Meet Our Workers

        The GODTEL-family worker we introduced last month, Mike Heth, had made mention of the fact that Christians are tested every day. Little did he know he was about to face a very painful test—one which the rest of us are proud to say he passed.

He was attacked by one of our residents and suffered three cracked ribs, two head wounds that required three stitches each, and numerous lumps and bruises on his head, arms, and chest. Mike said he kept thinking, “what would Jesus do?” and did not fight back. Benita came to his “rescue” by tapping the attacker’s back side with her walking stick and telling him, “quit that.” He got up off of Mike and began to threaten Benita. The police were called and he was arrested. We are praying for this man to be touched by God and set free from the “demons” that haunt and drive him.

This month’s featured GODTEL-Family Team-Member is John Silva, June’s brother. John arrived at GODTEL just before Thanksgiving 2008. Because of some past occurrences, I was not especially glad to see him at the time. However, as I have watched a growing transformation in him (God still works miracles within the human heart and soul—if we choose to let Him), I am thankful to be a part of what God is doing with and in John.

John’s duties at the Livingston Mission include gardener, groundskeeper, and caretaker of the goats and chickens (including gathering the eggs daily). He does a great job keeping the yards very neatly trimmed, the garden flourishes in his capable care, and all animals love him. He has quite an artistic eye and helps with certain decorating tasks. He is also a good cook and contributed some very delicious pies and cookies for our Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts recently.

John grew up in a very dysfunctional family setting and has spent time in prison. He freely admits he had a great deal to learn when he arrived at GODTEL and that he still has a great deal to learn. Here is what he has to say:

What GODTEL has done for me is open my eyes to the truth. At an early age I learned to lie. I have been lied to most of my life and, believing the lies, I lived my life based on these lies, as if they were truth.

When one is living in a lie, you don’t know it is not truth until someone points it out to you. Even then you may not believe them, thinking they were lying about the truth. The truth is, they were telling the truth about the lie. I lived in a lie most of my life until the people and family at GODTEL helped me to see the light of truth through Bible studies and discussions. Now it is up to me to make the correct choices—to continue living the lie or walk in the light of truth. After hearing them talk about the bondages of lies, I realized I was in bondage too! — physically as well as mentally. First, I heard them speak the truth. Then, I acted on it. Within a year (give or take), I no longer was in bondage to cigarettes, coffee, drugs, pot, or alcohol. Don’t get me wrong, because it still plays on my mind to do those things—I just choose not to indulge in them.

As with other things in my life that need cleaning up, it is never easy to break long-term habits, but even after 40 years of believing and living lies, it can be done. There are people who call themselves “Christians” who can’t seem to break their old habits. Perhaps they are unwilling to make the attempt. I see them stagnating in their Christian walk, not being “doers of the Word of God” (James 1:22) and living in their bondage, unable to move forward to a better life. I pray they will one day see how they present themselves to the world. I try not to let them discourage me and I try not to hold grudges. The Bible teaches that God forgives us as we forgive others. After all, if God was willing to forgive me, then who am I not to forgive myself or others. Sometimes it just needs to be said.

I am not even close to being perfect (ask anyone who knows me) but I don’t want to remain in the bondages I still have in my life. The physical ones seem to be easiest to overcome. The mental ones are not so easy unless I go straight to the “Answer Book” (Bible) and study. I still haven’t learned to think before I speak but I am learning the consequences of that lesson very well.

Each new day is a chance to better myself and hopefully show someone it can be done as long as I don’t give up on myself or God. I realize that making a little progress is better than standing still. I truly thank God for what I am learning and for what He has done and is continuing to do in my life.

New Year, “Old” Insert

 This month’s newsletter insert (The Poor) is one we have sent before but since it embodies the reason GODTEL exists and the explanation of why we do what we do and why we personally have been helping the poor since 1973 (starting GODTEL in 1975), we feel it bears repeating. Even if you have read it in the past, it would be a good reminder to read it again and let God speak to your heart about making your Christianity more practical—and, if you are not already doing so, finding a way to help the poor.

