It's been eight months since Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey and New York, and to this day families are still displaced, house foundations still need to be rebuilt, and the community needs just as much help now as they did eight months ago. 

It's in our human nature to be first responders.  Don't get me wrong, that is necessary when disasters hit...but what about eight months down the road when the news of Hurricane Sandy is looked over but there is still a community crying out for help and hope to put their lives back together from the devastation that happened eight months ago?

Our week in Staten Island, NY, was spent doing just that: being the help and hope that specific communities needed to help put their lives back together from the devastation that took place in October.  Our work ranged from demolition to putting up dry wall, to redoing classrooms at a synagogue, and to planting a garden for one of our homeowners to make her house feel a little more like home. 

Our work in New York opened my eyes to the needs that are still present. It reminded me that regardless of the fact that Sandy hit eight months ago, the need for responders is still there. No amount of time can heal all the wounds that came from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, but what can help heal the wounds are individuals willing to step up, eight months later, and be the hands and feet of Christ to help our brothers and sisters when they still need it most.