Earlier in the summer we had the death of  a lovely young women, Lauren Alston.  This young lady was a member of a dear family of supporters and friends.  Now we have had another young girl,  Kelly Burke that was killed in a single car accident just north of Nacogdoches.  Kelly and her family were residents of GODTEL  many years ago and we have had oportunities to be involved in their lives many times since then.   During the last few months of 2009 Hughe and Joseph Burke stayed here as they reorganized their finances and came to the place where they could move back into their own place.  Kelly was not with them ,but we saw her often.  Then last friday morning we recieved a call from the DPS trying to find Hughe.  Mary and I had a sense of dread and later that day we found out that Kelly was dead.  Our hearts broke as another tragedy struck this family that was already reeling from the murder of their mother. 

These tragedies remind us of the unpedictability of life.  So I ask you to pray for this family and be sure that you are ready to meet the Lord because you never know.

This has been a hot summer I guess you know.  However it has not been hot enough to kill our Garden.  Earlier in the summer I posted some pictures of the garden and told you how I was looking forward to the fresh vegetables.  Well my wish came true.  We had a bumper crop of yellow squash, zuchini squash, cucumbers, corn, okra, eggplant, cantalopes, chili peppers, jalepeno peppers, blackeye peas,  bell pepper, greenbeans, tomatoes, and we had one black diamond watermelon and we are still getting eggplant and okra.  We are also in the process of planting for our fall garden of cabbage, lettuce, mustard, winter wheat and onions.  I don’t miss my west Texas garden as much as I used too.  Now if I could find a place to hunt birds close by I really would be in a type of heaven on earth. 

Getting back to the hot part.  It has been hot but not dreadfully so and we have managed to survive even though it was doubtful about four days last weak when the temperture was over 100 degrees.  The only real problem with it being this hot is that the residents get cranky and we get cranky and sometimes conflicts arise. So far we have only had two people that absolutely rebelled.  One of these two had to be asked to leave and the other left of her on free will.  It has been a busy summer with from 15 to 30 people being here at any one time. 

Last week we also had five night calls.  One night we had two within a half hour of each other.  Mary got the first call, a woman, and I met her coming in as I was going out to let a man into the dorm.  One of the other calls later in the week was a man that did not stay but about three minutes because we do not have “any damn AC”.  My thought when something like this happens is why are they coming here if they have somwhere else to go.  However we did have those few minute to share the Love of Christ with him so it is worth the trouble in the end. 

Well I guess I will close for now so as you pray for us also send cool thoughts in our direction.

I am going to post some pictures of the garden here in Lufkin.  When they are up you can see that the garden is up and beginning to put on fruit.  We started the garden earlier this year and we have leveled the dirt moved some of the clay, added dirt from other parts of the property and added 120 bags of topsoil from Home Depot in the heaviest clay areas.  All this preplanting work has really paid off.  Most of the garden is looking really really good.  We still have spots that need something so hopefully we can start correcting the defiencies in those areas with compost, manure and fertilizer.  We have found a source for goat manure and we have already picked up four yards of brown gold. 

We have green tomatoes, little tiny squash, very little green beans and the corn is about waist high.  The peas are fixing to start blooming, the okra is looking good and everything is thriving.  I guess you can tell I am excited about having fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables.  We always had a big garden in west Texas and that and quail hunting are about the only things that I miss from Denver City.  Of course I still have many friends that I miss but I can call them and they call me and we stay in touch via internet.  So I do not miss them like I do my garden and peach trees.  That reminds me I also planted two peach trees which are also thriving. 

We had at least one church and several individuals that have donated to the garden and we have had many volunteers work in the garden so if you get a chance to come by we will thank you and give you the grand tour.

-Resurrection Power is Far Greater-

Heartbreak/Grief

     The mind recoils and rejects the validity of the report.  Death has come too soon-it’s not time!  A smart, beautiful, precious, young college student has lost her life as a result of an A.T.V. accident.

     We are friends of her godly family.  Her paternal grandmother was my much-admired Sunday School teacher back in the ’70’s-’80’s. her paternal grandfather was on GODTEL’s Board of Directors for many years, and her Uncle Todd is now on our Board.

     As I fervently prayed for comfort for all the family members, my mind was full of questions.  I wondered, “What would I be thinking and feeling if this were my child?”  Then my mind entered into a sort of dialogue with the Lord.  My questions included: “Why?” “Why now?” “Lord, I know the Bible is true and You are a God of love and You are in control, but this seems so out-of-control and is so hurtful that it does not feel like love.  How can this excruciating loss be borne?”

