February 12, 2006
Dear Christian Friends,
Once again, the Trustees and other Volunteers express our deep gratitude for the generous $7,400 gift Christ the King Lutheran Church recently made to help support the Hospitality Apartments. According to my records, CTKL began supporting this ministry in 1981 and has continued annual gifts to the present time. That means you have been a vital cog in the road to success for more than a quarter of a century. We could not have ministered to 5,500 families in need without you.
As you may know, we are being forced to relocate to accommodate a new 4-lane boulevard MDAnderson is building to connect their TMC hospitals with a new Medical Research Park on 150 acres south of Old Spanish Trail. Our apartments lie directly in the proposed roadway. But MDA has been wonderful to work with. They offered to “swap” nearby land they own but outside the roadway for our property and pay us the depreciated appraised value of our current improvements, $1.59 million. The “deal” has been consummated, and we have almost completed plans for a new, expanded, more ADA-compliant, energy-efficient 4-story Vshaped building on the new site. Moreover, MDA will allow us to continue operating most of our apartments until the new facility is completed. We see this as a great opportunity for all involved.
The new physical plant is estimated to cost about $3.5 million. At the moment we have just over $2 million in hand, which means we’re in the process of seeking another $1.5 million in order to complete the relocation debt free.We would appreciate your informing members at CTKL who might be able to help. May the Lord continue to bless all of us as together we strive to serve Him by helping our fellow men through this ministry.
In gratitude and Christian cooperation,
Joe W. Hightower, Ph.D.
Co-founder and President
713-790-9120