Greetings!

 It's nearly the end of 2005.  Amazing that the year has passed so quickly.  The camp has been open for two and one half months, hosting over 325 volunteers from over 30 ministries.  The number is not nearly as large as many camps in the area, but the volunteers have been impressive in their dedication to serving, their love for the people who live here and their love for God they serve.  The past week we had nearly 60 volunteers from 4 states serving.  It was great to see them yoke themselves up to the work laid before us here and serve with glad hearts.  It reminded me of Psalm 133

¹ How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

 We have begun the Storage Pod project in earnest.  We built a prototype last weekend, built jigs to help with production and standardization and have begun the construction on 5 pods.  The way God continues to provide the tools and resources we need has been awesome.  We have over 100 requests and the money to build about 70.  Folks from DeMotte, IN -- 1st Christian Reformed Church -- are working to help us with reducing the cost and labor associated with pre-fabbing the pod components.  The challenge is to continue the work “in the field” helping people with their homes and build these pods.  It would be easy to drift of mission. To mitigate that risk, we are asking local residents to help with the Pod assembly.  It will be good to engage the community to help each other.

 The requests for mudding out homes continue to come in, partly as a result of visiting the homes (er, FEMA trailers) and the Pod project.  We have begun to transition to reconstruction – roofing, sheetrock, and electrical.  This opens a whole new set of volunteer needs.  Men and women who have experience in construction as well those who can help them.  Many of the people cannot afford the construction materials so we will be looking to the “Church” for financial support as well.  Feel challenged yet? :o) 

 There also seems to be an increase in spiritual interest here.  It is as if I can hear the “spiritual ice” cracking around us.  If you have seen the movie or read the books “The Chronicles of Narnia”, it is much like the scene where the snow is melting and the trees are budding.  It’s then Mr. Beaver says, “Aslan is on the move!”  And so it is here on the Gulf.  Aslan (the Holy Spirit) is on the move!  Hallelujah! Praise God.

 As some of you reading this know, Martie had back surgery not too long ago.  She has been having severe problems with sciatica the past few weeks.  We will be in Montgomery this coming week to visit with Charles, our son, who is home from college in Phoenix, AZ.  Martie has an appointment with a neurologist Tuesday morning.  Please pray that the “God who heals” will bring healing to her back.  She has such a hard time serving with the pain she has in her back, though she does and without complaint.  The good news, God has called in the “cavalry” (not to be confused with Calvary) so while we are gone we have two wonderful women here for that week to take care of the administration and work tasking.  Jehovah Jireh!

 Finally my Brothers and Sisters, come join us in the great adventure.  I want to encourage you to stretch your faith in 2006.  Is God calling you out of your boat?  Out of your comfort zone?  To walk by faith and not by sight?  Is He?  Then perhaps it’s time to say “Yes Lord, to Your will and to Your way!”

Be Blessed

Charley

Charley & Martie Elgin

Katrina Disaster Relief Mission Team

Bay Saint Louis and Waveland, Mississippi

(228) 493-1081 Charley

(228) 493-1272 Martie