Pastor Chris Berner and his wife, Andrea, live in Abaco, Bahamas, where they pastor a multicultural church. They personally experienced the terror and devastation of Hurricane Dorian but have chosen to remain on the island to pastor and serve their community. In the year ahead, CAMA will partner with the Berners as they lead recovery efforts, specifically in the town of Marsh Harbour.
The following is a report from Pastor Chris.
It was September 1, 2019. Fierce winds howled at 225 miles per hour, ripping buildings off their foundations. Relentless rain poured in through the roofs of homes where plywood has been ripped off. Water as high as 20 feet surged through towns, washing away everything in its path. Numerous tornadoes whipped through, leveling homes and businesses.
The terror hammered Marsh Harbour and surrounding communities for hours upon hours. People were washed out of their homes. An elderly couple clung to a palm tree, while others clung to power wires. Many swam from house to house looking for safety. Countless lives were lost.
The Aftermath
Every structure on the island of Abaco was impacted by Hurricane Dorian—the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the Bahamas. The loss and destruction pushed 95 percent of inhabitants off the island. Residents left dazed, choosing to head to other islands, the United States, or Canada.
They lost their property, cars, clothes, and nearly everything they owned. Relationships were torn apart as friends were separated by countries, not knowing when they would see each other again.
It was a month after the hurricane when a few people who had minimal damage to their homes returned home. There was still no electricity or running water, and looting was still a major concern. Yet roads began to clear, and there was a glimmer of hope.
Nine weeks in, a grocery store and gas station opened. People began saying, “Maybe Abaco will recover from this.”
By January 2020, a few thousand people had returned. Electricity was restored in a few key areas, and some neighborhoods had running water. It was something.
Six Months Later
Six months later, people on Abaco are struggling physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Day-to-day life continues to be hard.
Most are still without electricity and running water, which impacts cooking, bathing, and, yes, even using the bathroom. Debris is still scattered about, and only one make-shift elementary school is functioning. Loss is evident, and many grieve their family and friends who have yet to return.
Yet God is working, and progress is being made. Many believers have come to Abaco to help. And so, in the face of all the problems, there is praise. God is renewing our community physically and spiritually. We are seeing people in church who never came before—people who were invited many times. Hope in God is being restored, as we had a profound lesson on what really matters in life.
Work Teams Needed
There is still much more work to be done. Of course, there are various physical tasks to be done—from home rebuilds to cleaning up debris in yards. But our church also wants to show children the love of Jesus and give moms and dads encouragement and a listening ear. We also want to help distribution centers as they need extra volunteers.
The reality is that anyone can help in meaningful and significant ways to bring healing to broken people here in Abaco. Could you step in and volunteer this year? Maybe God is leading you to go or lead a work team from your Alliance church. Would you invest a few days to change lives? You may not think you have much to offer, but even your little bit can impact lives in a big way.
A tragedy of this magnitude requires a monumental response! And you can make a difference.
If you are part of an Alliance church and would like to volunteer or send a work team, please contact Chris Berner at [email protected]. More details can be find on the CAMA website.