Christmas Was Blessed

 At each of our three shelters, we were able to distribute stockings or gift packs to each of our residents as well as provide a delicious holiday meal with all the trimmings. Since Christmas Day fell on Sunday this year, Bro. June and I were unable to be at the Lufkin mission for their Christmas Brunch but they had a wonderful time. Martin said they scrambled 72 eggs and he fried another 48 for the residents to enjoy with their sausage and bacon and …

In all, we fed between 125 and 150 people for Christmas. We are very thankful to the many volunteers who aided us in this celebration of the anniversary of the birth of our Savior. We are also very thankful for each one of you who supports this ministry.

May God guide and protect us all throughout the new year. — Nancy Gentry

P.S. We can use scrap metal of all sorts, including old cars, to supplement our finances. Give us a call.

Meet Our Workers

        This month’s featured GODTEL-Family Team-Member, in our ongoing series, “Meet Our Workers,” is the manager of our Livingston mission, Mike Heth. His testimony is somewhat lengthy but I believe you will be blessed if you take the time to read it. Here is what he had to say:

        Well, I was asked to write my story—something new for me. I am an only child. My mother was a Christian and started me in church from the get-go. My father was a hunting and fishing guide and never went to church. I believe I got saved when I was 12 years old. I can still remember how I would be riding my bicycle and talking to God because I knew He was there.

        But, a lot happened between then and now. I went to Woodstock in ’69, then Vietnam. Two completely different experiences. One was about peace and love, the other was fighting and killing. During my military service I started making wrong choices—returning to the US with a monkey on my back in the form of drinking and drugging. I did not have a problem with drugs or alcohol—I had a problem without them! Even so, I had some good jobs and everything anyone would want… land, cars, guns, motorcycles, hunting and fishing, working as a guide on occasion. I worked for Brown & Root (in 1980, bringing home $1,000/week), Payne & Keller, B.E.&K., Temple Associates, and for T.D.C. in Houston. I also drilled water wells and worked as a repo man.

I lived in San Augustine, TX 25 to 30 years ago and heard about GODTEL. I remember telling people I would never stay at GODTEL or live in Livingston. Maybe go through Livingston on my way to party, but never live there. You see, I had it all—and I was proud.

In 2004 I hit the bottom (again). When I saw what was happening, I knew I had to do something, but I did not know how to do it. Everyone that knew me wanted very little to do with me. I called my oldest daughter, Amber, with plans to go to Nacogdoches because I knew it was a wet county. I had been drinking when Amber came to Houston to pick me up and as we drove out of the city Amber said I was already talking about going back. Without me even knowing where we were, because of the shape I was in, she stopped in Livingston at GODTEL and she went inside. I guess she talked to Mrs. Nancy or Bro. June, I’m not sure because I was outside. When she came back out she had Mrs. Nancy with her. She unloaded my things and left me there. (I say, “She dropped me off,” Bro. June says, “She poured me out.”)

She had been willing to help me get away from my situation but she was not going to help me get back there. I was told later that I blew smoke in Mrs. Nancy’s face as I was getting out of the van. That was not a good move. Might be why every chance in passing—and it seemed like all the time!—Mrs. Nancy would have just the right way of saying something about me smoking and how I should quit.

Almost immediately I got a real eye-opener. It was on a Wednesday night after Bro. June’s normal Bible study time. Forty-five people came out of this building and started going through my things on the bench (where donated items are often placed). As that happened, I, a long-haired, 97-pound drunk, came off the smoke deck yelling at Maxie (a resident who later became a friend), “Put my *?!$ boots down!” and telling all of the others (in no uncertain terms) to leave my stuff alone. Thomas,  the manager here at that time, told Bro. June, “This guy don’t understand the rules.” He told Thomas to get me a shower and bed and to read me the rules again the next morning.

Early the next day I got into it with the biggest guy here—Richard M., the cook. Needless to say, I took off down the hill, planning to pick me up a beer. That’s when I found out Livingston was dry. I waited until 9 a.m., called my daughter on a 1-800 number, and told her she was treating me like an old, stray dog, just dropping me off on the side of the road and then driving away. But I know, and she knows, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.

