Dear Friends of the Christian Life Center/Camp Katrina,
Wow! What a summer! Over 330 volunteers impacted our community through their giving and hard work just within the last 3 months! We watch with delight as God continues rebuilding hearts and lives in Waveland, MS. And we, as the body of Christ, get to participate with Him! What a privilege!
We are entering a traditionally slow time of year as folks are getting settled into schools and ramping up for fall schedules. However, that definitely doesn’t mean we slow down!! During this time, we are planning the fall volunteer season and excitedly believing God that our community of volunteers will continue to be a part of God’s mission to Waveland. We eagerly invite all of you to help us finish the year strong. No time this year? No problem! We are already focusing on next year as well and would love to have you be a part of what we are doing! We want you here!! Nothing would bless our hearts more than ending 2008 with a bang and already approaching 2009 with teams in place for getting some serious work done in Waveland.
SETTING OUR SIGHTS HIGH!
In addition to our volunteer focus, we are setting some exciting goals for the Thrift Store. We are praying for 12 churches to commit 1 shipping container a year for the next three years. That's twelve containers full of furniture, household goods and clothing which would be a huge blessing to this community that is finding it hard to get on their feet even as they get into their homes. We are already working with Mendham Hills Church in New Jersey to put together a campaign that can easily be adopted by your church, district or community. Last month they sent us a 28 foot container; it was incredible to see how God used the goods from that shipment to bless people’s lives! One story in particular was from a single mom who did not think she would be able to afford a couch again. She, like many other in Waveland, lost everything she owned in the storm. She bought a beautiful couch at the Thrift Store for 25 bucks that could have sold at your typical garage sale for 200 dollars! She was teary eyed as she shared a sense of hope from a simple piece of furniture that we all take for granted.
If you are interested in more information about how to be a part of this venture, please contact us!
Construction Update: THE JOB IS NOT COMPLETED! WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS!
Blessed are the hands and feet of those who bring Good News! The Good News that we carry is often shared in words; yet it is also possible to share it through acts of kindness and love. The Reconstruction Ministry is truly a daily act of love to folks in our community. I cannot say a big enough THANK YOU to all the volunteers who have helped us in reconstruction this year! This summer you have helped us take 41 families off of our Family Project List! This brings our total number of completed families to 94! Praise God!
Though we are seeing headway, there is still much work to be done. Let me give you some numbers. We have recently seen 39 new cases added to the List – this is mostly due to other camps closing down. We are encouraged, though, as we are seeing more folks receiving MDA grants. Also the last of the Salvation Army grants and private funding are finally coming through. We currently have 215 families on the active list for assistance; out of that 215 we have 93 families that have funding to buy needed materials and just need labor. This leaves 122 families that need both labor and funds for repair materials. As you can see the job is not done and we still need your help. Please consider coming down in the fall or planning another trip in 2009. With your assistance, we can definitely get this job done!
Thrift Store Update: A DAILY BLESSING
Praise God! We are fully operational with the Waveland Thrift Store! Over the past 6 months we have been working very hard to add space to the store and create an environment where folks from the community can connect in our 900 square foot outdoor café. One tent has clothes and smaller household goods while our second tent is primarily furniture. When we first opened up 6 months ago, we began with about 500 square feet of space. Today we have 2000 sq ft of retail space plus an additional 1000 sq ft of space for donations and sorting! Amazing!! We see about 250 people a week come through the Thrift Store that we are able to talk to, connect with, and bless.
I want to send a special word of thanks to John Hovey, our first Thrift Store Manager, and now Dave Bartelt , for their excellent leadership and incredible hard work in getting the store up and running. Waveland Thrift Store ministries are just getting underway - I cannot tell you how excited I am to see what God has in store over the next few years for the Waveland Thrift Store!
Please be praying for the Thrift Store ministry and consider whether your church would want to commit 1 container a year for the next three years.
Church Plant Update: PERSISTING IN GOD’S WORK
The Church is consistently ministering to a number of families from the community every week through multiple touch points. Pastor Dave Cornelious is working tirelessly with his wife, Donna, in connecting with the community through weekly Bible Study, Coffee House, Movie Night, and Friday night youth. Please keep them and the Church in your prayers. The physical and spiritual needs of our community are weighty indeed. Pray that God will provide these servants with strength, wisdom, compassion, and lots and lots of energy!
Thanks so much for your constant prayer! We could not be here without you. We look forward to finishing strong in 2008 and seeing the 2009 calendar fill up with volunteers on mission in Waveland, MS.
Blessings,
Your Team in Waveland MS!
For further information please contact me directly:
Mark Young: Director
Mark@clcgulfcoast.com
719-659-4638
Do you want to set up a team for volunteering?
Please contact Shannon Lenox: Volunteer Coordinator
info@clcgulfcoast.com
414-698-3188