April was a very eventful month at our Nacogdoches location. There were numerous volunteers helping in various ways and many individuals doing community service. We served over 3,700 meals to not only our residents but also to hungry people who dropped in to eat. We were interviewed by KSAU radio and we were filmed for a PBS Documentary, “One Square Mile: Texas”, to be aired in the fall. (For more information about the series and a trailer, including a couple of shots of GODTEL, go to: OSMTX.com.)

The film crew was here on a Sunday evening from 5:00 to 9:15 p.m. and Monday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. They shot about five hours of footage to be condensed down to about three minutes air time in the final product.

We enjoyed meeting Carl Crum and Michael “Ski” and watching them work. Carl and his wife Betsy (who was home with their two children) are the owners of Brazos Film & Video. All three of these individuals met at and graduated from SFA around fifteen years ago, and Ski knew our daughter, Joann, who began to attend there when she was just 16.

From here they went to film a segment in the Montrose area of Houston. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product and will try to let you know when our portion will air.

 Livingston

      Earlier this year a former resident of our Livingston mission donated his old car to GODTEL. Since even before he moved out, just over two years ago, he has been working for the same employer and had saved up enough money to purchase a pickup truck. Rather than trade in his car, he decided to donate it to GODTEL because he wanted to show his appreciation for the help we had given him in the past.

Bro. June parked it in front of the mission with a “For Sale” sign on it. Several people looked at it over the next few days with no firm offer. The following Wednesday, when we returned from our weekly trip to Nacogdoches, there was a message on our answering machine from another former resident stating who she was and what her phone number was, along with the message that she wanted to purchase that car.

Leslie has been working two jobs since she moved out about a year ago and one of them is with home health care. Though she does have a car, it is not as reliable as she needs it to be and she figured that if she had two, at least one of them should be able to get her to work on time and to some training sessions she needs to attend in Huntsville.

We called her and she came right over with a down payment in hand so we would hold the car for her. Bro. June reduced the price of it, since she is diligently working and has a legitimate need. Two more weeks went by and she brought the rest of the money to pay for the car in full. As soon as she has enough money to pay for the title transfer, insurance, and inspection, we will give her the title and the car.

(Before the car can pass inspection, however, the turn signals need to repaired. A current resident, Rick Pensinger, has pitched in to do the work.)

We do appreciate the donation of this vehicle. Leslie was able to purchase a needed car very economically and the proceeds of its sale will help meet our monthly budget.

Last month I showed a picture of the storage room being added onto our Livingston office. When Rick got up on the roof to look at how to tie in the shingles, he noticed some problems with the old roof. It was in fair condition considering it is well over 20 years old and has survived several hurricanes. Since there were some obvious problems with the shingles however, the decision was made to re-roof the entire office along with the new addition. We are very grateful that there was enough money in our account to cover the cost of the new roof. Praise the Lord!

We thank God for His provision and for His faithful servants who co-labor with us by praying and giving of their time and finances to help us help the poor.

 Thanks to Kroger & Curves

      Curves of Nacogdoches, operated by Sharon Roberts, recently donated 1,055 pounds of food. Perhaps the ladies there can boast that they have collectively lost that many pounds.

For years the Kroger Co. has been preparing and selling Grocery “Hunger Bags” and donating them to GODTEL. As people check out with their groceries they can add around $5.00 ($3.00-$10.00) to pay for a bag containing needed items that we use to feed the hungry folks we serve at our shelter.

We are blessed to know these and so many other caring people who help us in practical ways and we pray that God will bless you abundantly.

 Blueberry Festival Music

      Bro. June and our GODTEL Musicians plan to be playing and singing at the Nacogdoches mission on June 8, 2013 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. We are preparing to sing oldies music from the 50’s and 60’s (some Elvis and Sinatra) but with a bit of a “twist” – the words have been altered to reflect a definite Christian message. We would love to visit with you, so come see us!

