The GIFT of Seniors

Aging, the world is aging.

The percentage of people aged 65 and older is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion. It's an irreversible global trend, according to The World Health Organization (WHO). 

This fact prompted Cely, a nursing professor and a nurse doctor, to organize GIFT (Growing in Fellowship Together with Jesus) to help us seniors in our church understand our aches and pains and be equipped with coping armors. 

Therefore, GIFT is not just an acronym; it is actually a much-appreciated gift. 

Once a month, we listen to God’s word through our Pastor; Cely gives helpful guides on how to take care of ourselves and what red flags to watch out for—including forward actions; our nurses check and record our vital signs. These are followed by exercise (dancing led by a youth leader) and one activity for the day (either embroidery, crochet, flower arrangement, etc.), capped by snacks.  

All these were shared with the community in October, our Missions month. The men’s group invited the barangay senior association and took care of logistics. From a modest number of 15, our number quadrupled.  

I was tasked to share the Word (our pastors are both young and the seniors might listen more to a fellow senior). 

With humility, I embraced the assignment. It was an opportunity to share the Gospel to the unreached—who came to us instead of us going to them. 

God’s Grace brought a horde to enter His church to hear His word and to be gifted with deeper knowledge of a blessed life stage called the golden years. 

Selfies and groufies were part of the game. 

It was a joyful GIFT to everyone who came. 

“We will do this again,” the president of the men’s group mused.    

(All photos borrowed from the PVGC FB page)