It's December 23rd. This week's volunteers from Orangeburg, SC left the camp at 7:00 this morning. We don't expect any more volunteers until Christmas night. Next week we will have close to 50 volunteers. But for now, it's quiet. It reminds me of the cease fire that was honored each Christmas during WW1, WW2, and Korea. Isn't it ironic and amazing that nations were willing to stop killing each other out of respect for a day when God's great mercy and grace is remembered. And so here in Mississippi there is a lull in the battle. God's great gift, Jesus, is being remembered. But now and again, I can still hear the rumble of the trucks as they move back and forth on the road in front of the camp. Those trucks are filled with the accumulation of the hopes and dreams of so many people, now bound for the land fill.

I suppose the Lord could have included hurricanes in that list. I would like to encourage you to examine your heart, as I am examining mine. And to encourage you to look beyond your accumulation to consider God's great gift. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Consider how God has shaped you and consider the ministry that He has purposed for you.

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A brief tangent ----

I just spoke with someone from Seattle, Washington who stopped by with a Shoreline Park church member. She said - "We never hear about this ( referring to the great loss and devastation) , only about New Orleans!" I have heard those same words, more times than I can say. What many who live here fear is that they will be forgotten. Please let others know that there remains a great need along the coast.

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As the Church we have the ability … actually the empowerment … to bring Hope to these people. I would like to encourage you to pray that God will bring an awakening to the Gulf Coast, one that will spread like a prairie fire across the South and even across our country. That the Holy Spirit will turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. That the fire in the hearts of the pastors in this region will rekindled and they will become passionate for reaching people for the Lord.

Getting back to the camp, we have a good many churches committed to joining us in January. February has already started to fill up. Churches are making monthly commitments which is what we need to continue to meet the need here and into the foreseeable future. One woman that we helped this past week told us that we were the only ones who had actually helped her when they said they would. That is a strength of this camp, continuity and a persistent presence in the area.

Please pray about the Shed Project I mentioned in my last update. We have already had folks stop by telling us that they had heard about our building sheds and asking for a shed for their family. We have also had several churches who send volunteers tell us that they want to participate in the project. The Red Cross just stopped by and asked if they could refer people who need sheds to us.

Finally, please continue to pray for Martie and I. That the Lord will continue to give us the strength, wisdom and resources we need to fulfill His calling.

We love you all and thank God for our partnership with you in this great ministry.

Merry Christmas and May God bless you richly for His glory

Charley

Charley & Martie Elgin

Katrina Disaster Relief Mission Team

Bay Saint Louis and Waveland, Mississippi

(228) 493-1081 Charley

(228) 493-1272 Martie