 Nancy Gentry

“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”   Galatians 3:28  

     March Madness was not limited to the basketball courts this past month. GODTEL kept the ball moving up and down the court. We praise God that we were able to keep the fast pace until the sound of the buzzer on that glorious Resurrection Day on the 31st!

EMPLOYMENT REPORT:

New Jobs-1

Total Working-5

Praise the Lord!

     Starting at the end of the month-we saw St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church at our doors early Saturday morning before Resurrection Sunday. One group of men did a thorough cleaning of the stove vent. We did a little pre-soaking, but they put the elbow grease in on the job. Or rather they did the un-greasing of the vent hood and filters.

     The next group of men supplied and put up tinted corrugated fiberglass roof and sides on our greenhouse. We will put canvas on the back and front. We already have shelves and potting soil and starter cups and fertilizer inside. And we even have some plants started.

     The women were not sitting idly by. While the men were doing their projects the women were preparing a feast extraordinaire for our Sunday dinner. And it was delicious! The ham was good. And the fruit a treat, but I think the favorite dish was the cheesy potato casserole.

     Terry checked out the movie “The Passion of the Christ” from the church library to show to the residents that afternoon. It was a most pleasant day.

     Our guest cooks fed us well. Italian was the theme this past month with lasagna, spaghetti, and pizza filling our bellies full. Nobody went to bed hungry at GODTEL. Praise God.

     Okra, squash (zucchini & yellow), tomatoes, green beans, egg plant, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers were planted this month. The recent rains have been a boon and blessing for our garden, yards and lakes. We look forward to the April showers to continue the garden growth.

     We’re not only growing vegetable gardens, GODTEL  is “growing” baby chicks. We bought 24 chicks early in the month. Only one baby chick was lost. They are a pretty golden brown. And they are definitely growing. The guys are building a new home (pen) for these ladies. If fresh veggies taste better just think how much better fresh eggs taste. Well, we already know. Because GODTEL has been blessed many times through the years with fresh eggs we thought we would give it a try.  Lord willing we won’t have long to fill our basket to the rim with fresh “hen berries”.

     More of our folks moved out to homes of their own this past month. Even though it is our goal for people to get a job, save money and move out, sometimes we hate to see some of the residents to leave. Chester and Linda were two such residents. This couple arrived in December. Linda got a job at Pilgrim’s Pride quickly. It took a little longer for Chester’s job at Sears to come through. While waiting for his job to start Chester helped around here. He helped with some auto work. Linda helped in the women’s dorm. They volunteered for chores after a full day’s work…and with a smile on their faces. God wins again, a 3 pointer straight  into the basket.

     Monday, April 8th, the new session of Jobs For Life begins. At 7:30 am the new students will start with Character First. Then Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-11:30 will be the Jobs For Life classes. Once, again, we are blessed to have several men from the community to give their time and teach a class. Some of the guest teachers will instruct two classes. After lunch, on class days, the students will have “hands on” experience. Their hands will try carpentry, floor maintenance, automotive maintenance, cutting and welding and more. Martin will testify that I keep a full court press of project ideas. Please pray for the new group of students and teachers.

     The plans we make. The reality of what happens. Martin and I had plans to attend Secret Church in Nederlandthe last weekend of March. One Friday (the ides of March) Martin had a run in with a tree branch and the middle finger of his right hand was severely wounded. He made it to the emergency room and was attended to in due time. The ER doctor strongly advised Martin to see a plastic surgeon. The finger was stitched up and on Monday we went to our family doctor. He referred us to a plastic surgeon. Tuesday morning Martin was there and Tuesday afternoon his finger was “sewn to his side” or also known as a pedicle groin flap procedure.

