TEST YOUR RELIGION

Jordan House is actually a cluster of buildings centering on a core-building containing the kitchen, a dining room and a sitting room. There was a ward wing for bed patients, and a circling row of attached private rooms with a covered walk. The garden was well cared for and there were benches, mostly along the walk. A high security fence with a guard at the gate protected the residents and visitor’s motor cars. This was a church run home for the elderly, or disabled, especially those needing care. It was surrounded by a large community of many small homes that housed very many people. In those homes, they would have perhaps a cot in a corner and be expected to oversee and care for all the pre-school children of the family. Their pay would be neglect, hunger and possibly, abuse.

Jordon House was like an oasis in a desert. Here they had friends, good food, care, and love, and their families could come visit them regularly if they so desired. Unfortunately, there were many who never had visitors at all.

Jesus’ compassion for the poor and neglected, was seen by his brother James, the writer of the epistle of James, who wrote, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but decevieth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:26,27.

The church in Johannesburg had a long time custom of going at least every three months, burdened down with cookies, and cakes or candy. These visits were scheduled with the manageress for Sunday afternoon and a small group would prepare a program, a short devotional talk, and with prayers and a special music they would lead in worship services, Tea would be served with the treats as soon as the service was finished, Some were already drowsy. They were ready for their naps. In any case, as soon as tea was over a group of the visitors would circulate through the wards serving those who were too ill to come to the dining room.

Some of the residents would be sitting on the benches in the shade, and as soon as the gong was sounded they and others from their rooms would head for the dining room where they would be seated at their usual tables with their friends. The visitors would start to prepare the plates that had been lined up on the work table in the kitchen and some would circulate among the residents greeting and visiting here and there. As soon as the plates were ready, the church group would lead in the shortened service and the kitchen staff would prepare tea for everyone. At Christmas time gifts were distributed, perhaps lap robes for cool days and cold nights and other small gifts. The biggest gift of all was just visitors being there who cared enough to come.