SEPTEMBER 2009 NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home

Rosewood Care Center

Sunny Hill Nursing Home

Paradise Park Assisted Living

Senior Star @ Weber Rd.

The summer has flown by so quickly and I can hardly believe it is September already and the kids are all back in school. Where did it go? Seems like only yesterday that I was typing the July newsletter and now August is gone. Time passes by so quickly, it is truly like a vapor, its here for a little while and then its gone and only the things that we have done for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will have a lasting value when its all over. I hope and pray that each one of you reading this news letter is fully committed to serving Jesus with all your heart, soul and mind. There is joy in serving Jesus and He is a friend that will never let you down. The 23rd Psalms says it all;

The Lord is my Shepherd -- That’s Relationship
I shall not want --That’s Supply
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures -- That’s Rest
He leadeth me beside the still waters -- That’s Refreshment
He restoreth my soul -- That’s Healing
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness -- That’s Guidance
For His name sake --That’s purpose
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- That’s Testing
I will fear no evil -- That’s Protection
For Thou art with me -- That’s Faithfulness
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -- That’s Discipline
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies -- That’s Hope
Thou annointest my head with oil -- That’s Consecration
My cup runneth over -- That’s Abundance
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life --That’s Blessing
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -- That’s Security
Forever -- That’s Eternity

God created each one of us so that He could have a relationship with us. He wants us to be close to Him, to walk with Him every hour of every day and talk with Him and get to know Him. He offers so much more than the world can give. Besides having a relationship with Him, He supplies every need we have. What an amazing thought, the world cannot do that. The world doesn’t care about our needs but Jesus cares. He gives us rest and refreshes us with new Blessings every day. He heals us when we’re sick, He guides us in the right direction and because of Him, we have a purpose in life, an inner peace, knowing that He is protecting us and Blessing us and keeping us safe and secure in His loving arms and what a day that will be when we are with Him forever, praising and rejoicing as we serve Him for Eternity.

As I think of my relationship with Jesus and how beautiful it is to know Him personally, I start thinking about all the people who don’t know Him and I have this burning desire to tell them about His love. I want them to know my friend, the one who gives me joy and peace and wakes me every morning with a new song in my heart. That’s my desire as I visit all these residents in the Nursing Homes.

I remember the time, when I was to timid to ask people what their relationship was with Jesus, but when I really fell in love with Him and committed my life completely to serving Him, it all comes so easy now. Many times, I walk into the room of a resident and simply say, “I want to tell you about my special friend” or “I came to visit you today, to make sure you know you are going to heaven when you die”. It doesn’t matter what denomination you are, the one thing we all have in common is, we all want to go to heaven but there are so many people who don’t know how to get there and I love telling them.

Rosadia, the lady that Gloria led to the Lord last month, is telling everyone she works with that she invited Jesus into her heart. She is busy handing out tracts to all her co-workers and we praise the Lord for her excitement and joy and desire to tell others. Rosadia’s dad is in Salem Village and we got to know her when she came to the home to visit her dad. It’s a Blessing to know that the ministry is reaching out into the community and into the work places. Its more than just a nursing home ministry, God’s love is contagious and we want it to reach out to everyone we meet.

I had some great visits this month with residents. There are so many wonderful and interesting stories of people’s lives. I love hearing them. One gentleman, his name is Roland, in his 90’s told me his story and I could relate to many things he said because I was also raised on a farm with lots of hard work. He was one of eight children and his father committed suicide when he was 16 years old and he had to quit school and work on the 100 acre farm to help his mom support the family. He talked about all the hard work and many hours of labor but he holds no resentment in his heart, he feels that was what God wanted him to do with his life. He later married and had six children of his own. His wife died a few years ago and he is now alone. He fell and broke his hip in February and he is now in the Nursing Home.