At first the twice-daily Bible studies seemed kind of silly to me. In 2004 it was Bro. June every morning, Wednesday night (and any other evening a speaker could not show up), and Sunday morning church. It was really hard for me to understand what motivated these people—I had never met anyone like them. After 2 or 3 days of hearing the Bible studies and listening to their stories of personal experiences with God, I was on the front row for every morning and evening Bible study. It was not just something I had to do to stay here—I was looking forward to it.

To help me keep my mind off Mike, I asked for all the chores I could. There was one time I was doing dishes 3 times a day. (Everyone has it easy now—we use disposable eatery.) Back then we used trays that had to be washed both sides because they were stacked on top of each other with food in the tray. I finally asked to have the supper chores off so that I would be ready for the evening Bible studies. I’d listen to Bro. Jim Ryan, Chuck McLaurin, Ted Summers, Bo Richardson, Bro. June, and others. I learned a lot from them by just listening.

   Bro. June is the real deal. His messages come straight from the Bible. He does not preach like a lot of preachers that tell people what they want to hear and he doesn’t hold back on the Word of God. He tells it like it is. Somehow it always sounded like he was talking directly to me and no one else. I would look around wondering, “Why is this man talking just to me?” But all-in-all, everything came together May 18, 2004. Bro. June gave a “fire and brimstone” message about “crossing the line” and it really hit home with me. I rededicated myself to the Lord and went to my room and prayed.

I had almost a carton of cigarettes and I gave them all away—except two packs because Mike was still being Mike. The next morning I had really bad coffee but not a cigarette. I had stopped the booze, I had stopped shooting dope, I had stopped methadone—but the cigarettes were really hard to give up. So I thought if I dipped for a day or two it would get me over the edge because I hated chewing tobacco, so I prayed more and by the grace of God he lifted it all from me.

Some of the stories Bro. June would tell fit me to a “T.” I had to find new friends and not hang out in the places I used to. I tried to just stay busy around GODTEL and also looked for work going to the “catch-out” corner. Now remember, I weighed just 97 lbs. so you can just think how a lot of the people would look at me.

Early in the summer of 2004, Bro. June and Mrs. Nancy went on a trip somewhere for almost 2 weeks (to their daughter, Joann’s, graduation from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA) and their son, Jeremiah, came from Nacogdoches to tend to mission business. When they called to check on things, I was really surprised to learn that they had asked him if I was still at GODTEL.

A short while after they returned, Bro. June came to me when I was out doing something in the Free Shed, and he asked me if I would work for him. It was hard to believe. Who I was, all the things I had done… That’s kind of how I got started.

In 2005 the newspaper (the Polk County Enterprise) put some of my story on the front page. All of this is nothing that I did. It is what God did for me.

 As I had to learn when I came here, GODTEL has rules. Now Bro. June has me see that the rules are followed. Though my nature is to mostly stay to myself, I have close contact with all the residents as I read them the rules when they check-in, make out the chore list, do wake up and bed checks, and sometimes lead a Bible study if someone doesn’t make it. I have worked every shift that has been here and now I work around 90 hours a week not counting the bed checks. But I do get a couple of 45-minute breaks from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

I often tell new arrivals that this is not the Ritz but it is also not the Pits. I try to treat everyone as I would want to be treated. I do not like to ask anyone to leave GODTEL. That’s why I tell everyone that all they have to do is attend the Bible studies and don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. I also have them sign a statement saying that they understand the rules and will follow them. Seems like after 2 or 3 days many have forgotten everything…

I have learned another way of life here at GODTEL. Bro. June, Mrs. Nancy, Pegi, and the rest of the staff have become a new GODTEL family and we all get tested by God—every day. Some people say I have a boring life, but I know I am where God has put me. He has changed my life; I am not the same person I was when I came to GODTEL and I thank God for that.

