Bahama Mission Update
July 2, 2003
We were blessed in the Bahamas by the fact that the 2nd tropical system of the season missed us. Our thoughts, prayers, and concern goes to those hit so hard on the Gulf Coast. We come to realize how frail we are in comparison to God and the world he has made. We also learn over and over that material things and even life in the NOW world is not the important thing.
Our weather has been affected by the storm and it has been most hot and humid.
We have enjoyed several groups of visitors to Abaco. Some were on vacation, but have been a great encouragement to the congregation, including preaching and leading singing.
Dinah and I spent a lot of time visiting with local members and doing all we can to encourage Jason and Katrinka. We had some lovely meals in homes, including one of our favorites meals, snail stew! The Quashie's are loved by young and old, and we have great hopes for he future of the congregation in Marsh Harbour. The Quashie and Collins families traveled to Richardson, Texas to be a part of a Mission Emphasis Week, and Dinah and I covered in their absence. Dinah taught a great class for the ladies and young girls on Wednesday night. She was well received and used a lot of natural illustrations as she taught on modesty. She used local fruits, some ripe and some dried up to show that what you see on the outside is an indicator of what is on the inside. I spent the cooler early mornings working on the airplane and getting ready to do my annual inspection; doing some teaching and holding clinics.
Dennis Knight led a wonderful group from the West Broward congregation in Ft. Lauderdale to conduct their third year of Vacation Bible Schools. They came in with a lot of enthusiam, much preparation, and a willingness to help. Out of the 22 who arrived on two planes, only 5 did not have their luggage. Not bad for the Bahamas. They made it for 24 hours in their travel clothes, and Katrinka found new toothbrushes for the special few. Several weeks ago they had mailed posters and handouts, and the kids of the community were ready for the evening sessions from 5:30 to 7:30. p.m. We need some classrooms, so much of the teaching was done in the auditiorium. One night, the teachers for the young ones had 21 in a small room in the back. It was hot, crowded and exciting. Their mornings were spent in eating breakfast, having a devotional, doing work projects,( Cleaning the building, and I even got two coats of wax on the airplane) and preparing for the evenings.This group has done a great job in building a relationship with the members and the community. We look forward to having them back next year and for many years there after. Sunday morning, Michel Hursey, one of the West Broward elders, preached and two of the deacons taught classes. Dennis and Marina Knight had the class with the little ones. Several of the young men helped with the service along with men and young men from the Island. Attendance was 62. Lilla Strachen and her daughters prepared a wonderful Sunday lunch over at the home of Greta Culmer. They had 5 kinds of meat, 4 salads, Bahamian dishes, and even a birthday cake for Austin. The aftenoon was spent shuttling them to the airport, getting tickets straight and making sure the luggage got on the two flights. Sunday night was filled with talk and excitement. We had a good service with a number of visitors. In the evening lesson I concluded the series that had been the Theme for the week, "Paul A Superhero For Jesus". Thanks to: Niki Bails, Kristen Byers, Khenita Derby, Christina Hursey, Jillian Lemons, Crystal Nix Amanda Smith, Megan Vitarilli, Beth Wolfe, Chris Brinkmann, Ryan Brinkmann, Chris Kennon Greg Pardo, Chris Rapko, Austin Roberts, Steve Bails, Karen Derby, MIchael Hursey,Dennis and Marina Knight, Gary Nix and Robin Vitarelli for a job well done!
Time was also spent with Brother Hursey and Gary Nix in looking at Real Estate. We need to find a house for Jason and Katrinka as rent in the Islands is outrageous. We are spending $1000 a month on a small two bedroom apartment plus utilities. This will go a long way toward a morgage if we can get a loan and some down payment money while keeping a roof over their heads. We also need classrooms and have priced a metal building to cover a 40 by 50 foot slab behind the building. The metal is not too high in the States, ( About $10,000.00) but then we have shipping and duty and construction. We are studying all angles.
Next week we will be in Nassau for the Caribbean Lectureship. Men and women will travel from many Islands and from the United States to spend this time in renewal, study and much needed fellowship.
Lincoln Young is preparing for the second special summer series in Eleuthera following the lectureship. Dinah and I plan to spend a part of their time in Eleuthera with those from Wynn, Arkansas before going on down to Cat, Long and Exuma. The Steve McQueen family will just be moving to Exuma to build on the foundation already laid.
The Church in San Augustine, Texas beginning this month will no longer be able to help support the work in the Islands. Our relationship with this great congregation goes back more than a quarter of a century. They hold the record for the longest years of support. They have been with us from the beginning. We will continue to keep them informed on progress and will always be thankful for dedication they exhibited. We hope to visit with them in the Fall and express our apreciation in person. We can have joy in the progress over more than 20 years. Congregations have been established and hundreds of souls have been brought to the Master. They are turning their support to a local outreach among the Spanish Speaking people who have moved into their area.This is a vital Mission Field! Our hope and prayer is that in time they will flourish again. Some plant, others water, but God gives the increase.
Thank you again for your support and encouragement.
david
Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact
David Caskey
Webmaster
Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/