     For 21 days we have had an adventure. There was no use of his right hand or arm or side. It looks like his hand is in his front right pocket all the time. The wound site was cleaned and dressed twice a day.  This exercise took time and wore us out. Little by little we have gotten the hang of the new routine and as of this writing, we have less than 24 hours to go until the disconnect procedure. God knew about this accident before it happened and  He knows the outcome even though we don’t. We know His coaching always secures a victory. God’s grace is sufficient.

     So, alas, no trip to Nederlandand, no stories of grandchildren this month. But all sorts of victory cheers to carry us on.

     It feels like I have been “out of the loop” this past month because of our excellent adventure with Martin’s finger. I am glad and thankful that you were not out of the loop and that GODTEL is still here-serving our God. Come by and see the new finger. Until next month…

 Because of Him we serve,

Martin and Mary Baker

    P.S. I would like to say thank you and express my appreciation to the ER at Memorial Hospital, our family doctor and the plastic surgeon who were swift, efficient, caring and reassuring during our latest medical adventure. God is the great  physician, but He has some great doctors under Him.  

     Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

      The main problem I see with Americans, as well as many so-called “Christians” is their failure to seek God and His righteousness above all else (Matthew 6:33). Though many know what the Bible teaches, they do not make the self-denying choice to do what it says (James 1:22). This blocks their prayers from even being heard by God (Psalm 66:18 & Isaiah 59:1-2), much less answered affirmatively.

      Many years ago, Ruth Bell Graham rightly said, “If God does not judge America, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology.” If we hope to lessen the judgment God is honor bound to bring to America soon, America must repent (do an about-face, change, quit breaking God’s laws). We are “legally” killing pre-born humans. Lifestyles that God calls abominable are openly paraded and being catered to. Divorce and adultery of all sorts is socially accepted, even in many churches.

      Too many of our leaders in Congress are greedy and have set themselves above the people they are supposed to be serving: in their salaries, which they receive for life even after they are no longer doing the job, in their health-care provisions, and in their retirement system. Because their retirement money is safe in another system, they can (mis)spend our retirement—Social Security (our paid-in savings, not some benefit that can be given or taken away depending on available financing).

      We, the people, are letting this happen, so we are just as guilty as they are. We are sufficiently comfortable so we don’t care enough about the wrongs being done to do something about them. God knows nothing will change until we get really uncomfortable. I feel certain we can expect things to get even worse before they can get better. Psalm 84:11 tells us that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly — who obey Him. If we hope to receive mercy and be blessed, our actions must match what God has commanded. He means what He says.

      My fervent hope and longing is that Jesus will return very soon and get His redeemed out of this mess which, according to the Bible, is going to get worse and worse, until that great Judgment Day. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Thanks and Praise to God

       We thank God for His protection of and mercy to His own. Our current Nacogdoches location is right downtown, with streets bordering our main building as well as the smaller building that houses our Christian Help Center where we freely distribute clothing and household items each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings.

      We had a bit of a scare recently as a small child escaped his mother’s attention and wandered out into Pilar Street right in the path of an oncoming car. The driver managed to stop in time but was quite shaken by the near miss. This is one more good reason we need to relocate out of the downtown area to the more rural setting of our “new” property—it will be safer. We wish we were able to build a fence around the front of the CHC to try and help contain those who do not understand the danger just a few feet away from the front door.

Not Exactly Cabrito

       This past month we had a fabulous meal of fajitas made from one of the older goats in our herd. Richard Miller, who has considerable skills in food preparation, was in charge of the whole project, from butchering and marinating the goat, to preparation of the entire meal (which consisted of fajitas, Spanish rice, refried beans, and freshly made pico de gallo), to serving it for our Sunday supper. Approximately 46 smiling people were satisfied and there were no leftovers. Thank you, Richard.

