Recovery Progress.
 
Patsy Clairmont, that great theologian :o) wrote a book entitled "Normal Is Just A Setting On Your Dryer".  As the Gulf Coast continues to struggle to get back to the pre-Katrina "Normal", I think  they are going to have to re-define "normal".  Although there has been much progress, I don't think that this area will be restored completely for many years to come.  God continues to send volunteers to help.  Of course, not as many as I would like, but we do what we can with what we are given.  There are still many homes that must be built, the city and county governments are still working out of trailers, FEMA trailers are slowly being "nudged" out of communities all along the Gulf Coast, city councils are debating over the fate of the Mississippi Katrina Cottages ... can they stay or must they go. 

Don't you think it is awesome how God uses calamities to promote the Good News in ways that we never could?  I was talking to one of our Board Members, Sherry Buresh recently.  Sherry is the Disaster Relief Program Director for the Christian Appalachian Project, a ministry in Eastern Kentucky.  Each summer she helps organize and manage the Ichthus Festival which has about 20,000 youth attend a concert (http://www.ichthusfestival.org/.)  So back to my point ... two nights before they opened, a tornado roared through the festival grounds and tore nearly all they had set up back down.  They worked frantically to restore the meeting tents ... I am talking circus sized tents ... and through a lot of hard work, were ready for the opening ... now here is where it gets good!  CNN interviewed the director of the Festival and he was able to share what God had done and what He is doing on National TV.  The director told Sherry that they could never have reached that many households had they not endured the calamity.  So God was exalted across our nation and most likely around the world.  Pretty Cool. 

I was talking with a new client yesterday.  He told me that he and his wife had lived in Florida, but Hurricane Andrew destroyed their home.  So they moved to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.  Hurricane Katrina took their home in Mississippi.  He is a disabled Marine veteran (once a Marine, always a Marine - Semper Fi!) wounded in Vietnam.  He told me that out of his squad, only two Marines survived the war (1968-1969) For those of you who served in Vietnam you know what a difficult period that was for all troops but especially for the Marines.  Anyway, he is rebuilding his home by himself and he needs us to help him.  I was impressed by his determination and humility.  There are many others like that couple ... working silently ... doing what they can, when they can, while they can. 

We are currently working on 5 homes and 2 more are waiting our acceptance. I expect the final inspection on the Nelson house this week.  Please join us in praying that the Lord will continue to send the resources we need for this important work.  You know, I have had to watch myself and not worry.  With all of the natural calamities going on around our country and the world, it is easy to think that support for the work here will fall off.  Then I remember that the God of heaven is our supply - our provider - our source. I am constantly reminded of Prov 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and HE will direct your path.  Thank you Lord.

Volunteers from Farmersville Texas are here this week.  I always know when we have Texans in the camp because Brisket is on the menu! Yum!  They are doing a great job, especially given the heat and humidity.  Right now it's 74 degrees and 90% humidity ... it will get up about 90 degrees today.  We have another group coming in Sunday.  Then a group about every other week for the month of July, then no one scheduled until October.  That's two months without volunteers to work on the houses.  I have included a link to our web calendar if you want to check it out.  http://pathfindermission.org/Calendar/VolunteerCalendar.htm

Martie and I have long believed that the Lord wanted us to plant a church in this area. I have been in a cocoon for the past two years struggling with that very thing.  The big question has not been "if" but "when".  We have been praying that the Lord would bring like minded believers along side us to help us.  We see that coming together. Well, true to my form, when asked what I thought the church would be like, I said .. "Given the people we have been ministering to, I don't see a bunch of young children in the church."  This summer we are bringing our grandchildren to stay with us one or two at a time.  Last week our grandson Nate stayed with us.  Each night I read a Bible story to him before bedtime.  One night the story was about the disciples trying to keep the children away from Jesus and Jesus called the children to Him.  As I read the story, the Lord said to me ... your are just like the disciples ... let the children come to me.  Ugh!  I hate it when my stubbornness and lack of faith is revealed, don't you?  Well, as if to confirm what He told me, last Sunday, Nate said "Poppa, last night when you prayed, I prayed with you."  He was referring to my praying at the end of the Saturday night service when I asked people to pray with me and ask to receive the Lord and His Salvation.  WOW!! I was speechless.  How awesome is our God?  And like the commercials on television, but wait there's more! He wasn't done.  Yesterday, I was talking with one of our grand daughters, Jessica, and led her to the Lord.  God is good!  Please pray for both of them .. in fact for our entire family.  Needless to say I have had to rethink the composition of the church.  Jesus reminded me that He said He would build His church ... my part is to tag along and exercise the gifts He has given me ... what a great place to be.

Prayer Requests
 
Angel - our niece, the surgery went fine.  She is doing well
Chuck - Our uncle who has been placed in a nursing home and is dealing with a number of physical ailments
Vicki - Martie's sister who had the same surgery, but more extensive than Martie's.  She is struggling with the recovery process.

Sam and Marie - (residents) health and financial stability
Tim and Alma - (residents) physical problems for both
Charley and Martie - that the Lord will gives a clear vision - will strengthen our faith - provide the resources we need for this ministry

Bonnie - (residents) Depression
Linda - (residents) Depression
Ben - (resident) He is legally blind from diabetes and has problems with his remaining foot
George - (resident) Depression
Billie - Bo Bohanan's sister has significant physical maladies
Dave and Patricia - (residents) health and financial stability
Craig - (resident) continued success in his struggle as he recovers from drug and alcohol addictions - Craig accepted Christ at a church in Picayune .. thanks for your prayers.

Nate & Jessica - that their faith will be fed.