Joy Chapel is a weekly supper and church service for the disabled and their staff. The question often raised why a supper? We have found that the supper is a very important part of the service. Here is an opportunity for those who attend to get together with their peers and share their week, the highlights and hard times. It is also a time to share with the volunteers what is on their hearts, and know that it will not go further. They are not told they are wrong, ridiculed or put down for what they say or think. They are reminded that Jesus is always there with them and, they can talk to Him anytime. He can and does understand them when no one else can. For many it is a refuge from life's storms.

The service is a celebration of thanksgiving to God, to be reminded once again that God loves them, wants to have a personal relationship with them, and learn more about their best friend.

One person when I asked him how he was doing replied, "Okay, and if I said different nobody except one would listen to me anyways." When I asked him what he meant by one, he gave me a you should know look, pointed up and said, "God, is the only one who really listens to me." I looked at him for a moment and thought, "I used to teach you and you had no belief or use for God, and you only started to attend last spring."

When  we started this fall, the question was asked, "Was God Good to you this summer?" The ceiling of the church rang with a resounding, "YES, GOD WAS GOOD TO US THIS SUMMER," and the place filled with cheering. It was a time of celebration for those who were at the service.

One older lady who passed away this last year, her words to the paramedics were, "Let me go." She knew she was going home with her friend Jesus and wanted to go. The previous winter, more than once she mentioned to me that we were never really alone. When I asked her what she meant, she replied, "Henry, you should know. Even if I am alone I am not really alone, because Jesus is always there with me. He is watching me very closely and making sure that I am okay. I am never really alone."

Another person when asked what he wanted to thank God for replied, "I want to thank God for Jesus."

This past year quite a number have experienced the death of a loved one or a close friend. They come to Joy Chapel and tell me, "Henry, I miss so and so, but I know they have gone to heaven with Jesus and are no longer in pain, and I will see them again." Sadness and yet hope and confidence.

One person told me that someday he to would die. I asked him, "What then?" He replied, "When I take my final breath, my friend Jesus will be standing there. I will go to heaven with Him and we will wait for all of you. Then we are going to have a party with Jesus and we will raise our glasses to Him and He will raise a glass to us."

This past Christmas as we were about to close for the Christmas break, I asked them what holiday we were about to celebrate. Nearly all replied, "Easter." I said, "I thought it was Christmas?" "Yes," they replied, "but we want Easter." I asked "why?" Their reply was, "That is when Jesus went to the Cross and died for us so He could be our Friend."

Hope/confidence in the Risen Saviour. They no longer fear the future for their Friend Jesus is taking care of it. They no longer fear death for they know when they take their final breath their Friend Jesus will be standing waiting to take them home to live with Him forever.

I had a mother tell me the other week that they can only come for two weeks while the Dad works the night shift. When he is on day shift they do not have a vehicle. When they cannot come the mother and child have to go downstairs with their meal and pretend like it is Joy Chapel. That is how much Joy Chapel means to him.

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