The nursing home is one of my favorite places to go. You may say it’s such a sad place, but I say it’s so rich with untold wisdom and blooming hope.
On our last Church to Church trip to Antigua, Guatemala (where mine and Sarah’s church here in Gainesville, GA (The Highlands) has decided to partner) we strolled on to a local nursing home called Grandpa’s Home. It was filled to the brim with an estimated 150 old folks!
We helped the staff complete a few household chores first, then got to walk around and talk to a generation that has almost been forgotten–but so worthy to be up front.
Around one corner was a fella who colored intricate photos, another that scribbled, a man who laughed and clapped incessantly, and some that just sat and stared. There were a some that wiggled their legs to the music, an energetic aerobics class in the corner, and a group of fellas that I called “the round table” – you know, the guys that “make all the decisions in the town”, or in this case, the nursing home.
Rolando Paz was one that immediately caught my heart by surprise. I was drawn like a piece of metal to a magnet. Upon asking a few questions, I learned that Rolando had been confined to the nursing home for only about 6 months now when he could no longer walk. His daughter brought him in and from what we understood, she wouldn’t be back to see him for another two months, if at all.
After he informed me of his faith in Jesus, I began to encourage him in the Lord and it ended up turning into declaration prayers over Rolando as the Spanish just rolled off my tongue. As I was talking, he started weeping. Rolando received every word wholeheartedly with a collection of tears running down his cheeks as if they were a beautiful painting in the making.
Mr. Paz (Paz translates to Peace in English) kept saying, “I have hope because I have Jesus!” among many other things as I prayed and declared the Lord’s love over him, reminding him that he was not forgotten.
Like myself that day, you never know what may come out of your mouth. Remember, your words hold power–power to enrich a soul, and the power to even crush one.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
–Proverbs 18:21
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
–Proverbs 16:24
Pray for Rolando Paz, as many people lose touch with their families and lose hope that life will ever improve or be like it once was. Pray that our words would resonate in his heart until they settle deep within his heart.
