BARBADOS MISSION CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Bill and Esther Gage Mark, Marshall and John

CARRYING CHRIST TO THE I^OWER C?iRIBBE;HN

Rundus Photo

THE CAGE FAMILY

Esther

Marshall, Bill, John, Mark

Can I Afford To Do This?

Last Lord's Day evening we were in an open air meeting at Silver Sands when two
souls confessed Christ. The preaching was about "Purgatory at Calvary" (I Peter 1:18, 19) We are sorry that there were no baptisms

last Lord's Day evening. The large crowd quietly walked away.
I have not made note of all that was said

as many believe in the purgatory dogmas of the

Roman Catholic church. A man and a woman

on behalf of Reuben and Onita but these few

responded to the preaching, casting themselves prostrate and weeping bitterly, for their sins were great, and then they arose to confess Christ boldly before men and make request for immediate baptism. The people stirred about preparing to walk down to the bay (about ,a mile) to witness the baptism. Here's the proposition: They were living together in fornication, having four children from previous variable relations and both de sired baptism.

words should give you some idea of the situa tion. Some of you may think this case abnormal and of poor taste to write about. This is the
conventional circumstance in Barbados. Less

PreadieR Do you understand that if you are baptised into Jesus Christ you are sharing in His death and if you share His death, you
should rise and live new lives with Him?

than 30% of Bajan children are born of married parents, and 96% of these claim church mem bership. We realize to some extent how terrible the wages of sin when we see so many dead men living and their babies starving. If Reuben and Onita had been baptised under these circumstances, I wonder what would have happened to the impact of Christ's teaching? He is everything or nothing and if nothing and if He is everything. He desires every sacrifice on our part to embody the Christ-life and promote His influence.
Aftermath
Reuben and Onita were married at "Kew

That also means that you could no longer live together until you are lawfully man and
wife.

Benben Rice & Onita Williams: Pastor, we

come with all our hearts, but this woman, she is to me my mother, sister and wife. She cares for my children. I cannot live without
her.

House" March 25th and baptised into Christ at Silver Sands March 31, 1957.

COVER PICTURE

Preadien Why don't you marry her? Sinnen I can't tomorrow or the next day.. .(It

Brother Sam Lovell (Oistin) and Brother Ronald Graham (Silver Sands). Brother Lovell

will cost him 2/3 of his week's pay for a

marriage license.) I will, but tonight we want salvation.. .we will join the church
later.

Preacher; The same thing that brings salvation

unites us with the church. The Lord adds the saved to the church. To be saved is to

has been preaching for sometime, while Brother Graham is a new Christian. He was baptised shortly after we came here and is showing a clear understanding of the Scriptures, applying himself diligently to study of God's Word.
This picture was made shortly after a bap
tismal service at Oistin and is also included

be "in Christ," and we are baptised into Christ. It is not possible to be "in Christ" and at the same time hand over your body for the devil's purposes.

along with other pictures, in the mission study packet available for 50^ from:
MISSION SERVICES

Joliet, Illinois

Sinner:

But, pastor, she is my mother, my

sister.. .Can I afford to do this?

Preacher: jesus said: "He that loveth father or

mother more than me is not worthy of me..

Write Mission Services, specifying "Barba dos Mission," Number 1257. These packets are an excellent means of becoming more familiar
with the work of our missionaries.

Tabernacle Evangelism
To our knowledge we have $15 in the Building Fund for the purpose of erecting a temporary building. Needless to say, we are still meeting in the open air, other than at Spooners Hill and Oistin. Send your special offerings for this purpose (clearly marked 'Building Fund") to Mrs. Myrtle Coiie at Saybrook, Illinois, as soon as possible.
The tabernacle (see sketch and article in

If that statement appears shaded with sarcasm, it's only because we are trying to point out the difficulty involved in establishing a congregation in the shadow of massive church buildings and parochial schools, not only of the established church (Anglican, government supported), but other even more indulgent
missions.

February issue) is a portable structure designed for a meeting place in communities where Chris tians are already living. It is to be used in establishing early converts and teaching sin
ners. The tabernacle would remain in that

I do not advocate bringing in elaborate foreign equipment which in Barbados leaves the native standing in awe of those "reech
Amelicans." But when I see the cold cash ef

community until the congregation has provided its own dwellings and is established on a solid
fovindation.

The cost is approjwmately $1,250a di minutive amount. If I were a Seventh Day Adventist, I would ask you for $10,000; if I were a Nazarene I would ask you for $5|000, but I am just a Christian.. .a member of no other body than Christ.

fort of other bodies, I wonder about the steward ship of the churches of Christ. I think it would be good for all of us to make an account of our stewardship in actual dollars and cents, for the dollar we dropped or the quarter we tossed into the "collection" often swells in our memory.

It is more than just "nobody's business but mine and God's." Paul tells thediurch to purge itself of any professing Christian which is guilty ofa long list of sins. Standing in that
list is a covetous man (I Corinthians 5:613).

