In between working at the library, directing the church choir, going to Drew's stuff, keeping house and running errands, working on my next article ( an annotated updated bibliography of choral settings of Psalm 23 - which is mind bogglingly extensive!), and keeping the doctors happy by donating all sorts of body samples, I am working at making Jairus House become a reality. And I am slowly (agonizingly slowly) getting there.
I have a wonderful Board of Directors, the business entity has been legally formed, I have officers, and a list of tasks from the lawyer for us to accomplish so she can file the paperwork for the 501c3 status. Some days I wish I could just set everything else aside and concentrate on this. I want to be able to pull together the choir, start performing in the clinics and hospitals, hold prayer services for cancer patients, especially those undergoing surgery, hold memorial services for the family and friends of those who have lost someone to cancer, minister the comfort of the Word of God to fellow sufferers.
Everyday I hear of someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer. Everyday I encounter stories of what someone's aunt's sister's son has had to endure. Everyday I am reminded that we as ambassadors of God's love and care to the world, are missing an important task - comforting those who are suffering, ministering cups of cold water to the dying, crying with the grieving, walking with the wounded.
Our churches sometimes do small things to help, but they have so much more to do. Jairus House will concentrate on ministry to cancer patients. Praying for them, encouraging them, building up their faith and hope, singing of God's power and strength, reminding them that God has promised never to leave them or forsake them, holding their hand in the dark hours, letting them know that even when they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God will be with them, being with the family if they are called home.
I was especially made aware of the need when I got my Lance Armstrong Cancer Survivor's manual in the mail. Its a HUGE yellow notebook divided into many sections. He has included a lot of good advice and links to resources for so many aspects of dealing with life as a cancer patient / survivor. Things like making out your will and determining your DNR desires. Things like tracking your treatment and recording important information. Things like where to find support groups and financial assistance, dealing with your emotions, with your mental anguish. Things like dying with dignity.
But the one glaringly absent aspect that does not have a tabbed section is faith. Scattered about in the testimonies he includes are mentions of how much God has helped people. It is suggested under the mental issues tab that people can and should draw support and strength from their religious beliefs.
But he cannot wholesale provide links and organizational grids and resources for developing your faith to a world with so many beliefs. Jairus House can. Both on the website we are developing and in the resources we hope to offer. I want to publish a book of Psalms for cancer patients, release CDs of music that fill you with the Word of God, provide opportunities to be prayed for and with, anointed for healing, to find solace in meditating on God.
Won't you please help me with Jairus House? Won't you please pray that we will be able to do what needs to be done so we can get on with the ministry part? Won't you let us know if you can contribute your skills and expertise?
Thanks. I look forward to hearing from you. God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment