September Newsletter - The Rapture and Rosh Hashanah

There is so much to celebrate this September — my birthday, the birthdays of two of my children, and the birthdays of three of my grandchildren with a fourth to arrive toward the end of the month. But the most exciting celebration of all is of the Jewish Feast of Trumpets — Rosh Hashanah. You can read all about it in this newsletter’s insert. Troubled Resident Early one Monday in August I was working away in my Nacogdoches office when I began to hear what sounded like a baby wailing outside. It turned out to be one of our male residents jumping up and down in the middle of the driveway throwing things and yelling an anguished yell. We called the police who were quick to respond. The man was calm for a few minutes and then began to fight and scream again. The police handcuffed him and confined him, in the back of one of the four police cars that arrived, until an ambulance came to transport him away. The sound of his cries were heartbreaking to me and I began to pray for his sanity and as this demonstration appeared to be suspiciously like demonic activity, I also prayed for him to be set free. We had been having trouble getting him to stay in his room quietly at night and had difficulty getting him to stay in Bible study. He said his religion was not the same as ours. We told him he did not have to agree with us but he was required to sit quietly and be respectful. What set him off was when a staff member questioned him as to why he was in his bed during the day. (Everyone is required to be up and working, helping, or reading in the day room during the day—unless they are very ill.) When questioned, he immediately began his loud wailing and ran outside into the rain where I heard and saw him. Please continue to pray for our residents and staff. Satan wants to torment but we know God is the source of peace and calm.

Food, etc. Donations
We are very thankful for the many donations we have received recently. In Nacogdoches we were blessed with 15 “Brown Bags of Hope” from the South Street Brookshire Brothers. The bags contained a variety of items including dry and canned goods, toiletries and school supplies. East Texas Community Health Clinic (where the majority of our residents receive healthcare) donated goodie bags containing: toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, face mask, band-aids & holder, 1 plastic cup from United Health Care and a ball point pen. In Livingston, we continue to be blessed with meals from area churches, the Livingston Rotary Club, and individuals. The Livingston Lions Club treated our mission manager, Ms. Benita to a delicious meal at Camp Cho-Yeh and then presented her with a donation for GODTEL.

This and That
I continue to be surprised with how much can happen in a short time period. We have received word that two of our former residents have died. One was struck by a car one dark night and the other died from a gunshot wound. One of our Nacogdoches Bible Study teachers, Lono Russell, was married and one of our Livingston Bible Study teachers, Edwin Findley was married. We have met Bro. Findley’s wife Mary and heartily approve of God’s choice for them both. A former resident from 2017 returned and told Bro. June that he had been watching his sermons on YouTube, had asked Jesus into his heart, and felt the need to come back for more Bible studies at GODTEL. We welcomed him back. Bro. Jose Poncé from Las Tres Cruces Church in Mexico popped in for a short visit bringing gifts and pictures of their Vacation Bible School.

Boat & Trailer for Sale
The Celebrity boat and trailer pictured below 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 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. For more information, call or email. Make an offer. Be comforted and encouraged. Jesus is returning soon—maybe sooner than you think!

 — Nancy Gentry