Mission assists community that’s still recovering from hurricane

July 22, 2017

The recovery from 2012’s Hurricane Sandy has been slow for some in New Jersey, especially the underprivileged. Misión Nueva Vida has worked since 2015 to help those in the Metropolitan Mobile Home Park (Metropark) in Moonachie, where floodwaters continue to damage the homes of mostly Hispanic-Latino immigrant families, and a lack of money is rampant. Three trailers have been repaired and raised, and a fourth will soon be completed.

The mission is largely supported by First Presbyterian Church of Moonachie, with help from the First Presbyterian Churches of Hackensack and Ridgefield Park and the Presbytery of the Palisades’ Latino Ministries, as well as grants.

“It’s challenging to see how these families struggle to separate time out of their daily jobs to repair their homes,” said mission leader Guillermo López-Acosta. “They work two or three underpaid jobs to meet their basic needs.”

Mission volunteers are gaining an understanding of the community’s challenges and hectic schedules. “This is more than a social or fixing endeavor,” López-Acosta said. “It is reviving in them the hope that there are still people out there who care for them. That is what Jesus taught us to do.”

Nueva Vida holds Bible studies on Thursday evenings on the second floor of Metropark’s community recreation room. The first session is for children and youth with prayer, snacks and games; the latter session is for adults who often work late. Many of the families are Catholic or Pentecostal, but they are bonded by their faith in Jesus.

“The seeds for a NWC [New Worshiping Community] are planted,” López-Acosta said. “Growth is slow, but with good fertilizer of much love and patience, we hope a strong plant will bloom soon for the glory of God.”

 Veronica Ditko, Senior Administrative Assistant, Presbytery of the Palisades

Today’s Focus:  Hurricane Sandy community still recovering

Let us join in prayer for:

CRE Guillermo López-Acosta, leader, Misión Nueva Vida
CRE and CE Patricia Pastás, Latino Ministries, Presbytery of the Palisades
Rev. Samuel Weddington, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Moonachie

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Alonzo Johnson, PMA                                                                                    
Kirstie Johnson, PMA   

Let us pray:

You have commanded us to love our neighbors, Lord. Soften our hearts and strengthen our resolve so we may do your will. Amen.

Daily Readings

Morning Psalms 104; 149
First Reading 1 Samuel 22:1-23
Second Reading Acts 13:26-43
Gospel Reading Mark 3:19b-35
Evening Psalms 138; 98