Assisted living

In The Garden Of Prayer

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I have been so excited to find that a few of my friends who work in the nursing homes where I have ministered have been able to share these simple videos with the residents. Though not highly professional in quality these are the songs that they love to sing and I have included sub-titles to help them join in. If you know of anyone serving now in a long term care facility especially in this crisis it would be a great blessing if you could share these hymns with them. This is my small offering to encourage them as they are sealed off from family members, friends and even pastors, chaplains and priests. God bless

Memories and Prayers

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If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified that you bring forth much fruit. John 15:7-8 ESV

Since 1998 when God first called me into Nursing Home Ministry I have felt a love, an energy and an urgency to walk through every door that God opened. Today as I look back I have nothing but gratitude and amazement remembering thousands of handshakes, hugs, songs and prayers. But today I would ask again for your prayers for these precious ones who no one can any longer visit during this health care crisis.

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You and I on the outside may be able to watch a live service from our home computer and live in relative safety. But in most nursing homes no one except a nurse or a doctor will be able to stand by their side and pray. No one will have an opportunity to serve them communion. No worship leader will be able to bring them music unless it is on the radio or television. But God is greater. Jesus has not lost the address of even one person who sits in assisted living; He has not abandoned those in long term nursing and has He forgotten those in memory care. God has a way forward.

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It is hard when we just turn on the television and see the statistics of infections and deaths to put a face on their story. So here are just a few photos of special friends some of whom have gone on to glory. Their smiles, their voices and love have been my best reward on earth for the simple acts of service I have been privileged to give them.

 

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How Nursing Home Volunteers can respond in the Corona Crisis

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I was sick and you visited me…Matthew 25

Being in the grip of public health emergency it is important to know how we as volunteers can help. Our first order of business is not to panic. Our precious friends in long term care already are dealing with serious personal medical situations as well as depression and loneliness. We need to find out what we can do to lift their load.

Secondly we need to face the Corona virus not as some mysterious plague but as another in a yearly cycle of serious diseases. Use common sense. Follow the directives of the facilities you are visiting. I go 3-4 times a week into different homes to sing. Each time I shower and change first then still use the hand sanitizer at the door as I sign in. I use another sanitizer between wards and then again on the way out the door. Once home I wash with warm soap and water. If all this sounds like a lot of trouble remember that sickness can be whole a lot more trouble than soap!

Last of all we need to not only pray but also be creative and upbeat. Keep in touch by text with staff or other volunteers who are out sick. A phone call or even a card can do as much as any medicine in the face of discouragement. We are serving on the front lines of both a medical as well as a spiritual battle. We must keep our heads about us and trust the Lord. He has sent us to bring a message of hope and life and this is the time to buckle up and be ready for anything. He has promised to be with us and He just might want to use you to remind someone else of that today!