Partners on Mission

Greetings Friends!

We trust this e-mail finds you well and strong in your faith and walking in His Spirit.

I was talking with my sister the other day and she reminded me that it has been a while since I provided an update ... so being the "good" brother that I am ... I got busy! Actually Martie and I were at Wendy's in Bay Saint Louis for a late lunch when I heard the song .. "Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces". Now for some of you that might not mean a thing ... but then nor would a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater. In our grade school (Pleasant Valley, which is built on the top of a hill ???), each year they had a talent show where the students would do what ever they had talent to do, or not. My sister pantomimed (what they call lip synching today) - Tan Shoes - so when I heard that song I thought of her on that stage and then I thought I needed to call her so .... I called her. Has that ever happened to you? Some happening reminds you of a time in the past or of a person ? I believe that the Lord brings people to mind that way ... hearing a song or seeing something or someone ... they come to your mind .... it is at those times I think that the Lord wants us to pray for them ... go see them ... or call them ... Something to think about ....

What's Happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Have you ever tried to solve one of those cross word puzzles in the newspaper? Martie loves them .. they drive me crazy. The word definitions are uncommon and one word's spelling is dependent on one or more other words. Well, that is a very simple way of describing what is happening down here. The problems that the local governments face are very difficult to understand and to solve. Add money, politics, personal motives, economics, traditions, and many unknowns to the mix and you have a mess. The city and county governments want to get things back on track .... the state has interim housing solutions that only the state appears to be interested in ... many of the people are in a "time warp" --- no money --- no hope --- no house. over 21,000 families are still in FEMA trailers in the three Gulf Coast counties. We hear rumblings that even though the Federal government has approved FEMA trailer use through March 2009 ... some of the cities have not yet approved their remaining beyond Aug 31 of this year. The associated stress with the uncertainty is manifesting itself everywhere. There have been two suicides within 6 blocks of our camp in the past month. A man in Pearlington, after hearing that the construction on his new home failed inspection, burnt it down and held the fire department off at gunpoint until it was a pile of ashes .... That's the "bad news".

The good news is that rebuilding continues ... there are a number of new home initiatives, similar to Habitat homes but in some cases free to the owner, for residents in this county, Hancock, and I am certain in other counties as well. Volunteers continue to show up at the camps in the area -- ours too --- Grant money is beginning to trickle in .. and people are getting back into their homes ... slowly ... but steadily. Let me remind you that we are in month 22 since Katrina made landfall. The initial projection was 5 to 10 years for the recovery .. now we understand why. Local churches seem to be getting back into their pre-Katrina stride. Many still host volunteers and remain active in the recovery.

There has been a lot of press and talk about the Casinos and others developing on the Gulf Coast ... condos ... resorts. The apartments that sat untouched for 20 months near the intersection of 90 and Waveland are under renovation. They are making great progress. Prior to the storm there were 2800 apartments (+/-) in Hancock county. As of last month the figure was just under 400 built back. Don't know for sure where the people are who lived in them prior to Katrina, but my guess is that they are either in FEMA trailers or gone -- relocated.

Ministry

We are currently working on 6 homes -- in various states of repair. I will update the web site that reflects their status. For the rest of this month and next month we have a good number of volunteers to help us move those houses along. Praise the Lord for that!

A note on two of the owners ... Lee Cunningham had a mild heart attack a few weeks ago ... He went to the Houston VA for a stint, but once they ran tests, they told him he must have open heart surgery ... I told him that I would pass that along so you all would be praying for him this week. We just received a call from Karen, Lee's wife, the surgery was successful. BTW, Lee is also diabetic.

George Barnes went to the VA to have some skin lesions removed .. or so he thought ... The VA told him he had melanoma cancer (from agent orange exposure) and they removed a "chunk" from his chest and his back. He also has a detached retina, beginnings of macular degeneration, diabetes, ruptured disks and was told he is pre-lukemic (if that is the right word). I talked with his wife today and she said that he continues to have severe migraines ... a cat scan ruled out tumors ... so the doctors thin it is the medication he is taking. Ugh!

Gordon Howard is taking treatments for 40 weeks for Hepatitis C and is sick most days from the medication. He also has a hernia and other problems. I talked with his wife, Patricia, today and the doctor said the medication is working!

Add to that their trying to get back into their homes with little or no money and it makes for a pretty challenging life. In Romans chapter 7 Paul asked the question "Who will rescue me from this body of death?" but he goes on to say... "Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! " Pray that these men will seek the Lord with their whole heart.

On the 4th of July we will have our second annual Community Cookout. We expect a good turnout. Pray that the Lord will be acknowledged and glorified during this event. Our home church, Gateway Baptist, Montgomery and Lighthouse Church from Thorsby, AL will be here to help.

Last weekend 10 volunteers from the Air Force NCO Academy located at Gunter Annex of Maxwell AFB were at the camp. They were awesome. A good friend and Brother, Rick Plaskett came to do the cooking for them (and us). The food was WONDERFUL! Their helping us was a result of our coordinated with some folks we know at the Academy, with the Base Chaplain and others. We hope to have other teams from other classes in the future.

This week we have 37 volunteers from FBC Farmersville, TX. They arrived last night and have survived the baptism of the "trains". They are amazing.

The Camp

As you know, we are moving our kitchen and meeting area to a house adjacent to the camp. This next week we will be leveling and firming up the foundation of the mission house. Like the song says ... you better build your house upon the rock ... make a good foundation on a solid spot ...

We moved the air conditioner from the tent to the fellowship hall so we can eat and meet in the heat and not sweet ... er sweat. Are you still curious why the Lord didn't call me to be a poet? It is working great thanks to Joel Owen and Jack Johnson.

The City of Waveland is replacing the water, sewer and gas lines South of the tracks. They have converted us from the sewer to 20 -- 250 gallon portable septic tanks that they empty every other day or as required. They will be in place for the next 2 to 4 months. They are working well. Thank the Lord for that!

Pathfinder

Pathfinder received its designation as a Mississippi Non-Profit Corporation this month. This is the first step toward receiving our 501c3 status. We have our first board meeting July 17th in Montgomery. The board members are Lloyd Williams of Alabama. Lloyd is retired and was the president of a large construction company. Rev Bill Mitchell of Florida. Bill is the missions pastor for FBC Orlando. Sherry Buresh of Kentucky. Sherry is the deputy director of Christian Appalachian Project ministry's Disaster Relief and is actively involved with multiple Disaster Relief organizations at the local, state and national level. Rev George Beardsley of California. George is the staff pastor at High Desert Church in Victorville, CA. Lisa Shaw of California. Lisa and her husband, Jim, own their own business and attend Saddleback Church. LtCol John Vaughn (USAF) from Texas. John, formerly of Gateway Baptist, is currently assigned to Randolph AFB. Donna Conte from Alabama. Donna is a CPA and lives in Montgomery, AL.

Prayer Requests

Lee Cunningham - recovery from open heart surgery. For Karen, his wife - for strength as she tends to her husband in Houston. She is staying at the guest quarters for families near the VA in Houston.

George Barnes - melanoma - detached retina. For Barbara, his wife, for strength and peace.

Timothy Phillips - he suffered a heart attack right after the storm while trying to remove a tree from his father's roof. He is also diabetic.

Rico - had open heart surgery last month.

Elgin's. Martie's health. She struggles with the pain in her lowers back and hip. For me .. strength and wisdom. And that the Lord will continue to provide for our personal financial needs. He has been so faithful.

Finally, Martie and I want you to know just how important you are to the work that is going on down here. Whether it is financial support, volunteering, praying for us, or a combination of the three, all are vital to the continuing of ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness. Good friends of ours once us as we were about to join the Promise Keepers staff that "Where God Guides, He Provides". He no longer provides as He did when he sent manna from heaven ... but it is no less a miracle ... He does it through the work and generosity of the Saints ...

