Surprises Among the Seniors

That title makes us chuckle since we still are getting used to being considered seniors! Recently we’ve attended several gatherings that minister especially to seniors, some to sit and enjoy (and eat) and some to minister. Through a side comment following last month’s gathering about bringing my puppet, Ernie, to the next meeting, we also were given the privilege of sharing a report and explaining for the first time about a financial project that is in the final steps of being approved by SEND Canada.

Ernie had a great time and caused lots of smiles and laughter—who said puppets are for children? Ruth then shared a PowerPoint overview of the Values ministry in Uganda and briefly explained the new project with the suggestion that any who would like to contribute could do so next meeting. We were humbled by the interest in the project, both by the pastor and the Coordinator of the Young-at-Heart ministry. It has been chosen as the Christmas project and will enable VOICE-trained Ugandan trainers to train more volunteers so that they can teach in more schools. Then we all enjoyed a delicious lunch.

As people were finishing up with dessert, I greeted several people at some of the tables.  To my surprise, when I approached a front table, I met a ventriloquist that had been part of an amazing team ministering to children each week in a Saint John area church.  It had been more than 20 years since I first met him and now here he was with his wife praising the Lord and enjoying fellowship with the Body of Christ.  We reminisced briefly about the fun ministry he had been a part of, exchanged contact numbers, and expressed our desire to connect again in the near future. What a fun surprise!

The surprises were not finished yet. Several of the seniors didn’t want to wait until next meeting to give toward the project. A total of $50 waited for us on our display table—seed money to begin the project! You know what! It’s not that bad being a senior and spending time among them!