     God has an answer for all our questions and all scripture is written for us to draw upon.  There are “yes” answers, “no” answers, and sometimes “wait-awhile” answers.  Sometimes we close our “ears” to His answers and then accuse Him of not answering.  Sometimes we must seek more diligently than at other times, to receive a response.

     In my dialogue with God, He also had some questions for me: “Am I God?”  “Who/what are you?”  “Am I trustworthy?”  “Do you trust me?”  “Is your all on the altar?”  “Would you make the choice to trust Me in a great sorrow such as this?”  As He brought Scripture (Romans 8:28-29) and the current precarious world situation to my mind, my “but, Lord” responses to His questions gradually faded and became a rather “humble-mumble” of “yes, Lord,” “I trust You, Lord,” and “Though I do not understand Your ways, I would be willing to cooperate with You and try to see things from Your point of view.  I submit to Your will and wisdom.”

     When I mentioned missing the joys of marriage and children, God’s gentle but firm response was, “Do you honestly believe that anything this world has to offer is better than being in Glory with Me?  If so, you really have no clue about how wonderful, magnificient, superb, breathtaking, amazing, astonishing, and fantastic Heaven is.

     “The obedient Christian life is an exercise in selflessness-dying more and more to self each day and coming more alive to Christ and the Spiritual realm.  Life on earth is full of difficulties, pain, sorrow, disappointments, trials, deprivations, and heartache.  I gave you emotions and it is normal to grieve the loss of a loved one, but your emotions are not to rule over you and your behavior.  Remember, I died an excruciating death for you, and in times like this, you must continue to trust, love and obey Me so others can see the reality of my power in and through you.  I know the way can be difficult, even painful, but I will never leave nor forsake you.  I am here to provide everything you need to keep on going.  The power and peace is Mine to give, but the choice to accept and walk in My power is yours to make.

     All that was to help me-and I did feel at peace with God, but my heart was still breaking for Lauren’s mom, dad, brother, grandparents, and other family memebers.  I knew there was nothing I could say that would really comfort them and/or make things better.  The loss is real.  This test of faith is most severe.

     Even so, there is the potential of: BUT GOD!

     I am so very thankful that I was able to attend the memorial service celebraring Lauren’s life on earth and her home going to Heaven.  I wept, but was blessed over and over at the focus that was placed on the joys of Heaven where Lauren now dwells and her desire that none miss the salvation God offers in His Son, Jesus Christ.  Both Mary Baker (Lufkin Mission) and I have kept our memorial bulletins from the the service (with Lauren’s picture on the front) on top of our desks and have had several occasions to talk with people about Lauren’s life and home going.  We, and these others, are deeply touched and blessed by her witness-which is continuing.

God Provides

     Based on our faith in God and being convinced that relocating the Nacogdoches mission is His will, we continue to move forward, using crews from both the Nacogdoches and the Lufkin missions to clear the land of brush and debris and to make other improvements.

     Soon after the asphalt driveway was completed, we realized that it was only half the width we needed.  The more work we do there, the more equipment we need and the more it rains, the more we must park the tractor and other vehicles on the asphalt.  After weeks of prayerful consideration, checking the balance in the building/relocation fun, and getting an estimate from the company that laid down the existing asphalt, we decided to enlarge the driveway-even though this would further reduce our building fund.  (Though we do not believe we are to borrow money for this relocation project, we never want to be guilty of trusting the amount of money in our building fund for guidance rather than trusting the God of Creation Who has all we need to complete the project-$460,000 for the next building and another $500,000 for the final building, paved parking lot, and driveway in from the Douglass Hwy.)  The very day the driveway was widened, $12,000 came in for the building fund-enough to pay for the expansion with $500 extra.  PTL!  Come and see what God is enabling us to do at 620 Jordan St. just off the 1800-1900 block of the Douglass Hwy - and please keep praying.  -Nancy Gentry

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”     Colossians 3:17

“HUNGRY AND HOMELESS” reads the sign.  Many times caring people call to tell us of a homeless person who needs a place to stay.  Jarrod has stayed at GODTEL four times.  When he wasn’t living here he and his mother ate meals and bathed at GODTEL.  The last time he was here he was arrested. (not for anything he did here) Sometime after he was released from jail, Jarrod came by and asked if he could check in.  We had seen him panhanding a week before he came by.  After prayer we said he could return if he stopped panhandling.  He informed us that he had paid $200.00 to legally solicit money in Lufkin.  He did not stay.  My mind exploded and I could not believe what I had heard.  I asked Joseph to find out the facts behind this legal panhandling.  We called City Hall.  It costs $100.00 to get a Solicitor’s Permit and another $100.00 for insurance.  This is good for one year.  Please understand that he has money to have a place to stay.  He wanted to come here because it is free.  He is capable of working.  He is welcome to eat and bathe at GODTEL.  We care for Jarrod and his mother.  They have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ many times at GODTEL.