Be Blessed

Charley

Charley & Martie Elgin

Pathfinder Mission

Waveland, Mississippi

^{http://www.pathfindermission.org}

^{(228) 493-1081}

Isa 58:12…. you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

	Greetings Friends! We trust this e-mail finds you well and strong in your faith and walking in His Spirit. I was talking with my sister the other day and she reminded me that it has been a while since I provided an update ... so being the "good" brother that I am ... I got busy! Actually Martie and I were at Wendy's in Bay Saint Louis for a late lunch when I heard the song .. "Tan Shoes and Pink Shoelaces". Now for some of you that might not mean a thing ... but then nor would a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater. In our grade school (Pleasant Valley, which is built on the top of a hill ???), each year they had a talent show where the students would do what ever they had talent to do, or not. My sister pantomimed (what they call lip synching today) - Tan Shoes - so when I heard that song I thought of her on that stage and then I thought I needed to call her so .... I called her. Has that ever happened to you? Some happening reminds you of a time in the past or of a person ? I believe that the Lord brings people to mind that way ... hearing a song or seeing something or someone ... they come to your mind .... it is at those times I think that the Lord wants us to pray for them ... go see them ... or call them ... Something to think about .... What's Happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Have you ever tried to solve one of those cross word puzzles in the newspaper? Martie loves them .. they drive me crazy. The word definitions are uncommon and one word's spelling is dependent on one or more other words. Well, that is a very simple way of describing what is happening down here. The problems that the local governments face are very difficult to understand and to solve. Add money, politics, personal motives, economics, traditions, and many unknowns to the mix and you have a mess. The city and county governments want to get things back on track .... the state has interim housing solutions that only the state appears to be interested in ... many of the people are in a "time warp" --- no money --- no hope --- no house. over 21,000 families are still in FEMA trailers in the three Gulf Coast counties. We hear rumblings that even though the Federal government has approved FEMA trailer use through March 2009 ... some of the cities have not yet approved their remaining beyond Aug 31 of this year. The associated stress with the uncertainty is manifesting itself everywhere. There have been two suicides within 6 blocks of our camp in the past month. A man in Pearlington, after hearing that the construction on his new home failed inspection, burnt it down and held the fire department off at gunpoint until it was a pile of ashes .... That's the "bad news". The good news is that rebuilding continues ... there are a number of new home initiatives, similar to Habitat homes but in some cases free to the owner, for residents in this county, Hancock, and I am certain in other counties as well. Volunteers continue to show up at the camps in the area -- ours too --- Grant money is beginning to trickle in .. and people are getting back into their homes ... slowly ... but steadily. Let me remind you that we are in month 22 since Katrina made landfall. The initial projection was 5 to 10 years for the recovery .. now we understand why. Local churches seem to be getting back into their pre-Katrina stride. Many still host volunteers and remain active in the recovery. There has been a lot of press and talk about the Casinos and others developing on the Gulf Coast ... condos ... resorts. The apartments that sat untouched for 20 months near the intersection of 90 and Waveland are under renovation. They are making great progress. Prior to the storm there were 2800 apartments (+/-) in Hancock county. As of last month the figure was just under 400 built back. Don't know for sure where the people are who lived in them prior to Katrina, but my guess is that they are either in FEMA trailers or gone -- relocated. Ministry We are currently working on 6 homes -- in various states of repair. I will update the web site that reflects their status. For the rest of this month and next month we have a good number of volunteers to help us move those houses along. Praise the Lord for that! A note on two of the owners ... Lee Cunningham had a mild heart attack a few weeks ago ... He went to the Houston VA for a stint, but once they ran tests, they told him he must have open heart surgery ... I told him that I would pass that along so you all would be praying for him this week. We just received a call from Karen, Lee's wife, the surgery was successful. BTW, Lee is also diabetic. George Barnes went to the VA to have some skin lesions removed .. or so he thought ... The VA told him he had melanoma cancer (from agent orange exposure) and they removed a "chunk" from his chest and his back. He also has a detached retina, beginnings of macular degeneration, diabetes, ruptured disks and was