We had great services in August with about 35 residents attending the service at Lakewood. The Activity aid was as encouraging as she told me how the residents look forward to our coming and she wishes we could come every week. One of the residents was very emotional and needed to talk and we were able to pray with him and present the plan of salvation to him. He did not make a decision but we know that God only ask us to plant the seed and in His own timing, He will convict his heart. The neat thing about it all was his daughter was there with him and she listened to us as well, so perhaps it was her that God wanted us to share the gospel with. We may never know, but the one thing we do know, we did as we were led to do and God’s plan and timing is perfect.

Beth Ann, the activity director, and her husband Dwight needs our prayers. He was electrocuted at work with such a high voltage of electricity that it shattered the bone in his hip. He had to have surgery and is now in the nursing home going through therapy. I visited with him and shared with him that I felt God has saved his life for a reason and so many times God gets our attention in unusual ways but the important things is, try not to get discouraged but seek God’s guidance and Will for your life. There is a reason why God allows these things to happen. He is a Christian and understands but his life has had many trials and hard places. He needs our prayers.

Kim also needs our prayers as she was hurt in a bike accident and spent one night in the hospital. Kim is a very important part of our ministry and we really missed her on Sunday but most of all, please pray for her recovery.
Midge is in Africa and I have received two e-mails from her and I can tell by the e-mails that she is so excited to be there. She will be gone for six weeks. Please pray for her as she ministers to the people there and for her safety as she travels and also for her health. Continue to pray for one another. Exercise daily, Walk with the Lord

The next Sunday night singing will be held on Sunday, September 27th at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will follow the singing. Please make plans to join us and come ready to sing. Don’t stay home and miss a Blessing.

PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine 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 August is as follows:
Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield – Sept 6th @ 2:30 p.m.,

Senior Star @ Weber Rd –(Saturday) Sept 12th @ 10:00 a.m.,
Salem Village, Joliet – Sept 13th @ 2:30 p.m.,
Rosewood Rehab Center, Joliet – Sept 20th @ 2:30 p.m.,
Sunny Hill, Joliet – Sept 27th @ 2:30 p.m.
Paradise Park, New Lenox – Sept 27th @ 2:00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Come 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

AUGUST 2009 NEWSLETTER & AUGUST CALENDAR

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home Rosewood Care Center Sunny Hill Nursing Home

Paradise Park Assisted Living Senior Star @ Weber Rd.

I am always thrilled to write these newsletters when I have really good news to share with you and this has been another exciting month, another soul has been saved. Rosaedia, a Mexican lady, who is the daughter of a gentleman that we visit at the Salem Village Nursing Home, invited Jesus into her heart on Tuesday, July 28^th. Natalia and Gloria have both visited with the gentleman many times, however he doesn’t really enjoy visitors and we have not been able to reach him. Since they only speak Spanish, I have not been able to communicate with them at all, other than a hug and a smile, however, Gloria and Rosaedia got to know each other and she really enjoys hearing Gloria sing and she would make comments that we always looked so happy and she was looking for that happiness. She came to our service this month, even though she didn’t understand all the words we were singing, she loved the joy that she felt in her heart. She agreed to meet Gloria at Ingalls Park on Tuesday and they spent a couple of hours together and Gloria explained the plan of salvation to her and led her to the Lord.

As I have said everytime someone comes to know the Lord, it takes all of us. Someone plants the seed, many people come along and water it, but it is God who gives the increase. I am so thankful that we have workers with willing hearts that will take the time, however long it takes, to lead a soul to Jesus Christ. If Gloria had not spent that two hours with her, she could have gone out into eternity without God, but now, we may see her dad, who is at Salem Village, come to know the Lord and also her relatives. She is so excited, she wants to tell everybody. She said she had the peace she has been looking for, for a long time. We Praise God for all He is doing in and through our Ministry Team and how He is speaking and revealing Himself to the residents we minister to each month.

The Bible says, “There is joy in heaven over one soul that repents” and our hearts are filled with joy that God has chosen us to be used for Him, to bring a lost soul to faith in Jesus Christ. Gloria was on shouting ground when she called me and what a Blessing to listen to her share the good news. We give Him all the praise, honor and glory.

