Bahama Mission
September 1999
September 1999
Most of you know now about the death of Sister Patrica Ann Miller, the wife
for 39 years of Brother William Miller the preacher at Highbury Park in
Nassau. She was a wonderful Christian woman and was loved by all who knew
her. 2000 chairs were set out for her funeral and most were filled. There
may have been 100 or so empty ones scattered through the convention center.
I have written a tribute to her that is posted on the Web page for those of
you who would like to read it. If you are not on the internet, let me know
and I will see that you get a copy. Brother Miller is holding up well and
continues to work and serve. If you would like to contact Brother Miller,
his e-mail address is wilabill@mail.batelnet.bs.
Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd, and Tropical Storm Harvey struck the Bahamas
in a period of three weeks. The damage was catastrophic on several Islands.
Even well constructed homes took great damage. The Church Building in Marsh
Harbour stood up well to the 237 m.p.h. winds but still sustained $35,000
in damage. The homes of the poor were either blown away, or swept away in
the 23 foot tidal surge. Since the storm, I have been wearing my hat as
pilot for "Churches of Christ Emergency Services". Many brethren have
contributed generously to our Hurricane Fund, and we have been able to
provide food and water to those in greatest need. More money will be needed
over an extended period of time, and most think it will be more than a year
before any normality of life returns to most of these Islands. Abaco is
receiving the most help, and we are doing all that we can to carry water
and food to the more distant Islands. There are three hastily written
reports on the Web page giving more details of what we have done and what
happened. Again if you do not have access to the web, let us know and we
will supply copies.
We are trying to compile an e-mail list of those of you who get this
report and are involved in the Bahamas work. We have someone as a contact
in most congregations, but not all. If you would be willing to serve as
that contact in your congregation, or if you as an individual would like to
receive the reports more rapidly, please e-mail us your address with that
request. Communication is always a difficult part of Mission Efforts, and
we want to take advantage of every modern opportunity to let you know what
is happening.
We have some good news about the work in San Salvador. Four Bahamian
brethren from Nassau and Freeport were down just before Hurricane Floyd
struck the Island. We have not been there since, but do know that there was
no loss of life. They held a number of studies and baptized another lady
(Athessa Rolle) while there for the week-end. They also conducted a special
meeting with the theme of "The Family and Jesus". Brother Tyrone Miller,
elder at Highbury Park, reports that they have several ready to obey the
Gospel. They also talked with the chief counselor of the Island,Mr. Luden
Gibson and the District Education Officer, Mr. Eris Moncur, and have
received permission to use the old Primary School which has been
abandoned. It will take some money and labor to get it in shape to use as a
Worship Center and a place for conducting classes as well as a place for us
to stay when down there. Recently a car was donated and sent to San
Salvador to help provide transportation for the week end preachers. We have
a family who hopes to move to San Salvador next year with a five year
commitment. They are Bahamians.
Good news also for the Church in Marsh Harbour. Brother Todd Brunner has
made a commitment to move to Abaco in June of next year. The congregation
has grown to love him and look forward to having him work with them over
the years. At least two congregations are involved at this time in plans to
support this effort.
More good news! The Church in Auburn, Alabama has joined with all of us in
helping to support the work in the Islands. This fine congregation has over
a period of time supplied song books and Bibles, and now is giving monetary
support on a monthly basis. We welcome them, and deeply appreciate their
involvement.
In spite of the problems brought to the Bahamas with the storms, a number
of the congregations are forging ahead with special efforts designed to
save souls. Central Church in Nassau has just completed a Gospel Meeting,
and the Freeport Church has scheduled a Teacher Training Program. The
Church in Marsh Harbour will have a special evangelistic effort in
December. October 10th is a special date in Long Island. Brother and Sister
Vincent Burrows will celebrate 50 years of marriage. Many of us along with
their children and friends will be there for special services and
festivities. Studies are being conducted on all Islands, and baptisms are
being reported.
We will be continuing to help with the emergency work in all of the
effected Islands. When we have done what we can do to provide food and
water, we will need a large supply of Bibles and Testaments which we will
distribute through the schools and in the settlements. Most people in these
affected Islands lost most of their belongings and among them, their
Bibles. We are hopeful that enough money will come in so that what is not
needed for food and water can be used for this purpose. Or it may be that
some of you would like to give for this purpose apart from Hurricane
Relief. We plan to distribute Bible Studies with the Bibles and also have
Mission Printing in Arlington, Texas, reprint a tract on Dealing with
Stress that we wrote after Hurricane Andrew.
Thank you for your prayers. Please pray for the Millers. We are thankful to
each of you for your sacrifice and love for lost souls. Contributions 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, Florida 33901
David Caskey
