Merry CHRISTmas and a very Happy New Year

We here at Power of Prayer Ministries would like to thank everyone who has helped support our ministry in the past years since the hurricane. We could not have continued without your care, prayers, and financial support. As we come to the end of 2009, we are so grateful for the awesome miracles of the past 4 years that God has shown to us.

God is still working in the area of ministry with the area people whose homes and hearts have been opened up and have continued to grow due to the outpouring of love shown by the continued faithfulness of God's servants coming here and sacrificing their time and money.

Please pray with us for the coming year as we seek God's guidance in continuing the work He put into place here on August 29, 2005.

Have a very joyous Christmas as you celebrate our Savior's birth!

Dave, Linda, Monica, Brandon and Marguerite

Volunteers from Oak Hill in Pontotoc, MS and Surrounding Communities

This wonderful group of volunteers are our regular attenders who understand God's plan and purpose here on the Gulf Coast. It is still very much ongoing, God's work, and we are so thankful that this awesome dedicated gathering of servants not only understands the mission, but is willing to participate and help carry it out! The group led a tremendous effort to blitz the Bayside area with love, care and fliers telling of the event that evening. A wonderful concert held by the Fishers of Men singing group from north MS. Plenty of fellowship and food preceded the concert and many new people came to the event. Many lives were touched and changed forever. A giant new pavillion in back of the Bayside church was used for the first time with this event, making the pastor and the man who donated it to God's service, very excited and encouraged that more would follow. In fact, not only were the members of Bayside encouraged by this mission group, so were we here at Power of Prayer Ministries. The group also helped correct some maintenance issues we were having at the camp itself. We are ever so grateful for this help that keeps our camp up and running. We thank you and look forward to your next return.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold, Georgia, October 2009

9 members of the group above were scared away by the "swine" flu and are not pictured. One of the above photographed members came in on Saturday with a van load of people not knowing she was infected until later that night. She wound up having a mild case and was fine by the time she left. No one else contracted it so we were thankful.

Unbelievable record heat for October came this week due to tropical storm Olaf that blew in from the Pacific across Mexico and Texas and gathered up all the heat we believe was located in those two places!! The heat index soared at about 106 degrees for 3 days. Also, for one of those days torrents of rain fell that is almost always welcomed here!

A terrific attempt was made on Sunday to have a simulcast service with Poplar Springs church. We had our den set up with a large screen and webcams at both places, invited neighbors and got ready to join them in the service when the computer at the church suddenly went on the blitz not allowing us to hear or view the service. You know you are doing something right when so much goes wrong!! Swine flu, tropical storm and this!

None the less, of the group who stayed and managed to work out the situation, it turned out to be a wonderful week. The group helped us rebuild our greenhouse that was taken down in Katrina and later built as a shower house for our camp. We are very grateful that after 4 years we once again have this structure going up that will help us continue to minister to the area people by being able to share the produce grown. We had a temporary structure for the past two years that we were able to use and the much bigger new permanent one is truly a blessing.

The group also helped us clear a grown up area behind our shower house that was harboring snakes and black widow spiders, and oh, poison sumac!! Wow, what sacrifice!! They helped us relocate the contents (a lifetime collection of rocks and minerals) to a permanent location inside Brandon's playground. We are ever so blessed and grateful for this labor of love as well.

But, the most important work that was done this week was the continuing work of the Lord leading us into fellowship with those He has given us as friends in the area. Meals were held on the back porch due to the "quarantine" of the swine flu in the camp. We still had a wonderful time of caring and sharing despite the heat and the bugs.

We didn't get a chance to say it on the webcam on Sunday, but Poplar Springs we want you to know we are ever so grateful for the commitment your church has in supporting us in your prayers, your love and devotion to coming here and continuing the work God has brought before us with Hurricane Katrina. We certainly pray it continues for as long as He desires.

Oak Grove Church, Drasco, Arkansas, August 2009

This was Oak Grove Youth Group's first visit to Power of Prayer Ministries and it was their first trip to the Gulf Coast. They really didn't know what to expect, knowing it was 4 years since Katrina.

Much to their surprise there is still much destruction as Waveland was center of ground zero of the storm. Trees are still left standing dead in their places by the thousands. Slabs still remain where houses once stood. And for the most part land is empty of residents who decided not to return leaving ugly overgrown shrubs and weeds where there once were beautiful manicured lawns. Our streets are still torn up from all of the heavy equipment and pot holes are tearing up our vehicles daily little by little. Our beach is also being reworked and much of it is torn up right now as well. So all in all, Waveland is still not a very desirable place.

