“We are to be His hands and feet” is the slogan for God’s Hands Ministry, a team of Christian women who minister in long-term care facilities in Conroe each month.  The goal of GHM is to show God’s love to others.  “We spend time with residents, give them an opportunity to share their thoughts with us, and remind them that God loves them,” said Mary Wagner, GHM team member.

When the idea of ministering in long-term-care facilities came to Darlene Dufour, GHM’s founder, she knew she needed to operate under spiritual authority.  She sought and received spiritual covering from her pastor to minister in nursing homes. At the time, she had seen her purpose as going into facilities, telling stories, and providing social interaction and encouragement to residents. 

The next morning, Dufour phoned two long-term care facilities in Conroe and offered her services as a volunteer. “One told me I needed to provide a copy of my Covid vaccination, a copy of my driver’s license, and have a background check.  I took the documents right over. Then I called Tina McBride, Lifestyles Director at Bristol Park Manor Memory Care. She said, ‘I’ve been praying for a storyteller.’”

Becky Barker, a woman in Dufour’s Sunday school class, was prompted to get involved. She said,  “I was cleaning house one morning and listening to my praise music. I started thinking that God wanted me to go help Darlene, so I phoned her said, “I think I’d like to go with you to the nursing home and help.” Dufour was surprised.  “It never occurred to me anyone else would be interested, but I figured if Becky’s heart wanted her to be a part of this ministry, why not go a step further and invite our friend Mary Wagner to join us.” Wagner quickly agreed.  “I really didn’t know what I was supposed to do or how I could help. I knew God wanted me to do it. I enjoy helping others.  I think people in those facilities don’t get enough attention from relatives, and this helps encourage them,” Wagner said.

On Monday, September 5, 2022, the three women prayed, then piled in Barker’s car and headed off to Bristol Park Manor Memory Care facility. None knew exactly what they were going to do when they got there or how it would be received. “We only knew we wanted to share God’s love in whatever small way we could.  We thought all we had to offer was our presence and our interaction with residents—but we also had a secret weapon: Coco the chihuahua.”

“I had been impressed on my initial visit with the gentle and respectful way Tina McBride and the staff treat patients at Bristol Park.  Tina was constantly on the move, attuned to the needs of each patient, moving from one to another without missing a beat,” Dufour said. “Our team ministered to 17 residents that first day. We were so excited.”

“From the beginning, God started giving me ideas until I had the plans for August through December,” Dufour said.  “I spent days studying and gathering materials.” The team has a flexible program structure. The program at Bristol Park follows a pattern: reciting The Lord’s Prayer and singing “Jesus Loves Me.”   Coco offers canine therapy, and Barker speaks words of encouragement as she takes Coco to each person who wants to hold or pet her.  Participants recite the story chant; Dufour tells stories; Wagner leads in singing a familiar hymn. The GHM team ends each program with a prayer of blessing for the attendees.

“The residents love to play bingo during the week, so we provide inexpensive prizes for them each month. We hope that will show God’s love for them, even when the GHM team is not there,” Dufour said.

GHM helps residents fulfill their basic human need to belong (friends, family, love), to have fun, and to laugh.  “I think the residents like what we do, because they keep coming back, and they participate more each time,” said Wagner. Tina McBride said, “People don’t realize that having someone spend time with them or read to them is very important to a resident in a long-term care facility.”

Dufour was telling her pulmonologist about the activities GHM was doing at Bristol Park.  He asked if she had considered going to Brightpointe, a facility right behind his office.  It was just across the street from Bristol Park, where the team was already going. She immediately went and met Haley Chastain, Activities Director for Brightpointe.  Chastain said, “I’m new to this job, and I’ve been looking for somebody to come and work with some of our residents.” 

By mid-September, the GHM schedule for Mondays was set.  The team goes to Bristol Park the first and third Monday of each month; they go to Brightpointe the second and fourth Mondays.

The program the team uses at Brightpointe differs from the one presented at the Memory Care facility, because the residents there are able to interact on a different level with team members.

Activities are designed to elicit interaction between the residents and the team.  “We want to provide listening ears and open hearts to those residents. Some are memory impaired because of strokes, others’ minds and memories are sharp.  One is nearly a hundred years old,” Dufour said.

“Facilities we go to are welcoming. We receive more than we give.  Each time, we go with a general plan that is flexible.   One constant is Coco, who provides affection; she also encourages residents to share stories about pets they once had,” Dufour said.

“The residents enjoy the programs you present,” said Rachel Mudd, Admission Coordinator for Brightpointe.  “I see you singing with them, telling stories. It helps boost their spirits.” Chastain agreed. “They look forward to your coming.  They haven’t had church services available to them since Covid.  Our long-term residents especially need that, because many of them don’t get visitors often.  It also helps short-term residents, who are often confused and need something to give them peace of mind.”

Joanne Coberley and Rita Loveless joined Dufour in November in ministering at Lewis Park Estates Senior Living and Memory Care. The GHM team ministers on the second Tuesdays of the month in the memory care unit and on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the lifestyle unit.

In addition, Dufour will begin ministering at Park Manor of Conroe on the first Tuesdays of each month. “I now know how to establish a program, and I can show them the steps to get started.  I believe what we are doing in Conroe can be replicated in other places with some changes, depending on the talents of those individuals and the needs of the facilities.  Then I can work with them on Zoom to help in any other way.”

“There are thousands of Americans who want to do something to help someone else. They just need an opportunity to give what they can afford to give.  What may seem a small act on your part may be the answer to someone else’s prayer.  I’m 78-years-old, and God has given me a joy infusion!  I’m so blessed,” Dufour said.

GHM team members are volunteers; no one is paid.  So far, all expenses have been paid from their pockets.  If you would like to help this ministry continue, tax deductible donations can be made at ConroeFirst.org.  Enter the amount of the donation, then select God’s Hands Ministry from the list of recipients. Contact the GHM  team at ghministry@gmail.com for more information.