Autumn 2014 Update

Autumn, 2014

Dear Friends,

Well, Summer just seemed to slip by us with hardly a notice. Temps never reached the highs we would expect and now the mornings are really cool and it won't be long before.....well, you know (we don't like to talk about what's coming, probably by the end of October!). But despite whether we are comfortable or not, the need to take the Good News of Jesus Christ into the nursing home continues. In fact, we have just added another home to our schedule. We've started services at Juniper Village, an up-scale assisted-living facility in Meadville, PA. The activity director, who is a Christian, had previously worked at another nursing-rehabilitation center and when she changed jobs she told the administration in the new place about us and they invited us in! The Lord has His people in the right place at the right time to accomplish His will. Our first service was encouraging, with three people responding to the gospel invitation for salvation!

By the time you read this letter I will have done a series of interviews on WGOJ, a Christian FM radio station in Ohio that reaches northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and southern Ontario, Canada. The pastor of the church that owns the station has become a good friend over the years and strongly believes in our ministry. He invited me to come on the air and talk about what we are doing and the great need there is to reach into the nursing homes now while there is still time. Please pray with us that God will open some new doors to present our work in churches whose pastors listen to the program. We are specifically looking for opportunities to recruit others to begin multiple nursing home ministries like ours in other cities/states throughout America (and Canada would be good, too!).

We are asking for your prayers concerning Priscilla's sight. She had experienced some blurring in her right eye on occasion, but it always cleared up. Recently she had a episode where there was no clearing. She visited her optometrist who ran some tests and immediately got her in to see the top retinal surgeons in this part of PA. They performed a lot of high-tech tests and determined that she has a “hemi-central venous retinal occlusion”, which basically is bleeding behind the eye. She has begun treatment that includes two laser treatments, followed by two needle injections through the eye. These treatments will NOT cure the problem, but hopefully will prevent it from getting worse. He emphasized that her vision will NOT improve, and she could lose her sight and even lose her eye, but at least they will have done what is medically possible to try to halt the advance of the problem. We covet your prayers and know that God could, by His own hand as the Great Physician, return full sight to her eye.

There is a praise in conjunction with this. I have medicare but my wife will not until December, so she is in a gap right now with no insurance. We had to pay $100 up front before the doctors would see her. After the initial tests, the bill was nearly $700. My wife called and asked if we could be put on a payment plan. We received a newly revised bill. The doctor had written-off all but $53. PRAISE THE LORD! But it gets better. When the doctor told us about the laser and injections I told him we would make payments no matter how long it took. He said, “Let's do this right. Let's do all the treatments and don't worry about the money”. He said, “I love what I do”, and then told us if we can pay, that's great, but if we cannot, he's not worried about it! I told my wife that within a multi-doctor office, God put us with just the right doctor! God continues to take care of our needs as we serve Him.

Music portion of our service at Fairview Manor, near Erie, PA.

Through all the trips back and forth to the doctor in Erie, we are trying to maintain our nursing home schedule, as well as take care of the church where I have been serving as their “interim” until they find a new pastor. Frankly, I'm concerned that the “double-ministry” is beginning to take it's toll, so please pray that God would supply the right man to eventually take the helm of Open Door Baptist Church. We have a busy schedule for the Fall and two missions conferences coming up. We have seen many respond to the gospel for salvation this year, and our work in the homes continues to be so rewarding. As were leaving a facility that caters to folks with various developmental handicaps, one lady came up to me from the back of the room as I was leaving and said, “Thank you for being here”. That makes it all worthwhile.

We are thankful for all of you who faithfully lift us up in prayer. It is our privilege to be your representatives to the nursing homes of Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Serving Together,

Norm Aabye

Norm & Priscilla Aabye