February 9, 2015

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-9-2015.html

   These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
Titus 2:15

          Monday February 2 nd ~

     A cold, windy day. Published from the "Jellystone" campground in Mississippi. Did laundry there and spent the rest of the day relaxing in the warmth of the camper van.

          Tuesday February 3 rd ~

     Drove west to Brandon, Mississippi and ministered at their Health & Rehab center.

          Wednesday February 4 th ~

     Crossed into Louisiana to the town of Delhi and ministered at the "Deerfield Nursing & Rehab" facility. There was a fella there who comes in every Wednesday and hands out gum & candy as he visits with the folks. He sat in on our session, and when a resident requested a song I haven't learned, he offered to sing it for the group.

     He did a fair job, singing with a karaoke type Cd. Then I spent another twenty minutes wrapping things up.

          Thursday February 5 th ~

     Continuing east, I stopped in Minden, Louisiana. The first nursing home I went to I encountered an activity director unwilling to interrupt a meeting to get the permission from the administrator she felt she needed. So I went to another facility in the area "Town & Country Health & Rehab" where they juggled a few things around to slide me right in.

     In a relatively small activity room with about fourteen residents and four staff members, I began to minister. Along about the third or fourth song, two of the employees sitting together on a couch began talking almost continuously. Loud enough to be heard over the singing.

     I've learned over the years that if I'm going to deal with situations like this, to go ahead and do it quickly and gently, before anger sets in. So, when after a couple of three songs the activity staff failed to address the issue, I walked over and gently whispered to them saying, "Y'alls talking is causing a distraction. Do you mind too much waiting till I'm finished or maybe going outside?"

     They immediately accepted the mild rebuke, stopped talking, and a few songs later, left the room. We continued on with a sweet time of Praise.

          Friday February 6 th ~

     Sang at the Nursing Center in Mansfield, Louisiana. Then crossed into Texas.

          Saturday February 7 th ~

     Stopped in Crockett, Texas and ministered for some folks at the "Community Care" nursing home.

          Sunday February 8 th ~

     Made it to Wallhalla, Texas in time for a special worship service with old friends at a Home Church type fellowship. Joined this group of seventeen for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Then over to a country home to spend time with some dear cousins.

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

February 2, 2015

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/2-2-2015.html

   Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

          Monday January 26 th ~

     Published the newsletter accessing the wifi at the "Teen Challenge International" facility outside of Dublin, Georgia. Then drove to Hawkinsville, Georgia and ministered at the "Pinewood Manor". Spent some time at a laundry mat nearby, then, on my way out of town I spotted a man putting letters on the sign of a Baptist church. Stopped and got permission to park and plug-in overnight and was even able to get a shower in their gymnasium.

          Tuesday January 27 th ~

     Crossed the border into Alabama and sang at the "Canterbury Health & Rehab Center" in Phenix City. The activity director had Bingo going in the main dinning room which could not be interrupted, but I was able to minister in the Alzheimer's Unit for seven residents.

     As I continued west I spotted a sign in a small town "The Village at Little Texas". Although the word campground was printed on the sign, this was more of a retreat type property; not really set-up for overnight camping. However, the owner (Jerry) allowed me to park for the night and spent the afternoon showing me around and even treated me to dinner.

          Wednesday January 28 th ~

     Continuing west across Alabama I stopped early at an Army Corp of Engineer campground.

          Thursday January 29 th ~

     Stopped in Demopolis, Alabama and sang at the "Woodhaven Manor" for a large group of residents after a regularly scheduled preacher had spoken.

          Friday January 30 th ~

     Crossed into Mississippi to the "Woodland Court" personal care home in Newton where I was able to share with some folks.

          Saturday January 31 st ~

     A nagging tooth problem has flared up. Please pray for me.

          Sunday February 1 st ~

     Attended services at a church in Morton, Mississippi. Then drove to a "Jellystone" campground that had cable TV hookups at the site which made it possible for me to watch the Super Bowl.

And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!

January 26, 2015

Greetings,
For this week's newsletter click on;www.nursinghomemusicministry.com/1-26-2015.html

   Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Proverbs 20:1

          Monday January 19 th ~

     Attended an early morning men's Bible Study/Breakfast Fellowship at the Methodist Church here in Ocilla, Georgia. Then published the newsletter from the home of my host Jay & Kathy. From there I got over to the "Shiloh" residential care home where I was able to sing for the folks as they finished lunch.

     Ended the day joining Jay for a men's Spaghetti Dinner Fellowship back at the church.

          Tuesday January 20 th ~

     Breakfast with Jay & Kathy. Said my goodbyes to these dear friends and drove to Fitzgerald, Georgia and ministered at the "Life Care Center" for about sixteen folks. Stopped at the library to get Income Tax Forms, then a bit further north to McRea, Georgia.

          Wednesday January 21 st ~

     Spent the morning starting the income tax chore, then drove a short way to a large drug & alcohol rehab type facility. These folks have allowed me to park overnight and shower as I come through this area for three years now.

          Thursday January 22 nd ~

     The Executive Director of this facility (David) has given me permission to stay through the weekend and even provided office space to work on the taxes. So, I drove into town (Dublin) and ministered at the "Shamrock Health & Rehab Center", then back to the campus for some number crunching.

          Friday January 23 rd ~

     Spent most of the day finishing up the tax chore, then in the evening I was given the opportunity to share with the guys (about 30) during their Friday night devotional.

     These men (mostly relatively young) are enrolled in a one-year faith based program here at "Teen Challenge International" Middle Georgia. They live, sleep and eat here full time, under strict supervision, being taught and helped to overcome harmful addictive behaviors.

          Saturday January 24 th ~

     A day of rest.

          Sunday January 25 th ~

     Attended services here at "Teen Challenge". It just happened to be their monthly "Family Day" with a large crowd of family members coming to see their loved ones.
     During the service they celebrated two of the "Students" graduation from the program. Both of whom had been given the opportunity and chosen to, come on board as staff members.

    
And so begins another week.

May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!

Your Brother in Christ, Larry Eugene Stevens

P.S.    To God be the Glory!