KEW HOUSE BIBLE SCHOOL

Esther with the original Junior Class of the Bible school. Here, of course, the age

grouping was general. Since that time the younger ones in the picture, along with a num
ber of new students, have been put in a Be

are so Scripturally confused that it makes the teaching of children refreshing. Also in con nection with youth work in this area we have a Boys' Christian Club and a similar Girls' Club with ages of the young people ranging
from five to sixteen.

ginner Class. Most of the adults in Barbados

Just For Women

These past few weeks have brought many
Since we decided to come to Barbados 14

surprises to us and manyanswers to our prayers. First of all, since we have been holding
open airs, we've had to borrow Sister Leacock's

months ago (this is written March, 1957), we have hoped and prayed for some musical in
strument to use in our work. We felt if we could

gas lantern and stand. Te are still using it, but have received word from a friend in Illinois, Aaron Goodrich, that a lantern has been shipped
to us. The following week we heard from Mrs.
Lucile Schrock of Illinois that she had also

get either a small accordion (due to my size, I don't believe I could handle a big one very well!) or a portable organ it would help out
greatly in the work. Just when we said: "An accordion will just have to wait until we can afford one ourselves," along came a letter from

sent us a lantern. We are grateful to these kind friends who have helped us to teach and reach
those outside of Christ here in Barbados.

Thle l8 an experimental elze for CAHIB LIG-HT. Do you

like i t t Let us knov.Thmfike,

the Marvin Kipers of Illinois, telling us their brother (Roger) was shipping us a small scar cely-used accordion! That was top news for us that day and we can hardly wait till we get that parcel notice saying "Accordion." Truly all these fine gifts vill be a blessing to the Lord's
work here in Barbados.

Recently we have received many boxes of Bible school literature. We are very grateful for these and have been sorting them out "datewise" so that they can be used in adult teach
ing classes as well as in Bible school.

Almost from the time a Bajan child learns to walk, he learns to steal. It is a long, and at times, heart-breaking experience trying to "unteach" the habit. One five-year-old boy had stolen one of John's cars. His six-year-old sister returned it and now both are regular attenders at 'Kew House" Bible school. When

questioned about the car, Dennis had denied taking it or any knowledge of it, so we can see lying and stealing are learned at an early age. It is hard for anyone to realize the serious ness and far-reaching effects of the habit. The
CLIMBING UP A COCONUT TREE Someone has asked, "Does Bill climb the

children live in such crowded and squalid sit uations that they feel the only way they can
get anything is to steal it. But don't misunder

coconut trees?" NO! This picture shows Fitz,

stand: natives don't consider taking something as stealing unless it is big. For example, a
man may take $10but it's not considered

one of our neighbor boys, almost at the top of our trees. These are very tall and quite diffi cult to climb, but Fitz is a regular n'Onkey(one
of Fitz' friends says, "He climbs them like a

stealing unless he takes $100! Do you get the point? Ten dollars is Just "little things." The other day I noticed an item in the

rat.") when it comes to climbing. There is nothing our own boys like better than drinking
the milk from a water (green) coconut. Vendors downtown sell them all the time and Bajans brag on the healthful qualities of coconut water.

Barbados Advocate that stated 'only about

300 out of 1,000 shop owners (grocers) have applied for license to sell liquors." We knew that every shop sells liquors, but did not re alize there were so many. Can you imagineon

'ji is\ i:d I4l^ by 22 miles that there are over

i^Iaces where you can buy beer or rum! 'liat i5 more than six taverns per square mile! .. ic any wonder that filthy and starving contions exist here? The slogan "Everyone irinl^s" is exceedingly popular here. Statements recently made to us: "'Re only had a couple of drinks at the family dinner. My boys aren't drinking boys, you know." "Sorry I'm late. Just had to stop and get a drink of water." And the
rurr, smell almost knocked us down!

of teaching and especially prayer. V'ithout prayer we are helpless. Too many people talk

about a person but forget to pray about liim.

Don't read any furthergo back and read that last sentence again. Isn't it true? I know I'm guilty of it, Bill is guilty of it, and I think if you'll be honest about it, you're guilty too.
Pray about the situation hereabout the rum shops, the illegitimate children, the Chris

tians here, and most especially that we may do only the Lord's will in Barbados!
Esther Gage

\(ell, that's the way it is. But It's a serious problem and one that will require a great deal

i-

...v.;,"

REWARD OR PENALTY

Orville Hubbartt (left), minister to the St.

"Pay to" filled in by the St. Joseph treasurer.

Villa Grove is one of our livinglink chur ches and St. Joseph has been supf>orting the work regularly without a definite pledge.

Joseph, Illinois Church of Christ, and Arlo Deremiah, Sunday school superintendent, are standing by a "gimmick" board which was used
in a Bible school attendance contest with the Villa Grove Christian Church (Brother Tom

McGee, minister). Orville says: "We gave 'em

a beating."

The reward for wiruiing was a cash check to a missionary of the winner's choosing. We recently received that check with the value filled in by the Villa Grove treasurer and the

Here's the punch: being a matter of view point, we wonder if that offering were a reward from St. Joseph or a penalty from Villa Grove. After all, some folks give to the church's mis sion as if they were being penalized.
Thanks for the wonderful contestSt. Joseph
and Villa Grove!

ANSWERS TO "DO YOU KNOW?"

(FEBRUARY ISSUE)
1. Tobago, near Trinidad.

2. George Washington visited Barbados on his only trip abroad and contracted smallpox shortly after his arrival here.
3. There are no snakes in Barbados because of

the prevalence of the mongoose which kills

them.

4. The fool said inhis heart! "There is no God."

Ife

Our Needs
1. Tracts: "Christian Workers* Leaflet* by

C. J. Sharp; "Facts Concerning the New Testament Church" by P. H. Welshimer. Any other sound literature you find valuable in training the young convert may also be used
in the work here and is highly valued.

MOVING DAY IN BARBADOS

With the heavy population of this island, very few own their own land, though they may own (and usually do) their own home. A house such as this would set on a spot of land 20 x 30 feet which spot would likely rent for S5 a quarter. U'hen a landlord evicts a renter, the tenant loads up his house on a lorry (truck) and moves to another sf)ot. However, spots are very difficult to obtain due to the dense population, and a tenant will keep his spot just so long as he possibly can.

2. Books: We need books to place on a loan system for student ministers and teachers in training. Maybe you have two copies of Pendleton, McGarvey or Milligan Commen taries* If you are nearing your final reward, we would be eternally grateful to you if you would include the mission field in your will with any part of your library of sound Chris
tian literature.

3. Nnrsery or Beginner Bible school material:

We can well use large picture rolls (colored) as well as small take-home pictures and coloring pictures for these ages.

4. Service Link: Definite pledges for expanding

the work. Ow livinglink has been set at S300 out of which we pay rent and all personal ex penses, which $300 is being used to the last penny. We need the Service Link to help pay $360 for an automatic Gestetner duplicator (the old one became time consuminga gen eral nuisance and expense), for inter-island travel, and other such expenses.

5. Another family to aid in island evangelisi

of

The Lewis Smith family Clewiston, Florida to join

(more details next issue)

Barbados Mission!

DOES A FLYING FISH FLY?

Someone lias asked, 'Does a flying fish fly?" Chiefly by the motion of their tails be fore they entirely leave the water, they are ca pable of gliding some distance through the air. Ve have seen them jump approximately 15 feet across the water. We saw a great many of them as we neared Barbados on our trip down here. They areverydelicious and do not have a fishy taste. Ue buy them for five or six cents (USA
money) each.

OUR CO-WORKERS

The Vernon Osborne Family

OUR LIYtNGLINK CHURCHES IN ILLINOIS

CHAKIPAIGN COUNTY MEN'S FELLOWSHIPeDELANDeeFARMER CITY FISHER* eHEYWORTH* eHOMER* eLEROYe eMONTICELLO OREANAe eSAYBROOKe eTUSCOLAe eVILLA GROVE* f>WAPELLA

We thank God for those who sustain us in our mission. Other churches and

individuals have helped us tremendously. We have not listed individuals for who have indicated systematic giving so we can plan our work accordingly. Mrs.

privacy's sake. Though other churches have helped, we have only listed those Myrtle Coile, forwarding secretary, publishes a financiol statement every other
month.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Saybrook, Illinois
for

Non>Profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

Bill and Esther Gage

"Kew House" Spooners Hill

St. Michaels, Barbados
British West Indies

Saybrook, Illinois
PERMIT NO. 1

Form 3547 Please

\a^
AUGUST ISSUE-1957

Proparty ot
LIBB A^Y

QgAJRIg PIBX^ COLLEGE

Joplia, Me.
NEWSLETTER of Barbados Mission Churches of Christ

Bill and Esther Cage - Mark, Marshall one/John

The church of Christ Is to be at peace with the world, after the world is purified

by the Word. The Prince of Peace did not come to bring peace, but a sword. The peace which some desire is the peace of sluggards.

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His

name amonQ all nations."

-Luke 24-47

DEAR ONES IN CHRIST,

mend>ers place the philosophies of men on a par

with the oracles of God. We dare not build on

We send you our greetings and love with the

church on Barbados.

wood, hay or stubble.

The Christians of Barbados realize keenly the essential oneness of the church in spite of strong racial prejudice which has recently been stirred up here. The United States is receiving a wide smearing. Answering this, the chiirch

Because our message has been taken from our mouth and twisted like a dishrag by those who prefer to be our enemies, we are endeavor ing to publish a New Testament restoration paper. In Silver Sands we have been printing and carrying this paper to 800 homes every two breaks down all racial barriers; as one older weeks. The young people of the church help sister knelt down to pray, she said: "Dear Lord, with this work. They run faster than older folks bind us all (the church) together like a bundle
in the face with a coral stone. Some of these

of sticks what cannot be undo-ed."

if stones are thrown. One of the older members

recently was seriously hurt when a man hit her

If you "missed* receiving the June issue of Carib Light, we s^ologize, though we are glad. The past months have kept us so busy that we failed to answer many of your letters and to pub lish this paper. Your letters sometimes dis appoint us, for in between your lines we gather that you never read the literature we have sent to you. I know the storybut I also know that some of you read a lot of things you could good good and well do without reading. How can you pray for us, other than in general, if you don't know about the particulars? Or how can you be vitally interested in the mission of the church
if you never study?-

people are so sinful that one entire community

has been labeled as Sodom. It isn't because

they are particularly Sodomites but just plain wicked. The nearest we have come to being stoned was after a marriage. As Esther and I jumped down from the newlyweds' home (they had no front steps), a stone struck my hand. I
later heard that the bride refused to live with

the groom any longer until they were married (they have five children). This sometimes causes resentment towards preachers. It could have been a friendly rockBarbarians will often play pretty roughly.