He has blessed me in so many ways, I cannot count them all. My most recent blessing came from my daughter (the one who loved me enough to be “tough” and drop me off here at GODTEL). She called and informed me that I was going to be a grandpa for the first time come next Spring. That really made my day. I thank God for all His blessings and know He will be faithful to provide all I need to keep living the way He wants me to. – Mike Heth

Thanksgiving 2011—GODTEL Style

        It was a wonderful day filled with thankfulness, pleasant & hard-working volunteers, delicious food, a television interview by Donna McCollum of KTRE-TV, and yummy desserts. Bro. June delivered a devotion on being thankful always for all things (Ephesians 5:20) at each location prior to the meal.

 Grateful Thanks

 As this year comes to an end, we want to once again thank each one of you who prays for us and who otherwise gives of your time, talents, and treasure. May God reward you abundantly in this life and in the next.

 New Believers

We are praising God for two professions of faith in Jesus Christ at our Nacogdoches mission in October. Please pray for us all.

Nancy Gentry

Meet Our Workers

        This month’s featured GODTEL-Family Team-Member is my sister-in-law, Pegi, who works in the main office with Michelle and me. She is in charge of prisoner correspondence and regularly writes to over 100 inmates, sending Gospel literature, Bibles, and other items that can help bring them to Jesus and teach them about God. A few of them have become residents at one of GODTEL’s three homeless shelters upon their release. We truly appreciate her faithfulness to this ministry.

Pegi has a beautiful voice and sings with us during our Sunday morning worship services at Mission On The Hill. She is in charge of “pulling” and re-filing the sheet music we use weekly. In addition to her music secretarial chores she frequently helps Miss Benita serve meals and hang clothing in our Christian Help Ctr.

Having endured more than one abusive marriage and having battled addictions to alcohol and tobacco and allowing God to set her free from those bondages (no alcohol for 32 years and no tobacco for 25 years), she is a very valuable asset in counseling our female residents and helping Mike, our Livingston Mission Manager, deal with some of the men if needed.

Responding to my request, here is what she has written about herself:

 Hello, Everyone. I am Brother June’s younger sister, Pegi McCarthy. I moved from California to Livingston in 2006 and have been volunteering at the Livingston GODTEL ever since.

In my youth I was lost in sin, knowing little about God. Oh, I had heard there was a God and had even read the Bible through to the end. Nevertheless, who was/is God? I had no understanding of sin and the fact that it blocks communication with God. I had never heard about having a conscious contact with God, an unseen “force”—I was totally clueless!

I made mistake after mistake; not intentionally, mind you, yet I found myself in one terrible predicament after another, horrible situations, even alienating my precious children.

Countless years of depression  and suffering the consequences of many bad decisions finally broke me. God allowed to happen everything that I put myself through. In His Infinite Wisdom, He knew I had to reach the end of my own resources and be totally flattened/defeated in order for me to see, to really see, my need.

In 1987 that end came shortly after we moved to a new neighborhood. I knew no one on the block yet. My life was in an upheaval and the depression I was experiencing overwhelmed me. The only way to find relief, I thought, was death.

Since I lived close to an embankment leading up to the 605 Freeway in Whittier, CA, I decided that I would simply climb up to the freeway, step into oncoming traffic and, presto-change-o, relief from life’s pain would be instantaneous. My heartache would be felt no more. (I had no idea that my death would not only not bring me peace but would instead usher in an eternity of torment worse than any I had suffered so far—with no possibility of escape. Peace can only be found in surrendering and submitting to Jesus.)

Well, even though I was not yet a Christian and had plans to end my life, God had other plans for me. As I was sitting on the curb at the end of our street, about to begin my climb, with tears flowing down my face, I became aware of a small car coming toward me. It stopped in front of me, just about three feet away. The passenger door flew open and a neighbor lady (who I had not met thus far) said, “Get in.” I got into the car and she proceeded to the intersection, turned right, and drove me to a Stonecroft Bible Study that she was teaching. I was not dressed for a social occasion, but she silenced my protests and took me to her Bible study. All the ladies welcomed me …

How I thank God for sending Melba, a strong Christian, to rescue me from myself. (Thank you, Melba, for taking a chance on a stranger.  May God continue to bless you.)