On the 4^th of July, Ben and Betty Tan and Verlin and I, drove to Indianapolis and spent the day with Tom and Gela Graef, the missionaries that the SonShine Ministry supports. We spent the day helping them pack and package all their belongings to be shipped to Romania and what a Blessing it was. We enjoyed every minute. Before driving back home, we took the family, along with Tom’s mom and dad, Pastor Ron & Irene Graef, out to O’Charley's for dinner and we had a wonderful time. They are just great people with a heart for God and it was so refreshing. It was a really good day and a good way to spend the 4^th of July. The Graef’s will be leaving for Romania the first part of August and we wish them well and will continue to stay in touch with them.

All the services went well at all the homes this month with good attendance. Dorothy, the resident at Lakewood who sings with our worship team and also does special music with Karl, informed us she will be moving out of Lakewood and going to an Assisted Living home in Bolingbrook, however, she does not plan to miss any of our services and will be coming back each month to join us. She is an inspiration to all of us and we are so happy that she will continue to be a part of our Ministry. She loves the music and we need her talent. She has a beautiful alto voice.

We had 11 workers come to the Saturday morning services at Senior Star this month. They only have 6 or 7 residents, as the home just opened in May, but we had a great time of fellowship. We forgot the adapter for the keyboard which left us without a piano. Ben decided to go back to Lockport to get it, but we had to go ahead and get the service started and believe it or not, we all sang acapella, until he got back. This is a Memory Care home so most of the residents have a problem with memory and if something like this is going to happen; perhaps it’s good that it happened there. They won’t remember how we really sounded. God always works it out and watches over us.

We had a good crowd at Salem Village this month and lots of new faces. Christine, one of the residents, was very emotional as she had just lost her husband a few days before and we prayed with her. Another resident, Nancy had just lost her mom and we spent some extra time with her. It was a great service and it was obvious that the Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of people.

We had over 20 residents at Rosewood this month which is really good and great services at Sunny Hill. Lots of good special music.

Amanda reports Paradise Park with good attendance and good service. All their singers have Alto voices and they need some sopranos. Perhaps the Lord is leading some sopranos to help them out. They will be moving the services to a different building starting in August. I believe it is building number 5. We appreciate so very much all the Ministry team and young people that participate in that service.

Amanda Fuller’s back is improving, Praise the Lord for answered prayer. Please continue to remember her daily. Tony Pasderetz is doing well after his heart surgery even though he spent another couple nights at Silver Cross. He is back home now and on the mend and we give God the Glory for that answered prayer.

Missionary Tom and Gela Graef and family will be leaving for Romania the 1^st of August. Pray for them as they adjust to their new home and new life serving as missionaries to Romania. Bob Holmes, the one man Volleyball team, continues to need prayers for support of his ministry. He has a tremendous ministry, reaching many many teens for Christ who are into drugs, alcohol, sex and suicide. Over 30,000 teens have invited Jesus into their hearts since 911. It’s a great ministry.

Many of you know that Verlin’s stress test came back abnormal and he had to have an angiogram done and we are Praising God for the results of that. Only God can do miracles like this. His blockage has actually reduced from the angiogram that was done 12 years ago and he does not have to have surgery. The doctors are amazed and they don’t have the answer, BUT WE DO and we are Praising God for it all.

Many of you continue to ask if we “need” additional help with the services each week and I sometimes hesitate when I answer you. I want to make sure you all know, we would like for each and everyone of you to be a part of the Ministry, however, we realize not everyone enjoys working with Nursing Homes and we feel it is truly a calling from the Lord. If you feel God is leading you to work with the Nursing Home Ministry, you are always welcome to join us and we will put you to work. I am not sure that God “needs” any of us, but He wants us to have willing hearts to be submissive to His call and do what ever He leads us to do. May He find us all faithful as we seek His Will for our lives?

The Sunday night singing that was held on the 26th went really well and was well attended. Lots of great music and with good food and fellowship. You missed a Blessing if you were not able to attend.

