Nursing Home Music Ministry











Dear Brothers And Sisters In Christ, Greetings.
I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
It has now been 10 weeks since beginning this years mission. So far,
I've enjoyed the Privilege of Sharing the Gospel in Song with 54
Nursing Homes and 5 Churches. Thank You Jesus!
Monday May 1 st ~
Having quite a bit of back pain; And being unable to stand up straight;
I decided not to try and sing in a nursing home today. Drove from
Indiana into Illinois, with frequent stops.
Tuesday May 2 nd ~
Back still bothering me. Continued west into Iowa.
Wednesday May 3 rd ~
Your prayers have helped. The back pain has begun to ease up a bit.
Thank You!
In Grinnell, Iowa I went over to the "Friendship Manor Care Centre".
During a morning Bible Study, I was able to contribute 4 songs. Then
played another 20 minutes afterwards.
Visited with Lori (Charge Nurse), who along with her husband Randy,
and friend Francene, have welcomed me into their home. Giving me
the use, and refuge of an extra bedroom. May God Bless Them!
Showered up and joined them at mid-week services for locale teens &
pre-teens. A pretty Rowdy Bunch! At the end of the service, I enjoyed
the Honor of saying a few words and singing a song.
Thursday May 4 th ~
Spent the day at Francene, Lori and Randy's, resting the back and
doing laundry.
Friday May 5 th ~
Ministered at "St. Francis Manor" here in Grinnell. The back held up.
Had a large turnout. It went very well.
Later in the evening, with a couple of ladies from the Church, I
attended a High School Band Contest. Jonathan, one of the Church
members, is 1 st trombone at his school.
It's amazing how someone can take all those different parts, put em
together, and make it sound so Beautiful.
Saturday May 6 th ~
Relaxing Day! A short trip to Pella (where a tulip festival was in
progress) to pick up some stuff. Then back to the house for some
grilled pork tenderlion, roasted potatoes & mushrooms. Yum!
Sunday May 7 th ~
Attended Worship Services at the "Church of Hope". A cooperative
ministry between Evangelical Methodists and Nazarenes. One, Host
the 9 am service, then they have class for both; then the other Host
the 11 am service. They alternate Sunday nights.
I enjoyed the Honor of singing a Special at both morning services. My
timing was pretty good to be here this particular weekend, because
they had scheduled a pot-luck lunch for today. But I ate too much.
Had to go for a walk before, The Nap.
At Evening Worship Services I once again enjoyed the Honor of
contributing a couple of songs. "I'll Fly Away" and "I Can Only
Imagine".
At different times throughout the day, three people slipped me
donations for the ministry. May God Bless Them!
And So Begins Another Week.
May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen.
Yours In Christ, Larry
Dear Brothers And Sisters In Christ, Greetings.
I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
It has now been 11 weeks since beginning this years mission. To date I've enjoyed the
Privilege of Sharing the Gospel in Song with 55 Nursing Homes and 5 Churches.All In
The Name Of Jesus.
Monday May 8 th ~
Ministered at the "MayFlower Health Center". They have a lovely auditorium called the
"Carmen Center", complete with a stage containing a Baby Grand piano and In-House
Sound System.
We had a good turn out; with lots of singing along. They stumped me with several
request I didn't know. On one, I started it acappella & almost everyone joined in, to the
point where we were able to finish the first verse & chorus. Even though I didn't
remember all the words, they did. It was pretty neat.
Back at Francene's, Lori's and Randy's; on my last night here, we had home made
pizza and played some cards.
Tuesday May 9 th ~
Said my goodbye's to the folks here. What wonderful Hospitality they've shown. May
God Bless Them!
You might know it. While getting dressed this morning, my back went out again. Oh
well, I must Endeavor to Persevere.
Back on the road, I headed south into Missouri. Stopped at a Wal-Mart in Moberly,
took some medicine and went to bed.
Wednesday May 10 th ~
Took most of the day to drive a painful 216 miles. Arrived at a friends RV park in
Mansfield, Missouri. Administered some medicine, visited for a bit, then crawled into
the van for the night.
Thursday May 11 th ~
Spent the day in bed. Pain medicine seems to be making things worse, so I've stopped
that.
Friday May 12 th ~
Still incapacitated.
Saturday May 13 th ~
The same.
Sunday May 14 th ~
With the help of a friend, I was able to attend morning & evening worship services at
the Assembly of God, and First Baptist Churches here in Mansfield. However, I am still
experiencing severe pain and immobility with my back.
Please pray for me.
Yours in Christ, Larry
Dear Brothers & Sisters In Christ, Greetings.
I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
It has now been 13 weeks since beginning this years mission. So far I've Enjoyed the
Privilege of Sharing the Gospel in Song with 57 Nursing Homes and 6 Churches. To
God Be The Glory!
Monday May 22 nd ~
Moving very slowly due to my back. I managed to do an oil change on the van. See if
we can get a few more miles out of it.
Endured a rough night with the tooth.
Tuesday May 23 rd ~
Battened down the hatches in preparation for heading out. Said my goodbyes to the
owner (Sandy) of the "Little Prairie RV Park, here in Mansfield, Missouri.
What a Blessing its been to have a free place to camp and shower while dealing with
this back problem. Like a Harbor in a Storm. May God Bless Her!
As I started south, I stopped and ministered at the "Ava Place" in Ava, Missouri. This
is a Residential Car Facility with some elderly, and some mentally handicapped
residents. I received a warm welcome and invitation to join them for lunch. A lovely
group of folks. While singing I had to sit down a few times, otherwise the back held up
just fine.
Continued south thru Arkansas and into Oklahoma.
