October Newsletter - Lufkin

Hooray! September is over. Autumn is here. Time to rake the fallen leaves into piles for childish games. With laughter and mischief we jump unto the piles and scatter the leaves all over the yard only to rake them up, once again, and repeat the  splashing dive on top of the  sea of leaves.
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EMPLOYMENT REPORT:

• New jobs-1
• Still working-0
• The Fieldhouse-1

Praise the Lord!
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Jeff #1 (refer to last month’s newsletter) moved out. With saved money, he was able to move out and start a new job that would conflict with our required Bible study attendance. We praise God that we were able to help Jeff the past two months.

Our guest cooks continue to plan, prepare and deliver special meals. Three of our chef groups came in person to serve their amazing culinary delights. Pulled pork sandwiches, pork chops, frito pie, fajitas, and tacos deluxe were the imported meals this past month. Gracias y Ole!

It was a Monday afternoon. Amanda, her daughter and a seven week old puppy were brought here by the sheriff’s department of a neighboring county. There had been a pre-delivery call. We were not told about the pet. When they arrived we saw the puppy and informed Amanda that the pet would have to stay outside for the night.

Martin went out and purchased a large pet carrier for the puppy.  He would be safe, warm and comfortable. Amanda was adamant that she could not sleep without that seven week old puppy in her bed. We tried several times to calm her down and explain that the pet would be safe. She and her daughter would be safe. She would not change her mind. She decided she was going to walk back to the town where she had just come from. She and her daughter and her puppy didn’t make it to the street.

We were trying to help her find a way back to her town. Her daughter ate dinner with us. We were able to find transportation. She was on her way. Our hearts were breaking, our heads were shaking, not understanding how the dog was more important to her than her daughter. We pray that our efforts and actions showed her God’s love for her. We won’t know, this side of heaven, how her story turned out. But God does. And He does it so well.

Several new folks checked in this past month. Some stayed a day or two, others longer. Some didn’t even give our beds and pillows a try. Oh well…

Janis is a returnee. She is quite a helper around here. She tackles a chore in the morning hours. Afternoons are spent in job hunting. Mandy has just been informed that she has been approved for disability.

Andy is, also, a returnee. He is one of several who had lost his job due to Covid-19. He, too, is looking for employment. Until then he is helping around here.      Joe came seeking help for drug addiction. He started the process and then, one evening, he left and did not come back. We have since found out that he is living at an uncle’s home. We pray he is still working on getting help.

As we continue to live with Covid-19, life moves on. Twice daily Bible studies are presented to the residents. Three meals are prepared and served. And clothes are still being washed, dried and folded.

We wait for the next tropical storm to head our way, watching it change from a storm to a hurricane. What a busy hurricane season we have had so far. And now we wait to see the path of Hurricane Delta.

Who would go to Spring for fall? I did. The Labor Day weekend began Friday afternoon in Livingston, Texas. Our daughter and her two girls met Martin and myself at McDonald’s. The “transfer” took place. Martin headed back to Lufkin. Amanda, her girls and I drove to Spring. It is such a delight to listen to children while driving down the road. So much information is learned about the “unseen” daily lives of children.

We hung out at the house. I was totally entertained by the girls. There were loud debates, differences of opinion and territorial disputes, (sisters do that, you know) but the winner is always mom.

There was much laughter as the pool was inflated and water splashed so the girls could cool off. The performing sisters entertained well. Songs were sung and dances waltzed across the floor. At the end of the day, sisters are the best of friends.

I saw first hand the creation of masterpiece works of art. Rainbow colors and childhood imaginations went to work. Once dried, the canvas pictures were to be put on display. After the girls were in bed and asleep, my daughter and I had a few minutes of adult conversations.

This wonderful weekend came to an end. Monday morning we girls loaded into the car and headed to Livingston where, once again, the transfer was executed at the Mc Donald’s. Thank you, Lord, for this blessed weekend and family. Thank you Amanda, Emily and Lauren for a wonderful time.

We never run out of time to thank you for your wonderful support and encouragement of God’s ministry at the top of  the hill on Moody Street.

Because we serve a Living God,
Martin and Mary Baker

Practice your privilege and right
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