Exercise daily, Walk with the Lord.

PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine 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 August is as follows;

Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield – Aug 2^nd @ 2:30 p.m.

Senior Star @ Weber Rd –(Saturday) Aug. 8^th @ 10:00 a.m.

Salem Village, Joliet – Aug 9^th @ 2:30 p.m.

Rosewood Rehab Center, Joliet – Aug 16^th @ 2:30 p.m.,

Sunny Hill, Joliet – Aug 23^rd @ 2:30 p.m.

Paradise Park, New Lenox – Aug 23^rd @ 2:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.

Respectfully submitted by Joyce Mancke

Email: jmancke@sbcglobal.net

Telephone: 815-351-7659

JULY 2009 NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home Rosewood Care Center Sunny Hill Nursing Home

Paradise Park Assisted Living Senior Star @ Weber Rd.

I’m overwhelmed with all the joy and excitement that is happening within the SonShine Ministry, I hardly know where to began. Please keep in mind as I babble on and on with excitement that I realize, it is nothing that I or any of the team has done, “only Jesus” can make these things happen. He alone, must receive ALL the Praise, All Honor and ALL the Glory, we are only the clay that He is molding and using as He unfolds His plans for this Ministry for His Honor and Glory.

This week we had a very special Blessing and I just keep rejoicing with a song in my heart as one of our very dear friends, Tony, invited Jesus into his heart. Have you ever been so excited that you laugh and cry at the same time, just rejoicing with him over his salvation? His precious wife, Robin, has been praying for him, as we all have been, but she planted the seed, a lot of friends began watering it, but it was God that gave the increase and we Praise Him and give Him the Glory. We all have a new brother in Christ. Praise the Lord, He is so good.

We recently took a trip to Kentucky with a group of 30 people, to visit the Creation Museum and what a Blessing it was. It is hard to pick out just one thing that inspired you most, because it was all so good, but I keep thinking about the Planetarium as it talked about how vast this universe is and how small the earth is in comparison, and yet man is only a speck compared to all God has created and yet He loves each one of us and knows us by name. He made us to have and enjoy a relationship with Him. It is a humbling experience.

We walked through the “Garden of Eden” with all the flowers, the animals and the stream of water flowing down from the river and Adam and Eve was enjoying a perfect evening in the cool of the day. Can’t you just picture what awaits each one of us who know Jesus? Perfect bodies that are made whole, many that on this earth have been wrecked with pain and suffering. There will be no tears, only joy and happiness.

What a day that will be when we see Jesus.Gail Weir’s mom, Pauline Krebs, went home to be with the Lord this past week. Pastor Bert Baker led her to the Lord and what a thrill to know she is now with Jesus, singing and rejoicing with Him. Gail shared with me on Sunday, at the wake, how much her mom loved the SonShine Ministry and how she had never heard the song “In the Garden” until we sang it at one of the services and it had become her favorite song.

The Ministry team that holds the services at Paradise Park sang it last month for her. What a Blessing. Thanks Amanda, Judy and all the team, we appreciate all you do.

Another one of our faithful residents went home to be with the Lord in May. Floyce Sanders never missed a service at Salem Village throughout the 4 years and 2 months that we have been going there. She loved the singing and she would often tell me how she and her family use to attend Ridgewood Baptist many years ago and how much she loved it.

She had so many good memories and often shared them with me. We will miss her.

The services went well at the new facility, Senior Star @ Weber Road. They just opened the Memory Care unit in May and we had 7 residents attend the service. The services are held on Saturday morning @ 10:00 a.m. So if any of you are available on Saturday, come on out and join us.

We had a great time. I read the 23^rd Psalms and the residents quoted it with me without looking at a Bible and they knew every verse. They loved all the hymns and sang along with us.

We are really praying about the new building at Senior Star that will be opening in January that will house 270 residents. This will be an “assisted living” residence and what an opportunity for us to serve. We feel like the Lord has opened the door for us and we ask all of you to be in prayer regarding our starting services there, that people may come to know the Lord.

