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!