Monday, December 8, 2008

NOVEMBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home

Rosewood Care Center Paradise Park Assisted Living

The month of November was a challenge to say the least and the devil tried so very hard to destroy our joy and our desire to continue on but “PRAISE THE LORD” he did not succeed. We are committed to serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With Him on our side, we cannot fail.


When we arrived at Lakewood Nursing Home, the first Sunday of the month, we were unloading all the equipment, (we have 2 four wheel carts full of equipment) and we heard an announcement come over the speakers that was loud enough for us to hear outside by our vehicles where we were unloading. They were making an announcement to all the aides, asking them to bring all the residents to the dining room for a piano recital by a group of youth and it was to be held at the same time that our services were to begin in the same dining room.


The bottom line to the story is, Nursing Homes have a hard time keeping employees and they had recently hired a new Director and she knew nothing about our Ministry, thus she scheduled the recital. It didn’t take her long to figure out that she had made a mistake as several of the residents were very upset because we were unable to have the service. One of the homes has had 5 new directors since we started 3 ½ years ago. Most of them do not know the Lord and often do not appreciate our Ministry. SonShine Outreach Ministries has actually stayed at the Nursing Homes longer than most of the employees. We sometimes feel like we are working with foreign missions.


The second week, we were at Salem Village Nursing Home and the Director there decided we did not need heat and she had maintenance turn it off. The residents were not happy because it was too cold for many of them to come to the service. Our attendance was about half as many as we usually have and we had to cover a few of them with blankets. Those are the ones who really appreciate the Ministry and are committed to it.


The third Sunday at Rosewood Care Center was good. We had good attendance and we were privileged to have Lisa Brinkman join our Ministry Team. She sings and plays piano which is a Blessing. Thank you for coming Lisa, we need you. By the third week, we also needed the encouragement and it was great to be blessed with Lisa joining our team.


The fourth Sunday, at Paradise Park Assisted Living, was a great service and we had great attendance, but we were all very sad. One of our very biggest supporters, Ruth Doctor, had just dropped dead on Monday before the service and we missed her so much. She was always there to greet us when we arrived at the home and she always made sure she attended every service. She was a very special lady. We get attached to so many of the residents and they are like our family. It hurts when they leave us, but we Praise the Lord, that we know some day we will see Ruth again. She loved the Lord and we know she is home now.


Well despite all the trials and little problems that happened in November, the Blessings by far, surpassed all the disappointments. Praise the Lord, its great to be a child of God and know He is watching over us every minute and every hour of the day. I serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; we can’t fail when we are on the Lord’s side. I’m so glad He loves me and cares for me and even with all my failures and disappointments to Him, He still looks beyond all my faults and supplies every need I’ve ever had. Hallelujah!!! What a Savior. I love Him so much.


December will be a great month. We have a lot going on at all the homes in December. It will be a very busy month but an exciting one. First Baptist Church choir, along with several other volunteers from various churches, are planning to sing the Cantata, “Christmas is a Birthday” at the Nursing homes.


The sweaters are done and ready to pass out. We have 110 sweaters and approximately 65 blankets to give out. The gifts are only given to the residents who attend the services. Gospel “Christmas” tracts are passed out with the gift. I have already received word from one of the homes that our attendance will be larger in December because they know they are receiving a free Christmas present.


That’s o.k. I’ll be happy to give them two gifts if they will give me the chance to tell them about Jesus and His love for them which is the greatest gift they will ever receive.


A young preacher was walking with an older more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do; he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rose bush, handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing any of the petals. He looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try and unfold the rosebud while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the young preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, he began to recite the following poem:


It is only a tiny rosebud, a flower of God’s design; but I cannot unfold the petals with these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers. is not known to such as I, GOD opens this flower so sweetly, Then, in my hands, they die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, The flower of God’s design, Then how can I have the wisdom, To unfold this life of mine? So, I’ll trust in Him for leading, Each moment of my day. I will look to Him for His guidance, each step of the Pilgrim’s way. The pathway that lays before me, only my Heavenly Father knows. I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments, just as He unfolds the rose.


May we run the race with patience, knowing that God is the author and finisher of our faith?


PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sunshine Outreach Ministries”. You can mail your gift to SonShine Outreach Ministries, c/o Joyce Mancke, 509 Rhonda Dr., Lockport, IL. 6044l. Your gifts are tax deductible and you will receive an end of the year statement.


Our schedule for December is as follows;

Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield – Dec. 7th @ 2:30 p.m.

Salem Village, Joliet – Dec. 14th @ 2:30 p.m.

Rosewood Rehab Ctr. –Joliet -Dec.21th @ 2:00 p.m.

Paradise Park, New Lenox –Dec... 28th @ 2:00 p.m.


Please come and join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.

Respectfully submitted by Joyce Mancke jmancke@sbcglobal.net. 815-351-7659