And another week has passed. Thanksgiving is next week. It hardly seems possible that we have been here since the 2nd of September. Every day more people come to the church asking for assistance in reclaiming their homes. We broke 50 work requests this week. I don't think that we are even near the peak of the requests we are going to receive for assistance. With each work request is accompanied by yet another story of tragic loss and amazing perseverance of the human spirit. As I have said in the past, the needs are great, unfortunately the attention span of our culture is short. Our challenge - the challenge of the local church -- is to supply the workers to accomplish the work and bring the hope that is so lacking in the lives of the hurricane victims. As for the volunteers, nearly everyone who comes as a volunteer says they had no idea how great the devastation was and is and that they would prefer to stay and help. This weekend we will have hosted over 150 volunteers since the 19th of October. I am not much into "numbers" but it is important for you to know that volunteers are coming and God is using them to serve and minister.

In the midst of all of the great physical ad emotional needs, lie HUGE spiritual needs. I was told that 75% of the people in the gulf region are unchurched. 75% … This is the same place that God has sent great numbers of His sons and daughters to labor and minister. Please pray that God will bring a great awakening to this area. That His Spirit will stir hearts and the saints will be faithful to cast the Good News "seed" wherever they go. Faith comes by hearing …..

This week we were visited by folks from Orlando FBC and Saddleback (Rick Warren's church). Each expressed interest in sending volunteers … for that we praise the Lord. We re-erected the blue and white tent behind the bunk houses this week. (I will have pictures posted on the web tomorrow) The purpose is to provide more volunteer capacity. We are using blue tarps that were not used during the initial period of the recovery as side walls. I think we can sleep upwards of 40 people in that tent. That means our capacity will be about 80 volunteers. The arrival of two trailer showers FBC Montgomery is building the first week of December will be just what we need to ensure we can support the volunteers while they stay at the camp. Friends from Eclectic are bringing a propane powered stove for our kitchen. A church from Tampa Florida is bringing another upright freezer and a washer and dryer. Steve (Oregon), Mike (Pennsylvania), and Dave (New Hampshire) worked on the laundry room so we can hook them up when they arrive. We have been doing laundry at the pastor's house.

Next week we will have over 50 volunteers at the camp. We are hosting a community Thanksgiving dinner - FBC Lakeland is cooking the dinner. Martie and I will be at our daughter's home in Ozark Wednesday and Thanksgiving day. We will return to the camp Thursday night. Most likely we will be here for Christmas so if any of you want to get away for the holidays, come on down!

I mentioned last week that we need to encourage volunteers who are 55 and younger. Do you know that a person works about 80,000 hours during a 40 year career? What we need to ask for is 24 hours out of 80,000 - three work days -- three days without pay. Now people may say -- I have bills to pay or children to clothe and feed. Take them to Matthew 14. That is what the disciples said to Jesus when He told them to feed the 5000. When they said they didn't have enough -- only 2 fish and 5 loaves, He said bring what you have to Me. He brought the increase. He can do the same thing in the lives of those who walk by faith and not by sight. People who are willing to step out when the world says they don't have enough. I believe that this is an opportunity for people to grow in their faith while they fulfill the great commandment and great commission.

Be blessed and keep praying.

(228) 493-1081 Charley

(228) 493-1272 Martie