The services at Rosewood have been changed to start at 2:30 p.m. instead of 2:00 as we have always done, so mark your calendars. This will give the workers time to clean the dinner tables from lunch.

All the services went really well this month, good participation, good crowds and the Lord just keeps on Blessing and Blessing.

Gloria Lee sang Amazing Grace at Sunny Hill and that was special. Her grandchildren, Austin and Nina helped me get the residents to the service. They helped me push wheel chairs and the residents love the children. Thanks guys, for your help. Austin sang with the worship team. We try to involve everyone that comes. We want you to be a Blessing to others.

The trio, Kim, Karl and Margie sang and they always do a beautiful job. Larry, the activity director, came over to me and said, “those guys need to go professional” and of course, I agreed with him. They are a big hit with all of us.

We really appreciate all our worship team and our pianist, Lisa, Grace, Dr. Kent and Barb. We have a wonderful group of people.

As soon as “Hanes sweatshirts” arrive in the stores, I will be buying them for Christmas. If any of you want to help with the sewing, please give me a call or e-mail me. With all of the homes we have now, we will be giving out more gifts this year, so we must start early in order to get them all done. We cut them down the front and sew a pretty border down both sides and make a sweater for them. We usually give them a choice of a blanket or sweater.

We have already purchased 50 blankets; however, we will probably need more since some of the homes have 50 or 60 residents that come to our service. We will need approximately 250 gifts this year.

We have prayed the prayer of Jabez, “that He would Bless us and enlarge our territory” and He has indeed done that, however, we have not stopped praying that prayer so look for bigger Blessings to come as we continue on in faith believing.

The next Sunday night singing is on July 26^th at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Lockport. Come and bring your talents. We have a great time of fellowship and testimony. Refreshments are served after the service. If you enjoy singing, you will want to join us. Invite a friend.

Amanda Fuller is still in need of our prayers. Please continue to remember her daily. Tony Pasderetz is having heart surgery this month; he needs your prayers, as well as, Robin and the family. Missionary Tom and Gela Graef and family will be leaving for Romania the 1^st of August. We Praise the Lord that they have received 100% of their support and they are ready to go. The house is up for sale and the packing and shipping all their belongings have begun. They are very excited.

PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine 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 July is as follows:

Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield – July 5th @ 2:30 p.m.

Senior Star @ Weber Rd –(Saturday) July 11^th @ 10:00 a.m.

Salem Village, Joliet – July 12^th @ 2:30 p.m.,

Rosewood Rehab Center, Joliet – July 19^th @ 2:30 p.m.,

Sunny Hill, Joliet –July 26^th @ 2:30 p.m.

Paradise Park, New Lenox – July 26^th @ 2:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.

Respectfully submitted by Joyce Mancke

Email: jmancke@sbcglobal.net.

Telephone: 1-815-351-7659

SO INSPIRING AND FULL OF THE POWER OF GOD

JUNE 2009 MINISTRY NEWSLETTER AND CALENDAR

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home Rosewood Care Center

Sunny Hill Nursing Home Paradise Park Assisted Living Senior Star @ Weber Rd.

I received a good article in an e-mail recently and thought it was worth sharing called “The Road of Life” and it goes as follows:

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him, but later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable, it was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness, He said, “PEDAL”. I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take on my journey, My Lord have and mine. And we were off again.

He said, “Give the gifts away. They’re extra baggage, they are too much weight.” So I did, I gave them to the people we met, and I found that in giving, I received, and still my burden was light.

At first, I did not trust Him to have control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten, scary passages, and I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do it anymore, He just smiles and says, “PEDAL”.

As I read the article, I couldn’t help but feel like I was the one on the bike with Jesus riding with me. There have been so many delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at high speed and sometimes I felt like it was all I could do to hang on. But the really wonderful thing about it all is I have learned to trust Him completely and I have gained love, peace and joy that the world cannot take away, but they are gifts that we can give away.

