Bahama Mission
March 2000
We are more excited about the work in the Bahamas than at anytime in the
past eighteen years. This does not mean that everything is perfect, and the
struggles of day to day activities have ended. It does mean that we can see
the growth of the individual members and the outstanding contribution being
made by the congregations in the Bahamas toward the expansion of the Kingdom
among the people of their own Islands. Each congregation is working harder
and planning more effectively their local work and their mission outreach.
The spirit of love and good will is stronger than at anytime in the past.
Dinah and I have talked about the way people will stay after services for
more than a hour, just to talk and build one another up. More and more are
inviting visitors to services and to have Bible Studies in their homes.
People are being baptized. We are reaching more family units, rather than
just one individual at a time. The schools are still wide open to share the
Word of God with students in the classrooms. Todd and Jamie Brunner will be
moving to Marsh Harbour to begin preaching this summer. We are excited about
having co-workers. Elders and members from supporting congregations are
coming to help and visit in increased numbers. The relationships that we
have enjoyed with supporting congregations are being strengthened. Retired
couples continue to come and help for extended periods. We have reached out
to several new churches in the United States that have joined forces with
us, and some others are considering a focus on the Bahamas. Work groups are
being set up to come and work with the local Island congregations in
expanding facilities, and other work groups are coming to help overcome the
destruction from the Hurricanes.
We would be remiss if we failed to mention the wonderful relationship that
we have with our sponsoring congregation: Gulf Coast Church of Christ in Ft.
Myers, Florida. They are close enough for us to visit from time to time. The
elders have approved the overall scope of our part of the work in the
Bahamas with its changing flexible schedule and the many facets of our job
description. We are in close contact with Bob Jacobson (deacon), and the
outstanding Mission Committee and with the Elders through Fred Atkins who is
the elder assigned as our contact. These are men of vision and often raise
our sights as to what can be done. The congregation is most supportive and
has given sacrificially to enlarge our outreach to the people of the
Bahamas. An example of this is seen in our recent planning meetings. I
wanted to raise $5000 to purchase Bibles to replace those lost by families
in the Hurricanes. The elders suggested that we make it $10,000 so that we
would have more for evangelism to other Islands. They arranged a time for a
special contribution, committed the congregation to that amount, and the
members exceeded the goal in a one Sunday morning special of $10,300. In
addition, Gulf Coast does a great job of keeping financial records as we
noted last month.
A vital part of our work as a Missionary is to visit with the supporting
churches at least one time each year. We have done this for eighteen years.
There is an example in Acts 14:27,28 of Paul and Barnabas returning to
Antioch, "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together,
they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the
door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode a long time with the
disciples". Until last year, we had never been able to spend more than one
service with each congregation. However, we are now being invited by several
of the supporting churches to stay a little longer and be with them in a
short meeting. We have done two of these this year and plan one more in the
summer. We are excited about the value of these efforts in several ways. The
Gospel is preached, souls are saved and brethren are strengthened; we get to
know the individual members of the congregation, and they feel more a part
of our work; and Dinah and I are refreshed by the fellowship. It is also
good for our brethren in the Bahamas who always ask that we express their
deep appreciation for the assistance given to them over the period of the
year. They work harder to fill in what needs to be done in our absence.
We are always thrilled when we can," Go To The Sea" and share with a
precious soul their obedience to God in baptism. Last month Marissa Strachan
became a Christian. There were several others also, but thought you might
remember her from the Hurricane Recovery days. She was the young lady who
took off work and made a number of trips with me to Cat Island and Eleuthera
with water for the victims. This was at the time that I had hurt my knee and
was unable to lift the 50 pound boxes.
The roof is back on the building in Marsh Harbour, the facie boards are
repaired and some of the electrical problems have been solved. The rest of
the electrical work will be done by one or two of the elders from Gulf Coast
the last of May when they visit.
Theo Weir is doing well in Bimini with the efforts to establish a new
congregation. We have plans to work with him soon. The five year lease in
San Salvador has been signed for the land and building as a meeting place.
The Churches in the Bahamas are giving an additional $200 a month to pay
this lease for the new congregation on the island where Columbus first
landed.
The plane is flying great again. We are now sure that the problem had been
there for a long time. We have better oil pressure now than at any time. The
oil shaft to the prop governor did break, but must have been cracked since
we had the plane. The value of the plane continues to rise, and more than
offsets the expenditures of keeping it in top shape. The West Broward church
gave $1500 in a special contribution to help with repairs. We also had
specials of $350 from Desdemona, and $421 from Rockport. Wynn Arkansas gave
$1000 after our meeting with them. Thank you so much for this extra help!
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
