April was a busy month in a different way. We traveled to Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama to visit with and report to supporting congregations and individuals. We flew just over 4000 miles in the little plane, and spoke more than 25 times. Visiting with supporters each year encourages both them and us. Acts 14:26-28 sets a Biblical precedent for this vital part of our work.
We started in Crockett and Grapeland, Texas. Monday was spent with Dr. Garner, the Dentist. Dinah had a broken tooth. I went in for cleaning and ended up with oral surgery. I did not know I was hurting! My brother in law and sister drove us over to Crosby,Texas for a delightful visit. The next Sunday morning was at Longmire Road in Conroe, Texas. This congregation has been with us almost from the beginning. One of the most exciting programs is the activity of their small group of youth. Almost three years ago they started collecting and selling soda cans to buy Bibles for the Bahamas. The elders and sponsors were amazed when they set a goal of raising $5000. That Sunday at the end of the service all of the Young People came down and 3 year old Emily was chosen to hand me their 7th $1000 check. There were few dry eyes in the audience. These young people say they are not finished yet, and serve as an inspiration to us all. That evening we were at the Graeber Road congregation in Rosenberg, Texas. We have a tradition of eating at a Chinese Buffet with a number of the brethren after services. Allen Hahn, the preacher is observing his 30th year. This speaks highly of both him and the congregation.
Early in the week I did something unusual. I had lunch in Ft. Worth, Texas with members of my First Grade Class. We had not seen each other in 58 years. Our claim to fame is one of our classmates was named Lee Harvey Oswald. Our first and third grade teachers were also present. The second grade teacher had fallen and broken her pelvis or she would have been there also. We had a delightful time and some of us went back and visited Lilly B.Clayton school. It had changed little in all of these years. We have plans of getting together again in the not too distant future.
We had opportunity to spend a couple of days with my mother and used her car to drive out to Desdemona, Texas. I had preached there beginning in 1958 when I was a student in Abilene. They had a great crowd on Wednesday night as many from the community came and a good number from the Gorman, Texas congregation down the road. They have been with us from the beginning of this work, 25 years ago.
Our next stop was Rockport, Texas. We always have a great time with these fine brethren. However, for some reason the plane acts up when we are there. It was on a trip from Rockport back to Houston several years ago when we lost the engine and landed in the cow pasture. This time we rushed out to the airport after a big congregational lunch to fly only about 15 or 20 minutes to Port Lavaca and an appointment with the Church in Point Comfort. When I hit the starter, I only got a high speed whine. I had another starter, but with the wind and sun, decided to let Sally Hamilton drive us to Port Lavaca. We had a good meeting with these brethren and a nice period of fellowship afterwards. Monday morning the mechanic who built our new engine borrowed a plane and we flew back to Rockport and changed the starter. I had him change the oil, service the prop and give the engine a good going over.
Our next stop was Pecos, Texas. We enjoyed the great hospitality of Louise Taylor and the whole clan for the early part of the weekend. A transmission problem with the Helicopter caused a break in Round Up at the ranch and we had time to visit and even rest a little. My favorite breakfast of chicken fried steak, hot biscuits and gravy happened 3 mornings in a row. It was a good thing we left when we did, or I would have had to have a larger size pants. We spoke 3 times on Sunday and had a great lunch with the brethren.
After leaving Pecos we got some tailwinds for a change and flew to Tennessee for a brief visit with our grand daughter and an opportunity to meet several from a congregation in Nashville. Little Ella Kay keeps growing up and talks a blue streak. Jason took her to wash her hands after eating and she was not happy with the location of the sink. "Daddy this is the Boys Room". They grow up fast these days. Some time back on the phone she informed me that she was very busy and would have to let me go! All of this is at age 3!
We dropped down to Auburn for our final week-end. This congregation had sent a group to Freeport last year, and is very involved in Missions. Sunday the elders had a special prayer for more than 100 of their members who will go on Mission Trips this Summer. Some as close as New Orleans and others as far away as Africa.
We are thankful for all of the hospitality, meals, and transportation furnished in so many of the locations. We are grateful for all of the prayers and support that makes the Lord's Work in the Bahamas continue and expand.
We got back to Florida, I ordered 10 more cases of Bibles and was informed that this would be the last at our special price. The next order will be 50% higher. It looks like fuel is not the only thing going up!
Hurricane Season starts again June one! The work in the Islands continues to make strides. Abaco recently had a record 101 in worship. Lincoln Young is the president of the Eleuthera Youth Sports Association, and Steve McQueen was chosen President of the Drug Education Program for Exuma. These men have a good influence in the community and open many doors for Evangelism. I am working on some new Radio Tapes for the programs sponsored by the congregations in Abaco and Freeport.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Checks can be made to Bahama Mission Church of Christ, and sent:
Att: David Caskey-Mission, c/o Gulf Coast Church of Christ
3825 McGregor Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901.
david
Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact
David Caskey
Webmaster
Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/
