Drums for Christ
  • Home
  • Blogs
  • Engage
  • Newsletters
  • What We Do
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Giving Tuesday
  • Christmas 2021
  • Link Page

Blog Posts

Ministry is everywhere

1/16/2012

 
My grandmother moved to an Assisted Living / Skilled Nursing facility during the past year.  Although it was a difficult decision, it has been such a blessing in her life and has really changed the quality of her days.  During my recent visit to Texas, I have been able to visit with her on numerous occasions.   

My grandmother has found a new purpose in life.  She has her own special form of ministry to several of the other
residents.  I witnessed her as she helped one elderly man who is frequently confused and scared.  The staff actually comes and gets my grandmother when they can’t get him to calm down and focus.  Gama is able to talk him down and restore some peace in his mind.  Another resident is afraid to go to dinner because she gets disoriented and can’t find the dining room or can’t find her way back to her room.  But she WILL go to the dining room if my grandmother will go with her and help her stay on course.  While in the elevator one day, a visitor stopped to ask Gama if she would be sure to go by his mother’s room and get her before chapel time.  These connections and relationships seem to have given my grandmother new meaning.  She is needed.  She is making a difference in the lives of others.  

Last week, a new resident came to live at the home.  Gama was concerned for her.  Miss Sara only speaks Spanish.  She can’t communicate with the nurses or with the other residents.  She is confused and frustrated and sad.  Her daughter comes to see her some, and she can help translate for her when she is there.  But the majority of the time, poor Miss Sara is “alone” in an English-speaking world. Gama was worried about her.  

We went to visit Gama today and we were able to meet Miss Sara.  Since we are Spanish-speakers, we were able to sit and talk to her for a while. The nurses were able to talk to her, through us, to ask her some questions about her hobbies and desires. My daughter, also named Sarah, was able to bring Miss Sara some of that special joy that only children can bring to the elderly.  Yes, Miss Sara is sad and lonely, confused and frustrated.  We will be visiting with her more in the coming days. 
We’ll try to help the staff a little and try to make some connections that will ease Miss Sara’s transition into this new step in her life.  I’m glad we are able to speak to her in her heart-language and bring a little comfort to her.

Ministry is everywhere.  My family happens to serve as missionaries in Peru, but we are also able to serve when we are in the States with people like Miss Sara.  My Gama is serving in her everyday life in her new home.  Take some time today to consider where it is that you are serving, or where you might be able to serve.  You might consider going to visit at your local nursing home.  Maybe there is a Miss Sara out there who desperately needs someone like you today.


Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed

    Laurie Drum

    In my USA life, I was a teacher in Texas for 15 years.  I was also a professional photographer, a soccer mom, a horsewoman, and the neighborhood hospitality queen.  I did "Joanna Gaines farmhouse style" before Chip and JoJo were even a thing - we restored an 1884 Victorian farmhouse in small town Texas and did shiplap walls until I thought I'd go crazy. I taught at NASA, scuba dived with astronauts in training, and studied animals at Sea World for educational purposes. I've tried just about everything, because I have an insatiable need to know if I can do it! Never underestimate a Texas girl in cowboy boots!

    ​In 2006, my husband Billy and I became cross-cultural workers (CCWs) with TMS Global.  For five years, we served in three rural Quechua Wanca villages in the Andes of Peru.  And when I say rural, I mean RURAL - like no potty!  I spent my days in Peru learning to live a Quechua lifestyle in a rustic adobe house - cooking Peruvian foods, sewing with Quechua women, raising my chickens and goats and pigs, and planting my gardens. Now I live my life in small town Spain, serving other cross-cultural workers via teaching and training and care, and helping displaced people to navigate their new reality in Europe.

    I'm passionate about fostering personal growth, growth in community, and growth in The Kingdom. Walking alongside others and helping them to use their unique design, their gifts and strengths and maximize their abilities to fulfill their God-given purpose - that's what makes my heart sing! 

    Archives

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blogs
  • Engage
  • Newsletters
  • What We Do
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Media
  • Giving Tuesday
  • Christmas 2021
  • Link Page