B-13...N-35...O-74...JESUS!

The Community Hall was packed out for the Turner Plaza Christmas party. Thanks to the efforts of Cooking For Christ and Baton Rouge Dream Center volunteers, the residents enjoyed Christmas carols, bingo games and a scrumptious turkey dinner.

As always, the residents were at their finest. Vera, a very spry 88-year old, showed up in full make-up and mink, while Road Runner opted for a more casual jeans and T look. An elderly newlywed couple were celebrating their 4-week anniversary, and several of the other gentlemen had enjoyed a few holiday drinks before our arrival. Needless to say, it was quite a time.

After enjoying the meal prepared by CFC, Claudia and Romaine got the party rolling with a spirited game of Bingo. To make it holiday-specific, the winner had to yell “Jesus” instead of “Bingo”. Now, on a good day bingo can be challenging, but when it’s being played by a room full of elderly, disabled and intoxicated people, it gets wild. The stakes were high too, with coveted prizes such as vaporizers, Depends, boxed chocolates and support socks. Since most of the players either couldn’t hear the numbers called, or couldn’t see the numbers on their cards, the volunteer’s skills became critical. With a near 1:1 ratio, there were almost as many volunteer as residents. Thankfully, once the food was served, CFC volunteers stepped up to the plate to help out. By day’s end all of the residents had won a prize.

The management of Turner Plaza was initially skeptical of us hosting a party there. She later told one of our staff that the residents have been disappointed so many times by groups who make promises but don’t show up, that she seldom allows groups to come in. She was very pleased with our event and said we could come back anytime. Our hope is that we will be able to make Turner Plaza a regular outreach with the mobile medical team in the early Spring.

I’m so glad to be a part of a church that keeps its word. I’m grateful that when we say we’ll be there, we actually show up. God is like that…He never makes a promise that He doesn’t keep. If He tells you to step out and do something for Him, you can know with certainty that He will meet you there. All glory to God!