Day 1

Our Mission Team met with Marisa, the volunteer coordinator for Bergen County VOC. She informed us of how Superstorm Sandy impacted northern New Jersey--the storm surge came up the rivers, almost like a tsunami. Some places had major destruction, while others were almost untouched. Now in the post-Sandy time, many volunteers are helping out along the Jersey shore, but in northern NJ, only a relative handful are helping.  So she expressed gratitude that we were willing to come to help those who have been often overlooked.
The job site to which we were assigned was a trailer in a mobile home park just across from Teeterboro Airport.  The owner, Gary, explained to us that his trailer had about 18 inches of water in it. He has been waiting for 19 months for repairs, though he had already had the trailer lifted about 3 feet to the recommended height for future flooding.
We had two assignments: clean out the interior and remove the roofing. As the roofing was being removed it became clear that the entire roof was in need of being replaced, so much of our day was spent taking out everything above the walls.
At the end of the day, we gathered as we do every evening for vespers: a quiet time to reflect on the day. Then a good night's rest in preparation for our second day.

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