Last month Bro. June heard of several people who did not support GODTEL financially because they figured we received plenty of money from the government. Well, they figured wrong. In fact, it has been our policy since we received our charter in 1975 to neither seek nor accept funding from government sources. We firmly believe this is God’s will for this ministry, so we are diligent to obey Him, no matter how tempting and available some of those government grants may be.

      God has been faithful to supply our needs through all these years and we know that He will continue to supply all we need to complete the assignment He has given us. Since God made all we see, and all belongs to Him (“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” Psalm 24:1), He has more resources than all the governments and all the entrepreneurs  of the world put together, and then some.

      This information came to us too late to include in last month’s newsletter. However, it did get posted as part of the April newsletter on GODTEL’s web site www.godtel.org (hosted by juxtapose in Nederland). I decided to include it again in this month’s post because it bears repeating.

 Livingston Roof Report

       We are praising God that plans are underway to replace the leaky roof on the Livingston mission. The roof has been carefully measured, the necessary materials have been purchased, and the actual work should begin sometime this month (May). Funding came from what we had been saving for this project and special designated gifts from GODTEL supporters. We know God will provide all we need to pay the laborers and to complete this project. (Did I mention that God is faithful?!)

      May God abundantly bless those of you who gave an extra donation to help meet this need. We do appreciate your concern and the fact that you have allowed God to work through you. We are humbled and blessed by your gifts and sincerely thank you for your generosity.

Royce Oliver

       Royce Oliver is the manager of GODTEL’s Nacogdoches shelter and doing a great job. We appreciate his “no nonsense” attitude which is mixed with a heart-longing to see people set free from the bondages of sin and receive the abundant life available in Jesus Christ. He provided the following testimony for me to share with you:

       I came to GODTEL in July 2004 after being released from jail. Though this was my third drug felony (the others had been in Arkansas and Missouri), I again received probation. Most three-time losers serve some prison time, especially after jumping bond and skipping prosecution for seven years. Since I couldn’t leave the state and the only Texans I knew were deep into the drug scene, GODTEL was my best option. During the check-in procedure, I decided that if this ministry was to help me, then I had to do my part, at least by obeying the rules. Did the Lord bring me here? (No doubt about it.)

      I had gone to church nearly every Sunday from the age of 6 until about 15. I knew the Gospel message and many of the stories of the Old Testament but thought I needed to live life before making the choice to accept Jesus into my heart. I can’t explain it but I knew that I would one day make that choice. (How many have waited until it’s too late?) All of a sudden I was attending 13 Bible studies a week and the memories of my earlier church life returned. Soon I became friends with Bro. June’s son, Jeremiah, and I decided that I wanted to stay here and get involved with the ministry. In January 2005 I became a Christian and started working weekends in the kitchen. During the week I would work for Bobby Boudria and Ms. Louise Simmons and they became dear Christian friends.

      Before long, I was asked to be the weekend mission manager so Jeremiah could spend more time with his family. Then, when Jeremiah moved to Livingston, a close relationship developed between me and Bro. June’s oldest son, Michael, and his entire family. After years of being away from my family, I was treated as part of theirs. I realized I was now a part of Christ’s family.

      In 2010 I began to go to Eden Community Baptist Church where my best friend, Jack Lee, is pastor. Jack has done the Friday night service at GODTEL since before I arrived. The congregation at Eden has provided more Christian friends. The preaching of Bro. June and Jack, plus the friendship and mentoring of Sis. Nancy, has helped me continue to grow as a Christian. God’s Open Door To Eternal Life opened a door for a new life for me, and I daily thank God for those who donate to keep our physical doors open. GODTEL may not be for everyone but some days I feel that it was created just for me. I pray that others will feel the same.

      Now, almost eight years after arriving, I can say I love the Lord, the entire Gentry/Silva family and have a passion for my job that most employees never experience. I try to tell people with addictions how much the Lord has changed me and can change them, but since they didn’t know me before, it often falls on deaf ears. My past has helped me understand the problems of many of our clients and I pray that it is in my future to help solve some of those same problems in the lives of others. I still have numerous flaws but as the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:11, “… for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Contentment is so much more valuable than the rollercoaster emotions of the world.

      The people I have mentioned are only a few of the many who have influenced my Christian walk. The Lord knows the others and my love for each of them. I pray that God will bless each and every one.

