Making A Difference!

Well, here we are just days away from Christmas, 2020! It has been a difficult year for our ministry and we so much appreciate those churches and individuals who have faithfully stood by us during this time. The COVID-19 virus has all but brought our in-person nursing home ministry to a halt! Although I have been in contact with Activity Directors, the news they provide about possible soon re-openings is not very positive. 

With that in mind, we are beginning a new video ministry this month that we hope and pray will be an encouragement to those who have been isolated for so long with no personal visits. Our verse for our ministry has been Jude 22: "Of some have compassion, making a difference",  so we are calling this video ministry, "Making A Difference". Each Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. I will be doing a live-stream service, on my Facebook page, similar to what we normally do in the homes, with music and a Bible study. We have contacted the Activity Directors in the facilities in which we minister, asking them to make this on-line ministry available to those interested via the television network in the homes, or to individuals in their rooms on their tablets, laptops, or cell phones. So far, the response of this anticipated new ministry has been very positive. 

If you are reading this, and are an Activity Director in a nursing home, or are an employee of a nursing, or have a loved one or friend in a nursing home, or are a Pastor who has had a nursing home ministry that has been curtailed by the pandemic, we would appreciate you letting those who are in charge of activities in your local facility know about this ministry opportunity. One of the benefits of doing this on my Facebook page is that the services will remain available on the page, so that if the activity department is not able to view the Bible study "live, they can access it at another time more convenient to them. 

The days in which we live require us to take innovative steps to continue to proclaim the Gospel. We are asking God to use this social-media ministry to reach those who otherwise might not have access to solid, Bible-oriented teaching. May God continue to bless you this season as you serve the One who is the "Reason for the Season"!

Pastor Norm Aabye

"Making A Difference"

Summer 2020 Update

 

It’s been quite some time since we’ve been in contact with our supporting churches. Sadly, there has been very little to report almost since the first of the year. As you can expect, the COVID19 virus pandemic has seriously affected ministries such as ours. We have been prohibited from entering any nursing home since March. I have been in contact with some staff members of the facilities in which we minister, but they have offered little hope of our being able to personally minister in the near future as we have in the past.

One bright note, I was contacted by an Activity Director at a nearby facility who asked me if I would do an “outdoor” service for the residents. So, I did just that. The residents were seated under a canopy and I was approximately 20 feet from them. Although I was told it was not necessary for me to wear a mask, which I did not while singing, I did put one on to preach, so I could move around a little. I was reluctant to do anything that would put the Activity Director in jeopardy who had so graciously provide this opportunity. Unfortunately, attempting to preach with a mask on is, as they say, “a whole different ball game”! I had to turn away several times and pull down the mask to get some oxygen. Twice I thought I would pass out! But the Lord prevailed and we had a good service. The residents expressed their gratitude for me coming, and it was good to see familiar faces of those we’ve ministered to before all of this began. The facility felt it was a good move to have such a service for the residents so they are going to schedule me to do it again! Unusual times require unusual methods!

I have been doing a Friday morning “live-feed” devotional on Facebook that I call “Bread From My Table”. One of our nursing home Activity Directors contacted me and told me that she was going to use my new Friday morning series on The Beatitudes for a group activity as soon as they're able. They will gather people together and run the series through their computer and TV. Another innovative way to continue to minister!

On a negative note, both my wife and I contracted the COVID19 virus at the end of July. Fortunately, it was a relatively mild case compared to some. This virus is crazy, though, and the side-effects seem to be more long-term than many realize. I lost my sense of taste and smell at the outset and have not yet had them return. Our son in Kentucky spent a week in the hospital with a very serious case of COVID pneumonia. The Lord miraculously brought him out of it and he is doing well, "chomping at the bit", as they say,  to resume his pastoral ministry. 

We are eager to get back into the nursing homes again, but obviously, there is nothing we can do until this whole mess is over. Residents are experiencing a degree of loneliness that they have never before felt. Most have not had a personal visit from loved ones since March. We MUST continue to try any way we can, any “unusual” method, if necessary, to bring the Good News of Christ to those “living on the brink of Eternity”, and to show them that someone cares. 

We appreciate so much all who pray for this ministry and have helped us with financial support during these uncertain times. There will no doubt be fruit to your account in Heaven one day! May God continue to bless you.

Serving Him Together,

Norm & Priscilla Aabye