Our special thanks to: all of you who have

contributed to the "tabernacle fund," which
COYER is only in primary progress.. .the Sherman Church of Christ near Barberton, Ohio is helping us to Bill performing marriage ceremony for Reuben pay for an automatic duplicator which we use Rice and Onita Williams. Details of their con like a right arm.. .to the children of V.B.S. who fessions, baptisms, etc., were in the last issue

have sent their offerings for Christ on Barbados... of Carib Light (may be obtained from Mrs. to Brother Bill Paul of Orlando, Florida (he Coile). Since their baptism they have led three must be wide awake) for sending us some in other families to Christ. With government aid, formation which could well lead to the conver they moved from their one-room house to a new
sion of many.

three-room home. Reuben has a good job as a

THANK YOUl

chauffeur on a large plantation.

WE HAVE MOVED...

BARBADOS LINGO

to Silver Sands where we hope to remain for

"Birdspeed"-Very fast. He ran down the road

birdspeed.

about a year in order to do a more effective job of establishing the church. Previously we worked "Bush Tea*~Drink made from plant or herb such as gully root, three fingers, bellyache bush, at several points, but found that we were not Congo eye, and miraculous bush. numerous enough to do a lasting work in all of
them.

Voodooism, Roman Catholicism in all 128 "Cool out" To take one's ease. "Lookat we
various cults are established on Barbados. These form a vicious circle about "the faith*

all working and he at home cooling out.*

"Door mouth"Threshold.

wherever its truths are proclaimed. The church

cannot survive under these conditions if its "Dan-dan"Child's dress.

"1^

DEDICATION DAY
May 26 marked the first service in the rented ducts in this building on Tuesday and Friday building atSayes Court, Silver Sands There was nights. He is working towards a Bible seminary

a full house at the services, which prededed a where students can support themselves through week of evangelistic meetings. During this week, workshop training in manual arts and trades, ^e
we presented the Gospel plan of salvation to large crowds. Since that time there have been a number of additions. Among them was Marcus Trotman, a young man who is to enter the preach er training class, which Brother Osborne con

rent this building for $20 a month, which is more

than most of the members earn in a month. Tf

some congregation would help with this expense (as a project) the Silver Sands congregation would

be greatly aided in purchasing its own building.

OUR NEEDS
Latest reports from Mrs. Coile on tabernacle funds are not available, but recent report indi 2. Rent for building at Silver Sands of $20 cates a need for $1,000 to complete the structure. monthly until established; $18 monthly for 4. FLASH! We just received school books for paper and ink used in printing literature for dis
3. Our immediate need continues to be for the "Tabernacle Fund." With two more mission

1. Soiind Christian literature: Books to place on loan system for student preachers and teach ers; teacher-training courses; 1957 DVBS liter

ary families coming to Barbados before Christ mas, the need for the tabernacle is even greater.

ature; tracts.

tribution.

the boys for September. This bill came early, and was way above what we had anticipated.

Entire bill was $147. Our present livinglink

cannot stand this extra burden.

a-ws

.w J9V

EXCURSION

DAY

June 13ch, the Queen's birthday, marked excursion day tor the churches at Oistin and
Silver Sands. This is an annual affair and eag

erly looked forward to by all the members. Six

busloads were taken on the excursion (picnic) up to Cherry Tree Hill. This is also the home of the monkeys of the island.

THE CHURCI

The church at Oistir

ing. The church owns the land. They recentlj

-0
1ft

on some land for a new

the people to manage all

financial

affairs. At th

holding an evangelistic

BIBLE SCHOOL

Bible school is traditionally held at 4:00 p.m. Sundays in Barbados. This is the youth group who attended on a recent Sunday after-

BROTHER GRAHAM AND WIFE

Brother Graham and his wife, pictured on

the steps of the Silver Sands chxirch following

Bible school. None of the members have cars,

but Brother Graham rides his bicycle to church,

and his wife also rides often. In the States we would think it odd if a man rode and his wife

walked to church, but here that is often the

case. Brother Graham supplies vegetables to

"hawkers" (sellers).

has outgrown its buildrhis building but rents made a down payment building. We encourage
their own business and

e present time, we are ueeting here.