Wednesday May 24 th ~
Just after noontime, I stopped at the "Oak Grove Manor" in Idabel, Oklahoma and
ministered for a small group of residents. Although I think I was the one needing
ministering, with the back and tooth bothering me.
Crossed the border into Texas and got a little closer to my Dentist.
Thursday May 25 th ~
Pulled into Austin shortly before noon. Said hi to some folks at the Dream Center.
Then over to my Dentist. She ended up pulling TWO teeth. One with a BIG abscess &
the one next to it which was simply, Nasty/Rotten.
Back to the Dream Center and to bed.
Friday May 26 th ~
Learned another lesson: Last night I was hurting so much, I made the mistake of
going way over the recomended dosage for the pain medicine. As a result, by morning
I was feeling nauseated. And ended up spending the whole day in bed with nausea &
vomiting. Pretty Miserable! Hope I remember to NOT do that again.
Saturday May 27 th ~
Feeling Better! Spent the day at Janet's (my little sister), visiting with her and my
nephews. Her youngest (Adam) just graduated from High School. And along with her
next to oldest (Steven), are leaving in a few days to spend the summer working as
councelors at a Christian Summer Camp.
Imagine the relationships; experiences, lessons & memories they are developing,
which they will carry and draw upon for the rest of their lives. I'm excited for them.
Sunday May 28 th ~
Attended Worship Services at Jubilee Christian Center. What a JOY to reunite with so
many Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ. I'm not ashamed to admit; my eye's filled with
moisture at one point.
Enjoyed lunch with my Dearest sister Sarah. Then stopped and visited Peter (who
helped me with the CD). He's going through extreme physical & mental problems.
Please say a little prayer for him.
Spent some time at Janet's during a party going on for the boys. Then back to the
Dream Center. I'm feeling much better today. Thank you for your prayers on my
behalf.
And So Begins Another Week.
May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
Yours In Christ, Larry
Dear Brothers & Sisters In Christ, Greetings.
I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
It has now been 14 weeks since beginning this years mission. This past week, I've
allowed time to heal from the oral surgery, and for the back pain to ease some more.
So, I've still, Enjoyed the Privilege of Sharing the Gospel in Song with 57 Nursing
Homes and 6 Churches. To God Be The Glory!
Monday May 29 th ~
Memorial Day! Enjoyed spending time with my Dear sister Sarah.
Tuesday May 30 th ~
Spent some time with my Dear brother George.
Wednesday May 31 st ~
Spent some time with my new sister Diane. Attended mid-week worship services at
Jubilee Christian Center.
Thursday June 1 st ~
Food Pantry Day! The day of the week that the Dream Center Austin hands out food
and clothes to over 100 families. There's also individual prayer counselors for all
those who wish it. Including a Healing Prayer Room.
A video crew (from a sunday morning christian program) was on hand early, taking
pictures and doing interviews. Pretty busy day around here.
Friday June 2 nd ~
Attended an Evening Worship Service here at the Dream Center.
Saturday June 3 rd ~
Spent some time with my Dear sister Sarah. Managed a one mile walk in the park. The
back is improving daily.
Sunday June 4 th ~
Attended Worship Services at Jubilee where I was able to sing in the Choir during both
morning services. Couldn't get much volume, and jaw was pretty sore afterwards.
However, this is a vast improvement and I feel like I'm, on-the-mend.
Attended an evening concert at Jubilee featuring Jeff Fenholt, who used to be the lead
singer for Black Sabbath. He is born-again and spirit-filled. Now uses his talent to
spread the Gospel. Praise God!
And So Begins Another Week.
May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You.
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
Yours In Christ, Larry
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Greetings.
I hope and pray all is well with you and yours.
It has now been 12 weeks since beginning this years mission. So far I've enjoyed the
Privilege of Sharing the Gospel in Song with 55 Nursing Homes and 6 Churches. To
God Be The Glory!
Monday May 15 th ~
Made it into town to the library to send off the UPDATE. Back at the RV park, I forced
myself to take a short walk around the grounds. The back is still giving me quite a bit
of trouble.
Tuesday May 16 th ~
Still dealing with severe back pain and lack of mobility.
Wednesday May 17 th ~
The Same! With an abscessed tooth thrown in, just to keep things interesting.
Thursday May 18 th ~
Three months ago I left Texas with some antibiotics in my first aid kit, just in case this
tooth flared up. So I went ahead and started them this morning. Guess I'm going to
have to get it pulled sooner or later.
The Pastor (Allen) from the Baptist Church in MaComb, stopped by to check on, and
pray with me. May God Bless Him!
Friday May 19 th ~
Today I was able to move around without the use of my cane. By afternoon I was back
to leaning on it; Still, this is an improvement. I even took out the guitar and played a
few songs. Praise God!
Saturday May 20 th ~
About the same as yesterday.
Sunday May 21 st ~
Attended Morning Worship Services at the Baptist Church in Macomb. Allen (the
Pastor), invited me up to sing a Special if I felt well enough. I wanted to try, and
sure-enough, I made it through.
Returned for Evening Services and once again enjoyed the Honor of contributing a
song. Also got to witness two Baptisms & stayed for an Ice Cream Social afterwards.
I found out that Allen had called a Christian Radio Station and On-The -Air,
reported and made a request about, my transportation situation. No response yet, but
oh what a beautiful example of going the extra mile. Not only did he visit earlier in the
week, pray with me, and slip me a donation for the ministry. He went further out of his
way to do this. May God Bless Him!
And So Begins Another Week.
May The Lord Our God
Guard, Guide And Direct You
In The Name Of Jesus. Amen!
Yours In Christ, Larry