PISGAH BAPTIST CHURCH, FOUKE, ARKANSAS

These nice folks, plus two sisters (not pictured), were first time visitors to Power of Prayer Ministries. We are so grateful to them that in spite of the recent happenings, they still came. Many people near them and around the nation have been devastated this year with floods, fire and tornadoes. We well know what it is like to be in the first stages of devastation and nearly everything depends on volunteers.

We also know that after 6 years one would think, if you are not from here, that things should be back to "normal" or as normal as it can be when in reality it will never be the same. But, there are so many people still in need and businesses are still not back. So many people are assuming all is well. I think if you ask the group from Fouke about that, they will testify there is so much more that needs to be done.

So, they were able to accomplish much this week for many. For one family, whose home was washed out to sea and the aunt's home they purchased to repair to live in (over 20 feet of water damage), it has been a long and arduous process taking a huge toll on the family. With each group they are so grateful for the help and it gives them hope and encouragement that maybe, just maybe they will finish the house one day. These servants completed installing insulation throughout the home and began sheetrock installation.

Then another team from the church worked at our local distribution center, which is an ongoing ministry here that serves all of the people of the Bay / Gulf Coast region. They are always in need of help since Katrina as so many of the local people have been left with very little. The group helped organize clothes, food and miscellaneous items to be distributed.

Thanks once again to the people of Fouke (remember they host Big Foot in their creek and surrounding woods - and to think - I was warning them about our alligators and Bob cats!!). God bless you all and we hope you can serve here in this area again some day.

Westview Baptist Church and The Carpenters for Christ, Opp, AL

You know the evidence that there is indeed a God in heaven (Jesus is His name), Who looks down on His creation and loves them enough to send His own to show that love and concern. Such is the case of all who come as volunteers in His name. And such is the case of these wonderful men who love to serve Him by caring for total strangers!!

So touched are they by God, they continue to come and minister in this area almost 6 years after the storm that changed our lives here in Waveland forever. And we thank Him and we thank them!

Once again, the group was able to help many families. On one house they were able to add sheeting around the perimeter of the house and to the interior walls as extra protection in case of another hurricane! With another family they were able to help with electrical work, plumbing and framing of inside walls. They also restructured a stairway for a family and cut down a damaged tree for another. Ministry comes in many forms!

The group also had a prayer team. Two wonderful men who simply wanted to share Jesus' love and pray with those who welcomed them. So many people shared afterward they were very touched and happy to have them come visit and talk/pray to show their concern for them. One elderly woman had just lost her husband this week and needed that love and prayer so desperately. She was so appreciative as it came at just the right time!

We look forward to the continuing ministry of Westview and the Carpenters for Christ to come anytime they can.

First Baptist Church of Vidor, TX

This was the first time volunteering here at Power of Prayer for this wonderful group of men both young and not so young! And it is also the first time anyone from Texas has come to our camp. We were very excited that they came. The group obviously had a really joyous time as they served our Lord Jesus. And we could tell by the "Texas" sized pots they cooked in outside they enjoyed their meals together!!

They were able to help two families this week. In the first family, the house was flooded with 12 feet of water but the structure was still there. It has taken 5 years for this family to rebuild and before December of this past year, no volunteers have helped them. So we are overjoyed that God miraculously planned that meeting between us to begin our help to them. The one thing we have so enjoyed in this ministry since it began is to watch God in control. And when we get in the way as we so often do trying to do things in our own simple thinking, He wonderfully corrects and redirects us in the proper path - HIS!!

So the Vidor church went out in His name and this family got the help they needed to complete the new electrical wiring for the house and some framing and carpenter work in other areas. The other family home was completely destroyed and the new home is in need of everything. The group helped with various projects inside the home to get them really close to being finished. Both of the families are very grateful for the hard work these men performed and were also so thankful that they spent their time off for their spring break to do it. Servants of the Lord Jesus - there are no greater people!

EWING BAPTIST CHURCH, EWING, KENTUCKY

Although some of the people pictured here have been coming to the coast since Katrina helping with the rebuilding, this is the first trip for this group to our camp and we welcome them. We are grateful that after 5 1/2 years God is still speaking to people about our continued need here on the gulf coast of MS.

This week was a wonderful example of how God works to show us He is in control when we let Him and His way is the perfect way!! All of our best laid plans were thrown out and He took over. Of course, all of the group were very happy indeed with what He did this week.

They had the pleasure of helping two families get further along on the rebuilding of their homes by building staircases, electrical wiring and rewiring and many other various construction projects. The families were so grateful to be blessed by God by having these wonderful people come and give of their time, money and care to them this week.

The ladies had their hands full helping organize "the shed" at our local distribution center. It has been closed for a couple of months waiting for the final inspection of their new facility. Some of the men of the group were able to give a few hours to help them to reopen by completing some of the tasks needed to be done.

The Ewing church indicated how blessed they were by serving God this week and took away as much or more than they gave. And it is critical that they were able to see first hand that we do indeed have much more work to do not only to evangelize but also in the rebuilding process. We look forward to working with them again some day.