BAPTISM

Just For Women

Several of you have recently asked for more By the time this reaches you, it will prob about our family in the Carib Lights. We have ably be school time again and I will be in the hesitated to do this, but will try to include a midst of dashing from store to store, trying to little in each issue. This one has a recent find the best buys in clothes for the boys.
Every time I saw that picture of us (made when will create a problem. Most shorts cannot be we declared our plans to come here) I would bought for less than $3 to $4 each and seams

(July 7th) picture of all of us, to begin with. Since all three will be in school this year, it
are certainly not sewed very well. Tee shirts

all but "burn^'-that suit looks so hot to us down

here.

are equally expensive; socks are of very poor A few oddities of this land.. .very often material and if you know boys like I do-well, people are buried in their pajamas or night it would be much simpler if they went bare gown. . .We were ^"startled when we attended footed. But they look forward to being in school
the first baptisms here and fot^ the men wore

again, for most of the summer they have only

their pajamas and the women and girls wore occasionally seen other white children. If it their nightgowns (usually with a bathing suit were not for the Osborne's girls, I'm afraid under it, but not always). By the way, it is a they would completely forget the American way

"bath suit* instead of a bathing suit.. .Getting of talking. Bajans have a dialect all their own to be a fairly common sight is that of a one- and our boys have certainly picked it up. For legged man riding a bicycle.. .Natives will go instance, Mark had gone fishing the other day all out to put a shirt on th_^uppet half of a small and kept talking about the "bet." Finally I de child and will leave the bottom half completely cided he meant the "bait," but it was coming bare. This has literally flabbergasted us at OM "bet." And John is just absolutely impos times, and because of the resulting immorality, sible. Afavorite expression of Bajans when they
we tryto teach them to cover the children.They do clothe them from top to bottom for church, but the next dayonecan see them running around in the same old bare way. Their excuse: It's much easier to keep them clean! We must say
Americans are very much far behind in this mat
ter. . .Many women here will not wash dishes

get ready to leave is "I go now." So that is

John's pet saying. Marshall is going through a

tooth-losing stage at present, and has a number of gaps when he grins (see picture). As you can see from the picture of our new home, the shutters on the windward side are all

and iron the same day. "It would give me a tightly closed. It is the hurricane season now, cold," they say.. .A little boy's hair is generally and the wind blows so strong all the time diat not cut until after his fourth birthday. This is we must keep them closed. It hurls tiny parti to keep him from being"dumb.". ..Familiar sight cles of sand and coral in, under and around the
along Broad Street (Main Street) is a man or woman walking along with a rooster or hen

shutters and windows. Since we have been here,

several times it has rained so hard that rain has

tucked under his arm. Almost no one keeps come through the shutters and all around the chickens in a coop or yard, and most of them windows, so that we have had some mopping never know what chicken feed is, but must live up to do. Books in the study are wiped often, off the land itself. Consequently, the chickens but still get a coating on them that looks like a (fowls, as they say here) are very poor and must "day-old beard" (Bill's expression for it). be fattened up before being eaten.
Esther

WE'VE MOVED...

to the most promising field, Silver Sands (see "Just for Women").

BOYS - AND GIRLS

John, Mark and Marshall holding "Molly" and "Fuzzy 11." They are all standing in front of cactus plants and a tall plant called "May pole," from the century plant. Actually the pole looks like a big overgrown asparagus plant to
us. The cactus forms a fence around our house.

THE GAGES

Taken following the first union service at Oistin on July 7th. We didn't realize the boys are all getting so big till we saw this picture. Marshall said: *Mark's almost a grown man.* Boys are (left to right) Mark, Marshall and John.

"s

LEWIS SMITH FAMILY

WILLIAM SCOTT FAMILY

Lewis, Mary and daughter Nonta are origi

nally from Kentucky but now preaching (when not on speaking engagements) at Moore Haven,
Florida. U'e met them at the North American in

Bill, Helen and children Lois, Jean, Kenny,

Terry, and Ronnie will come to Barbados from

Indiana where Bill has been preaching at Dimreith. Our boys especially look forward to the Louisville, Kentucky a year ago. They have Scotts coming in December as they also have long been interested in this field and plan to three boys. Mark says; "Maybe we can have a arrive the first part of September. Forwarding baseball team." Like the Smiths, the Scotts secretary for the Smiths is Harry Banta, 4914 have long been interested in this field and have Cleves Park, Cincinnati 38, Ohio. contributed to the support of Cathy Osboroe this past year.
We look forward to the coming of the Smiths and Scotts with prayerful thanksgiving that the Lord has sent us such willing and capable
workers.

Our Co-Worfeers -Vtrnon and Annalce Oshome - at same Box 193

OUR LIVINGLINK CHURCHES IN ILLINOIS

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY MEN'S FELLOWSHIP**DELAND***FARMER CITY

FISHER**HEYWORTH*HOMER*LEROYaMONTICELLO OREANA**SAYBROOKTUSCOLA**VILLA GROVE* .WAPELLA

We thank God for those who sustain us in our mission. Other churches and

individuals have helped us tremendously. We have not listed individuals for privacy's soke. Though other churches have helped, we have only listed those who have indicated systematic giving so we can plan our work accordingly. Mrs. Myrtle Coile, forwarding secretary, publishes a financial statement every other
month.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Saybrook, Illinois
for

Non>Profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

Bill and Esther Gage Box 193, Bridgetown

Saybrook, Illinois
PERMIT NO. 1

Barbados, British West Indies

Form 3547 Please

IfV^i

f r :

JopU&t

NEWSLETTER of Barbados Mission Churches of Christ

Bill and Esther Gage Mark, Marshall and John

'Kj.

