When the four managing principals of Engaging Solutions, an Indianapolis-based consultant firm, set off for a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation in a tropical paradise, they had no idea what would be awaiting them.
“It was absolutely beautiful,” said principal Debra Simmons Wilson of their destination, St. Martin. “Sunshine, blue skies … that was one of the reasons we selected it.”
It was the group’s second time going there for their partners’ retreat, an annual outing when the four managing principals and a few friends or family members go away to discuss strategies and succession planning and, as principal Venita Moore put it, “reflect on God’s plan for (us).”
After landing on Sept. 1, they all enjoyed the typical trappings of island life: a luxe lap pool, walks on the beach and gorgeous scenery. It didn’t take long for the mood to become somber as they learned a serious hurricane, Irma, was on its way.
Irma, which has now been downgraded to a tropical depression, is currently making its way north, passing through the southern part of the United States after leaving an unprecedented path of destruction in its wake. Many Caribbean islands have been left unrecognizable, and the death toll continues to rise.
Recognizing what was headed their way, the group started weighing their options, including flying home early to avoid Irma. It soon became apparent that their best option, at least immediately, would be to weather the storm.
“We went to bed Tuesday night (Sept. 6) knowing that a Category 4 hurricane was going to hit,” said Simmons Wilson. “We were able to gather information, not a whole lot, as we started to experience some communication loss in the home, as well.” Early the next morning, they learned the storm had been upgraded to a Category 5. “(The storm) was beating up the house that we were in,” said Simmons Wilson. “We just tried to stay away from the windows as much as possible. But imagine being in a wind tunnel, there was a point when I said to Tammy (Butler Robinson), ‘Can you hear anything? My ears are popping.’ So there was so much power outside, creating these wind tunnels in the house that it was like flying on an airplane when you’re going into the mountains,” she said. “I don’t think anyone had any idea of the intensity.”
When they relocated to a second home in the mountains and away from the beach, the weather increased in severity, making most of the house uninhabitable due to noise levels and potential injury. Parts of the roof could be heard peeling back and palm trees, spinning in the wind like twigs, beat upon the exterior of the house mercilessly. They all hunkered down in a bathroom suite. Across the street in another home, principal Charles Johnson III and his wife sheltered in a closet.
“I was in that bathroom initially by myself, and I ended up FaceTiming with my dad because I had gone through Hurricane Hugo in Charleston,” said Butler Robinson. “And you know we’re just like, ‘OK, what are you seeing on TV? What’s happening?’ He stayed on the phone with me talking and praying and giving me what he was seeing on the news.”
Through the tempest, faith become their anchor.
“All I can think of is when Jesus spoke to the wind and said, ‘Peace be still.’ And I think that was the first thing that I even posted on Facebook that night when I had connectivity. ‘Peace be still, hashtag Irma,’” said Butler Robinson. “And I just kind of kept saying that throughout the evening and into the morning. … So I think it is one of those times when you feel so vulnerable, and you know that God is in control of all things including the wind and the rain and the hurricane.”
Each of the women who spoke with the Recorder noted that though the situation was at times frightening, their hope outshined negative thoughts.
“I didn’t fear that we wouldn’t get away, but I feared … ‘What if I’m not there to take care of mama or be the big sister?” said Simmons Wilson. A late-night phone call from her sister asking to pray with her reminded Simmons Wilson there was nothing to be afraid of.
“Any time where we had a higher peak of vulnerability … somebody told a joke, or we heard something on the news or we had a good meal or an email or a text came through that was encouraging,” she said.
Moore added: “When we were going through, I tried to play like this is not bothering me. I told my husband, ‘Don’t talk; I don’t want to hear what could possibly happen.’ One of our guests pointed out that in the last three days, we had moved to three luxury homes. And I thought, God is so good. We moved from a place we enjoyed for the first three days; it was on the beach, it had a lap pool, we walked the beach. Then we moved to a mountain, which we thought was the safest place to be, and we were all huddled in one bathroom and Charles and his wife were in a closet. Then He moved us to a home that was in the middle (of the island), and He said, ‘I’m gonna give you water, I’m gonna give you light, and I’m gonna give you an opportunity to bond with one another.’”
Throughout their journey, the group experienced moments of limited communication with the outside world, ran low on supplies and even used water from the swimming pool to flush the toilets when the plumbing malfunctioned. In time, it became clear that this was a test of their love and commitment to God and to each other. Moore shared that a few years ago, a board member mentioned to the executives that though their business was poised to be very successful, they needed to work on their marriage with one another.
“We were on that island from Friday to Monday in good condition. From Tuesday to when we left on Sunday, we were in conditions that were beyond imagination, but … we stayed together. We recognized that we had to make sure we had enough food for one another and supported one another,” said Moore. “What better way to work on your marriage than for God to say, ‘I can do all these things to you and let me see what you can do for each other.’”
Beyond staying strong for themselves, the group looked for ways to help those around them. Though their material possessions were limited, they had access to two SUVs that they used to give rides to local residents in need, including an elderly man on his way to the only operable grocery store and a married couple who’d lost everything and were on their way to find help on the opposite side of the island.
“Even though we ourselves were in need of help, we kept trying to figure out how to help others,” said Butler Robinson.
Meanwhile, stateside, a delegation of people including civic leaders, politicians, family and friends were working diligently to get them home.
“I think we need to acknowledge that there were a lot of people working on our behalf, and we don’t even know who everybody was,” said Simmons Wilson.
City-County Council President Maggie A. Lewis was among that group.
“On a professional note, Engaging Solutions is a part of our city’s fabric. I felt it was my responsibility to jump in and help as much as I could,” said Lewis. “On a personal note, I was being the type of friend to them that they have always been to me.”
After a couple failed attempts at escape, the group boarded a military plane on Sunday headed back to Indianapolis. Moore shared that though they are all blessed to be safe, her thoughts and prayers remain with the people who are not so fortunate.
“When I looked at TV when I got home, I saw all this devastation… and then I thought about St. Thomas where those people of color have nothing. … I think about what is happening to these countries where they have no strength, no power,” she said. “While I recognize that we have been through hell and parts of our country have been through hell, there is nothing that can compare to those who have nothing and no one, and it will take them twice as long to become at least halfway operational. That’s the concern I have.”
Local firm survives Hurricane Irma