But what is here are the lonely, the oppressed, the depressed and the lost. A mission-minded person's paradise. And this week, that's just what these young people were interested in doing, administering God's love, grace, mercy, and hope. They did this through loving acts of kindness shown by mowing, moving, cleaning, planting, painting and staining.

They also performed an amazing skit at Davis grocery in the Bayside community. They all sang and played praise music on the "cement stage" where they also painted 5 beautiful paintings depicting Jesus death on the cross for our sins. Make sure to check out the pictures on Flicker! They rented 2 large spacewalks, one obstacle course and one jumper with obstacles inside. The children from the community enjoyed these as well.

Thank you to Oak Grove Church. We hope to see you again some day.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold, GA, July 2009

Thank you Poplar Springs for this visit. As always seeking to do God's will. And we know God has surely blessed this week.

We see it in our community and in our own families. People searching, seeking, floundering, unsure of what they really want and what their real purpose in life might be. Looking for fulfillment in life by seeking things, pleasure, security, or other people to fill the void in their lives and give them the contentment and satisfaction they so long for. They are missing the very essence of life. What they are missing is JESUS.

Together with God's disciples that is the message we are striving to share with the world. Sharing the gospel message is what we as Jesus' disciples have been called to do; ministering together in the cause of Christ. That was what this week was about.

We thank these two families who came and served and we look forward to October and the church's next visit.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHICKAMAUGA, GA June 2009

As you scroll across the pictures of the beautiful little faces of the children who were recipients of this wonderful groups efforts to have Backyard Bible Club in the extreme heat of this particular June, you can surely see God at work. I can't remember a June this hot and yet these wonderful servants brazed the heat each day to do His work with some of His most treasured, the children. And we say this with the utmost respect, not all of His workers were young, most were of good age. Which goes to show, whether young or old, all can be used of God if we are willing no matter what the circumstances!!

The others in the group, the highly skilled men and women of the construction type, were used by God with their talents and gifts in this area. So much work was done in one short week it was once again simply amazing what God can do.

Some of the work included working in a local church installing ceramic tile flooring. Installing insulation and sheetrock in the home of one of our Waveland residents whose home was completely washed away in the storm. Two of the men came back a couple of weeks later to complete the sheetrock finishing. The care shown was completely mind boggling to our resident who is ecstatic about the work that was done.

The group also helped another family who they had met the year after the storm while here working with Samaritan's Purse organization. The wife came to the camp and gave her story of what happened to she and her husband in the midst of Katrina as they both stayed and suffered serious injury's both physically and emotionally. But with God's help they are trying to overcome both.

This was the first time FBC of Chickamauga came to work with Power of Prayer Ministries. We surely hope they make this home for mission work in the Gulf Coast of MS. Thank you so much for all of the work you have done here.

Pleasantdale Baptist Church, MS, June 2009

Pleasantdale did it again. They came in for a few days and worked themselves silly in those few short days! We don't know how they do it except that they are young and full of energy and so willing to work hard for the Lord.

Some of the men worked on a home that is just now in the framing stage. They worked installing blocking inside the walls of the home and blessed the owner with the next phase of the work nesessary to continue framing.

The females did a variety of what they always do and seem to do really well. Clean yards, cut grass and this time they pressure washed a home and made it look new again. But most importantly they did this work with happiness and care that showed God's love come shining through for all to see and feel. It is work like this that continues to be such a shining light through the darkness to those who need it and helps us bond with the community people.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Ringgold, Georgia, April 2009

For many reasons we are so excited each time this wonderful group from GA comes down to Waveland. This was their sixth trip since Katrina!! They have made many lasting friendships and have added many new ones this time while serving the Lord in so many different ways. They are also a tremendous source of encouragement for us as we continue in the work the Lord has laid out for us to do.

They arrived on Saturday evening and wasted no time meeting the area people with whom they were going to work on Sunday. We listened to a wonderful testimony from a local store owner who had stayed for Katrina. God revealed Himself in so many ways to him after the storm that he came to know Him personally and has given his store grounds for His work. After attending church with them on Sunday, we took him up on his offer to use his land and had an egg hunt there for the community children. Many children came and were ministered to and one child gave her life to Jesus, Amen!! It was a fun-filled exciting day for the children as they learned about Jesus.

