Impact

Lives are being changed!

Below are some examples of the impact Crossroads Ministries is having on our volunteers and the residents of our communities’ care centers. Our prayer is that these comments will be a blessing to you.

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Saving Sara

Pegi Cooper, Chaplain

"Recently I had the opportunity to spend some precious time with a 93 year old lady named Sara. She was quite depressed because she was being transferred to another facility. I had not visited with this dear lady before, but was anxious to hear her story and to comfort her anxiety about the move.

At lunchtime the CNA came to get her for lunch and she said she had no appetite. So, I suggested that we share a meal in her room. As she ate every bite she shared with me about growing up during the depression. Her family moved a lot and she didn’t go to church until she was much older.

She mentioned that she was so old that she thought God had forgotten her and that He didn’t want her in heaven. 'My dear,' I said, 'God has never forgotten about you; He has always loved you.' Sara told me she had never heard the words 'I love you' from her parents. I told her that I certainly loved her and that I had proof that God loves her and has not forgotten her.

I shared the Good News with her and told her that God was ready to accept her into His Kingdom if she prayed and asked Jesus into her heart. We prayed the sinners' prayer together and Sara just put her head on my shoulder and cried with joy. She had never felt loved before.

After some sweet time of joy, Sara told me she needed an angel; that she didn't think she would live if she had to move away from her home. She said, 'You are truly a messenger of God to come to me and help me. I thank God for you and to know I will be in heaven someday soon.'

Never underestimate what God can do. He desires to save the elderly just as He desires to save ALL. Never miss the opportunity to share the Gospel with those in their Golden Years."

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While visiting one of the residents in the nursing home, the volunteer shared about the true meaning of Christmas. As they talked, the volunteer asked the resident why she thought Christ came to earth. After the resident responded, the volunteer explained the gospel message to her and the reality of eternal life. The resident was wide-eyed and said she had never understood the gospel before. "She prayed with me to ask Christ into her heart."

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A Crossroads' volunteer relates the following: "While at the nursing home, two ladies said they were very depressed and not interested in talking. They did agree, however, to allow me to pray with them. I prayed that the spirit of depression would be taken away and that the light of God would come into the facility. When I visited them the following week, the ladies were uplifted and full of joy. They said, 'God answered our prayers!' Both ladies had significant improvement, physically and emotionally and the desire to continue to live. Their excitement was overwhelming to me. Praise God!"

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Typical reports from our volunteers:

• "The residents enjoy visiting with me and ask me to visit them again."
• "The residents enjoy having the Bible read to them."
• "Most of the residents are open to prayer."
• "Many have asked me for large-print Bibles." (Crossroads' provides large-print Bibles)
• "They (the residents) appreciate the touch of the hand and often do not want me to leave."
• "The residents enjoy receiving the birth-day cards we bring to them."
• "They (the residents) are excited to see God answer their prayers."