August Newsletter - Nacogdoches and Livingston

The following letter was received from a man who stayed at our Livingston shelter back in 1989:

Just a quick note to say "Thank you." It has been ages since I was able to send any support due to ongoing medical battles and bills after surviving a small stroke.  And, sadly, I am currently disabled, possibly permanently, due to nerve damage in my left arm.

However, I think of y'all often. I learned how to serve the Lord, however imperfectly, under your watch when Livingston was being opened. The lessons have served me well, during some dark times.  And, while I have been far away from Him due to dark times of the soul, I am finding my way back because of those lessons and the opportunity you gave a new Christian to serve, even though I knew next to nothing other than Him.  Most people would probably think I am nuts for saying this: but, those were good times.  I remember them, and all of you, well.

I am married now (28 years).  My wife Lisa and I have 4 children (27, 25, 24, and 22).  I have been reconciled with my 5th and oldest child (by my first wife, pre-GODTEL), who is married and has 2 sons of her own.  Lisa and I (and our 4) live in Fort Worth with our 5 dogs.  After some time in food service, and a 1 year ministry school, I spent roughly 12 years in warehousing and distribution, and another 14 years in financial services. I even finished college.  None of that would have happened without your work, and care, and trust. 

Because of you, despite the dark times, and all the struggles I am able to declare that God is good, especially when it doesn't look like it.  I learned that at GODTEL.  I will also declare that His love is without reservation or limit to those who will receive Him.  And, that's the most important thing I learned at GODTEL.

So, I want to say a long over due thank you. I don't know how often you get to hear that.  But, it probably isn't enough.
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May the grace and peace of the Lord, Jesus Christ, be always increasing in your life and family.
 —MB

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I know you rejoice with us at this man’s testimony about God’s faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Sadly, not everyone we minister to responds positively to the Gospel message. At each of our missions we deal with many troubled individuals. Some admittedly have caused their own troubles due to choices they made to “just try it once” and then choices they made to feed the “hunger” that first “taste” produced which led to addiction. Others have been hurt and betrayed by family or so-called friends. Some have mental problems and cannot get along with others and cannot take care of themselves. When a mental health organization calls needing a place for one of their clients to stay, we are very clear to tell them our residents must be willing and able to abide by our house rules. We are often assured that they can but it does not take long for us to realize that they cannot (or will not). For example, we recently had a woman stay with us who hid our bathroom cleaning supplies, went through her roommate’s belongings and threw them around, and was consistently late for Bible studies. She kept going into the other ladies’ rooms when they were not there and she took some metal chairs from the cart we were storing them on and moved them into her room arranged in an octagon. We counseled with her often and I cannot tell you how many phone calls Stephanie made trying to find an appropriate place for her to go but with no success. The lady told Stephanie she had a nephew who was her representative payee but she would not give us any information on how to get in touch with him. Finally, Stephanie told her she would have to leave and the lady called the police. An officer came and after the entire situation was explained to him, he tried to get the lady to give him contact information for her nephew—with no success. He then told the lady she would have to leave since she either would not or could not abide by the rules.

Our hearts break when something like this happens. We so want to help introduce people to Jesus and His love and power to change lives, but we do not have the staff or the calling to house individuals who need to be in a nursing home, a mental institution, or an assisted living facility.

Boat & Trailer for Sale
 
The Celebrity boat and trailer pictured at right are parked at the Nacogdoches location. The boat is 17'6" long. It is a 1984 model with fiberglass hull and has an inboard/outdrive gasoline engine. The engine needs a water pump.

We have not set a firm price on the boat and trailer and will consider any reasonable offer. Proceeds from the sale will be used to house and feed the poor and homeless individuals we minister to here at GODTEL. Call or email for more information. Make an offer.

Until next month, may we live to honor and bless our Creator, Savior, and Lord. Be encouraged. Jesus is returning soon.

~Nancy Gentry

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