Bahama Mission
January and February 2002
We remind you of the Web Page at http://www.flyingpreacher.com for regular updates on the progress of the work, and also for pictures. We will soon be adding about 80 new pictures of all facets of the work. If you or a friend has access to the internet, we encourage you to see what is new . We also remind you of our Memorials/Honors program. You can send checks for memorials or honors along with names and addresses and both you and the recipient will receive attractive notifications of your gift. This money is being used to establish new congregations in the Islands.
We are excited about the progress being made in many places. The Frank Sarvers have returned home after their tenth year of spending ten weeks working with the Church in Marsh Harbour. There were six baptisms this year as a result of their studies, and they provided much encouragement and healing to this congregation. Jack and Donna Steward also spent several weeks in Treasure Cay and worked with the brethren in Marsh Harbour. Jack and Donna flew to Rock Sound and helped us with the building of the pews. Bill and Dorothy Breitschopf are spending six weeks preaching and teaching. Bill preached 32 years for a congregation in Texas. We are thankful for all who come and help.
Drexel Major, the 33 year old song leader in Marsh Harbour was in a horrible truck wreck on January 19th. The steering column broke and he hit a power pole. He was life-flighted to Nassau where he underwent open heart surgery, then on to Jackson Memorial Trauma Center in Miami where they have been treating his broken neck, broken hip, kidney, liver and lung damage. He will be paralyzed from the waist down, and has in the past week undergone three surgeries for infection in the leg. The first surgery required 20 units of blood and plasma. He has been away from his wife and 3 small children for two months. Please pray for this family and for Drexel as he makes many adjustments to his life. He is still alive, and we believe that the Lord can still use him mightily in his service.
Much progress has been made with the building in Rock Sound. Lincoln Young has done a great job of turning a badly damaged building into a very attractive place to worship. Most of the damage from the hurricane has been repaired. This includes roof, ceiling, and some structural damage. The auditorium has been painted, new lights hung. Pews built and stained, the screen repaired (this was an old movie theater), PA system installed, new song book delivered, plumbing fixed. We hope to soon be ready for the special spiritual events planned for the summer. We will have Vacation Bible Schools, personal Bible studies, and preaching services. Several groups are expected. Lincoln has a number of studies in progress. We will have the bathrooms ceiled and painted, and an office for Lincoln finished in a few days. We still need to raise money to replace the damaged carpet. This is the most inexpensive way of covering the floor after the damage of two hurricanes. Longmire Road, in Conroe, Texas gave the money for these repairs. The song books were donated by Gulf Coast in Ft. Myers, Florida. We will have enough books to supply several congregations.
The Church in Freeport is adding to their building. This will give them added classroom and fellowship areas. Much of the labor they are supplying themselves and have also given the money for supplies. Long Island is making good progress with their addition which will include restrooms and classrooms. Bogin and Carolyn Smith from Conroe, Texas gave the money for the Long Island addition. These brethren have worked hard, and were very proud that they had only had to pay $10 out in labor after having dug the foundations, filled the floor area , done the rough plumbing and poured the floor .It is exciting to see brethren doing what they can.
Dinah and I will have the opportunity to visit with many of you as we continue to strive for better communications. We want every one of you to be well informed and feel a part of the great work that is being done. Progress is being made in all of our churches scattered over the Islands. Brother Bill Miller recently informed me that Greg Williams who has been a Member of Parliament and a part of the Prime Ministers Cabinet will not be running for office this election. He plans to devote time to working with the Church. He and Brother Miller have already had one conversion as they work together in the capital city. Franklin Simmons is studying with WBS students, and evangelistic efforts are reaching out every where. It is exciting to see these brethren not only working in their Island, but reaching out to others in the nation.
We have just ordered the 45 cases of Bibles and New Testaments that will be given through the schools in Exuma as we prepare to start a new congregation in this island hub.
The day to day efforts sometimes seem slow, but the overall picture of progress over a period of time is thrilling. We are so thankful for your support and prayers.
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
If you need additional information about the work in
the Bahamas, please feel free to write to the above address, or refer to our
web page.
david