Praise the Lord!  With a grant from Love in The Name of Christ and saved up money on their part our family of four got to move out to their own home.  They found a home and yard in the Redland area.  This is our goal.  We are here to tell people about Jesus and His love for them AND allowing them time to get a job, save their money and move to a home of their own.  Thank you, Lord.

We had a SOUPER Bowl Sunday.  We received canned goods from Calvary Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church in Broaddus.  Our Broaddus brothers and sisters, also, brought us hoes and clocks.  Now there won’t be any excuses about not showing up in time to work in the garden!

Even though a few days of spring-like weather teased us we had two separate episodes of snow in this short month.  The first snowfall was enough to cause school delays in Lufkin.  Our students had time that morning to make and throw snowballs.  Whoa!  The director got one right in the back of his neck!  Accident?  Or Perfect aim?  We’ll never know.  There were three pair of feet moving as fast as they could maneuver on the slick, snowy yard.  The second snowfall was barely a solid covering of white on the ground.

This past month I was the guest at the Calvary Baptist Church Willing Workers Sunday School class meeting.  I really enjoy talking about GODTEL and what God is doing at this ministry.  It was a blessing, indeed.  And the food…delicious!  Thank you, ladies, for a wonderful evening.  PS…Martin did let me in, even though it was after curfew.

At the end of February, Martin and I attended St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church.  We met the new priest, Rev. Art Callahan.  It was a new experience for us.  It is good to learn the different ways in which God’s children meet to worship and praise Him.  After the morning service we were the “talk” of the coffee fellowship.  St. Cyprian’s will be blessing GODTEL with help in our garden and the menu for Easter Sunday.

Keltys United Methodist Church started the month off as our guest cooks came and thrilled our appetites to satisfaction.  Pork chops and the works was the menu that night.  Lakeview Baptist Church was faithful, not even the Super Bowl could keep them from their chef duties at GODTEL.  Carpenter’s Way Baptist Church came with fried chicken cooks on board.  We had plenty to feast on.  The Third Thursday Methodist Cooks put smiles on our faces as well.  The Last Tuesday Methodist Men spoiled us with fajitas and the complimentary food tastes that go with them.  Phyllis was here the third Sunday evening with her famous potato soup.  The folks ate it all.  Once again, nobody at GODTEL went to bed hungry.  Thank you one and all.

One day a lady came in and asked if we had any veterans.  At this time we do and so the answer was yes.  She brought in six lap blankets and asked if we would give one to each veteran.  She volunteers at the VA Clinic and has a heart for the men and women who have served their country.  She says she can’t do enough for these special heroes.  I agree.  I am an Army Brat.  My daddy loved his country and loved being in the Army.  The service personnel and their families truly give more than we realize.  I, for one, am glad they serve out of love and honor rather than for greed and fame.

Borrowing mom’s car Phyllis, Pat (friend) and I went to Nederland.  Each of us with a different purpose in mind.  I went to a shareholders meeting.  After the meeting we ate lunch.  It was a rush and run day for sure.  After we had a delicious meal we scattered here and there.  Kara attended a wedding shower.  Goerge and Honey headed home.  And the rest of us went to a combined birthday celebration for our nephew and his daughter.  I bet you can guess who got the most presents.  Alia is much cuter and younger than her dad.  Alas, the time was truly fleeting with Kristen and Blaine.  They were having a great time in the bouncy house.  Later in the afternoon, the “big” kids were acting like the little kids while taking their turn in the bouncy house.  Pat spent her time with her daughter-in-law.  They went to a flea market and, yes, they did spend some money (helping the economy, don’t you know).  It was a good day.

Haiti, Okinawa, Japan, Chile, Hawaii, Argentina.  The list gets longer.  What an opportunity for us to pray and serve.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve our Lord in Lufkin at GODTEL.

In Christ’s Service,

Martin and Mary

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as the to Lord, and not unto men”   Colossians 3:23