Waveland/Camp Katrina Update

CAMP KATRINA UPDATE: Greetings again partners in the ministry. What a blessed week we are having at Camp Katrina. The transition between Pastor Art and Pastor Jimmy went well. We had a grand gala event for Jimmy. A choir from the First Missionary Baptist Church, his parents, and lots of friends were on site to say thanks for a job well done. Pastor Jimmy is now heading to Tennessee to start a church with the Assemblies of God. We pray God’s blessing upon him and this new opportunity to serve. 
     Now the new era with Pastor Art begins. We are thankful that he and Pat are on loan to us for at least six months. They bring a much-needed dimension to our current stage of ministry. As you know we are in Phase Three of our ministry—rebuilding homes. This requires a knowledge of construction as well as ministry. Pastor Art brings to Camp Katrina a wide understanding of construction, and he has assembled a leadership team that also understands and works in construction. 
     Since we are in Phase Three of our ministry, the rebuilding of homes, I need to re-state our objectives and goals: We all know how great the opportunities were for ministry when we were located at the Big K Plaza—60,000 square feet of space under five large tents. 
     Now we are in a 7,000-square-foot building with little space to store equipment and building materials. Yet God is working His wonders in His way. That little Napa Building has turned into a kitchen and café, a 100-bed, five-star dorm for our volunteers, complete with showers and a small warehouse for building supplies. Also, we have a nice computer room for needed contact with the outside world. 
     Who can come? Obviously, the ministry focus has changed, and we are limited to what we can now do. We are no longer a distribution center, so we have little opportunity to hand out items that people need. We are basically a rebuilding center. With that comes three basic opportunities:

     

  1. Kitchen and Camp Katrina Maintenance: Volunteers who come will be asked to spend time in the preparation and serving of food for all of the volunteers at camp. This would also include the washing of pots, pans, etc. An important ministry and service to the camp. Without food, we can’t work! 
  2. Camp Katrina Maintenance: This includes all of the equipment that we use on the jobs, vehicles, trucks, machines of all kinds, tools, the shop, etc. Volunteers who work here need knowledge of basic tools and equipment. They also need knowledge of truck maintenance. 
  3. Home Rebuilding: Those volunteering for this ministry must have a general knowledge of construction, i.e. roofing, sheet rock, painting, electrical, plumbing, framing, etc.

 
     I received an email the other day from a friend saying, “I guess I can’t come back. I don’t have the skilled labor experience you mentioned in the last email update.” 
     My response was, “Yes, you can come back. But you must work in one of the above ministries. If you don’t have knowledge in construction, how about volunteering in the kitchen or maintenance?” 
     Not everyone can put on a roof or lay sheet rock, but some can! Not everyone can maintain equipment, but some can! However, everyone can work in the kitchen, clean tables, keep the dorms and showers clean, and serve food. So there is a spot for you at Camp Katrina. We need many volunteers during these next months. Just send Meg Wilson an email at [email protected]. She will send you all the information you need. 
     Some of you are asking if the age limit of 18 is still in effect? Yes, it is in certain job assignments. Liability issues still keep us from allowing underage young people from doing certain construction jobs. There are some exceptions but very few. We are making those choices on a case-by-case basis. We expect to have more opportunities for young people as we work with churches during the summer, perhaps through VBS and other ministries. You can check back with us on that. 
     I hope I have been able to clear up any misconceptions about this next phase and what God has us doing at the present time. We need your prayers. We are having a greater opportunity to minister to families than ever before, and we want to take advantage of each of these “God moments.” 
     Let me give you some neat stories as I close this update:

Shannon was taking Gail to pick up some drywall so the crew could finish her house. During the several-hour round trip, Shannon had the opportunity to share Christ. Gail had never heard with clarity such a presentation. She was open to receive Christ. When she got back with the sheet rock, the team had the joy of praying with her and leading her to Christ. What a blessing!

 
     Charlotte needed help with some cabinets. Pastor Art and Pat have been working with her. She never heard or understood a clear presentation of the gospel. She had a belief that God was a God of love and that because of His love, everyone went to heaven. She never heard about judgment or understood about hell. She is open to learn more and is close to accepting Christ. Continue to pray for her. 
     Scott and Rose lost everything. Our teams have helped in the clean-up, electrical, laying sheet rock and much more. Scott and Rose can’t forget the love of Christ that they see every day through our teams. Art and Pat have an inroad to share Christ in a more direct way. Pray that Scott and Rose will soon become Christians. 
     What a blessing we still have. Think of it. We are being called by God to “stay by the stuff,” so that many can hear of the love of Jesus. What a joy, what an awesome opportunity. 
     My friends, you have kept Camp Katrina going for almost six months. Without your support, Camp Katrina would not be able to function. God is using you to pray, give, and go! Sounds almost missionary, doesn’t it? Well it is. It’s on foreign soil to many of you. The South, and especially southern Mississippi, is so different from anything most of you have ever experienced. They speak differently, they eat differently, and they live differently. Yet you continue to come, and that has blown these people completely out of the water. They cannot understand why you would come! They can’t understand why you would stay as long as you do and work as hard as you do. Then they see the love of Jesus and that makes all the difference in the world. 
 
     Pastor Don

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