where assessment, coordination, and recovery occurred included Staten Island, Manhattan (lower and midtown), and Brick, NJ.

It will be years before many people get back to life like it was pre-Superstorm Sandy. What is most obvious, however, is how Christ followers, regardless of denomination, economic status, or skin color joined hearts and effort to be the most visible factor to share the hope of Christ in tangible ways.

Woodlands Church/Kerry Shook Ministries has forged life-long friendships and connections that God will use for many years to come.

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