Bahama Mission
July 1999
JULY 1999
The Bahamas like most of the United States has been very hot over the past
few weeks. This is also the time of the year when many from the Islands
travel for vacation time. Those that can, make a trip to Miami to shop, and
others go to various Islands. The kids in the small family Islands can not
wait for School to be out so that they can visit relatives in Nassau or
Freeport. (Our two cities) The children in the cities want to go to the
laid back family Islands for their vacation. I guess that the grass is
always greener some where else.
Usually we expect a "summer slump", but this has not been true this year.
We have witnessed a surge in evangelistic fervor. We are so proud of the
congregations in the Bahamas in their commitment to evangelize the Islands.
14 went from the Southwestern congregation in Nassau over to Rock Sound,
Eleuthera to encourage the church there. Part of their trip was a Retreat ,
and much of their time was spent in prayer and study periods. They did
swell the numbers at worship periods. They stayed for two weeks. Jason
Small stayed on for another week and worked with Lincoln Young in some
Bible studies. They baptized Lester Carry. Lester is 28 years old and will
be a great asset to the Church. Lincoln said that they had a prayer circle
on the beach when he was baptized and several led prayers. Before they were
finished, Lester asked if he could lead a prayer also! They also had 5
visitors from Alabama. The group had planned to fly to Nassau to worship.
(90 miles away) They were delighted to find a congregation on the Island
where they were vacationing. We encourage those going to the Bahamas on
Vacation or business to check our web page for the section on Church
Contacts in the Bahamas. In September I plan to fly Lincoln up to Marsh
Harbour along with Franz to speak two Sundays. The plan is to get him on
Saturday and fly him back the following Monday. This will allow time with
one of the churches that help support him. Ellis and Norma Crum sent some
new medications to Lincoln that we are hopeful will help him gain some more
strength in his arms and legs. I am thankful to the many strong young men
who help him travel and allow him to be so effective.
The church in Marsh Harbour is really doing well. We have been having about
50 on Sunday mornings. I have been excited about some of our new converts
becoming so involved. Two of the men waited on the table and led the
prayers last week. Todd Brunner and Bubba Cook had planned to come and stay
5 weeks. Todd is a graduate of Sunset in Lubbock and Bubba is a graduate
student at Harding School of Religion in Memphis. Bubba arrived last week
as did Todd's luggage. Todd had to go back at the last minute to be with
his critically ill grandfather. The funeral for William Brunner was Monday.
Todd came on down. He had a special relationship with his 91 year old
grandfather. He had baptized him two years ago. The group will be joined
this week by Andrea Baker, Dr. Douglas Campbell M.D., and Dona Kolde R.N.
Dinah and I plan to be with them for a Vacation Bible School. We are
thankful for these dedicated people for their help. Dinah was excited to
have about 20 in the Ladies Bible Class on Wednesday evening. The men had a
smaller group, but some excitement. Telford Roberts came back and asked us
to pray with him. I had not seen him since 1983. He was raised by a sister
to two of the members in Long Island, was baptized at age 14 but had not
been faithful for some time. We announced his decision in the combined
devotional after classes. There is a great spirit of love in the
congregation.
Dinah tells of a lady in the Ladies class whose daughter was recently
baptized coming to her after class and giving her a hug. Dinah had asked in
class about early happy memories, and sadly she was the only one who
responded. She now lives in an abusive relationship, but told Dinah with
tears in her eyes, "I remember love in my family as a child, but as an
adult now, I love this church, I really love this church". Pray for her
that she might become a Christian!
Freeport had two baptisms last week, and several were baptized in Nassau.
Dinah and I will be in Long Island for two Sundays while McDonald Burrows
and family are on vacation. We visited Eleuthera and Cat Island last week.
This week-end four men from Nassau and Freeport are traveling to San
Salvador to meet with the young church and to try and secure the abandoned
school building for a place of worship and to build a dorm room for us to
use when there. We are trying to cut the cost of these trips as much as
possible. The effort in San Salvador is being supported by all of the
congregations in the Bahamas, and the funds received from our
Memorials/Honors contributions. We shipped one of two donated cars to
Nassau this week. It will be cleared by Customs, insured, licensed, and
shipped on to San Salvador to be used in the work there. The other car is
being sent to Abaco. We are thankful to the two families from Gulf Coast
for the donations. Bob Jacobson and Bob Black drove the two cars on the
three hour journey from Ft. Myers to Palm Beach. Dinah and I fly them home
(42 minutes), and enjoyed an evening with some members of our sponsoring
congregation. We are so thankful for the wonderful relationship with these
great brethren.
The carry over from our old radio program is still being felt. Last week I
met a new Customs officer in Cat Island. While she was stamping my official
papers, Olive Burrows looked up and said," Are you the same David Caskey
who used to be on Search for Truth? I invited her to come hear me preach in
person.
Thank you for caring and sharing each month. 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
