Lufkin – April 2017

​“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   Romans 8: 38&39

March Madness begins and continues…

So You'll Know:
March 2017
1st-18 people
31st-32 people

Total helped-45 people
Praise the Lord!

EMPLOYMENT REPORT:
New jobs-5
Still working-8

Praise the Lord!
“If you love me, keep my commandments.”     John 14:15

March Madness-the rest of the story. In last month’s newsletter I included the great kitchen flood of 2017 when the hot water heater ended its term of service. This actually happened in the first week of March and not in February. Apparently one water heater down was not enough. The tally is 3 water heaters went out in 2 weeks. The women’s dorm was the next victim. This water heater is outside in its own little house. We are thankful that there was no flooding waters or damage to the tile floor. The women did have to do without hot water until the next day. And so it was, by the end of the next day, the women were enjoying their hot showers again. The office building had the last word. The water heater closet is in our office. And so on a Monday morning Martin unlocked the door and saw the built in water pool. He grabbed a few guys and they started sweeping out the water and drying things out. This tank lasted 14 years, a long life and many years of service. To this we say thank you. Spring break...There was a break from school but not from work for the youth group from Central Church of Christ. They came Wednesday morning with work clothes and boots and shovels in hand. The girls of the group washed windows and screens. (now we can really see the pollen which is covering everything in yellow). The boys, or should I say strong, young men, picked up shovels and dug dirt out from the front of the fence in the garden area. They carried the dirt to several low places and spread it out. Then they placed a top row of railroad ties in front of the fence and made sure that dirt was smooth and up close to the fence. I was gone the first part of the morning. I returned just in time for a tour and talk about GODTEL. That is my favorite part-sharing what God is doing at GODTEL. I think the guys liked the big shop (man cave) the best. The group brought their own lunches and only sat down to eat after they served the residents their plates. I don’t know about the young folks but we were blessed by their willing hands and service at GODTEL. Just because there was a break in the middle of the month doesn’t mean that our guest cooks took a break. We were treated to meals of tuna fish sandwiches, sloppy joes, a double helping of pizza, a delicious serving of ham and sides, chili dogs, chicken and pork chops. Nobody went to bed hungry around here. Praise the Lord! Kitchen catch-up. With gift money we were able to purchase a matching commercial freezer to accompany our commercial refrigerator. A few more physical changes are planned and then a fresh coat of paint. Who knows-it may even be a different color. Come by and put in your color preference. It saddens me to tell you this. Remember Laura and her two girls who moved out in February? We have been told that they were in a serious auto accident. The whole family was in the car and in the Houston area when the accident occurred. We were informed that the youngest daughter had a broken pelvis and was at Texas Children’s Hospital. We have not had any update. I ask for your prayers for this family. The Wednesday morning Bible Study I attend is in the book of Malachi. It is a study by Lisa Harper. Who would have thought that four chapters could take eight weeks to go through. This small book is the last written word we have from our God for 400 years-before the coming of the promised Messiah. Already it has convicted me, challenged me and reminded me that God’s love never fails. Look it up. Read it. Find out for yourself. The highlight of the month was the visit of our children and grandchildren. From great grandma to 8 month babies we had a houseful of people, all ages and heights. Yes, we ate tacos. How did you guess? I spied 14 year old Kristen and 3 year old Emily reading. Thirteen year old Blaine was eye level to Lauren who was trying to crawl and not quite making it. Recent reports from reliable sources say that Lauren is now crawling and exploring the world that was once beyond her reach. We stuffed ourselves with tacos and then ice cream. Some of us were moaning about how much we ate while others were napping. Martin got his guitar out and called Blaine to the back porch. Soon Kristen followed them. You could hear the sound of music coming through the screen door. Emily did not want to be left out. Granddad came to the rescue. He had a “b’tar” just Emily’s size. She started strumming and singing. What a performance she put on. It wasn’t long before Emily was directing our imaginations. Colored pencils were cookies. When we were full the pencils became animals. And we each had to take care of one. I think some where in between a picture was actually colored. The visit ended too soon. The memories will warm our hearts. Thank you. Lord, for this precious gift of family. We are enjoying the spring days in between the wind and rain. A peek into April-we have planted the garden. Okra, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash are planted-one in each-of the four raised bed gardens. We are waiting for zipper pea seeds for the last garden. We praise God that we don’t have to imagine HIS love for us. It is real and it is true. HIS love is unending. And we don’t have to imagine your support of God’s ministry at the top of the hill on Moody Street. Thank you.

RESURRECTION DAY
April 16, 2017

Because of Him we serve,
Martin and Mary Baker

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”  Matthew 28:5-7