Bahama Mission
January and February 2001
I am sure that all of you have noticed that we have cut down on the number
of mailed reports that we have been sending out along with the financial
reports being done by Brother Danny Osborn. This is due in part to a need
to cut expenses because of the massive increase in fuel prices and in part
because we are sending frequent updates on the work by e-mail. These reports
are also available on our web page being kept up to date by Jerry Pickup. If
you do not receive the e-mail updates and would like them, please send us an
e-mail at : flyingpreacher@mindspring.com and we will add you to the list.
We have a contact in each supporting congregation who gets these reports
into circulation. There are also some pictures of various aspects of the
work on the web page.
We are most thankful for all of the good things that are taking place in the
Islands. There is always more work to do than we can accomplish. Invitations
are issued for speaking in the schools and holding meetings and assisting
with special efforts every week.
We have enjoyed help from some groups, both small and large, and Summer
events are planned in many of the Churches in the Islands. Vacation Bible
Schools and Campaigns will be held in Abaco, Long Island, Cat Island,
Nassau, Freeport, and Exuma. We are hoping for a work/evangelistic force in
Eleuthera as well.
We are having baptisms all over the Islands. Brother Finance, a graduate of
the Jamaica School of Preaching is converting more in Nassau in his work
among the Haitian population than all of the rest of us put together.
Brother Miller reports that he has reached 38 men. He is in need of
transportation. It costs about double in the Bahamas to import a car. We
have shipping and duty to pay that is often equal to the value of the car.
Several have donated cars and vans over the years. This has been a great
help. We need good older cars without fancy frills. Computers and electric
windows do not last long in the salt air. Bible Studies are taking place
daily and we rejoice in opportunities to meet new members of the family
every where we go.
Hurricane Relief and Repair work is making progress. Thanks to Cleo and Judy
Tarver, we have completed the work in Abaco inside and out. Our next target
is a 5 phase effort in Eleuthera. Once we get the building presentable, we
plan a large evangelistic push to aid Brother Lincoln Young. We have his
electric wheelchair working again, thanks to the brethren in Memphis. He was
recently voted Mr. Male Roll Model-Eleuthera Island 2001. We have received
some more funds and are working hard to get him into his new quarters that
are handicap friendly. Lincoln is to be the speaker for the Men's Retreat in
Ft. Myers in May.
We have enjoyed visits to Cat Island and Long Island. The young people from
Gulf Coast in Ft. Myers will be in Cat Island in June for a Vacation Bible
School in the schools and the building. A total of 29 workers are expected.
These young people are also collecting simple school supplies to share with
the children in the 7 schools on the Island. These were to have been
delivered last week by Danny and Melanie Guinn from Ft. Myers, but has been
delayed due to engine trouble with his plane. The Guinns have already been a
great help and we look forward to a wonderful long association with them in
the future. Two of the elders from Gulf Coast will be with the group of
young people.
Brother Stewart Kennon, a good friend and an elder in Wynne Arkansas also
spent 5 days with me a few weeks ago. He is a pilot and we hope to get him
more involved in the future. Helpers are always welcome, but those with
planes are extra special help.
We are seeing expansion in many of our congregations. Some of it is due to
growth and some of necessity. Abaco and Freeport are needing classrooms.
Long Island must get rest rooms or shut down. A new government ruling
demands rest rooms in all public assembly places. Harry and Teressa
Broadwell plan to spend the summer in Long Island and head up a Vacation
Bible School. Harry is also working to get some help to build the rest
rooms.
After almost 17 years, Dinah and I plan to splurge a little. We are going to
add a toilet to our little living space in Abaco. Over the years we have
gone outside, down the stairs and through the Church building to reach the
bathroom. Age and frequent strong rain storms have given us a change of
heart about such a frivolous expenditure! Dinah is an incredible lady and I
know of no others who would put up with living a "homeless life" with out a
bath room over so many years. She is tough and dedicated and I could not get
anything done without her.
We are so pleased with the growth and progress of so many of the
congregations in the Bahamas. Our efforts have always been to do for them
only what they could not do for themselves, and to lead as much as possible
from the back seat. All of the congregations are reaching out to help in the
spread of the Gospel, and the stronger Churches are taking the lead in
plotting their own expansion and future. There is often a fine line between
dependence and independence. Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job, and
to see these churches strong and autonomous. We are hoping that future help
in the larger congregations will be in the form of joint workers together.
We plan visits to many of our supporting congregations and have some
meetings to conduct in the next few weeks. We continue to be thankful for
all of the prayers and support we receive from both congregations and
individuals. We are workers together with God. Continue to pray for our
safety and for the harvest of souls.
Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Checks for the work 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
david
