Welcome to Winters Park

It is with great excitement and pleasure that we begin to document the work that God has called us to do at Winters Park Nursing Home. The goal of this blogsite is to link the experiences of the Winters Park community in such a way that the movement of God is evident and encouraging to every reader. We see God working in mighty ways both in our lives and the residents lives each time we meet to worship Him at Winters Park; this blogsite is our way of sharing the fruit of God's love with you.

Serving the True King

This last Sunday, I must say was a new experience for me.

I have been in nursing homes before, but never for a Christian purpose.

What touched me the most was the fact that most of these wonderful people can't go to church, and the only church they have is when it comes to them.

There is one thing I take for granted: being able to go to church.

Now I know what Jesus meant when he said: "I was sick and you visited me."

Daniel Wilson

Matthew 25:40 (NIV) The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Moved to Tears

Words cannot describe the incredible blessing that God pours out on us every time we go to Winters Park Nursing Home.

I met Anne Carpenter this week, she's 88 yrs old and had taught Sunday School for 60 yrs of her life, that's right sixty years!!! She shared with us that she was only there for a couple of weeks for a particular type of rehab they offer and would then be moving to another facility. She asked that we pray for her because the staff (I suppose) of the next facility wants her to start and lead a Sunday School when she arrives and she was afraid that she just couldn't do it any more.

I was moved to tears as I stood in the presence of this Godly woman, amazed that God had given me another unexpected gift: to meet this Godly woman and have the opportunity to pray with her.

I could go on but I won't. Come experience for yourself the beauty of these "forgotten ones", you will never be the same again.

We love you all very much and miss you! I pray that the Lord will bring us together soon.

Peace!!

Lori and David Moore

Sharing God's Word

I had the best visit with Vella and Lucille tonight! Both were awake and ready for a visitor. I read in Matthew 6 (the sermons after the Beatitudes).

We had a great discussion and I learned a lot about their lives. I am looking forward to visiting with them on Wed. and Sun. nights. I hope others will join in, too.

If there are other people who have requested a reader I can visit after I see Vella and Lucille on the same nights.

Christie B.

Resurrection Sunday at Winters Park

He gripped my arm tightly and raised his voice for the first time since I had taken the chair next to him. His plea for me to stay was far more powerful than the aged hand clenching my wrist. Until that moment he had not even bothered to look at me – concentrating instead on the empty Dr. Pepper can just out of reach and the half-completed puzzle of Dalmatian pups to his left.

I had walked up late as wobbly voices mixed with crisp sopranos marching through the old hundredth and after exchanging a few greeting smiles and nods with those singing I noticed him sitting alone away from the group hunched over and staring at the table. I went over immediately to ask if he wanted to come join us, wondering if no one else had thought to do so. My curiosity was soon allayed. I sat down initially to be level with him when I spoke – but as he ignored me and continued to mumble about ‘Betty’ I understood (or thought I did anyway) that he was delusional and most likely off in some distant memory only now all too real as his present faded.

I was getting up to rejoin the group when he grabbed me – his calloused grip like pumice against my skin. Then he spoke. His trembling voice still held power as he pulled against my intent – beckoning me to stay. So I sat back down and he went back to mumbling under his breath. Nothing changed until the group started singing ‘I’ll Fly Away’. I sang along and watched out of the corner of my eye as his lips mouthed every word. As my chest tightened I realized why I was there and why I would be back as often as possible. Today the blessing of Luke 6:36 came to life for me and I grasped the depth of mercy.

Kent Barlow

Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (NASB)