Mandate to Take Care for the Elders

How do you see yourself living when you are an elderly person? In today’s busy world it is becoming less common for a person to take care of their parents when they’re elderly. In the past, more people felt the moral obligation to support their parents when they couldn’t do it for themselves anymore. Children were taught to honor their father and mother, as we read in Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” This doesn’t only mean being obedient as a child but also caring for your parents in their old age.

Nowadays, many of us treat elders as a burden and won’t make the effort to bring them into our house and look after them just like they did for us when we were kids. Of course, there are some situations when this isn’t possible and it is better to have them in a nursing home or retirement community. However, in most cases, it’s just easier to put them there just because we’re not willing to commit to this responsibility. We must not forget that even though they can’t bring money to our household they do have a lot of wisdom, which they acquired during their whole lives and that is such a big blessing.

We read in Timothy 5:3-4: “ Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” This reminds us of how our parents and grandparents lovingly and joyfully took care of us when we were growing up. They didn’t abandon us when we weren’t able to be independent and self-sufficient.

Some elderly people don’t like to live in nursing homes or retirement communities and are taken there against their will. On the other hand, there are some that do like it and prefer to spend their days surrounded by others who are their age and share interests in similar activities. Even if they choose to live in a community or home doesn’t mean we don’t need to make sure they’re doing ok. They can feel lonely if their families don’t visit them on weekends or special holidays. Although there are organizations that have projects to visit them, take them on field trips and give them spiritual support in times of need, the love of their families has no comparison to those other activities.

So please think of how wonderful it is to care for them either in your own house or in a home. Calling them, visiting them, letting them know they’re not alone and can count on you; can make their golden days much happier and rewarding.

Project Compassion’s 43rd Annual Block Party!

This year, PCM is proud to have our annual block party associated with the ARISE!Detroit 10th Annual Neighborhoods Day Celebration!

YOU and YOUR Church or Organization can help PCM to bring the Love of Christ to nursing home residents and help to promote POSITIVE events in Detroit by helping us with the Block Party!

Our Seniors are looking forward to you sharing your gifts with them!

DO YOU HAVE A CHOIR OR YOUTH AND ADULTS WHO LOVE TO SING? Bring your group to stroll on the sidewalks and on the nursing home porches to sing special songs or hymns. Seniors absolutely love to sing the hymns that they remember from their church days. Amazingly, many of the seniors remember the words of their favorite songs and will sing along.

DO YOU HAVE MEMBERS WHO LOVE TO SHARE THEIR FAITH AND LOVE OF CHRIST? Invite them to volunteer at the Block Party to give hugs; to hold hands; to pray; to give hope and love to the residents, to the staff and to other volunteers.

DO YOU HAVE AN ARTIST WHO LOVES TO DO SKETCHES? Invite them to the Block Party to sketch the residents and to brighten the walls of the nursing home or the resident’s room with their sketches.

Many of the Project Compassion volunteers and staff attend the Block Party every year, including: – DAVID ALVAREZ, a Lutheran minister and his Jazz Band, stroll the sidewalks and the porches playing and singing their wonderful music. – Calvin Stewart, our P.C.M. bus supervisor and his three beautiful daughters play their guitar and sing together bringing love and the special contact with children and youth that the residents love!!

• Chaplain Eric Stenson, Executive Director of Project Compassion Ministries, Inc. brought his two young children to the Block Part last year. “I think it is important for young people to respect, serve and develop dignity toward our elders. Seeing the children brightens up the day for the seniors.”
• Greg Adair, owner of Affordable HomeCare, has volunteered for this event for 15 years. “Before I started my company in 1989, I ran nursing homes. I saw firsthand how isolation and depression severely affected the quality of life for so many residents. I heard about this wonderful non-profit organization and knew I had to become involved.”

“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.”

Psalms 71:9