God's Child and Hats off to... Riverside Community group: Outreach to Old Age Home

Outreach to an Old Age Home

Sara took the lead and organised a visit and treat for folks  residing in two Old Age homes in the South. The residents were transported to a facility where we could visit them, share a message, serve them tea, sing along with them, spoil them with some gifts and pray with them. The oldest resident was well into her nineties but informed us that she is only thirty-seven, “That’s how long I have been born again.”  She was full of life and had a wonderful sense of humour.

A group of us from Riverside Community went along on a Saturday morning and shared with these folk. Some of them have not been out for years and have no one to love them or take any interest in them. They were very touched by our visit. The great part was that our group ranged in age from early teens to late sixties and each one added something special to the joy that was shared.

Cory shared a message on “Attitude and gratitude”, which was a most fitting one for one and all, even our group. We can turn a sandwich into a feast and whatever small thing we have into a treasure, depending on our attitude. Our attitudes shape our lives and with Jesus in our lives we can make it through the toughest times.

Adam and Nate’s sing along was greatly appreciated. They sang some well known oldies as well as Christmas Carols and all joined in when they knew the songs. Music draws people together and brings back fond memories.

We asked ladies at the church to make blankets and others to fill boxes with gifts for the old folk.  Everyone was given the name of the recipient, plus their ages and clothing sizes. Plenty of treats filled the boxes: necessary toiletries, books, slippers, sweets, biscuits etc. We have such generous people at Riverside who filled the boxes with really thoughtful gifts. The gifts were wrapped in the blankets. All these old folk live on the state pensions so even basic necessities are out of their reach.

Tea was made and served and the old folk loved the special treatment, savouring all the yummy eats contributed by our group.

As each person’s name was called out a group member took them the gift and prayed with them. This was really such a special time where the old folk shared their needs and had special, personalised prayers said for them.

It is our desire to go back and visit these folk and bond with them in 2014. Once again I repeat the words of Jesus. “It is more blessed to give than to receive”, and here I experienced that truth.