'Jacks Nathan Bain staying positive while family recovers from Dorian

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) -Nathan Bain is trying to focus on the daily grind of balancing class work and basketball practice all while checking in on his family back home in the Bahamas.

Dorian was a catagory 5 hurricane when it hit the Bahamas and stalled over the island. Prime Minister Hubert Minnis told CNN that the official death toll has risen to 30.

“There is not much you can do but hope and pray and try to get to the safest place possible," Bain said. "No one was prepared for the hurricane sitting on the island for so long. with hurricane force winds so strong just sitting in one spot. "

Bain’s family took a hard hit.The church his father runs suffered severe damage. The family also has a school and it took on significant damage.

“The church got hit really hard,” Bain said. “My house got hit really hard. We lost just about everything. We are still trying to stay positive because more important then the material things, everyone in our circle and immediate family and church family is safe.”

Bain’s extended family at SFA is doing their best to make sure he is emotionally okay.

“You have to out your arms around him and love on him as much as you can," head SFA basketball coach Kyle Keller said. "Three years ago, Nate had the chance to leave but he stayed. I told Nate ‘there is a reason why you are still here. You are still with us today to help you get through what you are going through.’”

Keller has been in contact with Bain’s father and is hoping the school can step up and put a donation drive together.

“That is what is great about East Texas,” Keller said. "The people help. We went down and helped with Harvey and last year our athletes helped with clean up in Alto with the tornadoes. Those people down in the Bahamas are devastated. The Bain’s and others need your help. We need people to show support because they are no more.”

And while he has cried and lost sleep over what his family is going through, Bain also smiles knowing people are sympathetic to what is happening back in the Bahamas.

“It’s not just, 'Ah dang. I am sorry that happened," Bain said. "They want to be active. They want to help. It shows they genuinely care. They want to get active and take initiative.”

The Bain family is starting to take donations to help out their church and members. They are asking for building supplies such as sheet rock, tiles, plywood, water, electrical plugs, sockets, eletrical switches and generators. They also need hygiene items and clothing that includes size 7 and 11 shoes and medium shirts. Donations can be made to Norris and Ashell Bain: 901 Northwest 1st Street 2007, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

Copyright 2019 KTRE. All rights reserved.