Partners on Mission

Greetings in the name of our Lord!

We trust that you are doing well. Can you believe it is already February 2009. Wow! I am reminded of a song by the Steve Miller Band (maybe before your time) ... "Fly Like an Eagle" ... that says "Time keeps on slippin' into the future" ...... and it seems to me that we are pickin' up speed! In Ephesians 5, Paul encourages us to "redeem the time" (KJV) ... that we should strive to understand what the Lord's will is. I don't know about you, but unfortunately, my life is seasoned with a good number of lost opportunities.... opportunities to serve Christ, reflect Christ, proclaim Christ that I have let slip away. I find that I must constantly evaluate how I am using my time ... with the question in mind .... am I investing it in eternal things? Do you ever struggle with knowing and then doing the will of God? Let's pray for each other about that.

What is Happening on the Gulf Coast

FEMA Trailers and MEMA Cottages

March 2009 is the month that all FEMA trailers and MEMA cottages are "supposed" to go away. I guess we will see if that really happens or if the date is slipped again. Hancock County, Bay Saint Louis and Waveland are in the process of making determination on the MEMA cottages, which are actually modular homes rated for CAT 3 hurricanes. [That is using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale .... impressed? :o) Cat 1 Winds 74-95 mph , Cat 2 Winds 96-110 mph , Cat 3 Winds 111-130 mph , CAT 4 Winds 131-155 mph and Cat 5 Winds greater than 155 mph. ] It dismays me some that they waited until the 11th hour to make a decision about the cottages ... it only raises the stress for the people living in them.

Volunteer Camps

As you might suspect from the term "recovery" in Disaster Recovery, at some point there will be less need for recovery organizations. We have been watching the volunteer groups pull up stakes, one by one, for the past year. National level organizations like Samaritans Purse were some of the first to leave. Other groups that have been here from the beginning and have left or discontinued their recovery support are - City Team, Camp Salvage, Camp Coastal, Mission on the Bay, Shoreline Park, First Baptist Bay Saint Louis and Saint Rose DeLima. There are others but their names don't come to mind. The exodus of volunteer groups does not mean that the recovery is over, it just means that the recovery is progressing. A distinct advantage for Pathfinder Mission is that since we are debt free, our monthly cost of operation is very low. God has meet our needs every month since we have been on the coast. He is faithful. We expect to be here for some time to come .... But one day the season for rebuilding will pass ... In the mid 1990's I served on staff with Promise Keepers. Randy Phillips, then president of the ministry, spoke at a conference on the subject -- Promise Keepers -- A Mission or a Monument. His point was that he believed that God had established Promise Keepers for a season. (I believe that too) And there would come a time when that season would pass. The same is true for Pathfinder's rebuilding ministry. LET ME SAY THAT WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THAT POINT. (sorry for raising my voice!) Even though some camps are gone, there is still a significant need to help people rebuild there homes.

Rebuilding

Phillips house is finished! We obtained the Certificate to Occupy yesterday. Thanks to all who contributed to the construction on that home. The case manager with International Relief and Development (IRD) is working to find furniture for the home so they can move in.

I have changed the web page for the work we are doing so you can see the volunteer schedule and the work for each home. Click Here to go to that page. As you will see, that Amish group CARE will be helping us with interior painting and flooring next week. The following week, volunteers from Cassopolis, MI will be here to help. You may also note that there are several weeks where we do not have volunteers. I am building relationships with the other camps to "matrix" volunteers to our camp to work on the houses we are responsible for. That is my plan for those weeks, unless we have volunteers come in. We have had a great success doing this since Christmas. The Lord provides for our needs.

The major point here is that we still need you to come help us. The economy is struggling, people are losing their jobs ... but God is STILL on the throne. We are not a construction business, but a ministry established by God for His purpose. He is our source ... our provider .... He calls the laborers .... You may read these words but I would encourage you to listen for His voice. One young man from DeMotte, IN thanked us as he got ready to leave saying that this was one of the most significant things he had ever done in his life...

Ministry

I lead a topical study on Thursdays and study on the book of John on Sunday evenings. Some men have talked to me about starting a men's study on Tuesday but nothing has come of that as yet.

