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Samaritan’s Purse Continues Work in the Devastated Bahamas

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October 20, 2019 – FROM DISTRIBUTING CRITICALLY NEEDED EMERGENCY ITEMS TO PROVIDING CLEAN WATER TO CARING FOR INJURED AND SICK PATIENTS, OUR TEAMS ARE SERVING IN JESUS’ NAME.

Roland counted 15 dead bodies floating in the water the day after Hurricane Dorian finally released the Abaco Islands from its deadly grip. The storm completely flattened every home in Roland’s neighbourhood.

“Nothing is here. I have no place to live. I have no job,” he said.

From Samaritan’s Purse website

The restaurant where Roland worked is gone. The church where he leads Bible study and sometimes preaches is barely standing.

During the storm, Roland and his family took shelter at the church along with about 300 other people. But when the roof started ripping off and the water was almost waist high, they knew they were in trouble.

While the eye of the hurricane passed over, Roland and the group at the church fled to a nearby government building. If they had not relocated to a safer structure, Roland can’t bear to think of the likely outcome.

“God saved us. Only God saved us,” he said. “Some church members died because they didn’t evacuate. Some members, we don’t even know where they are.”

Samaritan’s Purse provided Roland and the church, which is a community distribution centre, with emergency relief items including hygiene kits, tarp, and solar lights. “Thank you for everything you do for us,” Roland said. “It’s a blessing.”

Ongoing Commitment

Samaritan’s Purse continues to serve families in the Bahamas more than one month after the Category 5 storm devastated the islands.

Our DC-8 cargo plane recently made its 18th trip to the Bahamas, having now delivered a total of 360 tonnes of critically needed emergency relief supplies. We are distributing heavy-duty shelter material (tarp), hygiene kits, kitchen kits, generators, blankets, jerry cans, and solar lights. We have also supplied more than 400,000 litres of clean water.

In addition to ongoing distributions from our base at Marsh Harbour in the Abacos, we are transporting emergency relief items by helicopter to numerous remote communities.

From Samaritan’s Purse website

Recently, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers began working on Man-O-War Cay, one of the hardest-hit areas on the Abacos. Volunteers are covering roofs, clearing debris, and doing mud-outs at flooded homes.

Our Emergency Field Hospital also remains up and running in Freeport as our team of medical specialists provides quality treatment, including surgical care, for patients in desperate need. To date, we have seen more than 5,200 patients since the hospital opened on 10 Sept.

Clean Water for Hurricane Survivors

About one hour from Marsh Harbour is Coopers Town, where our team has set up a desalination unit for a community that had already been weeks without clean water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and washing clothes.

“We can’t do without the water. We need water for everything,” said Adella, who came to our water site several times to fill up jerry cans.

Adella rode out Hurricane Dorian at a friend’s house and they thought the terror would never cease. “The ceiling started to cave in, walls were coming apart, sheetrock was falling. The storm kept going and going and going,” she said.

On Grand Bahama Island, which lies 80-plus miles west of the Abacos, Ken Barr-Smith also hunkered down at home. As mayor of West End, the island’s capital, he didn’t want to leave behind elderly residents who weren’t able to evacuate. “I was so afraid,” Ken said. “We didn’t realise what the magnitude of the storm would be.”

Ken is grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for providing water and bringing hope to his hometown. “This is a really big help. We really appreciate it.”

Samaritan’s Purse set up our clean water tap stands on the grounds of a local medical clinic in West End. The tap stands not only serve residents, but also allowed the clinic to operate in the storm’s immediate aftermath.

“West End is a close community. I get to know patients personally,” said Dr. Alicia Genuino.

Dr. Alicia explained that many in West End were still trying to recover from Hurricane Matthew three years ago when Dorian knocked them down again. She said receiving water from Samaritan’s Purse is a huge encouragement to this struggling community.

Hospital Patients Trust God

After Freeport’s main hospital was damaged during the hurricane, we airlifted our Emergency Field Hospital at the request of the World Health Organisation and the Bahamas government.

A stroke brought Zek, a local pastor, to our hospital by ambulance as he was unable to speak or to walk. Our medical team ran tests, provided medication, and worked with Zek and his wife Judy to figure out the next steps for his recovery.

NOW ON CABLE BAHAMAS IN THE BAHAMAS

Judy explained that only the week before they had been fighting for their lives during Hurricane Dorian. The couple, along with family members and neighbours, tried to escape from their neighbourhood in the church bus.

“The water was so high the bus was starting to float, so we went to a shelter and spent the night on the second floor. It was a long, long night.”

When they returned home, Judy realised they were facing a long road of recovery. “No one was safe,” she said. “All the houses in our neighbourhood were damaged. My appliances were floating in the water.”

But they aren’t giving up. Judy is trusting God that Zek will recover and one day be able to preach again and to hold their newborn granddaughter.

Carla, another patient, also arrived not long after our hospital opened. Carla had stepped on a nail and her toe and foot were infected to the point that she not only needed antibiotics, but also several surgeries. “The nurses and doctors are amazing. They prayed with me and comforted me. They encourage you in the Lord,” Carla said.

Carla arrived at the hospital so dehydrated that our teams had to administer an IV before they could do surgery. She had been without food or water for about two days while she was trapped in her home during the hurricane.

Carla is grateful to God for saving her life and meeting her physical and spiritual needs at the Samaritan’s Purse hospital.

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“Faith in Christ makes us strong,” she said. “You get through by the grace of God.”

To DONATE to Samaritan’s Purse:  https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/article/samaritans-purse-continues-work-in-the-devastated-bahamas/#donate

SOURCE:  SAMARITAN’S PURSE

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Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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