Spring Break Service Project
At the Highland Park Care Center
Monday, March 12, 2007

What pride I felt when fourteen of our students decided to kick off their much-deserved break by serving the Lord! We responded to an invitation to provide an arts and crafts project for the residents of the Highland Park Care Center near downtown Houston. This was an older nursing home in a well-rooted residential area. The employees and residents seemed genuinely appreciative of our visit.

Our projects were simple by design. We decorated foam door hangers, created mobiles using wire hangers, and even colored pictures, which never goes out of style. Although the projects were basic, some of the residents still needed assistance either because of mental or physical limitations. I was amazed at the courage and love shown by our young people during this visit. They spread out among the residents, and believe me, it was spiritually powerful to watch the young and old interact.

At the request of a resident, and towards the end of our time together, I led a few classic hymns, such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” I felt so grateful for a mother and father who taught me how to respect the old and for grandparents who passed these timeless songs to me so they were available in my memory when I needed them most. The students were surprised to see how many knew the songs and joined in lifting them to God. Even the quiet residents showed rejuvenation upon hearing such familiar and warm melodies.

Assuming I live a long life, which means a long life full of mistakes, I'm guessing I will appreciate more and more, with each and every passing year, the following words….

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

This project left me with a great feeling that we were at the center of God's will when we served and remembered our elderly. America needs to learn better how to honor and cherish the wise of our culture. With learner's hearts we should sit at the feet of our elderly and listen to their stories of life's successes and failures. In a country as youth-focused as ours is, we must teach our youth, and more importantly model for them , a love and respect for those who have gone before us and can therefore teach us how to live a purpose-filled and God-honoring life.

I want to thank Mrs. Ferguson for her wise help in selecting such appropriate ideas for this effort and for going shopping with me at Hobby Lobby to purchase the supplies. I also want to thank one of our parents, Michelle Minavi, for her attendance. Mrs. Minavi's enthusiasm was such a blessing to the students, and especially to the residents.