Church Plants

Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church

We have been attending Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church ( a church plant out of First Baptist Bay Saint Louis) for the past couple of months. Ben Dedeaux (DeeDough) is the pastor and works at Lowes in commercial sales. He and I have become good friends. I provided him with the materials to lead a 40 Days of Purpose study at his church. I got the PDL books from friends in California and the study guides and DVD from my brother who is a pastor at the Naperville Evangelical Free Church, near Chicago. We have a topical study on Thursdays and are currently studying John on Sunday evenings.

West Bay Community Church

A good friend from Gateway, Andrew Hicks and his family recently moved to Waveland. Andrew is attending New Orleans Baptist Seminary and has partnered with another student there to plant a church in Waveland. Small world, huh. It is good to have friends like the Hicks close by.

Vacation Bible School

Ben asked if any of the volunteer groups would be interested in helping with a Vacation Bible School this summer. If you are interested please send us an e-mail and let us know when you could come. The date is really up to you, it just needs to be in the summer.

The Elgins

Martie is doing very well in her recovery from the surgery. After I finish the update, we are going for a bike ride. We both need it! Our grand daughter, Jessica is staying with us for a season ... Martie is home schooling her. Jessica just turned 12. She loves the Lord and is a joy to be around. Please continue to pray for us.

Prayer requests

Linda Bynum -- undergoing cancer treatments in Arkansas

Tim Phillips -- Recovering from grease burn on his arm

Joe Tague -- undergoing cancer treatments

Sam & Marie -- Sam has problems with skin cancer and after effects of ear surgery

Ben Dedeaux and Old Spanish Trail BC

Ben's wife Linda who is suffering from several physical ailments

Andrew Hicks and West Bay Community Church

Lesli Davis -- physical and relational problems - funding for her house (cabinets, flooring, doors, trim)

Gertrude Toomey - cancer

Pathfinder Ministry Outreach

That the Lord will continue to provide the resources (volunteer and financial) needed to continue our ministry on the Gulf Coast.