All praise to God.

 —Royce Oliver

For Sale

 1952 Dodge Power-Wagon

(M-37 from Korean Conflict)

(It runs but needs brakes.)

Asking price—$7,000

2001 Royal-Deluxe Coachman

5th Wheel with 3 slides. In very good

condition—new tires.

Parked at Livingston GODTEL and owned by missionaries.

Sacrificial selling price—$15,500

For more information call:  713-907-7950

     Precisely at 9:00 am, April 3rd, David and Stephen began their first session of Jobs for Life. GODTEL Ministries in Lufkin, under the direction of Mr. Martin Baker, started the first class of the Jobs for Life curriculum. The students, as well as the two instructors, are dressed in respectable clothing. All men are addressed with the title of Mister. The class days are Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Morning hours are spent studying the importance of work and laying out a plan to get a job.  Afternoon hours are filled with on-the-job training.  Students Stephen and David, under the direction of Mr. Todd Jackson, are constructing the new building that we hope will house the next class of young men desiring to change their lives.

     The Jobs for Life curriculum is based on scriptures from the Bible. Character traits are also studied to be put into the lives of all.  These young men have signed on for an eight week, 16 class commitment. The morning hours are spent in the classroom. God’s word is presented throughout the course. Basic life skills are taught. It is amazing how many people do not know how to read well, listen and pay attention, dress appropriately for job hunting, look for a job, go to work everyday, be on time, to be responsible, to submit to authority and to follow instructions. It is our desire to establish these skills in the lives of our students.  Several business men in our community have agreed to come for a round table discussion on what employers want in an employee. The students will also have an opportunity to ask questions of the employers.  Later in the session other business men have agreed to conduct mock interviews with our students.

     The afternoon sessions are spent working. The first project is the construction of a building that will house an auto mechanic shop area, a welding area and a classroom area. At this time, David and Stephen have helped to unload the lumber needed for this project. They have learned to use a tape measure, level, square, impact driver, hand drill and electric saw. At first, Mr. Jackson thought Stephen and David were not going to be able to learn these skills. God is good…during the fourth afternoon of putting in screws-it fell into place.  The students grasped the use of their tools.  Mr. Jackson is encouraged and excited about the rest of the session.

     Our goal is to end the course with students having and living a Christ centered life, making decisions that are mature and wise in the Lord. We hope the end result will be young men trained and ready to go into the workforce; young men strong in the Lord and ready to be righteous ambassadors for God.

     Pray for David, Stephen, Christopher, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Baker. We are excited to see what God has in store for these young men. 

(Christopher has joined the class. Even though the students are called by Mister, I have chosen to keep their last names private.)

No “Government” Funds Accepted

      It was recently reported to us that some people do not wish to support GODTEL because they think we receive Federal or State money. We do not. It has been our policy since we received our charter in 1975 to neither seek nor accept funding from government sources. We firmly believe this is God’s will for this ministry, so we are diligent to obey Him, no matter how tempting and available some of those government grants may be.

     God has been faithful to supply our needs through all these years and we know that He will continue to supply all we need to get the job done that He wants us to do–as long as we obey Him – do things His way. Since He made all we see and everything belongs to Him (“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof …” Psalm 24:1 ), He obviously has infinitely more resources than all the governments of the world put together, and then some.

 No Room in the “Inn”

       As of this writing the Nacogdoches mission is filled to over-capacity on the men’s floor with four men sleeping  on cots in the hallway. (We are very thankful for the large amount of hall space we have.) This is the second time this month (March) that we have had to set up cots in the hall to accommodate an overflow crowd.

      While we thank God that we have not yet had to turn anyone away, we are concerned that if this trend continues we may be forced to say, “No Vacancy,” before long. Our planned new facility in the 1900 block of the Douglass Highway will have space for 20 more beds for men than we have currently, so we are greatly looking forward to our relocation.

      Please pray with us that God will be heard by those He wants to use to help build the new shelter and that they will make the choice to obey His voice. We are so very thankful for each person who has given to this project so far and pray that God will bless you abundantly.

 New Roof Needed

      The recent generous rains have made us very aware of the need for a roof over the main building at our Livingston shelter—that is, unless we wish to continue to have a waterfall cascading down the wall in our Bible-study area. We have repeatedly patched this roof seeking to repair one leaky area after another but have finally concluded that it is time to invest in a whole new metal roof. The price for the materials alone is $5,000 and we have almost half of that saved up for the project. We plan to use mission staff and residents to do the actual work so we can keep labor costs down as low as possible—yet always keeping in mind that the workman is worthy of his hire. (Those already receiving a salary from GODTEL will see no increase in pay for their roof work and for those residents who help, the shelter, food and clothing we are already providing for them will be counted as partial payment for their services.)

 A Thankful Resident Speaks

       As I was wondering which one of my GODTEL Family Team Members would be next to share something about themselves, I received an unsolicited letter from one of our Livingston residents who has been here several times and who appreciates the help we have been able to provide. She wrote:

       Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m so glad that Jesus saved me and cared for me in a very special way. Thanks be to God for Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” To God be the glory for great things he has done for me. In John 17:14-15, “I have given them Thy word, and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

      I am so grateful and appreciative for what God has done in my life. It is the Good Lord, His grace and mercy, by the power of His Holy Spirit who has taken away the stony heart, and has replaced it with love, kindness, joy and peace. Thanks to Jesus and His precious blood.

      My daughter, Megan, and I would like to say many thanks to GODTEL Ministries for being there for us, a safe place, a shelter for us, a restoration to our mind, body, soul and spirit. Praise the Lord.

      In August of 1993 I was 8½ months pregnant, going through a separation with my husband in Houston, TX. GODTEL Ministries in Livingston, TX was there for me. In 2008, going through trials, tribulation, hardship, ups and downs in my life, GODTEL Ministries was there for me and my daughter.

      Then in February 2012, experiencing family persecution after the death of my sister, GODTEL Ministries was there for me again during that difficult time. It is a temporary place—a shelter where I can recuperate and seek the Lord to lead and guide me along my Christian journey. I believe that when GODTEL Ministries was begun, the Lord had me on His mind, no doubt about that. Praise the Lord! God is good!

      Thanks to the good Lord for Bro. June, Nancy, Pegi, Benita, Greg, Mike, John, Joe, Darrell, and Jeremiah, who have been faithful and committed to the work of the Lord. All of our needs are met at here at GODTEL Ministries: Bible studies, Christian counseling, Sunday church services, food, clothing, laundry, shelter, and free donations of supplies to the residents and also to the public.

      In closing, let us read Luke 10:27, “And He answering said, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself.”  To God be the glory.

      With great respect and appreciation, and many thanks,

        —  Marie C.

                 If it were not for our faithful supporters who respond obediently to the Lord’s prompting to pray for this ministry, our workers, and our clients, and to give financially, we could not be here to help the poor, house the homeless, feed the hungry, and clothe the needy. We hope you are blessed each month by realizing that you are a part of this ministry and that God will bless your obedience in all areas of your life.

      It seems quite obvious that time is running out for planet earth. We have little time left to do our Lord’s work here. May we be faithful to do all He asks of us to the end. I know that if we are faithful to give and serve when we have possessions, the Lord will be faithful to provide all we need when our possessions are taken away from us.

      Please continue to pray for our mission workers and those we minister to. Many of those we house, feed, clothe, and counsel with are fighting multiple addictions and are full of fear and hopelessness. How we pray that they will hear, receive, and walk in the truth that God loves them dearly, He will forgive their wrongs (sin), set them free from their bondage, and give them a new life. After all, that’s what Resurrection power is all about.

Christ is Risen  . . . and He is Alive and Active!

      Last month we printed Richard W.’s testimony titled “Just Pay Me What You Think I’m Worth” and have received several positive comments on it. One thing I did not include, for lack of space, was when Richard told me about that incident where he was paid $100 for his work and the man who insisted he be paid $10.00 per hour received only $20 for the two hours they worked, we had just come from one of Bro. June’s Bible studies in which he expounded upon the Scripture which told of the landowner who hired men at different hours of the day. The workers hired at the first part of the day had an agreement about how much they would be paid. All the rest were told they would be paid what was right and they trusted the man’s word. Richard told me that as he had listened to Bro. June explain this parable, he got “goose bumps” as he realized God was working in his life.

