January Newsletter - Lufkin

Whew! January, February, March, April...and now January of the new year, 2021. Whew!
 
EMPLOYMENT REPORT:

• New jobs-4
• Still working-3

Praise the Lord!

Thank you, Cigna.

The word Cigna brings to mind health care. They are an insurance carrier. As with any medical service agency Cigna has been busy and has dealt with challenges this past year.

This Christmas they took time to bless GODTEL abundantly. The Community Outreach worker called and said they wanted to donate items we use every day. What a variety of items we received. These include disposable masks, hand sanitizer and assorted personal hygiene items. Our folks will start the new year clean, fresh and safe to be around as they go out into the community.

Christmas day started early. The staff was front and center at 8:00 am in the kitchen. Martin led the way-sending out orders. Ham, bacon, sausage came out of the frig and into the skillet. Hash browns, biscuits, French toast stiks, fresh fruit, and eggs all reported for duty. The meat was cooked, the biscuits were readied for the oven. The fresh fruit was put out. Then came the eggs. They were fried and scrambled.

The bell was rung at 10:00 am. The Bible study was presented by Martin. When he finished the message a prayer was said. The food was blessed and the eating commenced. Syrup, butter and jelly were on the tables to add to the delicious meal.

Each year gift bags are handed out to each resident. They are filled with personal hygiene items and other goodies. Socks, gloves and caps are sometimes left in the bags and not used. This year each gift bag had a new Bible in it. We have been able to give new Bibles the past three years from a man who has a ministry of Bible giving. Then we let the residents “go shopping”. We put the items on tables with limit signs and they got to pick out the items they wanted in the right sizes so that all the items would fulfill their destines.

Thank you to the TEL/Willing Workers Sunday School class of LifePoint Church for supplying our breakfast menu. They have been faithful in their “gift” to us for quite a few years. It was  even more special this year, when many of our neighbors are hurting, that they were able to continue in this favored tradition. We fed a total of 29 people. The break down is 17 residents and staff and 12 carry out plates. Praise the Lord!

Our Christmas day continued when our son and his children came up for our “traditional” Christmas tacos. This grandma’s heart was full of joy knowing that her college granddaughter and high school grandson still want this Christmas feast at grandma’s house. Instead of watching football games we got to watch granddad (Martin) and grandson “wrestle” and hoped that Blaine wouldn’t break the old man. It was a good day. God is good.

We had guest cooks. Some were our regular groups and others were surprise treats. We ate frito/chili pies, ham, pizza, pork chops.

One afternoon I got a call from Mike Love & Associates. The Christmas dinner they had planned for their employees and families was cancelled due to covid-19 “in the camp”. Instead of cancelling the caterer they sent the delicious meal to us. Even though it was pouring down rain the brisket with side dishes from Texas Custom Catering was delivered to the mission. There was enough food for two full meals. Oh man! We were full that day and the next day, too.

Martin and I had the opportunity to go to Spring and visit our daughter and her girls. Our son and his children were also there. We got to meet Milo, the new four-legged member of their family. He is a cutie. The food and fellowship was perfect. It was a good day.

For a few days we had a mother and her 14 year old son. The son was enrolled in school. He wasn’t thrilled to be at GODTEL. He did not like the rules. One afternoon he and his mother had a fight. She was going to take him to a family member’s house and come back. She ended up leaving with him. She called to let us know that they are safe and together.

We have many in our county, in our home church and in Lufkin who have been touched by the covid-19. We lift up these hurting folks in prayer. Our Heavenly Father is here to hold us in His loving and comforting arms. He is love.
 
GODTEL Ministries has received gifts…
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. Joe Rich, sr.
and
Mary Nell Taylor
 
Let us look back on this year. Praise God that we came through it. And seek His wisdom and strength for the new year.

We thank you all who have partnered with us this past year. We look forward to serving our Lord and continuing our partnership this new year.

You are in our prayers.

 Be careful. Be safe. And be His.
 
Because we serve a Living God,
Martin and Mary Baker
 
P.S. Martin is still in one piece.