Ministering to Kids and their Family in a Hospital

Ministering to Kids and their Family in a Hospital

I recently came upon a car accident where I was able to assist in a time of need. For most people, they wouldn’t think much further beyond witnessing an accident. But for the families involved in the accident, the physical pain, emotional turmoil, and spiritual journey will continue to unfold for them for much longer.

Here is how we can respond as ministers:

1) Make contact with the family. If you are on the scene of the accident, give them your business card with information and let them know you are available if you need them. Some families might later seek out your help for counseling or just a shoulder to cry on. Bottom line is make yourself available.

2) Follow up with a visit. Find out their names and visit the hospital. In some cases you will not be able to see the patients, but several family members will be in the waiting room area. Seek them out and pray with them. If you can connect with the patients, go in, pray, let them know you are available to help, and then leave. Don’t stay longer than necessary.

3) Love on those kids. Loving on the kids will speak volumes of love to the families of those kids. This particular accident needed a med-evac helicopter to transport the preschooler to the hospital. In the goody-bag that I prepared for him I put a toy helicopter that cost one buck. This will help him remember some of the heroes that came to his rescue that day.

There isn’t any need to spend a lot of money. Go to the local Christian bookstore and find some stickers and inexpensive toys. Go to Wal-Mart of the dollar store and get some fun toys that only cost a dollar. While you are there pick up a “get well” card for a buck too.

Here is my goody-bag for this trip:

1) Bibles – These are nice Bibles. This was only possible because the local Christian bookstore donated these that day. I don’t have a budget that would allow me to do this regularly.

2) Cup that costs 99 cents.

3) Helicopter toy- cost 99 cents

4) Get well card- 99 cents

Make sure to include your business card so they can get in touch with you at a later date if they need you.

As you can see, if doesn’t take much to minister to the families. These few simple steps will leave great impressions on every family you minister to in a hospital.

Stay tuned for a blog post about a goody-bag for parents who have just have a baby!

 

I held a lifeless body of a little girl in my arms today…

I held a lifeless body of a little girl in my arms today…

As I drove up over a hill I saw the smoke in the distance. Two vehicles had just collided at a busy intersection, enroute to driving my first grade son to school. I pulled off on the grassy shoulder. “Elijah,” I said. “Hang tight, Dad needs to go help these people.” I cracked the windows and headed to the smashed-in cars.

A woman was screaming….”My kids…..My kids….help my kids!” I ran quickly as she was trying to pull her preschool age boy with a bloody face out of the car. He was crying out. I noticed liquids pouring out from the smoking vehicle. Another gentleman approached so I instructed him to take the little boy away from the car to a safe spot.

The mom continued screaming, “My daughter!” I reached into the front seat and cradled her into my arms.

I held a lifeless body of a little girl in my arms today…

or so it seemed. She lay limp as I carried her across the road to safety. No visible motion in the girl as I transported her. Once I layed her on the ground with my hand under her head I recognized that she was breathing well. Praise God.

This sweet little second grader remained unconscious for several minutes. I can’t help but to think that this could be any one of my children.

Finally she regained consciousness and cried out. Everyone let out a sigh of relief and a gentle smile.

In come our heroes: the fire fighters, law enforcement, EMS, and the med-evac helicopter to attend to the injured and continue to provide safety for others. The ambulance and helicopter take the kids to hospital for treatment.

Both kids will be okay.

Three things I take away from this life-altering event today:

1. Don’t take life for granted. Only God knows the number of our days. Live each day as your last and live it to the glory of God.

2. Children are a gift. I watched as that dear mom stood over her daughter in distress and deep concern.

3. God desires to use us all the time. I could have left the scene saying that they were “lucky” nothing else happened, but I didn’t. Instead I took the opportunity to tell those I encountered, “Praise God for His protection!” Turn people to the One we can trust…the One that cares the most for us…the One that holds the world in His hands. Simple words can lead others to initiate a relationship with the God who loves them deeply.

I followed up with both parties at the hospital and ministered to their families. Check out my post to see how to minister to a family when their kids are in the hospital.