V.-"--S f-'

'^"-v. -..-va

- Sij I

WOMEN IH FIELDS
Vhile Brother Bob Small was here and we

were making up a schedule of what to film, be

stated: *I want to be sure to get a picture of the men in the fields." We both laughed and said: *'But it is mostly women who work in the fields here." We found this group working at Bathsheba on the eastern coast. This crop (cane) is the principal source of Barbados income, with its by>product as rum.

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name amonq all nations.** _i 24*47

THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST RALLY

NEWS ITEMS

On September 1st we made our first public move to plant the church in the heart of Bridge town by an all day rally of the churches of
Christ. Several weeks prior to this rally we

passed out about 4,000 tracts in the city, in

which we discussed (1) What must I do to be

We are expecting Lewis and Mary Smith and daughter, Nonta^ to arrive here this week (week of November 5th) from Moore Haven, Florida. They should greatly relieve our present over loaded schedule, making it possible to enter Bridgetown with more force and to branch out
into new fields.

saved? (2) What church should I join? (3) Can

I be saved outside the New Testament church?

(4) Items of Scriptural worship (5) Living the C^istian life.

Continue to pray for the Bill Scott family,

who are making preparations to come to Barba
dos soon.
The churches at Oistin and Silver Sands

One hundred eight attep^i^ the morning

communion service. The picture in this issue
shows a few who attended that service.

During the afternoon session, we conducted

a forum in which we discussed the origin, organization, creed, ordinances, discipline, finance and purpose of the chtirch of Christ. The highlight of this session came when we
invited questions from the assembly. Keep
in mind that there are 138 active cults in
Barbados.

are uniting for the first time in a Christmas program. Due to a lack of building space, the program will be held in open air at Silver Sands and in the meeting hall at Oistin. The cast will consist of abpve 40 singers and 1^ actors. Because of the program's evangelistic nature, we expect it to be one of the highlights of our present Church and Home United campaign.
The churches at Oistin and Silver Sands

At the evening evangelistic meeting several of the local men made short speeches. The message of the hour was "The Identity of the Church." Total registration was about 300. By the first of the year we hope to re-enter the city to establish a permanent work. The building which we have arranged to rent will cost $65 a month. We hope to obtain this amount from the resources of you in Christ.
This cost should continue until the church is

have appointed men to study the possibility of consolidating the two congregations. If land
can be obtained in an immediate area, the two

congregations should begin to build their own

meeting hoiise by the first of the year.

Winston J. Massiab of the Church of Christ (non-instrument) in Tampa, Florida, recently held a meeting at Queen's Park, Bridgetown. He promised not to make the non-instrument proposition a public issue. He also promised
to return this week (November 5th) with more workers by air as we saw him go.

established. Until this want is st^plied, we shall continue to work privately at every oppor tunity. Several Christians are now active in Bridgetown and are prepared to form the nucleus of a new congregation.
THE MASTER'S TOUCH
FLORENCE W. WILI^TT

ELGIN, ILLINOIS

He bent to lift the tired form

Of one who'd tofled the whole day long, And when He touched the weary one He left her with a song. He bent a listening ear to hear The cry of one who moaned for
rest

We are proud to introduce you to our new liyinglink. The First Christian Church, 23 North

Grove Avenue, Elgin, Illinois, started meeting

in January of 1956. God has blessed their faith and zeal with 58 members, with an atten

dance pushing the 100 mark. At present they

are trying to purchase a building on about .9

From days of pain, and when He came

He left her healed and blest.

He bent to watch with tender eye The face of one misunderstood, And when He came He whispered low, "These things all work for good."

acre of ground priced at $35,000. The congre gation has given $3,000 toward this amount. Beyond their present need, they want to prove the reality of their love by their concern for others. In October they made a place for us in their hearts as their first missionary family.

ml
jf i

i^*

S*yt>l#.i'f -^
RALLY DAY

A'j

First Sunday in October. (See CHURCHES OF CHRIST RALLY")

"THE

WHAT CHRIST CAN DO

Shown left is the original home of Reuben and Oneita Rice (see cover of August Carib Light) who were married last year. The tiny house was divided in half with a thin partition
and shared with another woman and her child

ren. This made for no privacy at all, so Rei^en got busy and made application to the Housing

Authority for a house at Sayes Court Housing

Scheme. After twenty years, they will have ic completely paid for. Ic is kept quit6 clean

inside and out, for they are very proud of it.

