THE MARKERTS OF TAMPA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1940, Page 8

THE MARKERTS OF TAMPA

HAPPY AND PEACEFUL FAITH MISSION. The story of the old lady who lived in a shoe has come true in Florida, the only difference being that the lady<iias a husband to help her, and they are not at all at a loss to know what to do with all their children. The Rev Fred Markert 'and Mrs Markert have a family of 84 boys and girls at their Faith Mission at Tampa. The story of the growth of this splendid movement, reads like a fairy tale. Seventeen years ago two quiet, unassuming people came to Tampa. They leased a house, but had no money and no friends to help them furnish it, “The Lord will provide,’’ said the Markerts, and the Lord did. Someone gave them beds, another matresses, and as the house gradually became habitable the Markerts began to adopt homeless babies. Today, in a big roomy building which it owns for all time, surrounded by lawns and flowers, and facing the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. the Faith Mission flourishes. Though no appeals are made for funds. I there has no t been one day during the last 17 years when the little ones have had to go without a meal, clothing or shelter. It is the faith of the Markerts that has worked the miracle, and daily their life work grows and prospers. The Mission has gathered about it a host of devoted friends. Should the youngsters need shoes, along comes someone with 84 pairs as a gift. Should the cupboard be bare, along comes a car full of food. I In these hard and cruel days, what I a lesson is to be learned from this happy and peaceful Faith Mission on I the Gulf of Mexico.