Our service included spending time with the residents in visiting, playing games, playing music, helping with activities, and training for the "Senior Olympics". We had a lot of quiet time to relax and BE with the residents.
Different God sightings for us were:
There was one resident that everyone affectionately called Rev or Papa. He was an elderly gentleman who was a pastor. He was unable to speak or use his hands to feed himself. He spends his days in a wheelchair unable to communicate. We were able to hold his hand, share scripture and devotions with him. When you would hold his had, he would squeeze our hands tightly. God was at work between us!
A rather forgetful resident kept asking where we were from and another resident always answered for us....."Heaven". :)
We were singing together during one activity and one of the older residents woke up and clapped his hands and began to sign along. We think the music and experience warmed both of our hearts.
An Italian resident asked if Jon was Beth's husband! ha ha! (It's because Jon is mature looking and Beth looks young! right?!)
We were able to really get to know the activity aide at the nursing home. He had told us that he got engaged the last week but was always vague. We found out that he was afraid to share that he was gay because we were a church group and he didn't want to be judged. Once he experienced our openness and love and respect for him, we were able to connect. A definite God moment.
An older gentleman came into our room and told us that he was very impressed with the work that we were doing. He then asked for our church information and said he wanted to tell First Lutheran that what we were doing was important to him and the other residents.
On the last day, the 101 year old resident thanked us profusely for coming and cried when we left....we cried too!! God help touch many lives this week!
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