Bahama Mission
January 1999
The activities of the past month have been overshadowed by the plane crash
on Rum Cay. Our prayers for safety were answered in that Frank and Bea
Sarver and I were not killed or injured. Facing a near death experience put
all of life in proper perspective. Plans and schedules fade from the realm
of urgency. During the past fifteen years of flying in the Islands, we have
been aware of the possibility of such an event. Our trust has been in God,
that he would protect us as we sought to do His will. Our prayers and yours
have been answered. We had just finished sharing Bible Studies in the
School with the students and teachers, and with a number of people on the
Island. We were expected for lunch in Long Island with plans for a service
there that night. We will conclude this report with a copy of the crash
report to the National Transportation Safety Board and the Bahamas Civil
Aviation Administration.
We began the month by shipping a ton of Bibles, Testaments, Song Books,
Bible Studies and Bible Class Materials to two locations in the Bahamas for
distribution to the various Churches, and to use in the schools. We also
shipped a donated 1980 model station wagon to Cat Island to use in the
work.
A meeting was held in Long Island over two week-ends. Brother William
Miller preached in the first and I concluded the effort the next week. We
had good attendance, and were most impressed with the attendance of a new
school teacher on the Island. We have great hopes for her.
Frank and Bea Sarver returned to Marsh Harbour for the seventh year to do
personal work and this year to preach for the congregation. They continue
to be a great influence for the Cause of Christ in the Islands. They have
conducted dozens of studies, and are loved by the people of the Islands.
Brother Miller stated recently that he wished we could have at least a
dozen more like them to help in various places.
Jack and Donna Steward also returned this month. They have a plane and have
spent time working in the Islands each year for about 15 years. Jack flew
me back to Florida after the crash. They are doing a "His Needs/Her Needs"
program in Marsh Harbour with a number of couples. They are also Field
Representatives for the Sunset International Tape School program. They have
gotten tapes into all of the congregations. This year they brought a
student from the school to visit and to consider moving to the Islands
after graduation. I was very favorably impressed with Todd Brunner.
Cleo and Judy Tarver came for a little more than two weeks and flew with
Dinah and me to the various Churches and schools. (Judy is my sister). They
were with us on the next to the last trip to Rum Cay, and were a part of
the meeting in Long Island.
We did some manual labor in repairing the front doors to the building in
Abaco. We saved about $600 over replacement cost. I had some great
assistance with Jack Steward, Todd Brunner, and Jason Quarshi, the youth
minister in Freeport. Bea Sarver supplied cookies and drinks while we
worked. The brethren there have been painting the trim on the building and
are considering building some additional class rooms.
There have been a number of baptisms throughout the Islands, and a new work
among the Creole speaking Haitians has gotten off to a great start in
Nassau. We have been deluged with calls from both Christians and
non-Christians in the Islands and a network of information spread within
hours of the crash. Lewis Key, a great friend from Marsh Harbour, made the
500 mile round trip to pick us up in Rum Cay and get us back to Abaco
Friday just before dark. When we got airborne out of Rum, he looked over
and said, "I would not do this for anyone else"! He makes his living with a
Charter service, but would only let me pay for the expenses of the trip. (A
saving of about $1000). We had a large delegation out to meet us on our
return to Abaco.
This is part of the report:
Rum Cay Bahamas, February 8, 1999, 12:00 noon. Weather good, Scattered
clouds, wind 120 at 10 knots, Take off on runway 13, (2300 feet compacted
coral-good condition) 10 degrees flaps, Load 3 souls, total 510 lbs., 17
gal. fuel, 30 lbs. luggage loaded between seats left side, and in left side
back seat; total 642 lbs. plus 15 lbs in luggage #1, in CG. Take off was
normal with climb to 50 feet. Experienced sudden wind shear with shift from
the left side, violent updraft with a feeling of twist, almost like a
whirlwind. The nose was jerked up and over to the right side, right wing
down. Airspeed before the fact was 80 mph. No indication of engine failure.
Tried to get nose down and to the left, houses to the right, power house
half way up the runway on the right, aircraft parked on right beyond
powerhouse. Aircraft went into a stall, got nose down some but not enough,
heard stall horn, controls mushy, saw large clump of sea grape, maneuvered
over the sea grapes, raised flaps, pulled nose up, let settle into the
bush. Landing was soft. When the prop hit the brush, the aircraft torqued
90 degrees to the left and came to a stop. The right door broke off at the
hinge pins and flew into the bush in front of the aircraft. There was
sudden stoppage of the engine. I turned off fuel, and power. Checked both
passengers, no one hurt. Help arrived, we got out of the plane, checked for
fuel leaks, unloaded aircraft, removed avionics, replaced door and secured
with seat belt. Damage to aircraft substantial on observation. Front nose
wheel severed, right wing and spar bent, cowling damage. No further
checking was done.
We are looking for a different plane and with the Lord's help will soon be
back on schedule. Dinah was for once glad to stay back and do the laundry,
and Bea Sarver replied when I asked if she was hurt, " No, and I will fly
with you again!" We continue to need your prayers. Checks for the work can
be made to Bahama Mission Church of Christ, and sent
Attn.: David Caskey-Missions
Gulf Coast Church of Christ
3825 McGregor Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Fl. 33901.
David Caskey
This page last updated April 15, 1999
