On Sabbath 19 April, Croydon SDA Church’s Sabbath School, Women’s Ministry, the Pathfinders and two Elders visited Beulah Vista Care Home to bring joy to the hearts of the residents through a short afternoon service. 

With the sun streaming through the 3-year old glass windows of this modern nursing home, Elder Johnny Saul prayed, which was followed by hymns with many of the residents – Maureen, Timothy, Heather, Sarah, Beryl, Morah, Diane, and Vera to name a few – joining in. There was. Following the joint renditions of ‘All Creatures of our God and King’, ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘To God Be the Glory’, Croydon SDA’s Pathfinders put on a performance of Esther. The residents watched attentively as the Pathfinders brought to life the story we know well of how a young, Jewish woman became the queen of Persia and used her position to save her people. As we watched on, it was as if God had also brought us together for such a time as this, to share in remembering how Christ died that we may all show love one to another and take on His great commission to, go and teach all. 

Elder Pete Pryce shared a word of encouragement about the importance of our families and the decisions we make during our short lives, the most important being our choice for Christ. A truth brought to life later in the afternoon as many residents shared stories about their grandchildren, children, and the lives they had before moving into the Care Home. One resident, keen to show the skills she had once had, attempted to stand up in her wheelchair, adding that if her legs were better she would dance for us. It was a reminder that each of the residents had a story, previous professions and families. But each resident received the message that God gives us the opportunity to be fully restored one day when we accept Him is our Lord and saviour. Whilst for now we connected within the walls of the care home, we reflected on a future of spending eternity in homes whose builder and maker is God.