Bahama Mission
March 1999
The activities of the past month have been an exercise in patience and the
thrill of seeing the answer to so many prayers. We have already flown the
new aircraft more than 35 hours, and it is proving to be a great asset to
the work. We are still using the back-up hand held GPS (Global Positioning
System)for navigation, and hope that we will soon have the funds to install
a primary unit. This is so important to safety in flying across large
expanses of ocean.
We are so deeply appreciative of the many contributions that have been
given to pay back the loan made by the Gulf Coast Elders for the purchase
of the Cherokee Six. We are hopeful that by June the first, we will have
this accomplished. There are more touching stories of sacrifice in this
endeavor than we can at this time relate. We do want to mention that we
have already received contributions from two of the small mission
congregations in the Bahamas. I spoke recently in Rock Sound Eleuthera, and
they gave me a check for $200, and the Church in Marsh Harbour, Abaco is
giving $1000. This is true sacrifice as they struggle just to continue
their work. There is great joy and excitement in sharing.
There are many bright spots in the lives of individuals and congregations
this month. The 16th Annual Commonwealth of the Bahamas Lectureship was the
best ever. The Theme was, "Praying always with all prayers and
supplication", Ephesians 6:18. Brother William Miller did an outstanding
job of directing, and the lessons, prayer periods and fellowship were a
spiritual high. I am so thrilled at the dedication, determination and
talent of so many of the Bahamian Christians.
The Mission Meeting for San Salvador Island was held on Saturday morning.
Plans are underway to lease an old school building, plan for some cheaper
accommodations, and secure the donation of a good, older car for shipment
to the Island. All of these things will provide some permanence to our
efforts, and greatly reduce the expense of starting a new congregation. The
last baptism there was an 80 year old man who for many years was a deacon
in the Anglican church.
Gelena Wells of Cat Island went home to her reward this past week. She was
according to the best estimates, 107 years old. We will miss this old
friend. It was sad this week to pass the little thatch hut where she was
born and lived and not stop for a visit and prayer.
Michelle Clark in Nassau is a great inspiration to us all. She is a
Registered Nurse who has been struck down by a serious malady. She was
converted in 1985 and was one of my students in the Harding School of
Biblical Studies. She moves slowly with the help of a cane, but continues
to teach others, and prays that God will use her mightily in His service.
We have had a number of visitors to the Islands this month. Ellis Crum of
song book fame was back with his wife again this year. They are doing well
even after an automobile accident after they were here last year. Todd
Brunner will be coming to Abaco in June to preach for the Summer. Jack and
Donna Steward will return to Texas later this month. All of these make
great contributions to the work.
We had opportunity to visit in Clewiston and Ft. Myers, and Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida this past few weeks and will be leaving for Texas to visit with
many of you about the middle of May.
We continue to hand out Bibles in the Schools, and conduct clinics in
various places. We have now shared all of the Bibles given by the Church in
Auburn, Alabama. Song Books from Crockett, Texas have been delivered to Cat
and Long Island. We still buy Testaments for distribution all over the
Islands. Here is letter from a class in a school where we studied and gave
Bibles. "Dear Brother Caskey, We the students of grade four at the Old
Bight Primary School on Cat Island thank you very kindly for the Bibles you
have given to us. We really appreciate and enjoy reading them daily. Now
every one have their own Bible. Thanks very much. God Bless you. from All
the students Grade 4." Then it was signed by each student. These young
people are the hope of the Church of tomorrow!
Stephen and Delina Caldwell spent most of a fast week with us. Steve is one
of the ministers at Gulf Coast, and works daily behind the scenes to keep
our work running smoothly. Delina spoke to a group of children and ladies
in Abaco, and Steve spoke to the congregation in Long Island on Wednesday
night. Dinah and I will be back in Long Island this week-end to share in
the first anniversary of being in the building.
Dinah and I are often frustrated trying in a short time to show those who
come to visit the Islands a cross section of the work. The day to day and
week to week activities are so scattered and so varied that it is not
possible to see everything in a week or so. This often leaves our visitors
exhausted. My brother in law says that going with us is like a Chinese fire
drill.
Bahama Mission has come to the electronic age.
We have e-mail-
flyingpreacher@mindspring.com
Web Page
http://www.mindspring.com/~flyingpreacher/
The web page will tell you more about our work and we have a couple of
monthly reports. We are thankful to our friend Jerry Pickup in Palm Beach
Gardens, Florida for doing the Web Page.
Thank you for your support and prayers. Checks can be written to Bahama
Mission Church of Christ and sent:
Attn: David Caskey Missions
Gulf Coast
Church of Christ
3825 McGregor Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901
David Caskey
