We thought it would be good to let you know where we are and what we are doing. Our apologies for not getting this to you sooner.

On September 2, 2005, we traveled to Ocean Springs, Mississippi (located 5 miles east of Biloxi) with a group of folks from our church and other churches in Montgomery to assist with the Katrina disaster relief effort. We found the situation to be desperate and the people to be in great need. Rita striking the “rest of the gulf coast” only brought the challenge to a greater height. Our intent was not to spend this much time here, but God had a different idea.

On arrival, rather than help the Red Cross staff, we were asked to take leadership roles in the establishment of a Red Cross shelter, food kitchen and food distribution center for people in Jackson County, which includes Ocean Springs. We did that and are doing that. Currently, Martie and I are helping with the recovery effort by managing volunteers in support of the disaster recovery as well as a food distribution effort that reaches out along the coast.

This is Matt 25 work .. ministering to the thirsty, hungry, and naked. It is pure and undefiled religion, visiting the widows and orphans in their affliction. We are helping all people irrespective of their faith. I tell the volunteers that like the Good Samaritan, we will NOT walk on the other side of the road but will cross the road and give aid. We are His hands and feet.

Within the context of Military Missions Network, that means that we are not doing MMN work primarily … I am in contact with military and have been able to help military families on several occasions. More on that in future e-mail.

Bottom line, Martie and I feel this is where we are supposed to be at least for the next few months.

For those of you that have teamed with us through financial support I wanted to let you know that we are not using MMN funds at this juncture. We were not sent here by MMN but by our church. As I see it you have three options available (1) continue to send your support to MMN, (2) stop your support until we return to Montgomery, and (3) redirect your support to Gateway Baptist Church until we return to our work with MMN. Please pray about your decision and let us know.

If you choose option 3 the address to Gateway is 3300 Bell Road, Montgomery, AL 36116. Write “Katrina Mission Team” in the memo field.

Be Blessed

Charley & Martie Elgin

Katrina Disaster Relief Mission Team

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

(334) 395-5747 / (334) 669-5855 - His Cell (334) 669-5856 - Her Cell

Matt 25:35-36 …… for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, qvb://0/anchor/39I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me ….