What's All the Buzz About?

As we began to set up our equipment and the computer connections for one of last month’s “When Swing Was King” shows, the activities director of the senior care facility came in to greet us.  Beside her was another young woman we had never seen.  “Denny and Claire, this is K——.  She’s my new assistant and she’s been very anxious to meet you two.”

Anxious to meet us?  Why’s that, we asked.  The young girl answered with a smile, “Well, it’s because I’ve heard so much about this program already.  There's been quite a buzz about it all day long. Everyone has been passing the word around and it seems that nobody wants to miss it. I haven’t seen the residents so enthusiastic about anything else we do. So, I just wanted to meet you guys and see what the buzz was all about!”

As you can imagine, hearing that testimony was a great joy and encouragement to us. It always is when we hear such complements about “When Swing Was King." And, thank the Lord, we hear them a lot! For instance, at the end of this particular presentation, I bent over to talk to L——, a nearly blind, oxygen tube-dependent resident who never misses our monthly shows. She had been singing merrily along to the songs while gently swaying to the tunes in her wheelchair. I gave her a little hug and told her how happy she had made me with her obvious enjoyment of the show. In response, she kissed my hand and, through twinkling tears, told me, “Oh, I so love these programs you bring us. The music is wonderful and, even though it’s been so long since I’ve heard them, I seem to remember each one! Thank you so much for doing this for us!”

This summer began (I can hardly believe it) the 9th year of our “When Swing Was King” outreach, a music/pictures/information/friendship ministry that is reaching 240-300 people every month in 11 different senior care facilities. And we are delighted to say that both the programs and the response to them are better than ever. In addition, there have been “spinoff” ministries: the quarterly “When Swing Was King” newsletter that, like the shows themselves, are always presented free of charge; occasional talks like “A Religious History of Omaha;” the occasional donation of large amounts of fresh flowers to the care facilities; and the conversations, prayers, and other fruits of our developing friendships. We are so honored and grateful for the Lord leading us into this unique service.