Bahama Mission Update
June 20, 2003
Since returning from our reporting trip, we have concentrated our efforts in Abaco and Eleuthera. We did make a quick week-end trip to Phoenix to visit with supporters and I spoke at the congregation in Tempe AZ. The weather has been unusually bad with heavy rains and flooding. This has made it difficult to keep a schedule with flying. We are thankful that the hurricanes have stayed away in spite of a strong forecast of storms for the season. We were saddened by the death of an old friend and African Missionary, Eldred Echols. You may read my tribute to him on our web page.
Also many of you have asked about our little grand-daughter. She now has her own web page, and her pround father plans to change the pictures every week. http://www.hsreps.com/ellakay.htm That way you can look if you want to without me forcing the issue. My Dad years ago on a plane trip replied to a lady who asked if she had shown him the pictures of her grandchild, "No and I want to thank you"!
We visited with Lincoln Young and delivered his new computer. He continues to make progress on the building in Rock Sound and it is really looking nice. A group (7) let by Rick Wood from Memphis just complete a special series with the congregation in Rock Sound and had an average attendance of 75. There will be another group coming from Wynn Arkansas following the Caribbean Lectureship to conduct a VBS and have evening services.
The brethren from Nassau continue to work with the congregation in Cat Island. They are experiencing the usual problems of traveling to the family Islands. Late and cancelled flights, lost luggage, and bad weather. However they persevere and are making great progress. They are a great encouragement to Brother and Sister Deveaux, are teaching a number of personal Bible studies and attendance continues to grow. They had 23 on Sunday morning on their last trip.
Jason and Katrinka Quashie are working hard in Abaco. Recently he graduated a large number in Marsh Harbour from a special Acts Course. Last Tuesday we went with a group from the congregation to Crossing Rocks, a small community about 35 miles south of Marsh Harbour and presented certificates in a ceremony at the school, to some of the 37 World Bible School students. The numbers at the Youth Meetings continues to grow. Dinah and I have enjoyed the invitations to share teaching opportunities with this congregation. Dinah did an outstanding job Wednesday night in a special session with the ladies class. Last week we also had visitors from Phoenix. My adopted sister and her family (Terry, Emma, Taylor Proctor) and their preacher from Tempe (Ted and Jill Wilson). Jason invited Ted to speak on Sunday morning. This week, a group of 22 will arrive from Ft. Lauderdale to conduct a three day VBS. Jason and Katrinka and another family from Marsh Harbour will travel to Texas where Jason is to speak at a special Mission Day in Richardson. Dinah and I will be there to cover in their absence.
We were thrilled this past week when a special donation of $10,000 was given to buy Bibles for the Bahamas. We were down to our last 3 cases. This anonymous donation was given in Memory and Honor of my parents. Guy and Jessie Lee Caskey. We are in the process of polling the various Islands to determine the number of Bibles needed in the first shipment. One of the ladies in the congregation is building a new storage building and has kindly offered us space for Bible storage in the future. This has been a problem in the past.
Efforts to establish a congregation in George Town Exuma are coming to fruition. Several of us have been involved in laying the groundwork, but the bulk of the effort has been carried out by Mike Gurganus and the groups he has brought down from Georgia. Here is a part of his last report and the great news of progress:
David and Dinah,
Greetings to you and the Lord's family in Abaco.
Our resent trip to Exuma (6/1 - 6/9) was very successful.
Our group (fifteen in all counting Steve, Suzette and Savanna Mc Queen) presented programs (puppet shows and singing) in all eight primary schools. Also, several Conflict Resolution classes were presented at L.N. Coakley High School. Along with the programs we completed several service projects and distributed Voice of Truth books.
Another part of our agenda included searching for a house for the McQueen's and a meeting place for the church. Both were accomplished. The McQueens have rented a four bedroom / two bath house in Moss Town. The house is located approximately 3.4 miles from George Town and about 200/300 yards south of Moss Town Primary School. (photo attached) The rental price was $880 per month (about 2/3 less than other available houses) and we were able to get a two year lease. (On the beach this house would rent for $1,800 per WEEK.)
In reference to a meeting house, Chris Kettel, Director of the Exuma Resource Centre, freely offered his new $250,000 conference centre/cafeteria for church meetings. This was totally unexpected and a tremendous blessing. (We also located the house by making one contact with one real estate agent.) The hand of the Lord was surely with us as we went about His work in Exuma.
We expect our base expenses to be approximately $3,700 per month in the beginning. This will include support of the McQueens and a small working fund. I am sure that this will grow as time passes. We are hopeful that we will be in a position to assist the McQueens in moving to Exuma in either late July or early August. The church in Rossville, Georgia (city limits joins that of Chattanooga, TN) is expected to partner with us in supporting this work.
I hope to see the Caskeys in Nassau during the July lectureship. Plans are to make a one-day trip to Exuma at that time.
David, All of our contacts stem from the suggestion of your acquaintance, Ms Wildgoose, who works in the commissioner's office. She is the one who gave us the name of the Exuma Resource Centre. I have not spoken to her since that first visit, but I do hope to do so in the near future. Once again Caskey was in the right place at the right time to help open doors for the kingdom. Brother, I love you and greatly appreciate your ministry.
More at a later time.
Mike
Continue to pray for us and all the brethren as we work together to expand the Kingdom in the Islands.
david
Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact
David Caskey
Webmaster
Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/