More Thanks in Order

     SFASU (Stephen F. Austin State University) located in the Piney Woods of Deep East Texas has many energetic students willing to volunteer for various projects in Nacogdoches. GODTEL has often been the grateful recipient of their  labor. Each Spring, the University conducts what they call “The Big Event” during which many charities are blessed by masses of students working multiple jobs to benefit the organizations. This year we were happily “descended upon” by 15 young ladies who painted walls and baseboards (and themselves just a wee bit) in our office and lobby. For lunch that day we were all delighted by the donation of 15 pizzas (thanks, Mr. Stilley) which fed our residents and the SFA volunteers as well.

      During “Greek Week” in March, the SFA Fraternities held a canned food drive which has benefitted our pantry. We look forward to this event each year and appreciate the time and effort expended on our behalf.

      We recently received a call at our Livingston mission asking if we would like some oranges. The woman who called had planted an orange seed in 1979 asking God to protect that seed and the tree that would grow—and He certainly has! We sent a crew to pick a bountiful, juicy, and delicious crop — enough for all three of our missions to share.

      Both our Nacogdoches and Livingston missions have received generous donations of eggs to supplement what our chickens are laying. Both missions are also generously supplied with used clothing, furniture, appliances, and miscellaneous household items to use at one of our missions or to give away to those in need. Our thanks to all who help us minister God’s love to the poor in practical ways.   — Nancy Gentry

       The original title of this newsletter was a quote from a Bill Gaither’s song, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,” but that was a bit lengthy. Nevertheless, I am glad God adopted me.

      When someone chooses to receive the offer of salvation and becomes a follower of Jesus, they are adopted into a new family unit, a spiritual one, with a loving Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters in Heaven and on earth. We are to love one another, proving to the world that we are the Christians we say we are.

      Bro. June and I recently had lunch with a dear Christian brother, our former pastor, George Dodson, who baptized me (Nancy) in 1973. We renewed our wedding vows before him that same year and were richly fed from God’s Word throughout the time he was our pastor at Fredonia Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. He had hip surgery about six months ago and walks with a cane now—but, praise God, he is walking. He is faithful to pray for us, our family, and GODTEL and we pray for him often. Every time we see him, it is like a mini family reunion.

      Family relationships can be wonderful when the love of God is put into practice—or it can be heartbreaking when jealousy, bitterness, and hatred are allowed to rule our behavior. For joyous, pleasing family relationships there has to be a willingness to listen, to give (and receive), to love, and to truly forgive when the need arises—and the need will arise.

      The Bible is clear that offenses occur. We sometimes say or do something without really thinking it through. Sometimes we make a wrong choice, acting selfishly, and need to be forgiven ourselves. (We cannot expect to receive forgiveness if we are not willing to forgive others.)

      In this present world, there are forces which tear families apart. Lies, betrayals, a refusal to love and/or respect one’s mate lead to hopelessness and termination of relationships. It is most comforting to know that once we are adopted into the Family of God, we are secure forever. He will never leave nor forsake us. He will always provide everything we need, even if we need a divine “spanking” — which will work for our own good.

      We do appreciate the various members of our earthly, genetic families who are also members of our spiritual family and have been used by God to help us in this ministry. We also appreciate the other members of our spiritual family God has given us along our earthly journey. We are blessed when they are blessed and hurt when they hurt.

      We pray for unity in our physical family, in our spiritual family, in our ministry, and in our churches. May we make the choice to die to our own selfish desires and choose to treat others as God would have us to treat them, with the love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

 Thank You

       What a blessing to know that God’s people read our newsletter, pray for us, and respond to our needs. We received the badly-needed refrigerator and are in good shape in that department. (Now, however, we need a dryer.) Also, two more people have called about preparing/serving meals for the Nacogdoches mission and we are anticipating getting to know them and sample their culinary choices.

       Three consecutive Sunday evenings last year a young lady, who has a desire to help poor people, came to assist in serving our evening meal (accompanied by her dad and younger sister). I tried to get a photo of her for our files but she is extremely camera shy. We greatly appreciate young people who have a heart to serve the less fortunate and their parents who encourage them.

