Bringing warmth and joy

On Sunday morning, 14 of us (plus a little half-person) went to the Crown Bay Convalescent Home to spend time with the men and women living there. Richard and Lauren's Praxis homegroup goes each week to Crown Bay convalescent home to spend time with the residents and lead a worship service. Our college homegroup had the privilege of joining them and leading a worship service. We sang a song we had prepared, "How Great Thou Art," listened to Allen give a brief message through 1 John 4 on God's love, gave a potpourri gift to each person, and spent time talking and being with each of the men and women who live at that home. Here's some sharing from the people that went:

  • I was thankful that the people enjoyed the service. I was touched when they sang along with us. I didn't expect to have such an memorable experience.
  • I was touched that many old people show a tremendous thankfulness and passion about life through their smile when seeing Abigail moving around with Jenny. I was also touched when they tried to remember the joys and happiness in their early lives and the peaceful way they present these stories to me. And these stories teach me how rich life can be, and how well a person can enjoy from his journey of life.
  • I was thankful God helped me get past my mind block. Going into the convalescent home I felt intimidated to start a conversation with the elderly. Graciously God lessened the age gap and gave me questions and things to talk about. Eventually, one grandma, Joy, was able to brighten up for me and I was glad she was so open to listening and responding to me. I hope to visit her again.
  • I was thankful for meeting a woman who served God through years of missionary work in China. Her testimony displayed the timelessness and power of the gospel throughout generations.

After the message during the time of handing out our potpourri gifts, I noticed how loud the conversation was and how much warmer the atmosphere felt. I was proud of our students who without prodding were sidling up next to people, taking their hands and talking, even laughing with them. As I took Abigail around to the different grandmas and grandpas, some of them were laughing so hard watching her eat a banana. Afterwards Lauren was so surprised at some of their reactions, noting that she's never seen them so bright or laughing like that. She also said there was one grandpa who has been very hostile and refused to come to the services, but this Sunday he actually came in and was being cordial.

For me personally, it was a particulary meaningful time because that week before I went to LA to visit my own grandma who is paralyzed from stroke, unable to communicate and we think in the last stages of her life. I tried to read to her Psalm 23 and Romans 8 out of the Korean Bible in my stumbling Korean, staring hard into her blank eyes. Every time I see her, it's a bit jarring to realize this is the same fiery grandma who single-handedly took care of a family of four during the Korean War, escaping from the north, selling scraps of fabric and cigarettes and eventually starting her own business. She was the same grandma who flew in to help take care of us when my parents divorced, cooking some of the best Korean food I've ever eaten, bearing with us while my sisters and I took turns going through our rebellious phases. As we were talking with the grandmas and grandpas at Crown Bay, I thought about how each of these people had a story and is someone's grandma and grandpa, someone's mom or dad, and ultimately, they are the child of our Heavenly Father. I was thankful to just be there, that in a small way, we could share with them in plain English that a great God loved them, and I was reminded of the power of just being with people.