Bahama Mission
July and August 2002
We have lost some e-mail address contacts with several of our supporting congregations. If you are not receiving the regular e-mail updates please contact us
at david@flyingpreacher.com so we can include you. We strive to keep you well informed on the progress of the work in the Islands.
We are thankful that the many Tropical Waves and Tropical Storms that have crossed the Islands in the past few weeks have not developed into Hurricanes. Please keep us in your prayers. We have not yet completed all of the building repairs from the last seasons.
The Grace Street Church in Crockett just made a generous contribution of $2000 to the Church in Long Island. We are thankful for their help and the brethren in Deadman's Cay are thrilled with the help and the encouragement. The brethren have worked very hard, in their off time, on their restrooms and take pride in the fact that they have only spent $20 on hired labor. It takes time to get supplies from the United States to Nassau by boat, and then from Nassau to the port in Long Island, and then by truck to the building a few miles away.
Dinah and I have enjoyed visits and short preaching meetings with brethren from several Islands. The summer has been very hot, and many of the Islands are having problems with electricity. This makes it hard on us old people without fans or air conditioning. Really, air conditioning in most of these places is non-existent, but the fans are a luxury. The ants and mosquitoes have been bad again this year.
Drexal Major has been released from the Hospital August 19th, this is seven months to the day since his accident. Keep this family in your prayers. He is still getting therapy twice a week, but is adjusting well to his wheelchair. His family has moved to Nassau where all are staying with his mother.
The 33rd Annual Caribbean Lectureship will be held in Nassau the third week in June 2003. We are excited to host brethren from all over the Island nations and from the United States. Bill Miller will be directing the program this coming year.
There is still a lot of excitement in the hearts of the brethren and the Island children from the special groups who came down this summer to help with Meetings and VBS programs. The children are already asking when folks are coming back. The VBS programs in Abaco, Rock Sound, and Freeport were all very successful.
We continue to be excited about the Mission Outreach being done by the various congregations in the Islands. Even those who are small and struggling are reaching out. Abaco does not have a preacher, and depends on Nassau and Freeport to supply speakers each week when Dinah and I can not be there, but they still send $200 a month to support Lincoln Young. Lincoln spoke for them recently, and is due to hold a meeting in the near future. Lincoln reports that the brethren in Rock Sound are planning a boat trip in a private boat to Cat Island to visit with and worship with the brethren in Cat Island. Nassau will supply men to work with Mike Gurganus this month in Exuma, and Freeport is still sending men down to help the brethren in San Salvador. This is real growth for the future.
Each congregation is still involved in personal evangelism and outreach to the people of the community. Dinah and I are very encouraged to see many young people being touched on a weekly basis. This gives us great hope for the future.
Song books, Bible Class materials, Tracts, Bibles and even a preacher's library have been distributed in various Islands. We still get requests almost every week for more Bibles and Bible Study materials. The distribution of Bibles and Personal Evangelism studies have been going on now for more than 20 years. The Church enjoys the reputation of being the people who give away Bibles. This opens many doors in the communities and in the schools and lays a great ground work for the future. Several of the congregations in the Islands continue to reach out with the radio which is still very effective in both the small Islands and in our cities. Even after being off the air for a number of years, it is not uncommon for someone at an airport to call out, “Search For Truth “.
Last week in Cat Island, Dinah and I were reminded that things are not always as they seem. We were visiting and studying under a shed near the sea in front of a house. The two older ladies were very involved, and a beautiful young lady sitting near Dinah was somewhat distracted. Dinah tried to involve her in the study. One of the older ladies explained that she was her grand daughter. Though she was tall with outstanding beauty and could have passed for an international model, her mind was simple. We were saddened. I was reminded that what we show on the outside does not always reflect what we are on the inside. We are thankful that a loving God cares for and protects young ladies like this one.
Thank you again for your prayers and support. Checks 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
If you need additional information about the work in
the Bahamas, please feel free to write to the above address, or refer to our
web page.
david