I continued to attend the weekly Bible studies and began to learn of God’s love, the reality of sin and its dire consequences, God’s offer of forgiveness, and His mighty power to save souls from His wrath in the final judgment and to change the lives of those who are willing to surrender to His will and let Him lead. I have continued to be involved in one way or another in Stonecroft Ministries ever since. I accepted Christ into my heart and life and the rest is history (or herstory?).

I repented, daily turning my life over to the care of God. Though there have been tests and difficulties through the years, there have been no more bad feelings for me! What joy and peace I can now claim for my very own! God has brought me on an amazing journey and I am very glad to be a part of GODTEL Ministries.

Since coming here, my understanding of Christianity has tripled! There is not enough paper to explain all that I have learned! One of the things I appreciate most is that the teaching and ministering comes straight from the Bible, no personal opinions or personal beliefs—only God’s Word as it was recorded so many years ago and still holding true!

At GODTEL, I have been exposed to individuals from many different walks of life with difficult situations attached. Broken people arrive in all sorts of sizes, shapes, and colors/nationalities with a variety of attitudes. They possess damaged bodies with disturbed minds from being kicked about and abused by others. They embrace virtually no interest or belief in much of anything. A few say they believe in God, claiming to be Christians. Are they really? Do they understand what it means to be a Christian?

  Some people receive the Word and grow, although it seems very few do. Others pay no attention to the truths of God’s Word and leave the same way they came in, lonely, lost, empty, miserable, and without guidance from above. The few who do listen, learn, and grow and have chosen to trust God obey His commands, and “die to self,” bring me joy because I have been a part of their new-found understanding and acceptance of God’s Word. These individuals tell me that before they arrived at GODTEL, their understanding about God was that He is all “Fire and Brimstone” and nothing more. They felt that they stood no chance of obtaining His Grace and their next stop was hell.

Their eyes light up when they tell me that through GODTEL’s Bible studies and our church services at “Mission on the Hill” they have learned about repentance. They also say that never before had anyone explained the Bible messages the way Bro. June and our visiting preachers do. Their lives are changed and now they are free in Christ! What could be better than that for everyone involved?

In closing, please remember, God has everything  under control!

Pegi McCarthy & Nancy Gentry

October, 2011 

Meet Our Workers

     This month, meet our volunteer Cook, Christian Help Center Manager, Dorm Mother for the women who come to the Livingston mission, and Laundry Woman. No, that’s not four people; just a six-and-a-half year veteran of GODTEL, Miss Benita. We are very thankful for her amazing work ethic and the seeming ease with which she accomplishes her many jobs. I asked her to write her testimony: how she met Jesus and what she has learned while at GODTEL. These are her words: 

      “I was asked to give my testimony of being saved and what has happened in my life since that day.

      “Well, I was about 10 years old and was in church when the Preacher asked people to come up and accept Jesus into their hearts. Well, not knowing exactly what that meant, I was watching people go up and then there was this odd feeling in my stomach and next thing I knew, I was standing in front talking to the Preacher and wanting to cry. After that day and years to come, things happened, sometimes not knowing why, that same “gut” feeling would come and go. That’s how I would lead my life. That feeling kept me out of a lot of trouble.

      “Years passed, got married, had three boys, and raised them with that same feeling and things my grandparents taught me. Still not knowing why that seemed to help me, but I’m glad it did. (Found out it was the Holy Spirit in me.)

      “Well, time went by and I ended up here at GODTEL. When I first heard Bro. June preach, this feeling went over me and for the first time I understood what accepting Jesus was all about. He made it so clear things started falling into place. He explained things from the Bible that all the other preachers didn’t. He, through God’s help, taught me so much, and is still teaching me things everyday. Thank you, Bro. June, and thank you, God, for leading me on that rough path that led me to GODTEL.

      “Nancy has been there for me so much and has taught me things in a special way and has made me feel like one of her daughters and that’s a privilege. Thank you so much, Nancy.