Charley

By His Grace and for His Glory

Charley Elgin

Pathfinder Mission

www.pathfindermission.org

228.493.1081

Isaiah 58 Rebuilding Houses - Restoring Lives

	Pathfinder Mission
	111 Baker Street, Waveland, MS 39576
	228-493-1081

	contact webmaster

	Greetings in the name of our Lord! We trust that you are doing well. Can you believe it is already February 2009. Wow! I am reminded of a song by the Steve Miller Band (maybe before your time) ... "Fly Like an Eagle" ... that says "Time keeps on slippin' into the future" ...... and it seems to me that we are pickin' up speed! In Ephesians 5, Paul encourages us to "redeem the time" (KJV) ... that we should strive to understand what the Lord's will is. I don't know about you, but unfortunately, my life is seasoned with a good number of lost opportunities.... opportunities to serve Christ, reflect Christ, proclaim Christ that I have let slip away. I find that I must constantly evaluate how I am using my time ... with the question in mind .... am I investing it in eternal things? Do you ever struggle with knowing and then doing the will of God? Let's pray for each other about that. What is Happening on the Gulf Coast FEMA Trailers and MEMA Cottages March 2009 is the month that all FEMA trailers and MEMA cottages are "supposed" to go away. I guess we will see if that really happens or if the date is slipped again. Hancock County, Bay Saint Louis and Waveland are in the process of making determination on the MEMA cottages, which are actually modular homes rated for CAT 3 hurricanes. [That is using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale .... impressed? :o) Cat 1 Winds 74-95 mph , Cat 2 Winds 96-110 mph , Cat 3 Winds 111-130 mph , CAT 4 Winds 131-155 mph and Cat 5 Winds greater than 155 mph. ] It dismays me some that they waited until the 11th hour to make a decision about the cottages ... it only raises the stress for the people living in them. Volunteer Camps As you might suspect from the term "recovery" in Disaster Recovery, at some point there will be less need for recovery organizations. We have been watching the volunteer groups pull up stakes, one by one, for the past year. National level organizations like Samaritans Purse were some of the first to leave. Other groups that have been here from the beginning and have left or discontinued their recovery support are - City Team, Camp Salvage, Camp Coastal, Mission on the Bay, Shoreline Park, First Baptist Bay Saint Louis and Saint Rose DeLima. There are others but their names don't come to mind. The exodus of volunteer groups does not mean that the recovery is over, it just means that the recovery is progressing. A distinct advantage for Pathfinder Mission is that since we are debt free, our monthly cost of operation is very low. God has meet our needs every month since we have been on the coast. He is faithful. We expect to be here for some time to come .... But one day the season for rebuilding will pass ... In the mid 1990's I served on staff with Promise Keepers. Randy Phillips, then president of the ministry, spoke at a conference on the subject -- Promise Keepers -- A Mission or a Monument. His point was that he believed that God had established Promise Keepers for a season. (I believe that too) And there would come a time when that season would pass. The same is true for Pathfinder's rebuilding ministry. LET ME SAY THAT WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THAT POINT. (sorry for raising my voice!) Even though some camps are gone, there is still a significant need to help people rebuild there homes. Rebuilding Phillips house is finished! We obtained the Certificate to Occupy yesterday. Thanks to all who contributed to the construction on that home. The case manager with International Relief and Development (IRD) is working to find furniture for the home so they can move in. I have changed the web page for the work we are doing so you can see the volunteer schedule and the work for each home. Click Here to go to that page. As you will see, that Amish group CARE will be helping us with interior painting and flooring next week. The following week, volunteers from Cassopolis, MI will be here to help. You may also note that there are several weeks where we do not have volunteers. I am building relationships with the other camps to "matrix" volunteers to our camp to work on the houses we are responsible for. That is my plan for those weeks, unless we have volunteers come in. We have had a great success doing this since Christmas. The Lord provides for our needs. The major point here is that we still need you to come help us. The economy is struggling, people are losing their jobs ... but God is STILL on the throne. We are not a construction business, but a ministry established by God for His purpose. He is our source ... our provider .... He calls the laborers .... You may read these words but I would encourage you to listen for His voice. One young man from DeMotte, IN thanked us as he got ready to leave saying that this was one of the most significant things he had ever done in his life... Ministry I lead a topical study on Thursdays and study on the book of John on Sunday evenings. Some men have talked to me about starting a men's study on Tuesday but nothing has come of that as yet. Church Plants Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church We have been attending Old Spanish Trail Baptist Church ( a church plant out of First Baptist Bay Saint Louis) for the past couple of months. Ben Dedeaux (DeeDough) is the pastor and works at Lowes in commercial sales. He and I have become good friends. I provided him with the materials to lead a 40 Days of Purpose study at his church. I got the PDL books from friends in California and the study guides and DVD from my brother who is a pastor at the Naperville Evangelical Free Church, near Chicago. We have a topical study on Thursdays and are currently studying John on Sunday evenings. West Bay Community Church A good friend from Gateway, Andrew Hicks and his family recently moved to Waveland. Andrew is attending New Orleans Baptist Seminary and has partnered with another student there to plant a church in Waveland. Small world, huh. It is good to have friends like the Hicks close by. Vacation Bible School Ben asked if any of the volunteer groups would be interested in helping with a Vacation Bible School this summer. If you are interested please send us an e-mail and let us know when you could come. The date is really up to you, it just needs to be in the summer. The Elgins Martie is doing very well in her recovery from the surgery. After I finish the update, we are going for a bike ride. We both need it! Our grand daughter, Jessica is staying with us for a season ... Martie is home schooling her. Jessica just turned 12. She loves the Lord and is a joy to be around. Please continue to pray for us. Prayer requests Linda Bynum -- undergoing cancer treatments in Arkansas Tim Phillips -- Recovering from grease burn on his arm Joe Tague -- undergoing cancer treatments Sam & Marie -- Sam has problems with skin cancer and after effects of ear surgery Ben Dedeaux and Old Spanish Trail BC Ben's wife Linda who is suffering from several physical ailments Andrew Hicks and West Bay Community Church Lesli Davis -- physical and relational problems - funding for her house (cabinets, flooring, doors, trim) Gertrude Toomey - cancer Pathfinder Ministry Outreach That the Lord will continue to provide the resources (volunteer and financial) needed to continue our ministry on the Gulf Coast. Charley By His Grace and for His Glory Charley Elgin Pathfinder Mission www.pathfindermission.org 228.493.1081 Isaiah 58 Rebuilding Houses - Restoring Lives