Later that day we gave our young neighbor a surprise party for her "sweet sixteenth" birthday. Besides the 28 people from GA and all of our family, her family and some of her friends came for a "sweet" time of food, fun and fellowship. By the look on her face she was very surprised! She also received many nice gifts from the group which really pleased her and made her very happy. This time of fellowship was a very neat way to encourage this young girl in her new walk with the Lord.

Monday began some very difficult work on our family property. We are so excited and appreciative of the groups hard work to clear the land in the woods and blaze a trail that downed trees had destroyed after Katrina. For three days the group worked to clear a path 7/10ths of a mile long with the help of our neighbor and his working machine! This trail allows us to access a part of our land we have not seen for years. It will be used for our neighbors to enjoy as well as volunteers who come to serve here. We thank you for this wonderful ministry!

Also, we had repair work to our shower house done by an able bodied craftsman and his helpers. Hurricane Gustav had damaged a tree that fell on part of our building and destroyed some of our siding. They were able to repair the building and add a gutter to prevent water damage to the front of the building and the sidewalk leading up to the shower house. Then the entire sidewalk was removed, dirt was added by our youngest helpers who shoveled and moved wheelbarrow loads of dirt to lift our sidewalk and level it as well. It is beautiful and our little missionaries learned how to have a servant's heart while working hard for Him! And after almost 4 years our pump house finally received its siding and two coats of paint!! Wow, what a difference all of this makes to the camp.

Many in the group worked on the local church we attended on Sunday. They painted the interior hallway and doors of the classroom area. This church has a large ministry with the children in the community picking them up on a bus every Sunday. The area that was painted is heavily used by the children. The pastor was encouraged by the group on Sunday in church and again in the afternoon with the egg hunt that he and his wife attended. They were excited that this event led them to meet more locals they did not know.

Many area people were ministered to as well this week. One family whose home was destroyed both by Katrina and flooded again by Gustav, had the bottom of their home gutted of the last of the inside walls and fixtures. These people are so grateful for this work because they are exhausted with all they have been through these past few years they can barely exist. Dirt was moved and spread for another elderly couple. Weeds were pulled for yet another elderly lady. Baseboards were set and cleaned for another neighbor. The Waveland police and fire department were visited and given gifts for all they've done and endured these past years and they were taken away by the thoughtfulness of these volunteers representing Jesus. One man with whom we've worked for about a year is so close to finally moving into his new home built mainly by volunteers. This group was able to put the final touches on his home preparing for move in by cleaning the home of dust and dirt. The owner was very appreciative.

And last but not at all least, 28 area people were fed this week by these wonderful people!! Wow! Through food and fellowship God was indeed lifted up, honored and praised. We are encouraged and thankful for this past week and look forward to their 7th visit!!

Oak Hill Baptist Church, Pontotoc, MS

There are no words that can fully describe the amazing and miraculous events that happened this past weekend. Among many wonderful happenings, we saw how God used 38 people to touch an entire community because they did seek Him and did not let the enemy have his way.

We knew wonderful and mighty things were going to happen through this group on "Day in the Park" day, March 14th, that they have been planning since last year. We knew because of who they are, servants with a loving and giving spirit willing to serve no matter the cost and we knew because of Whose they are, God's children who have the power within to fight the enemy and win and they did.

We also knew because just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong even before they arrived. Besides things at the camp breaking and causing much trouble, the rain came in torrents and along with the rain more gnats than we could possibly ever describe. All this and even a last minute change of venue could not stop God working mightily throughout the day and into the night to produce one of the most spirit-filled events this community has seen in a very long time.

The area community in which they worked is a much neglected part of our county. Most people are very poor. Drugs, alcohol, stabbings and shootings are common place. The only church has 15 adult members, yet this community is one of the largest populated in the area. They were very hard hit by Katrina, literally everyone suffering severe flooding and damage, adding to the already depressed living conditions.

On Saturday the group set up tents and held Bible and craft classes for children, youth and adults. They set up in a park next to a grocery store at the front of the community. There were more than 40 children alone who attended. Surprising were the amount of teens and adults who also attended even with the rain and gnats. Everyone was very attentive to the Word of God showing their hunger for Him. And they were also very hungry for the attention that the volunteers gave showing Jesus' love for them. After the classes they were fed lunch. Game time was interrupted by the rain so everyone waited for the evening meal and concert.

With the rain coming down in torrents it was time to move to the only church in the area. There the group of volunteers fed many people a wonderful evening meal before entering the small church to hear the Fishers of Men gospel singing group perform their wonderful music. God has also gifted the musicians with sharing their own personal testimonies from their hearts that further leads everyone into worship of our Lord and Savior.

