Greetings from Alabama

 

We are trusting that this update finds you walking confidently with the Lord.  As I was thinking of what I should share, I had a sense that a great struggle is underway for many of you.  With our sagging economy and all of the uncertainties that many of you reading this are facing each day, there is ample opportunity to shift our gaze off of Jesus and on to the waves that are rolling around us.  We pray that the strength giver, the Lord, will give you the strength you need for the days ahead.  Some of you are struggling financially, some with physical or relational issues and others with the loss of a loved one.  Martie and I pray that your faith will be stronger, that your walk will be bolder, and your light will be brighter all to the Glory of God!

 

Life after Waveland

 

As you might imagine, we had mixed emotions at our leaving the camp in Waveland.  We love the people there and miss them greatly.  We also love the volunteers that served with us for those five years.  (that would be you!) No two people were more blessed than Martie and me.  We met so many saints who understood God's call to "go" and obeyed it.  Martie and I were greatly encouraged by both your friendship and partnership.  Having left our family behind to serve in Mississippi, we felt that the Lord had given us an extended family who came to  Mississippi to visit us.  

 

As we settle into this ministry in Alabama we have been a little anxious to get things moving.  Partly because there is much to do and partly because we would love to see you come to Alabama to serve along side us.  We have been seeking the Lord on this because the one thing we don't want to do is get ahead of God. 

 

Martie will be home schooling Jessica another year.  We intended to enroll her in public school, but Martie said the Lord would not let her do otherwise.  Martie does a wonderful job at home schooling. 

 

Focus on Haiti

 

Some facts about Haiti: 

 

The people need Jesus.  Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% : roughly half of the population practices voodoo

The human impact of the earthquake is immense. Approximately 1.3 million live in temporary shelters in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. Over 600,000 people have left the affected areas to seek shelter elsewhere in the country.  More than 300,000 people, according to national authorities were killed and as many wounded. . Approximately 1.5 million people, representing 15% of the national population, were affected indirectly.

About 105,000 homes were totally destroyed and over 208,000 damaged. More than 1,300 educational institutions, more than 50 hospitals and health centres have collapsed or are unusable. The country's main port has been rendered inoperative. The Presidential Palace, the Parliament, the Court-House, the majority of buildings of the ministries and public administration have been destroyed.

Orphans

 

As you know we are partnered with Bridges of Faith (BOF) .. whose primary ministry focus is international orphans.  We are helping BOF by taking the lead to coordinate with the Haitian pastor to bring 10 orphans to BridgeStone for a period of time.  After their visit at BridgeStone the orphans will return to the orphanage in Les Cayes (la-kie [pronounced like pie]).  BOF's intent is to bring orphans on a routine basis once we have worked out the process.  A number of people have already indicated an interest in serving here to help with the orphans while they are here.  Of course we are anxious to see this move forward and pray that the Lord will break up the administrative loggerhead so we can proceed.  I am corresponding with a pastor in Haiti and he has nearly all of the passports for the orphans.  The earthquake decimated the Haitian immigration service ... not just the destruction of buildings but many of the employees lost their lives.  So all processes have really slowed down.  Les Cayes is only 90 miles from Port Au Prince but it takes 5 hours to get there. 

 

Construction at BridgeStone

 

We are also helping BOF with construction at BridgeStone.  In fact for the past two weeks we have had a team from Mendocino here building a small log house on site.  I have been working with them ...  It was a great time of fellowship and thanks to their skillfulness we made great progress.  We need more help to finish the log walls and then to build a floor on top of the walls, so I am looking for volunteer groups to come.

 

Homes 4 Haiti

 

In addition to building the house, we also talked about building modular homes in Haiti.  I am convinced that Pathfinder has a role in the rebuilding of homes in Haiti.  After the team left for California, Martie and I drove to Gainesville, GA .. it took us about an hour less than it would to drive from Les Cayes to Port Au Prince ... but it is 250 miles from here not 90.  Thank you President Eisenhower for interstate highways!  A church in Gainesville is building modular homes and sending them to Haiti to be assembled.  We went there to see what they are doing and understand the process they have established to get the buildings into Haiti.  We want to identify best practices before we commit to a solution for Pathfinder.  There are, of course, many issues that must be addressed ... construction ... how to build them ... logistics ... how to get them there .... and resourcing ... how to pay for them and recruiting volunteers who will build them. 