      “And that brings me to Pegi (Bro. June’s sister) and her Friday morning Bible Study for women. When I first started attending her Bible Studies (October 1, 2010), I was not a willing party, thinking, “Wow, I’m missing over an hour working in the CHC. I’m gonna get behind.” But, as I kept attending, things changed. I started forgetting about the work in the “store” (Christian Help Center where we freely give away clothing and household items) and started thinking, wow, this is great!

      “I was learning more about why I was here and how much Jesus really does Love me. I’ve learned to Stop—and think about what to say or how to act—Look at myself before looking at others, and to Listen—to what God has to say and what people are saying to me.

      “I’ve learned that there is no stupid question—if you don’t ask, you won’t learn. These weekly Bible studies help reinforce the twice-a-day Bible studies at the mission and since they are more informal, we have discussions and the more mature Christian ladies share their experiences of walking with God. This is very helpful in my everyday life: knowing my small aches, pains, troubles and tests, are nothing compared to what Jesus went through for me—“a nobody,” and, wow! He still loves me anyway. That gives me a wonderful feeling inside.

      “Treating somebody the right way is sometimes hard, but I’ve learned that the choice comes from inside my heart and when I remember that, then it’s not so hard to do. All things are choices—Jesus will help me make the right ones.

      “Learning how to forgive and forgiving is another thing I came to understand—that if I don’t forgive everyone, the Lord won’t forgive me—and I don’t want that to happen.

      “Just knowing I’ve learned so much here amazes me. Learning to ask the Lord to forgive me for things I did years ago and letting Him have them and forgetting them is still an ongoing thing—lots of stuff I did and just now remembering them—just from things in this Bible Study. Thanks, Pegi, for everything and for these Bible Studies.

      “I thank the Lord for the friends I have at GODTEL. When I arrived here over 6-1/2 years ago, this was a very scary place and tears flowed down my face. But now I’m happier and more content than I’ve been in a long, long time. I learn new things every day and things just seem to get better.

      “Thank you, Lord, for getting me here. Now I know where I’m going and why I’m here. I know there’s more to learn and many more lessons to come.

      “Hope you’re smiling when You see me, for I’m smiling looking up at You, Lord. You are awesome.

      “Which brings me to thanking You and learning to be thankful for all things always. Started out sounding silly—thanking You for me hitting my toe or bumping my head and stuff like that—knowing You knew I really didn’t seem thankful, but every day I choose to say it every time and now it comes natural—like breathing.

      “I know now that what it’s all about is being obedient to God. It’s all about Him and not me!

Thank You, Lord,

Benita 

NAC Relocation Project

       We are very grateful for a lot of hard work and applied expertise from a group of professionals in applying for a grant to complete the construction of GODTEL’s planned new mission in Nacogdoches. The application is being made to the Mabee Foundation out of Oklahoma. We understand that this is a Christian Foundation, so we are hoping our relocation project will find favor with them and that they will have the funds to grant the whole amount (new bids = $1,200,000).

      We know that God is the One Who will decide when and from where the funding will come for us to relocate, so we are praying and trusting Him to provide. From an earthly point of view, the plan to apply for this grant was birthed in the heart of Gary Lee Ashcraft, the President/CEO of theNAC County United Way. We thank him and the others who have worked so diligently to complete the application.

      More next month if …

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.  Proverb 19:17

September, 2011  

Volunteers Needed

       Our Livingston clothing closet, the Christian Help Center (CHC), is open three mornings each week to freely distribute clothing and household items to the poor. In order for those items to be easily accessible, we must open each bag or box of donated items, sort through them, and hang the clothing on our racks, place the shoes on our shelves, and display (or store) the rest.

      Our current routine is to weekly empty the small intake shed where individuals drop off donations throughout the week. That is done on Thursday afternoons when the work begins in earnest. The sorting and hanging continues through Fridays and as long as it takes on Saturdays to complete the job.

      There are times when our CHC manager and full-time cook, Miss Benita, must carry out this task of sorting, etc., all alone. We would welcome volunteers to come for two to four (or more) hours per week (or month) on a regular (or sporadic) basis to assist her in this task.

Will YOU please help?

      Just give us a call at 936-327-5201 or 936-327-8863 or come by and meet Miss Benita, take a tour, and get on the schedule to help supply the needs of others. 