Another Building Project

       The Internal Revenue Service requires non-profits, such as this ministry, to retain all pertinent records forever. In 38 years of ministry, we have accumulated many, many boxes of records stacked and stored in many different places in Nacogdoches and Livingston. As the past two year’s records are stacked on my office floor in Livingston, it was decided to build a large storage room on the back of the office for our records. Our resident carpenter/maintenance “miracle” worker, Rick Pensinger, has the project well underway.

      As it turns out (something God knew all along, of course), when the back steps were removed Rick discovered the main beam was rotted and in great need of replacement—and replace it, he did. It was very interesting to be working away at my computer and hear this old building creak and groan as he jacked it up and then lowered it onto the new beam. (My old bones could really relate.)

      We praise God for the finances and personnel to get this job done quickly and economically. Thank you for being a part of building God’s kingdom as people come to know and to grow in the Lord at the three missions operated by GODTEL. If you have not ever visited one of our sites, we invite you to come for a tour of our facilities. We hope to see you soon.   – Nancy Gentry

 Thanks to Our Guest Cooks

       In Nacogdoches, our regular cook, Joe, has been faithfully cooking for many years. This last year he has had many health problems which has given us even more reason to appreciate the individuals and church groups who are willing to provide a meal for the mission, some as a one-time experience and others on a quarterly or monthly schedule. The smiling faces, the cheerful help, and the menu variety is a source of encouragement to both our staff and residents alike. One group recently provided delicious steaks with baked potatoes and salad. Another group provided pizza which delighted everyone. We have had some fabulous stews and soups and spaghetti. One lady, a retired nurse, often bakes cookies or a batch of pies and brings them in her handy, dandy home-made pie carrier. (Those desserts never last long but are quickly and delightfully consumed.) This woman made a big pot of chili a short while ago and is planning to bring stew in the near future.

     This New Year we welcome a new volunteer group to do a quarterly meal, the First Church of the Nazarene. If any of you should become inspired to join our guest cooks, we welcome you to cook a meal and bring it for us to serve—or stay and serve it. You may bring the ingredients and cook the meal here. You can see what we have in our pantry to cook or to add to what you might like to bring. There are all sorts of possibilities… We hope to see you soon. (Smile) 

Defective

       Last month some of you received newsletters with inserts that were of very poor quality and for that I deeply apologize. When it was time to “go to press” I was in a “crunch” situation. In order to get the newsletter in the mail in a timely manner, I felt compelled to print them even though they were not generally acceptable. When our copier technician arrived a few days later it was determined that the new drum cartridge I had been working with (and hoping would get better with use) was defective. A replacement was soon on its way and, as I had not yet returned the previously used drum (which had been making very light copies — but better than having dark streaks throughout my documents), we inserted it and I was “back in business” until the new drum arrived.

     Lesson learned: Even if I have something new, if it is not operating correctly, don’t wait. Get it checked out and corrected—or it may get worse. I do believe this is along the lines of a saying I heard many times as I was growing up: “A stitch in time, saves nine.”

     Spiritually speaking, we need to take care of matters when they are “small” so they will never become overpowering. I do thank God for even the unpleasant lessons He teaches me daily. I just wish He did not have to teach me the same lesson over and over. I do not know if I am hard-headed or terribly forgetful—probably a little bit of both.

 She Was Very Frightened

       A young widow came to us for shelter last month. Following the death of her husband she had been invited to stay with a half-sister. The sister was deeply involved in witchcraft and the widow suffered at her hands for nine months before she was able to break away. As I spoke with her at length, she assured me she was a Christian. I took her on my weekly grocery-shopping trip for the mission as I continually reassured her of God’s love and provision and protection. Living at a shelter was a new, and rather frightful, experience for her but when we parted she gave me a big hug and wept on my shoulder as I prayed for her.

     She soon found a live-in job in home health care and moved out. Please remember her in your prayers. She is still grieving over the loss of her husband.

 Nancy Gentry