Kairos Journals

From Waveland, MS

March 28, 2007

 
Greetings! 
 
Martie and I trust that all is well with you.  Please know that we continually thank the Lord for you.
 
News from the Gulf
 
There were over 230,000 homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina --- 70,000 were totally destroyed.  The "rebuilding" battle is far from over.  A number of ministries -- or Disaster Relief Organizations (DRO's) in Hancock county, and elsewhere, have shifted to building new homes rather than re-building existing ones.  We thought about committing to build a new home for someone but are praying about whether to proceed.  It is about counting the cost (Luke 14:28).  Building a new home verses rebuilding requires a stronger commitment from the volunteers ... scheduling the right skills.  You you attend a church that would be interested in supporting some phase of a new build let me know.
 
Not only is there a need for help rebuilding, but the people need spiritual and emotional support as well.  In a recent news paper article, State mental health officials talked about the increased emergence of symptoms post traumatic stress disorder.  A quote from the article :
 
"The first few months after Hurricane Katrina, most Coast residents were in shock, say experts.
Around the one-year mark, people here started really digesting what happened and what it means
to their lives and depression started to sink in, experts say. 
 
 

As that passes and signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and severe depression appear in the  area, average Coastians have few places to turn to escape the ever-present hurricane destruction, be it in shattered buildings or lives.

 

"It means that every single night when people go home they are reminded of the crisis," said Dr. Thomas Yarnell of the Gulf Coast Counseling Center. "Their ability to cope is wearing down little by little. I am seeing that in my private practice: more symptoms are starting to show up. Even some of the stronger people are starting to wear down. Now I'm seeing people who are just worn out."
 
This is a difficult place to live and serve.  All the more reason for the Church (that's you!)  to be involved in the recovery.
 
The Elgins
 
We made a BIG transition this week.  We changed our truck tags to Mississippi.  What made it BIG was that it was like cutting the last line to the mooring.  Yes I know that we have been in Mississippi going on two years and we have a home here, but somehow, taking the Alabama tags off of the truck had a ring of finality to it.  (I do still have my "Fly Army" tag on the front which gave me some comfort.)  When I asked for a Mississippi Veterans tag, the clerk pulled out the stickers representing the conflicts and asked if I had been in WW1.  (Maybe I should shave!) I told her, no --- WW1 ended in 1918 and that would make me about 100 years old, but I was in Vietnam and Desert Storm....  --- but looking back Vietnam was almost 38 years ago and Desert Storm was 17 years ago ... Wow, time does slip away from us.  An odd thing about growing older ... even though this jar of clay ages, I look out of the same eyes and see the world as the same person .... and sometimes wonder "Who is that looking back at me in the mirror!" Hey maybe I was in World War 1 :o)
 
Bunk Houses
 
This has been quite a month for change at the camp.  We have had volunteers from around the U.S. and have seen the camp transform before our eyes. 
 
High Desert Church from Victorville, CA built three bunk houses in less than 6 days.  The bunk houses are awesome.  The AT&T Telecom Pioneers and men from Sylvarena BC laid vinyl tile flooring this past weekend.  And volunteers from Indiana put the primer coat on them this week.  Take a look when you get a chance. (Click Here)  Each bunk house sleeps 10 volunteers.  We will put the final coats of paint on this weekend and adding some shelving as well.
 
Prayer requests. 
 
Pray for Craig.  He is struggling with drug addiction - crack cocaine and is ready for a life change.  I have shared the Lord with him and prayed with him.  Craig has moved back to New Orleans to work with his dad ....
 
Pray for Pastor Gordon Howard and his wife Patricia.  Pastor Howard's liver biopsy came back confirming that sclerosis had begun.  He has Hepatitis "C"  He will be taking medication for the next 48 weeks. 
 
Continue to pray that the Lord will continue to provide the resources we need for this ministry. Not just financial, but the volunteers as well.  Currently we do not have many volunteers scheduled for May or June ... (Click Here to see our calendar)
 
Praise the Lord for answered prayer.  Margaret -- a friend in Ocean Springs -- lost her the home she was renting in the storm and had gotten to the point of sleeping in her car.  We referred her to Christus Victor to apply for help with a new home, that is where we started this journey .... and they just called her to say that she has been approved. 

 
Rebuilding    I am providing detail on these homes so you have an idea of how many different volunteer groups are involved and the tasks that remain that we need help with.  We are currently working on 6 homes ... I have provided detail on 5 of them.
 
Howard Home.  Pastor Howard and his wife are the latest family we have taken on.  Pastor Howard is disabled and unable to do the difficult work of rebuilding. 
   