 Another Resident Speaks

       The third week of September (last year) a young couple moved into GODTEL (Nacogdoches). They said they were Christians, seemed to know the Bible pretty well, they made good comments, and asked good questions. They both worked hard, stayed out of trouble, and saved their money.

      In early January of this year they asked to speak with June and me about getting married. As it turned out, they had been living together and realizing their relationship was not pleasing to God, they became convicted that they must make some changes. They told us they had a house to live in, but moved to GODTEL to keep from living in sin and to save money for their marriage. (This was very refreshing because there are so very many people who claim to be Christians who will vigorously condemn other people’s sins while remaining comfortable with their own. My thought about this is, if they really are God’s born-again children, which I tend to doubt, they really don’t love Jesus very much—no matter how much they may declare that they do. After all, actions speak much louder than words.)

      We agreed to counsel with this couple prior to their marriage and even to participate in the ceremony since their family members would not be there.

      During our conversations with them, they thanked us for allowing them to stay here and commented on how helpful GODTEL was. They responded to my request to put this in writing for our supporters with the following:

     My Stay Here at GODTEL

      I’ve found that if a man or woman has the desire to accomplish a certain goal in their lives and truly want help, being here at GODTEL is the best way to get it done. It is kind of like when God gave Moses the laws and commandments for the Children of Israel to follow. If you humble yourself and obey, you will be able to succeed.     I thank the Lord for this place daily.      — B.&C.J.

       I hope you will help us pray for this couple and for Richard and for all the needy individuals God brings through GODTEL.

 Relocation Update

       Last year was one of steady progress improving the grounds at the new location of the Nacogdoches mission—even though our watermelon crop produced nothing—and we lost the 65 “super” pines we planted—all due to the drought. The perimeter fence is almost completed, several carports are in place, we have an ample supply of cut firewood, and with the help of various groups of volunteers the amount of accumulated trash has dwindled to almost nothing. With Rick Chandler’s diligent care, our fruit trees made it through the drought and are blooming with the promise of a bountiful fruit crop this year.

      A competent and energetic team of professionals, put together by the Nacogdoches County United Way, applied for a grant to construct both the men’s and women’s dormitories, the concrete parking lot and the driveway from the Douglass Highway. The grant proposal was extremely well done and we greatly appreciate the efforts of this team. Apparently though, this was not the way God intends to fund this relocation, because we recently received a letter informing us that our request for funding was denied.

      So-o, knowing that God is in control, we continue to pray and trust Him to provide the one-million, two-hundred-thousand dollars needed to complete the project. This will enable us to move from our locked-in location on the brick streets of historic downtown Nacogdoches to a 29-acre tract just inside the loop on the hill west of town (the 1900 block of Highway 21W). We are looking forward to being able to operate more efficiently and provide more services to the homeless and needy individuals God has called us to minister to. We know the move will happen In His Time.

 $$ Scrap Metal $$

      You may have noticed the “P.S.” about scrap metal at the end of our last two newsletters. We greatly appreciate those of you who have responded with donations. In Nacogdoches, we have a drop-off location beside our driveway at 620 Jordan. (There is a sign showing where.) Items can be dropped off at any time of day whether we are there or not. If you would like help unloading, though, please call ahead to have someone there to meet you. In Lufkin and Livingston, items can be brought to the parking lot in front of the mission.

      In 2011 we received over $7,400 from sales of scrap metals. This includes aluminum cans, any can from canned food items including soup cans (all of which we rinse as we empty them to prevent an accumulation of smells and flies), old lawn mowers, automobiles, water heaters, air conditioners, broken microwaves, sheet metal, etc.—anything containing metal. Part of your donation will be the delivery of items to our drop-off areas. (Arrangements can be made for us to pick up any cars that don’t run.)   — Nancy Gentry

      Recently, one of our Livingston residents was thanking me for what GODTEL has done for him. As he went on and on, I thought that what he had to say would be encouraging for our supporters so I asked him if he would mind putting his thoughts on paper and allowing me to print them in an upcoming newsletter. He promptly agreed—and he followed through. This is what he wrote:

      My name is Richard Whittenburg. One reason I am writing this letter is because I am tired of hearing negative comments about GODTEL.

      I was released from jail on March 2, 2011 and I came up the hill needing a place to stay. I met Mike Heth when I was still in jail because he would bring bread and other surplus food from GODTEL to the jail and I would help him unload it. I was not able to talk to him because inmates are not allowed to talk to anyone from the outside and I did not want to get in trouble.

