Their Stories

It is heartbreaking to hear what happened here. Not just overall, but individual stories about what people went through. 

For example, I spoke with one lady yesterday who was in her home during the hurricane. A boat came crashing through her wall. Before she knew it, she was in water up to her neck, holding on to debris for dear life. When the eye of the storm came over, there was enough of a break for her to get to higher ground for the rest of the storm. She was trapped for several days until the water subsided. Her home was completely destroyed along with all her possessions. She owns a store in town (a store where I have often shopped), the store was reduced to rubble and all her inventory destroyed. Her car was destroyed and even her boat. Her whole life is gone, and she is now staying with relatives while figuring out what to do. 

What is shocking is that this is not an isolated case. Everyone you meet here has a similar story. Pictured is my friend Samantha showing me where her family survived during the hurricane. Her house was flooded so they went to a neighbor’s house on higher ground. The roof started breaking apart and windows were blowing out. The whole house was filled with saltwater spray and flying debris. Her husband lowered everyone down an outside wall to the ground, they crawled under the deck and into a storage area in the foundation where they had to physically hold the door shut. Just after the last person was through, the deck came crashing down. Several family members, about twelve, rode out the storm in this storage space for three days. 

It is a blessing to serve these people. I wish I had more time, more energy, more resources to give. Right now I have a hammer and some shingles, so my team will continue to work on roofs. Please pray for the Abacos while these people rebuild their lives.