Meet Our Workers

     God has truly blessed us with some faithful laborers to carry out the ministry of housing, feeding, clothing, and meeting the spiritual needs of the impoverished individuals who come to our three missions for assistance. When many of our workers originally came, they were in need themselves and not only did they receive our help, they became a part of our “GODTEL family.” Some do move on after five to seven years or so, but others have just never left.

      To start off, June and I are founders and the executive directors of the entire ministry and regularly show up at each of our three missions. We spend Sunday evening through Wednesday morning at the Nacogdoches Mission. We are at the Lufkin GODTEL on Monday evenings and for a brief time most Wednesday mornings. We are at the Livingston Mission from Wednesday around noon through Sunday morning Church services at Mission On The Hill. After that service we drive back to Nacogdoches.

      A bit about ourselves: Bro. June met Jesus in 1971 in jail in Orange County, California. As he sat in his cell day after day, John 3:16, the one Bible verse he had memorized in his childhood, began to repeat over and over in his head. To get his mind off that verse, he read David Wilkerson’s book, The Cross and the Switchblade which spoke of changed lives. One night he pulled a Gideon Bible off the shelf over his bunk. It fell open to Isaiah 14:3 which said, “You will be released from the hard bondage you were made to serve.” He certainly wanted to be out of jail and to have a different kind of life so he prayed, “God, if You are really there, change me or kill me.” God answered his prayer and set him free from his bondage to sin—and in a short time he was set free from jail and led to Brownsville, Texas where a Baptist Deacon and his educator wife, Bud and JoAnn Stovall,  housed and discipled him.

      I (Nancy) was raised in a Christian home and went to church at least three times each week. I was even part of a group that passed out Gospel literature on the streets of Dallas. I was outwardly very religious, but I did not know God. Though I knew a lot about Him, we were not personally acquainted. There was no peace in my life and I did not have the power to live the way I should. After a failed marriage and a decision to no longer “play the part” of a Christian, I “enjoyed” the pleasures of sin (for a season) until God sent Bro. June to witness to me. After three days of listening to his testimony of how God had changed his life (and observing him), I surrendered my life and will to Jesus Christ. For the first time in my life I had a great peace in my heart. At God’s confirmed leading, we married nine days later. That was August, 1973, the same month I graduated from SFASU with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

      God had already placed a vision of ministry to the poor in Bro. June’s heart, which we started doing right there where we lived—just north of Nacogdoches. In 1975 we received a charter from the State of Texas and 501(c)(3) status from the IRS as an organization dedicated to helping the poor and homeless. Then, in January of 1977 we purchased and began to move into the old Redland Hotel in downtown Nacogdoches.

      God taught us many things as we raised our six children in that old three-story building. Learning to love the unlovable and to treat others the way we wanted to be treated are probably the biggest of our lessons. We have also learned first hand that God is faithful and true.

      Our plan is to continue to operate GODTEL and be faithful to His calling upon our lives until Jesus comes back. (Hmm-m, Rosh Hashanah/Feast of Trumpets starts on the 29th of this month, so we may be “outta here” very soon!) 

(This article is the first in a planned series. More next month . . . that is, if we are still on this planet.) 

More Family “Stuff”

       Grandchildren have been coming and going at our house this summer. (When you have 13 grands, one great-grand, and a great-grand on-the-way, it is easy to get up a crowd really quick.)

      Josiah and Michelle’s precious sons Justus and Mattock live the closest so we get to see them more often than the rest. Next are Jeremiah’s two daughters. It is hard to believe that Karmin is nine-years old andAlexandriais thirteen. They are quite the young ladies. (I think I had as much fun as they did making our own sidewalk chalk from Plaster of Paris and tempera paint recently. Even so, I think I will simply purchase the ready-made kind from now on.)

      For two-and-a-half weeks JonMichael, the oldest son of our oldest son, Michael, lived with us and worked several odd jobs to earn some money for college. He was a pleasure to have as a houseguest.

      Please pray for all our children as this school year gets started—the battle for their souls rages on.