The Hurricane Season is past, but the results, damage, and suffering will continue for a long time. We soon forget the long lines for water, tarps and food. Government agencies have closed up shop and gone home, but the struggles continue for thousands of families.
Dinah and I have visited and given assistance to so many families in the past few days. One lady with 7 in her family was moving back into a portion of their house. They still have no electricity or running water. Another lady who has four in her family was working 3 jobs. Two were destroyed by the storms, and the third brings in $30 on a good day. One lady is caring for her aging parents who are homeless and unable to work after loosing everything. Her small salary is stretched to the limit. I gave her $100 for food and necessities yesterday and told her it was not much, but we were having to share with so many. Her answer was, "today this $100 looks like $1000".
Families are still grouped together in one small house. Some had insurance most did not. The insurance companies are taking large deductibles for each storm. Often the deductible is much larger than what the people receive to re-build. We have looked into gaunt eyes, seen despair and felt the hugs of gratitude and listened to expressions of thanks to those of you who have helped with your prayers and contributions. We like so many are working to get cars and vans running again after they were submerged in salt water. They will not last long because of rusting, But if we can get a year out of most of them it will help right now. We are receiving more money from WFR Relief Ministries to help Grand Cayman. This little Island with a population of about 40,000 had 2.8 billion dollars of damage. The roof is back on the School of Preaching in Jamaica, and classes resumed November 15th. Help is still going to Granada, Cuba, and Haiti as well. There are still thousands of homeless people in Florida, and people are struggling in Alabama and on into the Carolinas.
All of us have had to adjust. Yesterday morning at 3 a.m. I was in the car on the street by the power pole with a 25 foot telephone extension cord getting my e-mail and checking weather on my lap top running on battery. Later, I plugged in the phone I had brought with me and called Flight Services to file a flight plan. We hope to get a new line run into the building soon. The phone company tells us that is our responsibility! Salt water and flooding wrecks havoc on underground lines in conduit. I always tell people who come to the Islands, "Flexibility is the name of he game".
We are enjoying replacing lost Bibles and giving Bible Study materials. Some of these families are interested in Studies and others are attending services for the first time.Trauma often brings out the need for God in the hearts of those who were not interested before.
Dinah and I finally took two days to start the clean up and repairs on our little room. The ceiling is now patched up so well that you have to look to see the areas that were gone. The water stains on the rest of the ceiling give it a quaint look. ( My concept, not Dinah's). Dianh plans to do some painting in time. We spent one day throwing out all the damaged stuff and clothes, and packing up 31 boxes of Bibles, tracts, World Bible School Studies and Bible Class materials to put on the Mail Boats to other Islands. We still have about 15 boxes that we will deliver with the plane before the end of the year to some of the more difficult areas to reach. Jack and Donna Stewart and Katrinka came on the second day and we cleaned up much of the damage in the Marsh Harbour building. We hired a truck, 3 men and a forklift to haul it all off after dark.
I have been running clinic two times a day ( 7a.m.and 5 p.m.) working with a lot of patients who were hurt during the storms. We have been touched by gifts of fish, conch, and hand grated fresh coconut pies given by victims who want to share what they have as an expression of gratitude for the help that you have given. I wish some of you could have been around to eat the pies! Oh well it is a hard life, but someone has to do it!
Dinah and I have plans to be with the victims of the storms on several Islands during the holidays. We fit right in. We are on the move so much that Lincoln Young calls us "Homeless People" anyway.
Thank you again for all that you have done and are still doing to help "hurting" brethren. Some are still sending contributions and we are so thankful to be able to share a little with many. Checks can be made to Bahama Mission Church of Christ, and sent:
David Caskey- Missions, Gulf Coast Church of Christ
3825 McGregor Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901
Brother Danny Osborn C.P.A. is keeping all the records, and when we have finished giving everything, a full report will be distributed to all. We are hoping with care and prudence that this will not be for a couple more months.
Dinah and I wish you a Happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year in the Lord.
david
Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact
David Caskey
Webmaster
Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/
