Autumn,
2018
Dear
Praying Friends,
First
of all, we would like to thank you for your continued faithfulness in
supporting our work among “America's Fastest Growing, Yet Most
Neglected Mission Field: The Elderly in Nursing Homes”! The
ministry here in northwest PA and northeast OH continues to be
blessed by the Lord. We have seen souls saved and those who are
Christians, encouraged. The enthusiasm expressed for such a ministry
as ours is a validation of the great need that exists.
As
I write this update, we are preparing a new video about our ministry
to share in missions conferences this Autumn entitled, “Who Really Cares?”.
We believe it will be a
challenge to the indifference that
exists in our society towards the
elderly, as well as a startling reminder of the value of reaching
those “nearest eternity” while there's still time. It is really
more of a recruiting video
which we hope will move others to consider engaging in a
multiple-nursing home minstry like ours. Since 2010-11, when the
“Baby Boomer” generation started turning 65, the need for more
and larger nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and Alzheimer
Care units, along with rehabilitation, centers has grown. The nursing
home continues to be an untapped, and largely unreached, mission
field. Each Bible-believing church would have to have 14 nursing home
ministries just to meet the current need. Of course, that's likely
impossible, making the development and support of ministries like
ours a necessity. We would love to come to your church and share an
update of what God has been doing in our ministry, and to show this
new video. Just let us know so that we can add you to our schedule.
 |
| NEW! "Who Really Cares?" Video |
We
would appreciate your prayers in a number of areas.
First
of all, for travel safety as we head out to Ohio and Kentucky this
month to share our ministry for the first time in a new church, and
to attend a missions conference with a church that has supported our
work since its inception in 2006.
Secondly,
after all these years we are seeing a younger generation of activity
directors in the nursing homes.
We have been blessed with many during the past 12 years who are
born-again and have been excited about our work. But the younger
generation replacing them seems less interested. As a result,
attendance at our serivces in some facilities has diminished, and
conflicting activity schedules have pulled people away from our
serivces to other activities. An activity director who is
sympathetic to a nursing home ministry is a definite asset. One who
is less interested can be a detriment. But the Lord still blesses,
and for that we are always grateful. Just yesterday, as we concluded
a service in one of the facilities we've been in all these years, the
whole group of people applauded! As
we left, one by one, individuals expressed their “thanks” to us
for coming. We have made many friends in this facility over the
years, and it is a great encouragement to see such a continued
positive response.
Lastly,
we would appreciate your continued prayers for Priscilla's eye
condition. Recently, the retinal surgeon again extended the time
between injections in her eye to every 6 weeks. For that, we are
grateful. But several years of these continual injections are taking
their toll. It is a very stressful situation, and there remains no
cure for this (hemi-central retinal veinous occlusion). The treatment
she receives is painful, and currently the only one available, so
there is nothing of an alternative nature. It is so serious, that she
can not only lose her sight (which has diminished somewhat already),
but actually lose her eye, as well! We are praying that either the
Lord would choose to heal this condition, or that a better treatment
would become available.
Again,
we thank you for your faithful prayer and financial support. Please
know that we count it a privilege to be your representatives in the
nursing homes. If you would like us to share our ministry in a
missions conference or missions emphasis Sunday, please contact us.
May God continue to bless you all.
In
His service together,
The
Aabyes
Norm
& Priscilla Aabye
