Hershey Free Curch Last Weekend

“As soon as we pulled up, people from the congregation all came together.  We were serving like one church, not two separate churches.  They were so kind and appreciative and some of the nicest people.  They were eager to help.  There was a bond and connection with them as we were working to serve and share the Gospel together during tough times in the city,“ remarked Erica Hunter.  Erica was serving with a team of 24 who arrived Saturday morning from the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, PA in response to the needs of the Hoboken Evangelical Free Church in New Jersey and the surrounding community. 

First, they unpacked Hershey’s trailer stuffed full of donated blankets, coats, and children’s clothing.  Due to flooding in the church basement, drywall, cabinets, appliances, and flooring needed to be removed and carried out to the street.  The fellowship hall was in the basement with a kitchen and bathrooms. Hershey EFC donated $4,000 to the church to help with the costs of reconstruction. 

Part of the group grilled hot dogs and set up hot chocolate and beverages for the block party along with donated baked goods, sent with love, from people in the Hershey area.  Hershey and HEFC teamed up to bring boxes of hot dogs and beverages house to house to those working hauling drywall and belongings to the street.  They were able to make connections, discover needs, and pray with people.

Games and face painting were set up across the street as a treat for the children in the neighborhood.  Jen Gautier of the Hoboken EFC thanked the team noting, “We are so grateful to your team.  They really lifted spirits in the community.  Families from the school where I work who came by Saturday said their kids loved the games and the face painting.  They were so touched that people cared enough to give up their Saturday and drive so far to minister to them.  Please let them know that people are seeing the light of Christ in what they do.”

Pastor Paul of Hoboken EFC expressed that he was on an emotional roller coaster.  First his heart was broken seeing the big piles of things by the side of the church.  Then he looked at the ministry happening as people talked and prayed together, and he felt like singing.

Another team of seven from Hershey EFC went to Montgomery Free Church in Belle Mead, New Jersey where they were joined by Cornerstone EFC of Easton, PA to cut up trees that had fallen.

A team of ten from Hershey Free went to Totenville EFC, a small church in Staten Island, NY and handed out flyers inviting neighbors to a sharing time at the church.  Families responded telling the church of their needs.  The church will have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus reaching out to those hurting around them.

Another team of five from Hershey EFC handed out hot dogs and then spent the better part of the day gutting houses in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.  One homeowner, Ellie, conveyed, “I feel like I’m helping other people.  I don’t feel like this is mine. ... It’s overwhelming.  I have to start all over again.”  Her one daughter and grandchildren joined in the task of pulling out drywall, cabinets, bathroom fixtures, furniture, and flooring from her home that had been flooded.  She has lived here since 1963, and this is the home where she raised her children.  Chrissy Spears from Hershey worked with Ellie’s daughter who shared stories from each room they worked in.  Chrissy remarked that Ellie’s emotions went in waves.  She would struggle with thoughts, be okay, and then wonder if something could be saved.   It was about more than physical loss.  Each item was connected to a memory.  Chrissy was struck by how total the destruction was in this area.  The news had not done it justice.  Chrissy explained, “It could have just as easily been us.”  She added, “You can’t change the path of the storm, but you can change how it looks in their lives by coming alongside them and encouraging them.”  Chrissy has seen the difference in her own life that people have made by coming alongside of her. 

Much help will be needed in the months ahead.  Pile after pile of belongings, drywall, and insulation line the streets.  Some people are devastated.  Others are thankful just to be alive.  Gratitude is shared by all to those who offer help.  This is an opportunity for the church to be the church.