English Compass - bringing christian fellowship to korean americans

Thanksgiving in Far Rockaway

by Pastor Young Kyo Suh

In days following Hurricane Sandy, ACS and other community churches provided the victims with hot food, blankets and clothes. On Thanksgiving, churches in NYC came together to help the victims with a hot lunch and dinner.

Westchester Korean and Northern NY Korean were recruited to provide lunch and clean-up assistance. Westchester Korean arrived and quickly set up tables, and trays of food, which included mahn-doo and jap-chae. As Northern NY arrived, people were already lining up around the tables. The churches were divided into two groups; the first group helping to distribute the food, while the other group was sent out to a nearby beach with spade and buckets. The boardwalk and playground had been completely covered by sand, and the neighborhood children had little reason to spend outdoors. For 3 hours, members moved and piled sand, so that walkways were more accessible. With neighborhoods still unclear of debris, such as boats in front yards, and falling trees - this park was probably at the bottom of the city list.

Unfortunately, by sunset the playground was still half buried. With no power and no streetlamps, volunteers were asked to leave the park. As we were packing to leave, another church was arriving to prepare for dinner service. On the way back, kids said that they would like to participate in more of this kind of service. It was a very rewarding experience.