Last night I worked at the nursing home and after I finished feeding, I headed for Mike Ahijyvch(sp?)’s room. Four weeks ago, Hospice gave him a week to live. Tonight the scene in his room looked familiar: an pale, ashen face, mouth agape, hovering daughter…the dimness of death lurking in the corner. I explained to his daughter my relationship with Mike — that I’ve fed him a few suppers, he’s taught me a Russian phrase or two, etc. She welcomed me in like a typical Ukrainian babushka; actually reached for a hug barely after I’d stepped in the doorway. I said, “Hi, Mike! Kak te pujhu vayetye?{How do you do?}” Instantly his eyes opened wider, and his mouth formed a faint ‘hatta-SHO{good}’. I grinned. He didn’t look good at all. Soon I said my ‘das ve dañe{good-bye}’ and left the family there. Mike’s bulletin board had been covered with pictures of children and grandchildren, vibrant people with lives that matter.

Recently, an opputunity of ministry has opened at the Nursing Home. There are a few older Amish women that would love to read the Bible but aren’t able to. A few can barely see; another’s eyes are excellent, but she’s paralyzed from the neck down; others are fully capable, but their minds aren’t fully present. Would there be people willing to sit with these ladies and read the Scripture to them? Imagine living there and spending an entire evening in one room, watching people, unable to move or communicate very well, eventually falling asleep in an uncomfortable position. You wonder if God really remembers you. Visitors are kind, but they’re awkward. Workers are friendly and caring, but they don’t have time for just you.

Do you have time for the widow? the suffering? the helpless? Jesus said:

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

and later John wrote:

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18

This world is hurting. The cries will soon be extinguished.

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