Spring,
2017
Well,
it's been quite a while since I've given an update on what God is
doing in the nursing homes. I know that churches that support
missionaries love to hear glowing reports of fantastic results of the
Gospel reaching mulitudes for Christ, but it often seems as if the
ministry in the nursing homes goes in cycles. We'll see a number of
folks trust Christ and then there's a “dry spell” where it seems
as if nothing is happening. Of course, something
is
always happening, even when we aren't seeing visible results. The
apostle Paul realized this when he wrote to the Corinthian church:
1Cor.
3:6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
The
past several weeks have seen a number of people profess faith in
Christ. It seems as if people are aware of their need and are looking
for that answer that has eluded them all their lives. Just the other
day we had a lady in our service who was celebrating her 102nd
birthday. It is amazing that no matter the age, the message of God's
love and salvation is something folks never tire of hearing.
Recently,
as we were leaving one of our more distant facilities, I was stopped
by two men outside of the activity room. One was pushing the other in
a wheel-chair. They thanked us for taking the time to minister to
them and one of them said, “When
you come here you tell it like it is, “no baloney”, and when
you're finished we know exactly what you said!”
I kind of chuckled to myself as we left, but I appreciated their
remarks. When we began this ministry ten years ago, I knew that such
a work could not have the luxury of entertaining people or offering
some feel-good message. Those who are part of “America's fastest
growing, yet most neglected mission field” deserve
the
truth, and they want
it!
I'm
sure most hearing or reading this letter have their own copy of the
Scriptures...or perhaps, several. Living in a nursing home has caused
most to forfeit most of their earthly belongings, and many are
without a Bible. We are thankful for churches that have supplied us
with Bibles for distribution to those who need a copy of the Word of
God. Last month we helped a facility in Ohio that has a born-again
volunteer whom we have known for a number of years, who wanted to
begin a weekly Bible study. Unfortunately, those who wanted to attend
didn't have Bibles of their own, and the nursing home was trying to
figure out how they could raise the money to purchase them. We were
able to supply an entire case of King James Bibles to get their study
going. We received a wonderful note, signed by all those in
attendance at the first study, thanking us for the Bibles and for our
regular services to them. If your church is interested in putting
“giant print” KJV Bibles into the hands of those who are “living
on the brink of Eternity”, please let me know. Remember: “So then
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans
10:17).
Many
have expressed concern for Priscilla's eye condition. The retinal
surgeon is pleased with the results of the injections designed to
save both her vision and her eye, and has extended the time to eight
weeks between treatments, but the partial loss of vision in the eye
already is troubling at times. Also, our van is getting up there in
mileage. Eventually we'll have to think about getting another
vehicle. We know the Lord has just the right one for us at the right
time. Finally, with some level of retirement looming in the future,
and no retirement account or pension, and social security being
insufficient, finances become a concern. Although age may hinder
effective pastoral ministry, preaching in the nursing homes can
continue to be fruitful regardless of age. It would be helpful to
have several more churches become interested in supporting our work.
But again, the Lord knows what we need and when we need it.
Our
continued thanks go to all who pray for souls to be won through this
ministry and for faithful churches and individuals that make it
possible for us to travel in PA and OH to take the message of gospel
to those who are so open to the Saviour.
In
His service together,
Norm
& Priscilla Aabye
