April Newsletter - Nacogdoches/Livingston

​Celebrating the Resurrection
 
April the 12th is the date of this year’s commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What a glorious occasion, assuring us of His power to save and take us to Heaven! (Not only can He, but He wants to, and will, if we will submit our lives to His control.) We thank and praise Him for His love and goodness and are looking forward to spending eternity face-to-face with our Lord and Savior.
 
Apology for the Error
 
I must apologize to New Life Church in Center, TX for misunderstanding (and therefore misprinting the name of their church). I erroneously wrote “New Life Gravity Church.” The Youth Group is called Gravity but the church’s name is New Life. So, I do apologize and thank them once again for the meal they served and the personal hygiene items they brought for the homeless individuals we minister to here at GODTEL. My office assistant, Stephanie, felt terrible about getting the information mixed up and asked if she could write an apology. I said, “Yes,” — here it is:
 
I wanted to formally apologize to the Gravity Youth Group from New Life Church who graciously came and volunteered their time to make and serve a delicious meal to our residents. Every one of you was very helpful and pleasant.

Unfortunately, I gave the incorrect name to the writer and editor of the newsletter, Nancy Gentry (who trusted me to give her correct information). I am truly sorry for this mistake — it is 100% my fault. (Spiritual application: Be careful who you trust. They may be sincere, but wrong.)

I want each of our volunteer groups to know that I truly value and am extremely grateful for each and every one of you who chooses to come and spend time volunteering with us. It really has been a pleasure and very encouraging getting to know all of you. Thank you for wanting to come and help and spend your time with us.  — Stephanie
 
Revisiting Last Month’s Story
 
Last month I wrote about a happening in our youngest son’s life. Joshua had helped a man whose truck had stalled. Sadly, I failed to include the lesson he took away from the experience. It was, “You cannot help everyone but do what you can with what you have when you are able.”

And that reminds me of the song entitled “Follow Me.” It has a line in it that says, “If just a cup of water I place within your hands, then just a cup of water is all that I demand.”

So, I ask this question, “What do I have to help others with and am I being faithful to put it to use. In Matthew 25, Jesus was speaking about the Judgment and in verse 40 and 45 explains that whatever we do (or fail to do) for others is the same as serving (or failing to serve) Him.
 
Pineywoods Peacemakers
 
The biker group Pineywoods Peacemakers came and made dinner for us on March 7th. They made Chicken Alfredo, green beans, salad, and garlic bread and we all had a “roarin’” good time. We are very grateful.

Touched by COVID-19
 
At each of GODTEL’s three shelters, we have stepped up sanitizing our tables, chairs, door knobs, etc. and made the difficult choice to admit people only from our local areas for the duration of this outbreak.

Many people have been affected by this end-time plague in different ways. At this writing (March 24) the worst we have been affected personally is that two of our sons have lost their jobs.

Several restaurants that shut down (one closed for good) have donated many food items to GODTEL. Our heartfelt thanks to and prayers for the owners and employees of Zoukis, Pepper Jacks, KFC, and Jalapeno Tree in Nacogdoches.

We are also very thankful for 25 40-pound cases of frozen chicken donated by Pilgrim’s Pride processing plant. When we went to pick them up I was amazed at the activity there. I thought they would have slowed down but they are as busy as ever, making sure people have food during this crisis.
 
“Taxing” Problems
 
I prepare the W-2s and 1099s for GODTEL. This year I could not find the paper upon which I had written the user name, password, etc. to access the Social Security’s B.S.O. (Business Services Online) site. I searched diligently for that paper in file cabinets, file boxes, piles on my desk—several times.

As I searched, I reasoned with God and my sister agreed with me in prayer that the Lord would reveal the information to me. I gave up my search and ceased from my own labor. Before long, the thought came to me (from Above, I know) about a place I sometimes put things to hold briefly—the top of my printer. I looked there and found what I had been searching for. I was so-o relieved.

I thanked God repeatedly and He reminded me, “In order to find what you are looking for, you must look where it is—in the right place.” So many people are looking for peace and joy but they are looking in the wrong places. Only in Jesus can mankind find a solution to the emptiness and the demands of the wicked heart we are born with.
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With prayers for you all. Till next month, and always, trust God—and obey Him. He loves us and He is in control.

​~Nancy Gentry