Lufkin – June 2017

“For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”   1 Timothy 6: 7&8

So You'll Know:
May 2017
1st-26 people
31st-23 people
Total helped-57 people
Praise the Lord!

May brings us the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Memorial Day, end of school year and graduations. All this as we swim into summer with fun holiday trips, Vacation Bible School, weddings, water parks and lots of sunscreen.

EMPLOYMENT REPORT:
New jobs-1
GED classes-1
Still working-4

Praise the Lord!
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”   1 Timothy 6:6

May was a month full of drama and crisis. There was Deborah, who had been here before. She left daily and came back at supper time. One evening she came in tettering and tottering. She had been drinking. Even though we gave her one more night to stay, she decided to go that evening.

Linda (not her real name) had been here before. She and her boyfriend landed on our doorstep the end of April. The plan was to get jobs and move out when ready. They have a son and he came one day for a visit with his parents. The days passed and Linda and her boyfriend, Jeffrey, did not make a serious effort to find employment. Jeffrey found a few day jobs around the neighborhood. However, this is not full time employment.

One day, Linda was upset about something. She called the crisis line to ask for help. After crying and yelling she went to the hospital. Jeffrey stayed a few more days waiting for Linda to return. When she was discharged she did not come back to GODTEL. Our hearts hurt when the residents hurt. We know the healer of broken lives and hearts and that is our Heavenly Father. He is the Great Physician. And we share this truth with the residents twice a day through our Bible Studies. Jeffrey soon left.

Jane (not her real name), also, has been here before. Jane has a lot of emotional issues. Even so, she has not let this stop her from attending Angelina College. She is almost finished with her two year plan and will graduate soon. Jane became agitated and needed help. It took awhile to find the best place for her to go. She left with a ride to the hospital. As you can see, we have a full list for those in need of prayer.

Kenneth and Teresa stayed a few days. They just needed a short time to work and get bus tickets back to west Texas. And so they did.

Our guest cooks arrived throughout the month with pallet pleasing meals. Fried steak with rice, barbeque chicken and yellow squash, pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, spaghetti, meatballs and gravy and more pizza. There was plenty of food designed to keep us filled and happy.

The school year ended and we were blessed to receive the healthy food items of carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers from Hudson ISD. Baked food snacks, also, came in.

Squash, green and yellow, and cucumbers have been seen in the kitchen. The garden harvest goes from the garden to the counter then to the refrigerator and finally into the very capable and creative hands of our cook Dolores. The last part of their journey is on the plates and into the residents. We are still waiting for the tomatoes and okra and zipper peas to make their appearance on our plates.

Paula has had a few detours in her life. This time when she checked in her desire was to get her GED. She left each morning and went to the Adult Learning Center at Angelina College. She heard of the opportunity to earn her GED at the Mosaic Center. She went there and was accepted. She went to class each morning. One day she was told of the Certified Nurse Aide class that was going to start at the Mosaic Center. She applied for that and was accepted. Paula will attend class for 6 weeks. When finished she will complete her GED classes. By the end of the summer she will be ready to start anew. Please pray that Paula will stay focused and committed to reach her goal.

Joseph is on a “medical leave” of sorts. His mother had surgery last month. He has gone to help her during the slow recuperating process. She is having some rough patches but is slowly healing. We miss Joseph but we support him as he willingly “honors” his mother. And Warren has stepped in easily with the extra responsibilities.

“Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12

Thank you for the umbrellas and jelly you brought this month. The umbrellas have come in handy more than once this past month. And it looks like they will be employed, again, soon.

The jelly is used to add to the peanut butter on a sandwich as well as a sweet topping on that piece of toast for breakfast. Delicious!

Last month we hugged our moms. This month we hug our dads. They aren’t perfect, but they are our dads. But we do have a perfect and loving Heavenly Father. My daddy has been gone many years now. But I do have memories that bring a smile to my face. There are even a few laughs and stories to share. I treasure these memories and guard them in my heart.

I am glad that I have a Father who never goes away. By my side HE stays through thick and thin. He comforts me. He is fair and just in His teachings and correction. He loves me unconditionally. And His grace is amazing.

Thank you for your support. We are in service together.

Have a cool and safe summer. Come by and visit. There’s some cold water in the frig.  
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   Because of Him we serve,
   Martin and Mary Baker