Despite the national statistics concerning the flu this year, we have had only two cancellations of our services in the nursing homes due to sickness at the facility. Attendance numbers have been down a little but there are still so many who are hungry to hear the Word.
While our ministry is primarily directed toward the residents of the nursing homes, we constantly see the Lord working in the hearts of the staff members. Just this past Monday, I was talking with a staffer after our service and she confided in me how much the preaching message meant to her. She is already a Christian, and told me she had heard a similar message before, but that today it was just what she needed. Those who work in the nursing homes often carry a heaven burden as they work with and around those who are living, as we say, "on the brink of eternity". Whether saved or not, the Lord continually uses His Word to speak to those whose hearts are open.
At one of our larger facilities, where we have had to move to different locations in the home many times over the years to accommodate the increasing attendance, we had some complaints....good complaints....from some of the residents that they were not being taken to the location of the service. The administration settled on a solution: one week we would have our service in the ACU (Alzheimer Care Unit), which has a huge all-purpose/dining area, and the next week we would use the conference room in another section of the home. Now everyone is happy, and all who want to attend are able to come to the service. We are there every Wednesday and it is one of our most rewarding experiences to minister to the folks there. In fact, while taking one man back to his room, he asked me if I had ever heard of a newspaper called "The Sword". I said, "Oh, you mean The Sword of the Lord?" He had seen a copy somewhere and heard there were correspondence courses advertised. Well, our church receives a bulk subscription to the Sword every two weeks. I told him I could supply him with all he wanted. This week we will not only make good on our promise, but are taking a stack of back issues to distribute to those who will read them. If you receive the Sword at your church, this is a great way to use up any leftover copies. Because only 10% of all nursing home residents truly have been born again, and most are simply "religious", it is important for us to be able to place trustworthy, biblical material in their hands to supplement the preaching and teaching of our services.
This brings me to one special need we have. If your church would like to put the Word of God into the hands of those who need them and want them, we can distribute all the giant print (and they have to be "giant" print) bibles we can get. You can send them to us at: C.A.R.E. Ministries, 18984 Broadford Road, Saegertown, PA 16433.
It is our privilege to serve the Lord on the mission field of the nursing home. If your church would like to know more about what we do, or would like to schedule a video presentation of our work, please call me at (814) 547-1702. We are currently planning our schedule for 2013 and would love to be included in your missions conference this year.
Thanks again to all who make it possible for us to continue in this much needed work. Your prayers and support are bearing fruit for all eternity.
Missionary Pastor
Norm Aabye
"And of some have compassion, making a difference." - Jude 22
