When we wrote our last report in June, the first Tropical Storm of the season had just been named. A month later we are watching "Emily" (Number Five) add to the havoc of "Dennis". Our hearts go out to those affected by these storms. Granada, Jamaica, Haiti, Cayman and the Gulf Coast of the United States. Emily looks like she might be heading for Texas. These storms and their frequency help us to understand that we are helpless to change many things. We only have the opportunity to accept the things we can not change, and to prepare our lives for eternity. Dinah and I have seen the passing of a number of old friends during the past few weeks. We have also rejoiced that the grandson of our dear friends, (The Kennons) from Wynne, Arkansas is recovering from the removal of clusters of brain tumors. He was born just a few weeks ago. I finally got the great news yesterday. I had not heard from Stewart as he had lost my number when he "baptized" his cell phone in a rice paddy. We joked that the event did not "save" his phone, but on a serious note that God had graciously answered our prayers concerning Damon Rivers.
Many brethren went to Cuba, the day after Hurricane Dennis killed more than 10 on that Island, for the Annual Caribbean Lectureship. The reports we have received from the Bahama group was that it was well attended and a time of great spiritual encouragement. Over the many years, the brethren in Cuba could not leave their Island home to join with those of other Island nations in this time of fellowship and study. It is historic that this year the Island of Cuba hosted the event. For more than 30 years we remembered the Cuban Brethren in a special prayer at the end of the Lectureship.
We have continued to take World Bible School and Mission Printing Bible Study materials to the various Islands. The Church in Point Comfort, Texas is preparing a large shipment of Sunday School materials that will be shared with congregations in the Bahamas. We are thankful to this Church for their support and providing materials to assist in teaching Island children the story of Jesus. These materials along with the Bibles provided by the Youth at the Longmire Road congregation are opening doors for personal Bible studies and the conversion of good numbers of precious souls.
Everyone in the Bahamas is trying to get ready for the Hurricanes that will most likely start heading up our way in the next couple of weeks. The building in Marsh Harbour is not closed in yet, but we are working to that end. The last two doors have been delivered. Many of the congregations are preparing for summer events. The group that was coming to Abaco for a VBS from Ft. Myers had to cancel due to Hurricane Dennis. There are other groups planning to come later. The men in Abaco had their First Annual Men's Retreat and it was very successful. I had the opportunity to co-teach the Men's Bible Class on Wednesday night and I was most impressed by the attendance and the interest. It is exciting to see so many men and women developing spiritually. The program of Teacher Training in Abaco continues each month with several coming over from the Palm Beach Lakes Church in West Palm Beach.The Ladies Class was taught Wednesday night by one of their students. We continue to appreciate the good work being done by these brethren. We are thankful that Katrinka Quashie is feeling much better, we are hopeful that her surgery will not be required after she passed more than 200 gall stones. Jason and Katrinka will soon take a group of young people to West Palm for an Youth event and then will travel to Richardson, Texas to speak and share in a Mission Weekend.
There is the possibility that land may be donated to the Church in Exuma, that would allow us to have our own place of worship. Steve is having several events this summer with the help of Mike Gurganus and the brethren from Georgia. These events include summer camps and evangelistic efforts.
Dinah and I attended, along with more than 200 others, the special surprise banquet given for Brother William Miller on the occasion of his 70th birthday and the memory of his 52 years of service to the Church in the Bahamas. He was overwhelmed by the attendance of so many from far away. His son who is a Lawyer in Atlanta and his family, along with his daughter who is a Dentist and her family from Dallas and the oldest daughter and family from Freeport were a special surprise. His oldest son and family live in Nassau. Benny and Peggy Morton came from Detroit. ( Benny had baptized Bill). Benny had found and framed the original letter that Bill wrote asking him to come to Nassau and baptize him! Jack and Pat Evans flew in after a very successful campaign in which 461 were baptized. Jack and Bill were in school together in Terrell, Texas. Jack has served as President of Southwestern Christian College for many Years. Freeman Weish and a large delegation from the Church in Liberty City, (Miami) were there to make a special presentation. Other speakers included the former Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas (Like our Vice President). We are all thankful for Bill and delighted that he is recovering so well from his cancer surgery. Dinah and I really enjoyed worshipping with the Central congregation on Sunday while in Nassau. I spoke and we enjoyed a great visit and meal with Andrew and Bonnie Major. Drexal Major led the singing. This brought back many memories of our working together in Abaco before his accident.
Lincoln Young hosted a group from Memphis led by Rick Woods who conducted a VBS. He is now waiting for the arrival of the group from Wynne, Arkansas. Please keep Lincoln in your prayers. He went back to Nassau for more tests, and is scheduling another trip after the Wynne group leaves. There is some concern that he may have some major damage to one of his kidneys. He is feeling better, but not out of the woods yet. Lincoln has really been busy speaking at Youth events all over Eleuthera. He is highly respected. I spoke with the Member of Parliament from South Eleuthera at the airport recently and he was singing Lincoln's praises. He has promised to attend services soon. I assisted in baptizing a young man on our last trip to Rock Sound, and Lincoln is conducting studies with several others.
Dinah and I will be leaving in short order for the Family Encampment at Lake Tahoe. I have been invited to be one of the Key Note speakers, and to conduct a Personal Evangelism Class and serve and speak on a panel each morning. I have been preparing my ten presentations! We are looking forward to the fellowship and the opportunity to see old friends and meet new brethren.We love to find new people to listen to our Bahama stories! It is our hope that Dick and Beverly Parker will be well enough to attend. We are thankful for the quarter of century of labour in the Islands.
Please keep us and all of those in the areas affected by storms in your prayers. Checks can be made to Bahama Mission Church of Christ, and sent:
Att: David Caskey-Mission, c/o Gulf Coast Church of Christ
3825 McGregor Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Florida 33901.
david
Bahama Mission Home Page
http://www.flyingpreacher.com/
Mission Contact
David Caskey
Webmaster
Jerry Pickup
http://www.jpickup.com/
