Bahama Mission
July to September 2001
We were about to write our bi-monthly report for July and August when the
sad events of September 11 interrupted all of our lives. I hope that most of
you have stayed up with the activities in which we have been engaged through
the web page, and e-mail reports. The new domain name for the web page is
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/.
This makes it easier to remember and access.
We have lost some of our flying privileges because the FAA is working under
emergency procedures and has very strict rules about travel between most
nations and the United States in private planes. It may become necessary for
us to buy more equipment for the plane and spend about two weeks in flight
school to be able to resume flying between the two countries. I have been
flying in the Bahamas between Islands, but have not been able to haul Bibles
and materials from the United States. Also it is very difficult to ship
these materials now because of restrictions at the ports. I have made two
trips back to the States during this period. Both of them were on medical
emergency flights that had an extra seat.
Good things are happening in a number of our congregations and we are
experiencing some disappointments and sadness in others. Our oldest member
in Marsh Harbour, Brother Merlin Albury (86) died and I preached his
funeral. We were all surprised at the number of people from the community
who attended. This quiet little man had touched a lot of lives. Sister
Janetta Lowe continues to struggle with cancer and with the tremendous
expense involved in traveling to the United States for treatment. Most in
the Bahamas have no insurance. Sister Francis Deveaux, the wife of the
preacher in Cat Island suffered a mild heart attack and was sent to the
hospital in Nassau on an emergency flight. She is home and doing well. The
Church in Eleuthera is working on their building, doing personal work in a
new community, has set three new studies with families, and is excited to
have plans for some campaign work from two groups next summer. They plan to
use the new video projector, donated by Wynn, Arkansas, for showing Bible
films on Friday nights to the young people of the community. Brethren in
Freeport and Long Island are saddened by the death of Brother Leon Burrows.
He was a good friend, and great help to my work as a School principal on
several Islands. His parents and two brothers are in Long Island and other
family members are in Nassau. A number of studies are being taught and
several baptisms have been reported in our congregations. The economy in the
Islands is at a very low ebb due to the fact that few tourists are traveling
at this time. Most of the economy is based on tourism and fishing.
The brethren in Abaco are excited about the coming of the Sarvers and the
Stewards to help with the work after the first of the year. Brother Mike
Gurganius and a group from his area in Tennessee will make a survey trip
this month to Exuma as they complete plans for a campaign in Georgetown next
summer. This will be the first major effort on this Island. We hope to see a
congregation established. Groups are also planning Vacation Bible School
work in Abaco, Eleuthera, and Cat Island for the summer months.
I have spent most of the past few weeks in Abaco with the Church there, and
in traveling to several other Islands to assist with special projects. We
also traveled to Tennessee where we spoke to the Bedford Church just out of
Shelbyville, and to Wynn, Arkansas to receive the wonderful gift of the
video projector. We have so many areas of work, that when we are slowed down
in one because of circumstances like September 11, we can reschedule and
move into other areas.
Our prayers continue to be with you and the people of the Islands as we use
this time to touch hearts with the Gospel. We are seeing a resurgence of
interest in spiritual things as times get hard. May God grant us the wisdom
to use the opportunities wisely!
We continue to express our deep appreciation to each of you for your
sacrifice and your prayers. The Apostle Paul faced times of discouragement
and the need to change plans. We will continue to do all that we can to
plant the seed of the Gospel and wait for God to give the increase.
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
david
