Bahama Mission Update
March 27, 2008

The March winds have been strong again in the Islands. One airline pilot commented that only superior pilots need to be landing in the 30 to 40 mile an hour winds.(Sometimes I wonder what I am doing out there?) We had a little break in getting to go and see our new grand daughter. We had a wonderful time visiting. She is 14 weeks old already. One of the things we miss in our work is being able to spend some time with family. We also had a wedding that we did for friends in San Diego and then flew back and spent 4 days in Nassau before flying back to Abaco. Spring time is a time of revival in the Islands.

The Sarvers returned home after 10 weeks in Abaco. they always do a great job and are deeply appreciated. The brethren in Long Island are begging them to come down there for a while next year to help with Personal Bible Studies. They may start a bidding war for their services. ha. This has been a month for repairs on equipment. The starter gave out on the van in Abaco that the Sarvers drive. It left them stranded at the grocery store. Frank got a little exercise walking, but got it all going again. We really appreciate them taking care of the expenses of the new one too.The old plane seems to always need something. The magnetos had to be overhauled after 500 hours of service, and the mechanical fuel pump started acting up while out over the ocean. There is also an electric pump for back up, and it kept us going until we could get a new pump. Tarrance Baker, one of the members in Marsh Harbour, is an A&P Mechanic and helped me to change it out early this week. My old friend Lewis Key insisted that I take it up for a 30 minute test flight. He said if it was just me flying over the ocean, he would not be so concerned; then he reminded me that I had Dinah as a co-pilot! Dinah helped me put some new trim on the inside of the windshield to make it look more finished. We had to have tires on the little car in Abaco. They had lots of tread, but had dry rotted over the years. You do not drive too far on an Island. There is never a dull moment. Jack and Donna Stewart cut their trip short due to a tear in Donna's retina. They hope to come back again next month.

Lilla Strachan had a stroke and was flown by emergency flight into Nassau. She is out of the hospital and will have extensive rehab. She recently had her 80th birthday. She has been a strong stabilizing force in the Church in Marsh Harbour for many years. She is known for her love of the brethren and her hospitality. The men of the congregation in Marsh Harbour have been working on the classroom building. I brought them 3000 feet of wire and put the locks and knobs on the doors. Jeff Leslie from the Palm Beach Lakes Church in West Palm made a special trip to take some electrical supplies. They have just about completed the ceilings and have built the walls to the bathroom in the guest bedroom. They have been working on Saturdays, but with the long weekend, they put in two extra days. Dave and Amy Collins sold a piece of land and donated all of the supplies to put in the ceiling. It reminded be of the days of the early Church when people sold their possessions to reach out to others. Jason was in Nassau to speak on a lectureship last Sunday and I preached in Abaco. I am so impressed with the way the men of the congregation have stepped up to take care of the services and one of them preaches each Sunday night. Leslie Rolle had a great lesson on "Abiding in Christ". These men and the women also give us great joy in the internal growth of the Church in the Islands. Katrinka does a wonderful job of putting out a bulletin each week. Several in the congregation were traveling, and there was some sickness, but the attendance was very good.

Dinah and I tried to visit some over the holiday week-end, and finally had to drive way out of town to a camping spot where many of the folks in town spend the "Easter" holidays. We ended up visiting with more people than usual. My schedule always seems to include clinics. We were pleased to be able to help so many on this trip,

The phones in Eleuthera were out for some time, and contacting Lincoln was not an option. I had some money to deposit for him, and when I finally reached him, the banks were closed for the holidays. Some of our members are in the banking business, and took care of the deposits after I left Abaco. We have our annual report trip coming up this next month and will be delighted to see many of you at that time.

We have had several baptisms, and there are daily evening activities including prayer meetings, new convert classes, Ladies Bible Classes, Men's meetings and visitation and then the work days on Saturdays.This summer will bring a number of groups to the Islands for Vacation Bible Schools and Evangelistic outreach. The young people from Longmire Road , in Conroe ,Texas with a number of sponsors will travel to Nassau to work with the Central Church. We are working now with a group of singles from Tennessee to go to Long Island.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.The cost of fuel has really cut into our budget over the past two years. We do not see any relief in sight. We are paying more than $5 a gallon for car gas and up to $6 a gallon for aircraft fuel. When we come back to the States, gas seems cheap!

Thank you so much for your support and prayers over the years. Checks can be made to:

Att: David Caskey-Mission, c/o Gulf Coast Church of Christ
9550 Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Ft. Myers, Florida 33966.

Please note the new address. They have recently moved into their new building.

david

Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact: David Caskey

Webmaster: Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/