|
|
|
From Waveland, MS Sept 09, 2006 |
|
|
Greetings. We trust that this e-mail finds you well and
your walk with the Lord -- steady.
I was talking with a resident of Pearlington on Thursday of
this week. His name is Edgar. He had just heard that we
were building pods. As we talked I discovered that we had
something in common, we both served in the same area of
Vietnam - the Mekong Delta. The difference was while I
slogged rice patties, he patrolled the rivers (he was in
the "brown water" Navy). We talked some about the war in
Vietnam and then agreed that war is for young men - and
although we might still have the heart for battle, we didn't
have the endurance. Our conversation then moved on to how
difficult this past year has been for him and the people of
Pearlington. (Pearlington is a small town on the Pearl
River right on the Mississippi - Louisiana border. Very few
homes withstood the storm. Pearlington is not incorporated
and has lacked a voice in the competition for federal money
and volunteer support. So, it has been largely overlooked
during the recovery.)
Edgar completed an application for a pod and left. (Since
our meeting, as a result of his referrals, there have been a
steady stream of folks from Pearlington applying for pods.)
Initially I was concerned because our focus has been
primarily in the Waveland/Bay St Louis area and there are
limits to what we can do, but the Lord brought a verse to my
mind .... James 2:15-16 (
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily
food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm
and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs,
what good is it?) I
know need to have boundaries for our ministry here, but
there are times when the Spirit says ... "This is the way ..
walk in it" so then it becomes an issue of obedience. And to
know what to do and not do it is sin. Bottom line, we are
accepting the applications and will continue to build the
pods as long as there is a need for them.
You would think that being in the middle of all of this, I
wouldn't have a problem keeping the need fresh. It's not
that I don't know about the need but my heart can start to
toughen up. My talk with Edgar re-sensitized my heart to
the fact that the people who live on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast continue to struggle with the overwhelming -
unimaginable losses they have suffered at the hands of
Katrina. For each one that we help, there are ten
more waiting behind them. It's a God sized mission. But as
you know, it's more than building pods and rebuilding
homes. It's rebuilding lives - restoring people to the
Father through the Son.
When I was in the Army I learned that the most secure means
of communication is a messenger. Well, the Lord has
given you and me "The Message" to be hand carried to the
people fighting the battle of recovery here on the Gulf
Coast ... and it's Good News! Jesus has overcome the world
... and He has won not just the battle, but the war! We can
find rest and hope and restoration in Him. And that is the
message that we are to carry with us for the people of the
Gulf Coast. Martie and I can't do this by ourselves but
only through the multiplication that occurs when volunteers,
like you, join the fight. Please look at your calendar and
set aside some time to come to the aid of the people here.
John 15:13 says "No greater love has one man than this, but
to lay down his life for his friends" Jesus provided the
perfect example ... and said, "If any man comes after me,
(1) he must deny himself, (2) he must pick up 'his' cross,
and (3) follow me." Pray about it and listen for His voice.
Have you ever wondered who encourages the encouragers? I
have ... on those days when I feel like I am losing ground
... the skirmish I am in is not going my way. God has a
wonderful way of providing encouragement just the right
time. It comes from a phone call, an encouraging word from
a volunteer, or a note in the mail. Well, I received a card
from my mom this week. In it she had written some words and
verses my dad had penned in the front of his bible. I
thought I would share them with you.
**********************************
"We are all faced with a series of great opportunities
brilliantly disguised as impossible situations" (I'm
not sure if that was a quote from Chuck Swindoll or Lee
Iacocca .... Charley) "Where do we get the faith to
meet them .... (mustard seed)"
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing will be impossible"
Luke 18:27 "The things which are impossible with men are
possible with God"
2 Cor 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I
will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that
Christ's power may rest on me."
Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah Lord God! Behold You have made the
heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched
arm. There is nothing too hard for you."
Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all
flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
********************************
Wow! What a great reminder that the One who called us is
sufficient to meet our every need .. to give us the strength
we need when we need it. I am certain my dad, who is now
with the Lord, had no idea those words would encourage me
while we are serving down here on the Gulf. You know, if
there was just one thing that I was asked to choose as
"the most remarkable" during the past year, it would be how
God has provided for our physical, spiritual, and emotional
needs ... just when we needed Him to. What an awesome,
loving and mighty God we serve. But do you know what the
really cool thing is? He is ready to be that Provider for
everyone ... for the people here in Mississippi ... in
Pearlington ..... and for you ... no matter what
circumstance we find ourselves in. Paul said that he had
learned to be content in whatever state/condition he was
in. Why? Because God was with him and for him where ever
he was ... no matter what the circumstance. So it is for us,
we just have to be reminded from time to time.
Speaking of encouragement, volunteers from Jackson, MS
arrived last night. They surprised Martie with a vase of
roses. Those roses are quite a contrast to our
surroundings, and they were such a pleasant surprise and
encouragement to both of us. So many of the volunteer
groups have been just as kind toward us, and we thank the
Lord for all of you.
Volunteers from Orlando FBC have been here for the past few
days. They were hanging sheetrock for a woman who works at
the local hospital. She cares for her invalid mom and
retarded brother. They finished all but the living room
and laundry room. The Orlando crew leaves this morning.
We will help her finish the work. Our goal is to provide a
safe, secure and sanitary place to live. That does not mean
that we will finish her house completely, but we will help
her and others rebuild to the point where they can live in
their house and get out of their FEMA trailer.
Well,
that's about all I will put in this update. There is so
much more that can be said, but it can wait for an other
time.
Please continue to pray for:
Jimmy McDermotte,
Bowmar Baptist Church, Vicksburg ... his mother has
terminal cancer. Jimmy and Debbie are back from
England .
Bob Caslen, United
States Military Academy, West Point, New York .... his
mother has terminal cancer
Alan Cross, Pastor - Gateway
Baptist Church, Montgomery ... his youngest son is
undergoing radiation treatments for cancer
Julia Leddy's
daughter who is recovering from heart surgery.
We need about $2500
to purchase metal for the pods.
And continue to pray
that the Lord will provide the support we need both
for the camp and our person support.
Blessings
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 |
||
|
228-469-0507 |
||
