February Newsletter

​It didn’t take long for the new year adventures to begin. Bell’s Palsy, broken wrist,  jury duty and new faces filled the first month of the new year.

EMPLOYMENT REPORT:
New jobs-2
Still working-3
The Fieldhouse-4

Praise the Lord!

The year is new but the good news of Jesus is not and so we began the first day of the new year with Bible Study.

One evening, while in the kitchen eating dinner, Christi noticed Dolores’ face. It was drooping on the left side. She questioned Dolores about it. She said she had noticed the drooping earlier in the day. Christi, Crystal and Dolores loaded up in the car and to the hospital they went. Crystal stayed with Dolores. It wasn’t long before we got the news that it wasn’t a stroke (which is what we thought it might be). Thank you, Lord!

More tests concluded that Dolores had Bell’s Palsy. Martin suggested she take a week off. She agreed. Warren stepped in and put on his chef’s hat for the week. Dolores had only been gone a night when Christi broke her left wrist. Once, again, to the emergency room she went, as a patient this time.

A splint and wrap were put on her whole arm. She was referred to a specialist. Christi saw the specialist. He put a wrap on her wrist and told her to come back for a follow up visit. The next visit resulted in the putting on of a cast. And now she counts the days until the cast comes off. We praise the Lord that surgery was not required and we praise Him for the fact that it was her left wrist and not her right wrist, since she is right handed.

Martin was summoned to appear for possible jury duty. The day before he was to go to the courthouse he received a call that the case had been settled out of court. That very day he received another summons to appear for jury duty later in the month. This time there was no call of cancellation. Martin went to the courthouse to do his civic duty. He was gone until early afternoon before he was not selected and then released.

We have a new Bible Study teacher. Joshua is his name. He has taken the night of Monday to come and share the Word with our residents. Welcome, Joshua.

We had guest cooks show up to fill our hunger needs. We ate homemade chicken noodle soup, turkey, chili, hamburgers and beef sandwiches. Delicious! The side dishes complimented the main dish. And the desserts...well, they were, also, quite delicious and willing to derail any good diet intentions and resolutions for this new year.

Even though he was here a short time, Mr. Gray “transferred” from Nacogdoches GODTEL to Lufkin GODTEL to share his painting skills. And share-he did. The hallway in the men’s dorm now sports a bright, new coat of white paint. He soon had to leave to take care of some family issue.

People came. People left. Most of the January folks did not stay long. Several just needed a night or two before continuing their journey. We had two veterans who came because they had appointments in Houston. The Lufkin VA clinic has a bus that goes to the Houston VA hospital daily. Willie and Jose were two who served our country. Willie stayed one night and went to Houston, came back and then back to Nacogdoches where he lives. Jose was here for two reasons. Surgery in Houston was scheduled and he was waiting for an apartment to be readied for his occupancy.

The month of January saw the new sessions at the Christian Women’s Job Corps (The Mosaic Center) and the Christian Men’s Job Corps (The Fieldhouse) begin. We do not have any women residents enrolled at the Mosaic Center this session, but we do have Christi who is a third time volunteer as a mentor.

We have four men residents enrolled at the Fieldhouse. There are nine students in all. Praise the Lord! The classes are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Fieldhouse located on Denman Avenue next to Denman Avenue Baptist Church. A meal is served. A Bible study is presented, “Kingdom Man” by Dr. Tony Evans. Then the Jobs For Life curriculum is taught. Personal money management and Character First will be taught after the JFL curriculum is completed. If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry just call 936-632-2035.

Our granddaughter, Emily, celebrated her 5th birthday this past month. Martin and I were able to attend this affair. Painting was on the agenda and rainbow unicorn was the theme. It was a delightful gathering.

The garage was the place to be. Tables were covered to protect them from the young painters creating masterpieces on canvas squares with their paint brushes. When the up and coming Picassos were finished cake was served. The Rainbow Unicorn cake soon crumbled as cake slices were cut and served. Gifts were opened. There was some playing outside in the backyard. Thank you’s were said as the guests started leaving taking their art work with them. We helped clean up and then we bid adieu. It was a good day.

Nothing old in saying thank you to for your help and support last year. We look forward to this year as we partner with you, once again, in furthering the gospel and sharing God’s love.

1 Corinthian 13:13
 
Because we serve a living God,
Martin and Mary Baker