told he is pre-lukemic (if that is the right word). I talked with his wife today and she said that he continues to have severe migraines ... a cat scan ruled out tumors ... so the doctors thin it is the medication he is taking. Ugh! Gordon Howard is taking treatments for 40 weeks for Hepatitis C and is sick most days from the medication. He also has a hernia and other problems. I talked with his wife, Patricia, today and the doctor said the medication is working! Add to that their trying to get back into their homes with little or no money and it makes for a pretty challenging life. In Romans chapter 7 Paul asked the question "Who will rescue me from this body of death?" but he goes on to say... "Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! " Pray that these men will seek the Lord with their whole heart. On the 4th of July we will have our second annual Community Cookout. We expect a good turnout. Pray that the Lord will be acknowledged and glorified during this event. Our home church, Gateway Baptist, Montgomery and Lighthouse Church from Thorsby, AL will be here to help. Last weekend 10 volunteers from the Air Force NCO Academy located at Gunter Annex of Maxwell AFB were at the camp. They were awesome. A good friend and Brother, Rick Plaskett came to do the cooking for them (and us). The food was WONDERFUL! Their helping us was a result of our coordinated with some folks we know at the Academy, with the Base Chaplain and others. We hope to have other teams from other classes in the future. This week we have 37 volunteers from FBC Farmersville, TX. They arrived last night and have survived the baptism of the "trains". They are amazing. The Camp As you know, we are moving our kitchen and meeting area to a house adjacent to the camp. This next week we will be leveling and firming up the foundation of the mission house. Like the song says ... you better build your house upon the rock ... make a good foundation on a solid spot ... We moved the air conditioner from the tent to the fellowship hall so we can eat and meet in the heat and not sweet ... er sweat. Are you still curious why the Lord didn't call me to be a poet? It is working great thanks to Joel Owen and Jack Johnson. The City of Waveland is replacing the water, sewer and gas lines South of the tracks. They have converted us from the sewer to 20 -- 250 gallon portable septic tanks that they empty every other day or as required. They will be in place for the next 2 to 4 months. They are working well. Thank the Lord for that! Pathfinder Pathfinder received its designation as a Mississippi Non-Profit Corporation this month. This is the first step toward receiving our 501c3 status. We have our first board meeting July 17th in Montgomery. The board members are Lloyd Williams of Alabama. Lloyd is retired and was the president of a large construction company. Rev Bill Mitchell of Florida. Bill is the missions pastor for FBC Orlando. Sherry Buresh of Kentucky. Sherry is the deputy director of Christian Appalachian Project ministry's Disaster Relief and is actively involved with multiple Disaster Relief organizations at the local, state and national level. Rev George Beardsley of California. George is the staff pastor at High Desert Church in Victorville, CA. Lisa Shaw of California. Lisa and her husband, Jim, own their own business and attend Saddleback Church. LtCol John Vaughn (USAF) from Texas. John, formerly of Gateway Baptist, is currently assigned to Randolph AFB. Donna Conte from Alabama. Donna is a CPA and lives in Montgomery, AL. Prayer Requests Lee Cunningham - recovery from open heart surgery. For Karen, his wife - for strength as she tends to her husband in Houston. She is staying at the guest quarters for families near the VA in Houston. George Barnes - melanoma - detached retina. For Barbara, his wife, for strength and peace. Timothy Phillips - he suffered a heart attack right after the storm while trying to remove a tree from his father's roof. He is also diabetic. Rico - had open heart surgery last month. Elgin's. Martie's health. She struggles with the pain in her lowers back and hip. For me .. strength and wisdom. And that the Lord will continue to provide for our personal financial needs. He has been so faithful. Finally, Martie and I want you to know just how important you are to the work that is going on down here. Whether it is financial support, volunteering, praying for us, or a combination of the three, all are vital to the continuing of ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness. Good friends of ours once us as we were about to join the Promise Keepers staff that "Where God Guides, He Provides". He no longer provides as He did when he sent manna from heaven ... but it is no less a miracle ... He does it through the work and generosity of the Saints ... Be Blessed Charley Charley & Martie Elgin Pathfinder Mission Waveland, Mississippi ^{http://www.pathfindermission.org} ^{(228) 493-1081} Isa 58:12…. you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

	Pathfinder Mission, P.O. Box 3313, Bay St. Louis, MS 39521

	228-469-0507

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