We have been blessed this week with the downgrading of Tropical Storm "Chris". This is the third named storm this year. It was supposed to reach Hurricane strength yesterday and move through the south-eastern Bahamas. It is still to be watched as it moves next week into the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center has downgraded the number of named storms and Hurricanes from the original forecast due to the waters of the Atlantic staying a little cooler. We still have a long way to go as August and September are the big months. Please keep us and other potential victims in your prayers.
The heat of the summer is a time for most Bahamians to travel and prepare for Hurricanes, but our evangelistic fervor has been on the rise. A number of members from several congregations were able to attend the Annual Caribbean Lectureship this year. They reported good crowds and a great opportunity for study and fellowship.
The Youth Day Camp in Exuma went very well. The second week this year included some members from congregations in the Bahamas who traveled to George Town to help with the camp. This camp is not only great for the kids, but opens many doors on the Island as whole families are involved. Some of the support this year came from the Islands. We are thankful to the brethren in Ringgold, Georgia and several other congregations in that area for their support and labor.
In Abaco, work continues on the classroom building. Progress has been slow as much of the money set aside by the congregation for this project was used up in Hurricane Recovery the past two years. The inside of the building is now being plastered with a white finish coat.The doors are being hung, and some finish work is being completed. There has been some talk of American congregations helping, but nothing has materialized. We also have some work to do on the main building as the ravages of time and storms and termites have taken a toll. The congregation continues to take a special monthly contribution for the building fund and do what they can. Abaco is also doing some Mission Work in Eleuthera in the form of support for Lincoln Young. Katrinka Quashie is in the Miami area this week to have an MRI. Please keep her in your prayers as well. Dinah and I were able to spend some time in Abaco and visit with a number of the members.Two of the ladies there lost their brother a week or so ago. Lilla Strachan and Bernice Brown. This was their last brother. We took additional World Bible School materials, and I had done a months worth of radio tapes for their local program on the Marsh Harbour FM station. We are excited to report two more baptisms there. Nakita Rankin and Leslie Rolle. Leslie is the principal for the Cooper's Town High School. He has been a good friend for many years, and I have spoken a number of times in schools where he has been stationed. He got up a couple of Sunday mornings ago and announced to his family," I am finished with the World, today I go to worship with you and I am going to be baptized". We are thrilled for him and look for great things in the future. He was involved in cleaning and frying fish last Friday evening for a congregational get together.
Lincoln Young was able to take a little vacation with his family and is now back in Eleuthera. There is still no word on the condition of Ann Sands who has made a trip to Nassau for tests. She is supposed to go back next week. Lincoln says she is in good spirits as she awaits the results of tests for possible cancer. Keep her in your prayers also. Her husband and grown daughter were recently baptized.
Dinah and I spent the week-end in Freeport. Dinah had made up a flower arrangement to go in front of the pulpit to tie in all of the new colors of the walls. These were painted by the group who came from Kentucky. The outside of the building was painted by a group from Alabama, who also did a one night Vacation Bible School and who plan to come back next year and do a week-long effort. This group has been coming from the University of Alabama for some time working with one of the children's homes in Freeport. Dinah and I were amused that in the past year we have had groups from both the University of Alabama and Auburn, Alabama in Freeport. They may have a great rivalry in football, but have been working together in the Cause of the Master. Freeport has had three more baptisms since we were there last month, and have started an evangelism training class on every other Tuesday night. We were thrilled to hear that they had 80 in attendance for the first class. Dinah and I usually fly into Freeport, go to worship, and return to Abaco the same day.This time we spent two nights and got to visit more with the members. I spoke on Sunday morning, and got to hear two of their five preachers speak at class and Sunday night. I had also done a month's worth of Radio tapes for the program that comes on Sundays nights and can be heard all over the northern Bahamas. James Miller is in charge of this effort. Freeport is looking for a good 15 to 18 passenger van that is less than 5 years old. The new law in the Bahamas allows them to bring in a newer Church Van without having to pay Customs Duty.This new law will save them about 75% on the total cost of landing the van on the Island. If you know of a good van please let me know.
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/