I remember how excited we were when we were asked to take on a second Nursing Home. We all thought, WOW “do you think we can do two”, that’s a lot. Then a third home called us and we really began praying about what to do and then a fourth one, leaving us with no more Sunday afternoons.

Then a few months ago we were asked to do services at a fifth home and it is a very large home, and we didn’t have any more Sundays left and we cried out to Jesus and said, “Lord you called us to do this, you have opened another door, there must be a way”, so the Lord just parted the waters and we walked through on dry ground. We were able to split the Ministry team and now we have two Ministry teams and what a Blessing it is, we have more people involved, as well as, a youth group. I can hear Him say “keep Pedaling”.

Last week, we received another call, the activity director from a brand new facility, called “Senior Star” at Weber Road, called and said “I really want your group to come here”. This is an independent and assisted living home and will house just fewer than 300 people. They also have a home for Memory Care. What an opportunity to share the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So what do you think our answer was?? ? Well our services will start there in June on Saturday morning with the possibility of expanding and having two services a month there. “Just keep pedaling, for Jesus”.

Lots of great things happening and God is pouring out His Blessing upon us. One of the missionaries that we sponsor, Tom and Gela Graef & family are going to Romania. Praise the Lord, the support is coming in and they have their house up for sale and hope to be on the field by August 1^st. Keep praying for them, as well as, Bob Holmes, the one man Volleyball Team and Midge Pittman and Amanda Fuller from our own Ministry team who has not been feeling well.

Services were really good at all the homes this month and very well attended. We had over 60 in attendance at Lakewood. We have been having relatives and visitors of the residents attend and several have asked for prayer. A lady named Carol was sobbing after the service on Sunday and I prayed with her and gave her my phone number and I hope to hear from her. She was carrying a heavy burden. Please pray for her.

One of the residents wrote a poem entitled, “Old Hymns” and she quoted it for us at one of the services, and it was really nice. We received a $25.00 check from another resident, Praise the Lord. We thank the Lord for all the gifts of money that we continually receive each month. We couldn’t do all we do without you.

After the services at Lakewood, we were invited to share in the 74th Anniversary party of John and Ruth Larson. The party was given by their daughters. What a Blessing to have shared 74 years together.

Please mark your calendars; there will be NO service at Rosewood in June, due to Fathers Day. The home does their own special thing for fathers that day. Also, the service time has been changed to 2:30 beginning in July. Make sure you mark your calendars.

PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine 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 June is as follows:

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

Salem Village, Joliet – June 14 ^the @ 2:30 p.m.

Sunny Hill, Joliet –June 28^th @ 2:30 p.m.

Senior Star @ Weber Rd. June 13^th @ 10:00 a.m. (Saturday)

Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.

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

APRIL 2009 NEWSLETTER AND MAY 2009 CALENDAR

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Matt: 25:40

Lakewood Nursing Home Salem Village Nursing Home
Rosewood Care Center Sunny Hill Nursing Home
Paradise Park Assisted Living

Our hearts are filled with joy and Thanksgiving for the beautiful services we experienced in the month of April. The choir of the First Baptist Church of Lockport performed an Easter Cantata at Lakewood Nursing Home and it was beautiful. We had over 20 choir members and 5 additional workers plus some of the nursing home staff, along with almost 50 residents, totaling over 75 in attendance. The room was packed and I don’t believe another wheel chair would have fit in the room. We thank God for all of you who participated, you were great and we appreciate all your hard work. Thank you so very much.

One of the residents at Lakewood wrote a beautiful poem and wants to recite it at our next service in May and that is always a special time, when the residents participate. We are looking forward to that.

We had good attendance at all the homes this month, even on Easter Sunday when so many people are with their families. Dolly, the daughter of one of the residents played the piano for us at Salem Village and that was a Blessing. She has volunteered to play for us whenever we need her at Salem. God always provides as He so graciously provided another piano player for us at Sunny Hill this month. Lisa was unable to attend the services and we were privileged to have Grace Lepper join us and she did a beautiful job at the piano. We are looking forward to her working with us at Sunny Hill.

