Bahama Mission
February 2000
Doing Mission Work and keeping tight schedules is never easy. There are so
many factors that have an affect. Weather often postpones, or some times
mechanical breakdowns change me from the flying to the walking preacher.
Those of you who get our e-mail reports know that we had low oil pressure on
the plane out over the ocean during a recent trip. We finally had to remove
the engine and have the bottom overhauled and recertified. We are to get the
lower engine case back early next week. The problem was a split oil tube
going to the prop governor. We plan to be back in the air by this time next
week.
While grounded we visited several days with our sponsoring congregation in
Ft. Myers. The Elders have committed to raise in a special contribution, and
give $10,000 to be used in the purchase of Bibles to be distributed to the
victims of the storms who lost all. The additional Bibles will be used in
evangelistic efforts in all parts of the Islands. They will be given with
Bible Studies, tracts, and World Bible School lessons. We are thankful for
the care and generosity of these fine brethren.
The plans for the wheel chair friendly living quarters for Lincoln Young,
the evangelist in Eleuthera, have been drawn up by Roger Sidwell and the
building permit has been applied for. We appreciate Roger from Nashville
along with Rick Wood and the singles group out of Memphis for providing this
very needed room on the side of the building. Lincoln told me this morning
that they are going to Bannerman Town on the south end of the Island to
baptize Cecil Williams. This is a result of the efforts of this small
congregation to knock on every door on their 100 mile long Island to invite
people to study. They started in the south!
The shingles are finally back on the roof of the Church Building in Abaco.
The Sarvers leave next week after 10 weeks of personal evangelism, teaching
and preaching in Marsh Harbour. Recent baptisms there include Carl Stewart,
a young man who works for American Eagle, and Marissa Strachan. Marissa is
the young lady who worked with me to haul water to affected areas after I
twisted my knee following the storms. Marissa and I share the same birthday
only 40 years apart. Todd Brunner, the new preacher for Marsh Harbour
starting in June, will spend his Spring Break in Abaco. He plans to visit on
Sunday night on his return to Florida with West Broward congregation in Ft.
Lauderdale. They are his sponsoring church.
Tato Weir a policeman who was a member of the Highbury Park congregation in
Nassau, recently rededicated his life to the Lord following the tragic
shooting of a policeman friend in the city. He has been transferred to the
Island of Bimini, and is preaching and teaching in an effort to establish a
congregation there. We rejoice with him and Brother Bill Miller and I plan a
trip to encourage and supply him with Bibles, and Bible Study materials to
share. Pray for him in this wonderful turn of events.
Brother Eric Albury will travel from Nassau this week-end to San Salvador.
He will be signing the lease on a building to use for the congregation, and
to provide living quarters for those who help with this new Church. You will
remember that a couple from Ft. Myers donated a car for the workers to use
when they are there. Eric is from San Salvador and works as the Senior
Commercial Loan Officer for a bank in Nassau. He is a member of the Central
congregation.
The coloring books and crayons given by individuals in Ft. Myers have all
been delivered. Our appreciation to the Sarvers for taking care of this job
in Abaco. Brethren Nix and Speer from the Mission Committee at West Broward
in Ft. Lauderdale stamped all of the books and assisted in getting the ones
for Cat Island to the site. The Sarvers also carried 200 Testaments to the
north of Abaco to fill a request from one of the school principals to
provide a means for them to continue their Religious Emphasis studies in the
school.
Because of the airplane breakdown, we have postponed some groups coming to
help with recovery until the latter part of May. We are most pleased that
two of our Elders from Gulf Coast in Ft. Myers are going to visit this year.
Brother Bill Love will come to help with electrical repairs, and Brother
Fred Atkins plans to take a week of his vacation in August to visit Churches
in the Bahamas he has missed.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Danny Osborn, the C.P.A. who does
the books for Bahama Mission, for the outstanding contribution he makes to
the work. We believe that accountability of the Lord's money is vital. His
reports are detailed, but if you wish your contribution to be anonymous,
that will be done if you so note. Since these reports are for the previous
month, they do not reflect the expenditures for the month and often give the
impression that we have more money that we really do.
Our deep gratitude is expressed for your prayers and generosity. You are as
much a vital part of this very exciting effort as those of us on the field.
Checks can be made out 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