1^

LOVE AND MARRIAGE

The West Indian calypso expresses the sensual nature of her people as they dance to the intricate rhythms of steel bands (instru
ments made from steel oil drums) and timeless ballads of filth and lust spew from the mouths

'A

of her young men. Animal passions are excited, respect of self or God is not considered, paren tal guidance is negative and lustful entertain
ment is a pastime. One of the gravest problems confronting the West Indian is the deplorable condition of his
BOB SMALL

family unit. Corrupt unions and disrespect for marriage vows contribute thousands of homeless
children to our land. The custom of "natural

One of the greatest highlights of October to us was the visit of Cba fiain Bob small of
Puerto Rico. While here, he made a motion

picture of the work in Barbados which will be

made available to churches at home in about

unions" extends back to the days when slaves were forbidden to marry. Its popular counterpart is considered the custom of 70 percent of the people.

three months. More details of this film will be

Rum contributes its portion to the destruc tion of the home. From the early history of Barbados. African labor was imported to work in her cane fields. Barbadian slave trade was so lucrative that some enterprising American

in the February issue of Carib Light. Here Brother Bob is shown "winding up" the exten sion cord used for his lights while filcoing here
in our home.

colonist plotted to sell William Penn and his party to Barbadian planters. Approximately sixty families remainhere who are not of African
descent. The total population is 22,115 (1955)They are free; but slave they remain. Brave
men are heroes at drinking "grog" and 'swiz

guardian's consent. This entailed hiring a lawyer, getting the consent of the Chief Justice of the land, six trips to Bridgetown, and a total
cost of $26.48 to get the license (preacher fee was nothing I loaned him the money). They have three children who are proud of their married parents. Celestine was baptized into Christ today. We are trying, through political channels, to ease the legal end of marriage.

zle." Their babies go hungry and their women

beg them for money as it is squandered on this

hellish drink.

Not a few of the ministers and "priests"

are corrupted by liquid fire. Within a "donkey gallop" of our home a "spiritualist priest" proclaims the "mysteries" of Christ behind a pulpit well-stocked with a Bible, fish scales, oil, brass bells (for calling the spirit), lilies,
candles, and a bottle of rum to wet his whistle. Small wonder that the spirit-filled (not Holy

The chxirch of Christ is now engaged in a campaign (adapting Standard's Church and Home, 1953)- The blessings to fathers, moth ers and would-be-homeless children promise to exceed our wildest dream. Imagine some of the difficulties arising when one young Christian's name is SMITH, his mother's name JONES,
father's name WILLIAMS, and father's brother
is named STANLEY. This is an identical and similar circumstance of several of the church. How did all of this come under "Love and

Spirit) rush forward at the "altsir call" shriek ing, writhing and falling prostrate before this
"man of god."

Suppose you were a young couple wanting

to be married in Barbados. There is no law

Marriage?" Only a Christian can understand the meaning of love and marriage. "Love is of God . . . all spiritual blessing . . . in Christ."
The problems are appalling, the answer is simple:

against it; but the law of the land doesn't make it easy. Vernon (age 24) and Celestine (20)
Gale were recently married in our home (see "Just for Women"). They traveled to Bridge town for a marriage license. Being "natural born" they had to appear before the Supreme Court of Barbados to prove Celestine's

CHRIST WOMAN

mm -j
.

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SCHOOL DAYS

As we made a trip around the island with Howard Beck the next to last week he was here, we passed this school where the children were having recess. We stopped for him to get a picture and couldn't resist snapping one our selves. Most schools are run by the Anglican church ~ and a number of teachers are only 18 years old. Schools are VERY crowded, with sometimes hundreds of pupils meeting in a tiny three-room building. Very often three or four students share the same book, which is usually quite outdated. Each one must take home all his books at night, as there is no room to store them in the desks. At the top of the hill near our home is St. Christopher's School (used as the church also) and classes are usually held outdoors with the students and teacher standing

1. Sound Christian Literature: Books to place

on loan system for student preachers ana tea chers; teacher-training courses; 1957 DVBS lit
erature; tracts.

2. Rent for building at Silver Sands of J20 a month until established; $18 monthly for pa per and ink used in printing literature for dis
tribution.

3. Our immediate need continues to be for the

"Tabernacle Fund.* With two more missionary families coming to Barbados soon, the need for the tabernacle is even greater.
4. $65.00 each month for rental on a building in Bridgetown (see "Churches of Christ Rally").

in a semicircle. Pupils repeat what they see on the blackboard, while their eyes wonder around looking at cars as they pass, eyeing longingly the hawker with her fruit, or perhaps laughing at a nearby scene of one older child stoning
a smaller brother or sister.

Back issues of Carib Light may be obtained from Mrs. Myrtle Coile.
Address for all Barbados missionaries is :

Box m, Bridgetown, Barbados, B.W./.

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

JUST FOR WOMEN

As I start this article toward the close of

By the time you receive this letter, little children will be passing by our home with heavy laden pans and baskets of white sand on

their heads. The whitest sand is obtained by

digging deep into the beaches. This is carried to their homes and sprinkled about to make
their Christmas look white.

October, it is hard for us to realize that back

in the States the weather is gradually getting

cooler preparing for snow in the months to come. Monday (October 21st) was the hottest

While elsewhere at home, their older sisters

day of 1957 with a temperature of 89.5 degrees. That may sound like a pleasant temperature,
but believe me, it was miserable. In fact, I think these past six weeks have been the most uncomfortable of our entire stay here. If it were

and mothers will be busy at making Jug-Jug, guava jelly and cheese, shaddock rind, sugar cakes made with coconut, flying fish pie, koo koo, pepper pot, and black pudding and souse. Sorrel drink made from a deep red pod is a popular Christmas drink (tastes something like
blackberry juice).

not for our living on the sea and getting a nice breeze, I'm afraid it really would be almost
unbearable.