 

I will be going to Haiti with a team from Mendocino to work with Samaritan's Purse in November for 2 weeks and then again with a different team for one week in January.  During those times I hope to increase my understanding of the cultural and physical factors in building homes there.  Right now the focus is on 'Relief' the Samaritan's Purse shelters are essentially Haitian FEMA trailers.  Not intended to be permanent solutions but temporary relief from the elements. 

 

As I type this I am thinking about the words of caution I have already received from well meaning people who see insurmountable problems ahead.  After sharing what we were going to do, one friend asked; "Are you crazy?"  That would be a 'No'.  I am reminded of Joshua and Caleb ... 2 of my favorite guys.  They knew there were giants in the land ... they had seen them just like the others had ... but they also knew that their God had known about the giants before Moses led the people out of Egypt.  Folks, there is nothing too hard for God.  If God is for us ... who can be against us!  If He is in it, God will make a way.  Those are not just words to a song ... they are fact.  Hallelujah! (BTW, if He isn't in it, I want no part of it)

 

My Challenge to You

 

My purpose is not to raise an expectation in your mind that will not come to pass.  We believe that Pathfinder is on the right path ... just as we were in Waveland.  The Lord has set our feet on it and we WILL walk in obedience to His leading.  My question to you is 'Will you join us?'  I pray that you will.  I have found that I don't need to understand everything in order to act.  What I need to do is act on what I do understand ... .  What about you?  Friend ... there is much to do ... if we spend our life only on things that have no eternal consequence .. . we are wasting our lives!   I shared with the men in Gainesville, Ga that when I was in Ocean Springs in the days right after Katrina a volunteer asked if I could give him a sound bite to take back to his church.  I said, "Tell your people that it is better to come here and do something (for the kingdom) than to sit at home and do nothing."  You may not feel led to help Pathfinder at this time... but God is leading you to do something .... somewhere. 

 

Prayer Requests

 

Carol Wasielewski - Carol worked with us for some time at Pathfinder and at Shoreline.  She recently had surgery for cancer and is recovering.  Many of you have walked the difficult path she is on.  Pray that the Lord will strengthen her spiritually and bring healing.

 

William Bradley - William lives in the county just south of BridgeStone.  The doctors found a tumor on his liver and suspect it to be cancerous.  Pray for physical healing and spiritual strength.

 

Celebrate Recovery in Waveland - Pastor Ben attended the CR conference in California this month.  Old Spanish Trail is ministering to the people in a new way through Celebrate Recovery.  Pray that the Lord will continue to bless that ministry and raise up leaders to help expand their outreach.

 

Orphan Project - Pray that the Lord will smooth the way for us with the American Embassy in Haiti so that we can obtain tourist Visas for the orphans. 

 

Homes 4 Haiti - We have already seen God's hand in this.  Pray that God will give us discernment and wisdom as we move forward with this project.   

 

Haitian Elections - Elections will take place at the end of November (after I return).  We know that the Lord raises up and casts down.  Pray that the elections will be non-violent.  Pray that the new president will have a tender heart toward the Lord and will ease the processes that are impeding the aid the people need. 

 

Construction at Bridgestone - We need skilled volunteers to help finish the log house.  Pray that those volunteers will say 'yes' to the Holy Spirit who even now is stirring their hearts.

 

Pathfinder Mission - My brother, Don, told me some years ago that I should ask God and tell people about what our ministry needs are.  We need your prayers, service and financial support.  We believe that it is the Spirit and not us that motivates believers to act on Pathfinder's behalf.  Our telling you of our needs is just closing the loop on what the Spirit has already begun in your heart.  If you are so led, please say 'yes' to Him and support this ministry in the way that He leads you. 

 

This is our new mailing address

 

Pathfinder Mission

P.O. Box 2745

Clanton, AL 35046

 

 

Charley

 

By His Grace and for His Glory

 

Charley Elgin

Pathfinder Mission

www.pathfindermission.org

228.493.1081

 

Isaiah 58  Rebuilding Houses - Restoring Lives