Message of hope to the elderly
This past Sunday we had our first worship service at Grandma Jaqi's apartment complex. Our Elderly Care Ministry was joined by our CSUEB ministry which made it about 18 of us total. I was really thankful that Judy and Chris and their group of seasoned ministers were there with us as we didn't know what to expect. Since it was our first service, we had no idea how many people would actually come. It's different from our past convalescent home visits where the residents are wheeled in and they can't leave. But 10 residents including Grandma Jaqi joined us for service! A few of the residents came because they're Grandma Jaqi's neighbors whom she had been praying for. Richard gave the message on Luke 24 about "we had hoped" -- all the hopes that have been dashed and crushed, and how only Jesus gives us true hope that nothing in life can take away. He extended a warm welcome to them and explained how we want to build relationships with them and share this gospel of hope with them. They were very attentive and responsive to the worship service. CSUEB prepared a special music. Afterwards we had a chance to fellowship over some refreshments. They immediately started sharing their lives with us and pouring their hearts out to us. Some of them have suffered a lot in life and have some deep hurts. They really needed people to talk to and listen to them. One Christian grandma shared with me that she has been greatly blessed by God, and she even asked for information about our church as she is hoping to find a church to attend. She is 83, but looks 65! By 4pm when we were supposed to leave, everyone was still deeply engaged in conversations. Looking around the room at how engaged everyone was, I was so thankful that we could be there to bring some joy and the gospel message to them. Actually that experience brought so much joy to our people as well. They received us so readily, probably because of all of Grandma Jaqi's prayers.