Do you fall in love with your nursing home folks?

Due to unusual circumstances---my Aunt(my father's sister) admited herself into the Nursing home----her husband had died years ago--they had no children--and my dad had passed away---leaving her with an elderly brother and sister.

At first, she didn't like it---but soon became adjusted to the new life!

She'd tell me over and over

"David! There's got to be a reason I'm here! The Lord Jesus has a reason for me being here! Pray that He will show me what I need to do!"

I would try to visit her once a week every week since she went in---she was 80 miles one way away from where I lived!

Well, about a year into her new residency---I traveled to see her---walked into her room---she wasn't there! One of the aids said--"She's in the Lounge room!"

So I went down the long corridor toward the lounge---turned the corner---and there my 88 year old Aunt was---gathered around the table---reading her Bible to the other ladies gathered around and teaching them from God's word!!

Mentally---she was sharp as a tack---physically, she didn't get around much too fast---but when she had Bible study class in that Nursing home---when she got there----she had something to say about God's word! Bless God!!

There is blessings from that Nursing Home, thats for sure!

Soulman & Scarlet!!!
Thank you both for your comments!

 

So was I. Thanks.

 

Nursing home and institutional ministries are wonderful. When I lived in Tacoma Dove and Eagle ministries started out with one nursing home they did services in.At the end of 5 years we were doing over 150 services a month and had sent materials out to over 150 churches nationwide on how to start and effectively run a nursing home ministry.
After the singing ,preaching ,and praying, should always come the visiting.By visiting I mean making body contact, rubbing a shoulder,holding a hand,bending down and making close eye contact.If you are there to minister you should keep in mind you are probably the only regular visitor they see on a regular basis.Chances are also very good that you are the only person these people know from outside of the nursing home so personal visiting time is extremely important.
Anybody who takes on a nursing home ministry will be blessed.

 

During my last pastoral ministry of 15 years we had nursing home services for the entire time. Obviously no residents continued throughout that entire span, but God gave us a tremendous ministry to many Lutherans, Catholics, Moravians and Methodists, and we are looking forward to seeing at least some of them in heaven through our ministry. When I left that church, the hardest goodbye, even harder than the church family, was our goodbye to those dear ones at the two nursing homes. Recently we were able to hold a nursing home service through our present church ministry and that was a blessing.

 

I love nursing home ministries! I was involved for many years when I was in college. I loved seeing the regulars come "to church"--and it is church if they gathered in His name.

I believe that even those some of these dear people may not be there "mentally" they still have a spirit and still need the Word of God preached to them. And you have some really sharp folks whose bodies won't allow them to be independent.

My mom spent a few weeks in a nursing home for rehab after her bypass surgery. She was released last week. I was glad there were folks that came by to minister to her and the other residents.

It's truly a valid ministry!

 

When I was a little boy I would go by the nursing home for hours and try to talk to the people there. I had a severe speech impediment. They would try so hard to figure out what I was saying. They told me stories and gave me candy to bribe me over to them. Always had quite a fan base. Spent many days there and have fond memories. To this day when I go by a nursing home I feel like stopping.

 

My church has a rest home service on a rotating basis, once every eight weeks. It doesn't give me much of a chance to get to know everyone personally, but my ten-year-old daughter insists on coming with me to the service, and there are three people that she specifically looks for. At the last service, one of the women did not come, so my daughter made me take her to that woman's room so she could say "Hello" to her.

 

I have led a Bible study at a retirement home for over two years. I began by thinking that I could minister to the residents, but I find that they minister to me! It is a blessing to be around godly women who have lived the Christian life for far longer than I have been alive. My family comes sometimes, and they agree.

What stories they have to tell!