News From Man O War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas 9-13-19

Michael Albury 
Location: Man O War Cay, Abaco
Dorian, an update from Man O War

Man O War, my island home. Where my great grandfather would have walked along the shore with his grandfather. A shore line that had evolved into what it was 2 weeks ago.

For those of you that have seen pictures of the man of war Harbor it is Clear many of those generational changes have been wiped out.
As many have said it is time for a new beginning.

Why do men do what they do. How does an island, a group of men and women sitting on a rock, in the middle of the sea attract the bountiful love of God and man.
I continue to cry as I am overwhelmed, totally overwhelmed.

The 1st wave of support hit the beaches just days after the hurricane. Our brothers from Spanish Wells and others arrived in full force. Food water diesel gas and heavy equipment and the muscle to know how to use it. Helping to drag us from the rubble and spark us into action. Clearing the roads and making passages to the shoreline. Aiding our own freight company to spring back to life.
Sharing in our tears and giving us words of encouragement. May God bless you.

The 2nd wave hit the island about 3 days ago. Many of you are part of that 2nd wave the giant barge from Fort Pierce. We are still unpacking. Opening containers reminds me of Christmas. Many items that we dream of getting and are extremely useful. Other items make you laugh out loud and get put aside for shipment on to Marsh Harbor and other islands. (Ie. 1000 toothbrushes, or what looks like a million home depot buckets or pallets and pallets of baby diapers (we have one baby on island). Or how about cases of Depends. Could have used them during the storm. Other islands will be screaming for some of these products and they are staged for transportation to them as soon as possible. But then the good stuff the very good stuff, batteries flashlights generators, chainsaws, plywood stripping 2×4, tarpaulins and the list goes on and on, food water fuel and VERY IMPORTANT, equipment. The ability to pick up and move large heavy objects increased the productivity of our work teams tremendously
Items purchased by people who love us and who, with little time, thought desperately about what we could use and absolutely needed. Well just let me say, you did good, so so good.

Before during and after the tsunami waves of help came constant ripples by air from MFI and a hundred others. Much needed medicine and medical supplies. Doctors nurses and emergency response personnel all dropped from the sky, taking out the injured sick and shell shocked as well as mothers with small children the pregnant and elderly. (We are now a stable work force of about 100 men and women, with a revolving number of second homeowners). Much of the airlift arrived as if by magic. I had never commanded a fleet of helicopters before, and never want to do it again.

With your help we are now ok! We have abundant food water medicine health care, tools and some building material. Many more waves will have to hit our shore before we return to the glory days of pre hurricane But I feel I can see them on the horizon, HELP coming from everywhere and everyone. I will update as waves actually hit the shore. (Don’t want to spoil the surprise).

Will end first post now. Generator out of fuel, no problem food is cold and sun soon come, time for work. We have much of it to do and we will do it. With Gods help and the help of a loving family (I have a MUCH wider definition than most), we will be better than ever.

From the bottom of our hearts, WE LOVE YOU and God bless us all.

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