      When I arrived at GODTEL, Mike went over the rules with me and gave me a bed. I attended my first Bible study at 7:00 p.m. that night. It was Wednesday, so Bro. June was the teacher. I sat way in the back of the room, off to the left. After Bible study, all I was thinking was, I needed work so I could get me a place to live.

      A couple of years before, I lost the job I had worked at for 20 years as a drill crane operator—making real good money. But I started acting stupid and doing drugs and hurt everyone around me, including my family and my three brothers. Then I went to jail to pay for what I had done.

      After the 7:00 a.m. Bible study the next morning, Mike told me about the “catch-out corner” so I went there looking for work. I worked a couple of days and managed to make only a few bucks.

      Two weeks of twice-daily Bible studies went by and on March 17th I asked God to forgive me and to come into my heart. The next Monday, March 21st, even though it was starting to rain, a man picked me and another GODTEL resident up to spread fertilizer on his yard. He asked us what we would work for. I told him I just got out of jail and I did not care—just pay me what he thought I was worth. The other guy said he needed $10.00 an hour and the man said that was good. I finished putting the fertilizer on his grass in the rain while the other guy kept going under the carport to get out of the rain. We worked two hours and when we got back to GODTEL the man gave me $100.00 and gave the other guy $20.00 for the two hours. Right then I was kind of seeing God start to work in and for me.

Well, about one more week went by and I got a-hold of my friend Dave and he gave me a job until his work started slowing down in November.

      As I attended more and more Bible studies and church services, I started moving closer to the front of the room. I started out in the very back of the room at the far left table, but for the last five months I’ve been sitting at the front center table—right in front of the preacher, and I always put my Bible there as soon as the tables are cleaned from the previous meal. On occasion, when I’m running late from work and I can’t put my Bible there, Ms. Benita and Mike save my seat for me and that’s really neat.

      At GODTEL they have rules to follow, but the rules are not bad. As a matter of fact, if you’re not out messing up drinking or being stupid, you’re not going to break any rules. They have chores to do, like cleaning, but you share the chores with six other people a day and they are not hard. Your laundry is done for you four days a week—washed, dried, and folded, and they give you clothes and anything you need. You get three meals a day and, if you want, they put out snacks after Bible study, so I’m here to tell you, “GODTEL is not bad. It’s the best thing that ever happened to a bum like me.

      When I got here I was lost. If you looked up “lost person” in the dictionary, my picture would have been beside it. God has really started working in my life and there have been tests already. Work got really slow and Dave was doing everything he could to keep me working but work was hard to find. When I’m not out working, I try to work around the mission doing little things to help Mike or my friend, Rick, who works for June.

      GODTEL provided us a great Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner which Ms. Benita cooked for two days on each dinner. Then they gave us stockings full of stuff just to show they do care about us. That was really special.

      Well, on Friday, December 23, 2011, God worked in my life again. I got a call from Dave and my brother wanted to meet with me. He offered me my old job back as a drill crane operator. Now I not only have my brother back, but my job too. All thanks to GODTEL Ministries and to Jesus Christ Himself. I will be leaving GODTEL at the first of the year.

      I hope I’ve done everything they asked of me because I tried. I know that God and everyone at GODTEL Ministries, Bro. June, Nancy, Ms. Pegi, Mike, Ms. Benita, Greg, John, will always be in my heart and prayers.

      Thanks to everyone who helps support this work of God. I can never repay everything GODTEL Ministries has done for me.

Thank you,

Richard Whittenburg

           When Richard told us he had been rehired by his brother, he said he gave him one stipulation before accepting the job. No matter where they were working, he wanted to be back in Livingston each Sunday to attend church at Mission On The Hill. His brother said, “Okay, even if I have to fly you back.”

      Richard did move out the first week of January but has been back for church every Sunday. One week he drove in from San Antonio arriving at 4:00 a.m. It has been a joy to disciple Richard and watch him grow in the Lord. We pray that God will protect and guide him throughout the rest of his life.

     Nancy Gentry

P.S. To supplement our finances, we can use scrap metal of all sorts, including old cars (we will pick up motor vehicles). Give us a call at one of the numbers below for more information.