  •     Install Exterior Doors -- Done -- Demotte, IN, Clanton, AL
  •     Re-roof house -- Done -- Demotte, IN
  •     Rough Electric -- Done -- Clanton, AL
  •     Rough Plumbing -- Done -- Demotte, IN
  •     Install HVAC - - Done -- Thorsby, AL
In Process
  •   Sheet Rock and Insulation  -- Tempe, AZ, Demotte, IN
Next
  •     Tape and Texture 
  •     Paint
  •     Measure for cabinets 
  •     Flooring  
  •     Install Cabinets 
  •     Trim Windows
  •     Install Interior doors 
  •     Install Water Heater
  •     Finish Trim  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Electrical -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Plumbing -  Waiting on funds
 
Harris Home.  The home owner is a elderly widow.         
  •     External doors and windows -- Done -- Demotte, Indiana 
  •     Hurricane straps -- Done -- Orlando, Florida 
  •     HVAC system -- Done -- Thorsby, AL   
  •     Rough Plumbing -- Done -- Clanton, AL and Vicksburg MS
  •     Sheet Rock and Insulation -- Done -- Clanton, AL
  •     Repair wiring -- Done -- Clanton, AL
  •     Tape and Texture -- Done -- Vicksburg, MS, Demotte, IN
  •     Measure for cabinets -- Done -- Eclectic, AL
  •     Texture Walls and Ceiling -- Done -- Vicksburg, MS; Cassopolis, MI
  •     Paint -- Completed-- Cassopolis, MI , Thorsby, AL
In Process
  •     Closets - Install Shelves -- Demotte, IN
 
Next
  •     Flooring  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Trim Windows
  •     Install Cabinets  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Install Interior doors 
  •     Install Water Heater
  •     Finish Trim  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Electrical -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Plumbing -  Waiting on funds
 
Gillum Home.  The home owners are a couple who attend Little Zion.  Harold spends all his free time helping other people
  • Roof repair - shingles -- Done -- Victorville, CA
  • Soffetts -- Done -- Victorville, CA
  • Windows & Doors -- Done -- Owner, Victorville, CA
  • Hurricane straps -- Done -- Victorville, CA
  • HVAC system -- Done -- Thorsby, AL  
  • Rough wiring -- Done -- Victorville, CA 
  • Rough Plumbing -- Done -- Owner 
  • Sheet Rock and Insulation -- Done -- Owner, Demotte, IN, Vicksburg, MS 
  • Measure for cabinets -- Done -- Eclectic, AL
  • Tape and Texture -- Done -- Owner, Demotte, IN   
  •  Install Cabinets  -  Done  -- Eclectic, AL
  •  Paint -- Done -- Vicksburg, MS
In Process
 
Next
  •     Flooring  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Trim Windows
  •     Install Interior doors 
  •     Install Water Heater
  •     Finish Trim  -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Electrical -  Waiting on funds
  •     Finish Plumbing -  Waiting on funds
 
Tooley Home.  Mr. Tooley is 79 years old and is attempting to rebuild the home for his son who is in and out of the local VA hospital and daughter-in-law who has severe arthritis.  
  • Windows -- Done -- Owner, Demotte, IN    
  • Sheet Rock and Insulation -- Done -- Orlando, FL
  • Install Hot Water heater -- Done -- Signal Mountain, TN
  • Tape and Texture  -- Orlando, FL; Vicksburg, MS
  • Texture Walls and Ceiling -- Done -- Cassopolis, MI
  • Paint -- Done--- Cassopolis, MI , Thorsby, AL
  • Trim Windows -- Done -- Cassopolis, MI 
In Process
  •  Install Cabinets
Next
  •     Flooring  
  •     Install Interior doors 
  •     Finish Trim  
  •     Finish Electrical
  •     Finish Plumbing 
Cunningham Home.  The home owner is a disabled Vietnam Veteran.  We are assisting a case worker associated with another organization by providing volunteers to finish the rebuilding of their home.  The house is 14 feet above the ground.
  • Roof repair - shingles -- Done 
  • Soffetts -- Done  
In Process
  • Hurricane straps -- 50% complete -- Victorville, CA
  • Stairs - Permanent Need hand rails -- Victorville, CA
  • Cross Bracing -- just started -- Victorville, CA
  • Stair Landing -- 50% complete -- Victorville, CA
Next
  • Windows & Doors
  • HVAC system -- 
  •  Rough wiring --  
  •  Rough Plumbing -- 
  •  Sheet Rock and Insulation -- 
  •  Measure for cabinets -- 
  •  Tape and Texture -- 
  •   Install Cabinets  -   
  •   Paint --  
  •   Flooring  -  
  •   Trim Windows
  •   Install Interior doors 
  •   Install Water Heater
  •   Finish Trim  -  
  •   Finish Electrical - 
  •   Finish Plumbing - 
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 St. Louis, MS 39521

  
     
 

228-469-0507

  
     
 

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