Abaco: Rebuilding. Connecting. Worshipping. Samantha and Billy Wilson (Lutheran Church of Hope – Ankeny) deliver the must-read first Lutheran Church of Hope – Ankeny IMPACT team blog! Follow their action-packed weekend: powerful local church, meaningful food distributions, diving into home repair projects, and a rewarding day helping kids with reading and math at Central Abaco Primary School. Read their story now!
We were told to not set expectations and be ready for anything. The first two days in Abaco didn’t disappoint. We traveled with a group of sixteen individuals from Lutheran Church of Hope in Ankeny, Iowa and though our flights didn’t go as planned, we were reminded that God is in control and puts us where we need to be when we need to be there.
After landing in Abaco, we hit the ground running starting with a moving church service at Kirk of the Pines and then distributing food and water to individuals in need.
After splitting into two teams, we met with four families who warmly invited eight jet-lagged strangers into their home to share stories of life, loss and celebration. We heard about the destruction of Hurricane Dorian and of the extensive damage it created while it sat over Abaco for roughly three days. Some shared of loved ones who lost their lives, the destruction of homes, and how many lost everything. It was clear that their faith sustained them, providing an impactful testimony that with hope in God, we are able to endure great feats. They showed that through Him, resilience, love, and joy endures.
The following day, we split into three groups; two serving through rebuilding the homes that were damaged nearly six years ago and the other group spent part of the day at the elementary school, supporting student learning and connecting with the kids.
After lunch, the groups rejoined to finish the construction projects that were started that morning.
Team building and immersion into this vibrant community left us all humbled and grateful, forming relationships that we can cherish and take back to our church and hometown.
A quote that resonated with us from an Abaconian,
“With Christ as your vessel, we can weather any storm."
This exemplifies the attitude of this island. Left to rebuild without support after being hit by three days of a massive hurricane and tornadoes, then cut off from the world due to Covid, and forgotten by a new natural disaster somewhere else, they continue to endure through community and faith.
– Samantha and Billy Wilson