We were saddened this month with the death of Delbert Gray, (J.R. as we all called him). As many of you have heard me talk about him in the past, he was a big part of our ministry at Salem Village. I led him to the Lord over 2 years ago and he loved our visits, reading and singing to him. He especially enjoyed the Zucchini bread I baked for him almost every week. He was a special friend. I was out of town when they had his funeral, however, Ben was able to attend his wake and his funeral and the family was so very grateful that he took the time to come and they have expressed over and over how much they appreciate our Ministry and all we do.

J.R. was paralyzed on his left side and was unable to use his left arm. He only had one leg and he could barely talk above a whisper, but I rejoice in knowing he is now with the Lord and he has a brand new body. During our Bible studies we had together, we often talked about what heaven would be like and the fact that he would have a perfect body when he got to heaven, no more pain, no more tears or heartaches. He would be able to talk and sing. I believe he is now in heaven rejoicing and praising God.

Please pray for his family. We also want to lift up our prayers on behalf of Amanda Fuller who has been flat of her back for several weeks now. That is so hard when you have three small children. She needs our love and support and especially our prayers. We thank the Lord that Midge had her back surgery and is getting better each day. God is still in control and He still answers prayer. Don’t forget to pray for our missionaries that we support, Bob Holmes, the one man volleyball team and Tom and Gela Graef. The Graef’s are praying that they will be in Romania by the end of the year, please pray with them that their needed support will come in. Bob is in need of additional support; even $10.00 per month will be a Blessing. Schools are cutting back and the current support is just not enough to cover his expenses. Pray about it, perhaps the Lord would lead you to give to these missionaries. We also need to pray for Judy Pine and her family in the loss of her father.

If you haven’t come to one of our singing fellowships, you have missed a Blessing. We are having a great time of singing, testimony and fellowship together. The next singing is planned for the 5th Sunday of May which will be May 31st at 5:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Come and join us and bring your talent with you. We would like to have special music from any of you who would like to participate. It’s a great time of fellowship together. Don’t miss it.

We don’t change the message, the message changes us.

The following poem, entitled “Crabby Old Man” was found among the belongings of an old man who died in a Nursing Home.

What do you see nurses? …What do you see? What are you thinking, when you’re looking at me?
A crabby old man …not very wise, Uncertain of habit, .with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food and makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice….”I do wish you’d try”
Who seems not to notice the things that you do, and forever is losing a sock or a shoe?

Who, resisting or not…lets you do as you will, with bathing and feeding, the long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse. You’re not looking at me.
I’ll tell you who I am…As I sit here so still, as I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten, with a father and mother, brothers and sisters, who love one another

A young boy of sixteen, with wings on his feet, dreaming that soon now, a lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at twenty, my heart gives a leap, remembering, and the vows that I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now, I have young of my own, who need me to guide…and a secure happy home.
A man of thirty my young now grown fast, bound to each other, with ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone, but my woman’s beside me to see I don’t mourn
At fifty, once more, babies play ‘round my knee, again, we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my wife is now dead. I look at the future…..I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own and I think of the years and the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old man….and nature is cruel, Ties jest to make old age, look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles…..grace and vigor departs. There is now a stone, where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young guy still dwells, and now and again, my battered heart swells
I remember the joys, I remember the pain and I’m loving and living life over again.

I think of the years… all too few…gone to fast, and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people …..Open and see, not a crabby old man… Look closer…..”It’s me”!!

PLEASE NOTE: All contributions to our ministry should be made payable to “Sonshine 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 May is as follows;
Lakewood Nursing Home, Plainfield – May 3rd @ 2:30 p.m.,
Salem Village, Joliet – May 10 Th @ 2:30 p.m.
Rosewood Rehab Ctr. –Joliet - May 17th @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunny Hill, Joliet –May 24th @ 2:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome. Come join us, we need your talents. You will make a difference and God will bless you for it.

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

RESURRECTION SUNDAY ~ IT'S COMING!!