For several weeks we have seen young

pigs "staked out" by a rope'tied to a stake and about their necks. These pigs play an important

September 14th Celestine ("Celes") Ward

and Vernon Gale were married here in our home.

As with most marriages, there is often a humor

part at Christmastime, ^me are sold to buy

pain for homes or to make repairs. Others are

ous incident along with the tearful rejoicing. The majority of Bajans seldom engage in con
versation with Americans, as was true in
Vernon's case since he has not attended

used to finance a marriage and celebration, ^t

some of these weddings, the children of the parents being married shall be the attendants a h^py occasion for children and parents alike.

Some shall be totally consumed by the owning family. The intestines of the pig are thoroughly, cleaned and stiiffed with black pudding and
souse.

church services at Silver Sands. Realizing this difficulty, Bill enunciated very clearly and explained that following the words *. . . keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both live?"
the groom was to say, "I will." Bill read the words and turned to Vernon for an answer; but none was given. Then before anyone else could do or say anything, the matron of honor
leaned aroimd in front of the bride and said:

The wealthier families can afford "sucking

pig" stuffed with peas and biscuit and roasted
whole. The skin is basted with olive oil while

"Well, say *1 willM" There's one thing for

certain: Bajans are not at all bashful about correcting one another. If someone misreads the Scripture in church, one of the members is
sure to correct him.

baking and is flanked by Barbados white roast

yam.

TRY SOME -PEPPER POT*

1 oz tail

3 lbs. fresh pork 1 lb. of salt pork,

old fowl or duck

Cut into small pieces, put in pan, cover with water, boil. When half done, add four bonnie peppers (tied in muslin bag), a large bunch of thyme, 1 lb. of sliced onion, 2 Tbs. brown sugar, garlic to taste and cups of
cassava juice. Boil until oz tail is tender. It

As every woman knows, not all of us were blessed with nicely curled hair, so we must resort occasionally to a siege with bobby pins. I try not to get caught in such a condition when I have to go to town; but once in a great while we are so busy that I am forced to make a trip into town with my hair pinned up. At such times I usually have a headscarf tied on my hair in one way or another. Bill and I were in town the other day when I noticed everyone taking the second and third looks at me. I couldn't imagine what was wrong when suddenly it dawned on me that I had my hair pinned up euid you know, these people never have occasion to pin up

should be kept in a large earthenware pot with a cover and heated to boiling point each day.
If heated each day, it will keep for weeks.

their hair! So I must have been quite an oddity

to them at least, I felt like a monkey must feel in a cage.

Plans are in full swing now for the Christ mas program. The two churches plan a joint service, probably giving "Light Shone Down" two different nights. Brother Harding of Silver Sands and Bill are both putting in a lot of time on it. All are quite enthused over it we do so want it to be good.
As a final word, there is still a great need
for the Tabernacle Fund. We have about half

the needed pews, plus the pulpit and communion

table with what has been contributed. We esti

mate it will take approximately $1,500 still for

the building itself and the balance of the seats.

Now I believe each of you who get this paper would like a part in spreading the gospel here in Barbados. Will you help? If each of you would send even one dollar, we would have more than enough. And what about your Women's Groups Missionary Society, etc. . . . Do you have an extra $10 or $15 laying around not helping anyone? It breaks my heart to hear a Mission Group brag; "We're really doing fine. We have over $400 in our treasury now." But that $400 is not helping tell others of Christ. How about it, ladies, will you help? Esther Gage

ST. CHRISTOPHER'S BAR AND GROCERY

This sign was just recently put up, three

doors down from the home of one of our Bible

school teachers. It is a favorite "hang out" of

local rum drinkers and bears the name also

given to the nearby St. Christopher's School

and Church.

TIME MARCHES ON

Esther by a sundial at St. John's church.

We have been in Barbados for 18 months. We

New Year's wish for you: "Grace and peace be

multiplied unto you through the knowledge of

God, and of Jesus our Lord." II Peter 1:2.

look forward to a challenging New Year. Our

OUR LIVINGLINK CHURCHES IN ILLINOIS

Champaign County Men's Fellowship. . .Deland. . .Elgin. . .Farmer City Fisher. . .Heywoith. . .Homer. . .Leroy. . .Monticello Oreana. . .Saybrook. . .Tuscola, . .Villa Grove. . .Wapella
We thank God for those who sustain us in our mission. Other churches and

individuals have helped us tremendously. We have not listed individuals for privacy's sake. Though other churches have helped, we have only listed those

who have indicated systematic giving so we can plon our work accordingly. Mrs. Myrtle Coile, forwarding secretary, publishes a financial statement every other
month.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Saybrook, Illinois
for

Non-profit Organization U. S. Postage

PAID

Bill and Esther Gage Box 193, Bridgetown Barbados, British West Indies

Saybrook, Illinois
PERMIT NO. 1

Form 3547 Please