On Saturday night, the church was filled with the singers, the volunteers, the church members, the people from the area and the Holy Spirit who filled the place with His presence. We worshiped, prayed and many gave testimonies giving glory, honor and praise to Jesus. And three people prayed to receive Christ as Savior!! Hallelujah!!!!
What a night. One we will never forget.

We also want to give praise to the Lord for four special men who worked in the rain and gnats digging a much needed water line. This work was so important to us and we are indebted to them. Also, there were many in the group who worked on Saturday putting up a pavilion at the church. All in all, much was accomplished for His Kingdom in just one weekend! The group is planning to come back in the fall and we are so grateful for them. We know God will richly bless you Oak Hill.

Tucker Swamp Baptist Church, Zuni, Virginia

This highly skilled group returned this year to bless yet another family with their talents. Last year they came with two contractors who were able to frame two homes. This year one of the contractors returned and had the help of his capable church family and Pastor Bill to help in the project. They took on a rather large house that was built 14 feet high up on concrete pilings. The family, James and Marque and their two teenage sons, watched in amazement as this group of men framed the home in less than a week. They are so grateful to have this help and see and feel the love of Jesus this group demonstrated as they worked.

A terrible event happened this week, but God miraculously intervened and saved this man's life. One of the volunteers, Craig, was working on the top of the framed house, when he lost his footing and fell 26 feet to the ground below. Fear grasped the workers as they helplessly watched him fall to the ground and hit his head upon impact. Although his injury was serious, a compound fracture of his femur bone, we all knew it could have been fatal had it not been for God. Praise Him, Praise Him. That is what we all have been doing. What a tremendous miracle was witnessed by everyone. Craig was brought to the hospital by ambulance and had surgery on his leg. His head was fine! He is doing well and the doctors say he should be back to work in two months. What an awesome God we serve!!!

The group also painted and ministered this week at the home of our neighbors, Mike and Geri. It is always a blessing to have something more done for us that we don't have to do considering all we've been through. The three ladies took care of all of the meals, shopping and cleaning for the crew this week and brought lunch daily to the job site. They did an awesome job of meal planning so the men could continue working.

A huge thank you to this group for all of their service this week and for feeding us and some of the others in the area. We know God will surely bless you for all you've done. We hope to see you again next year.

The Rock Church

These volunteers have continued to come and minister to the people on the Gulf Coast since Katrina. This was their second visit to P.O.P. We were happy to meet the new folks and also Pastor Ricky who was able to come for a couple of days.

Don’t be fooled by the pictures!! Yes, we enjoyed a lot of food, fun and fellowship while serving our Lord together but this team blessed a lot of families with a lot of hard work this week including our own.

One of our major projects has been the ongoing ministry we have with the Butler family. The team of volunteers helped him by installing siding to his home as well as completing the framing, caulking and painting of his interior windows. Some of his baseboards were also cut and installed. This work has helped the family get closer to their “move in” date of February 16th. They are ever so grateful for the sacrifice this group made with their talents, time, care and concern shown to them while they were here this week.

This group also worked on Woody‘s home, a man to whom God led us in January of last year when we framed his home with a team from VA. Since that time Woody has also been blessed to receive lots of help completing his beautiful home. This team caulked the siding and windows of the exterior of the home. They also spray painted the home it’s beautiful green color! Woody is also very appreciative of all of the hard work and sacrifice. He will also be able to move into his new home soon!

Another couple God has us ministering to since the storm are our neighbors on the lake, Brian and Jan. Their home had extensive damage from the flood surge but still had it’s basic structure remaining. This team was able to help them by installing railing around their porch missing since the storm. In a storage room under the house they installed a very large storage shelf and another shelf beneath it Brian calls his “workbench”. The couple are always amazed that people would do so much for them and they too have seen the love of Jesus pour through the hearts of the volunteers.

Our camp facility was once again blessed by the work of this team. Last year they installed porcelain tile in our kitchen / dining area which has been an unbelievable blessing to us and all who have come since. This time they painted our two restrooms and one of the bunk rooms. WOW! It brightened up the areas and gave it a fresh, clean look that is able to be wiped down and cleaned and also added an air of cheeriness to the spaces. P.O.P. is so thankful for this work!!

Last but not least, we have been so, so honored this week to have the same wonderful father and son team who worked on our camp floor to install ceramic tile in our tub area and shower stall. They also completed Monica’s tub surround and step. Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the outpouring of love, sacrifice and care this group of people have shown to our family. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love you.