Spring, 2015
 |
| Our son, Jason, preaching at the nursing home in Stockton, Missouri |
After
spending a day at our son’s house, we all traveled to Oklahoma for the
graduation of our granddaughter, Kaitlyn, from Heartland Baptist Bible College.
We were able to see first-hand the evidence of the most recent tornadoes that
have plagued that area this Spring. Then it was back to Missouri to spend a few
more days with our son, Jason, and his family, where we also had a chance to
enjoy some fellowship with some folks who were members of the church I pastored
in Connecticut (River Valley Baptist Church in Ansonia), who moved out to
Missouri several years ago. Among his other many responsibilities at the school
and church, Jason has assumed the nursing home ministry of Agape Baptist Church
(the church that governs Agape Boarding School/Ranch, where he is on staff).
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and I guess it’s true in
this case. He asked me to go with him on Sunday morning, along with our
grandson, Caleb, and four boys from the ranch, out to the Lake Stockton
Healthcare Facility. He and I were able to sing a duet, and he preached a great
message on Elijah. I shared about our work among the nursing homes of
Pennsylvania and Ohio, and had some good conversations with several residents
in attendance. Whether we’re home or on vacation, I guess we just can’t stay
away from the nursing home ministry!
Just before we left for out west, we had a wonderful service at the Ashtabula County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Ohio. At the end of the service, one of the volunteer workers called me over and introduced me to Emily, who had just trusted Christ as her Savior during the invitation. What a blessing! This particular facility has been one of the most fruitful grounds for the Gospel in all of our ministry. The activity director there, who is a Christian, was so excited. Brother Wright, a retired pastor who has become a good friend and who is a resident there (I’ve mentioned him before), assured me that he would follow up on Emily in the weeks to come. I’m continually amazed at how the Lord works through the preaching of the simple gospel of the grace of God and then has His people in the right place at the right time. At Juniper Village, our newest nursing home in Meadville, PA, we saw several respond to the invitation for salvation just before we left for vacation. The folks there are very responsive. I know we are not the only ministry that comes to these nursing homes, but I sometimes wonder what others are doing in the name of “ministry”. One man told me some time ago that there is a church that comes regularly to the home where he is resident, but whose ministry is primarily music. He said that althought there is a message given, there is “no substance” to what is preached. He thoroughly enjoyed hearing the message of the Bible presented in an uncompromised way. I am grateful to God and humbled for the privilege of being allowed to bring something of “substance” to those who hunger for the Word. There is no time for “entertainment”. Time is short and the truth needs to be pressed home while the opportunities are there.
Speaking of
a “hunger” for the Word, we are thankful for a church that has provided us with
a case of giant-print King James Bibles for distribution among those who need
them in the nursing homes. Residents are always amazed at the fact that someone
would provide such a gift a no charge to them. We then tell them that there are
churches who are concerned for their spiritual welfare and who have taken care
of the cost so they might have God’s Word freely.
Many have
enquired about Priscilla’s eye situation. It has improved somewhat. Although
her vision will not get any better, the retinal surgeon is pleased that the
procedures seem to have stopped the bleeding behind the eye. She will have to
continue the “needle through the eye” treatments, but they will now be spaced out
a little more over the months.
Although we
were able to enjoy a vacation time with our family, those who reside in nursing
homes never get away. Besides that, few ever even get a visitor to cheer them
up or let them know what’s going on outside the home. We are thankful to you
for enabling us to reach into the nursing homes with the Good News of Jesus
Christ, bringing hope to those “living on the edge of eternity”. May God
continue to bless you for your partnership with us.
Serving
Together,
The Aabyes
