the day before and the day after...

As most of you know, we lived through our first hurricane last night.  Posted are some photos of the day before the storm (the sunset...taken from our front yard) and some photos and video of this morning as we attempt do som clean up from the storm.  Thankfully, there was no major damage to our home, we now have our power back, and it looks like our island and church building fared well.  For those of you that prayed, thank you.  Of course, our Bahamian friends act like this is no big deal!

Going through this last night reminds me of God's promises all throughout scripture, particularly the Psalms, to protect His children.  The fact that we were inside our home with canned goods and bottled water, protected by windows, a roof and walls, gives us a vivid illustration of God's protection over us in the midst storms that come in and out in our lives.  Some, like this one, come in and out quickly.  Others beat down for extended periods and can tend to ravage our souls.  In all of them, God's promises are true for His redeemed!

Psalm 18:2 - "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear..."

Psalm 62:5-7 - "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my might Rock, my refuge is from God."

Thank you for praying for us!

The night before the storm. These photos were taken from our front yard...

 

 

 

Today, the day after.  Pictures of our backyard (only minor damage).  The bamboo roof blew off our back porch and lots of branches down.  God knew what trees to plant on a tropical island where storms come in and out!  It is amazing what these trees are able to withstand.  The trees in PA wouldn't last long!

 

 

 

Brief video of clean-up.