My heart filled with desire to attend a women's Bible study. Though several were available through my church, none fit my schedule. Several friends from church were interested in starting a Bible study with me. But now what? Who would lead? What topic would we study? What material would we use? Where would we meet? And when? God had the answers-and they were surprises!

Since we live in a rural community, finding a convenient place to meet was a challenge. I knew the assisted living center in town was always looking for activities for the residents, so I called the activities director and asked if we could hold a Bible study for ladies of our church as well as residents. She was excited about the idea. We discussed the availability of the facility. I called the church secretary and asked what study materials were available at the church. She said "Come on in and look through my closet. We have LOTS of Bible studies." We selected a study of women in the Bible.

Bible study at an assisted living center in Missoula, Montana. Seated: Jean Kammerer, Margaret Kohlhase, Adelaide Fystrom, Carrie Knottnerus. Standing: Lydia Weisz, Janice Panko.

After many phone calls, we began meeting one day a week. Residents seemed reluctant to attend, but the activities director assured us it would take time for people to join. After a year, we have grown to a core group of three church members and three residents, with other church members and other residents attending occasionally. The church members take turns leading the study.

One resident has been in the Word her whole life. One woman commented to her, "So, you've spent your whole life traveling with the Lord." She responded emphatically: "No. He led me." That day I realized I would learn much from her. She often reminds us that we are "the only Bible some people will ever read." She says our Bible study is the only opportunity she gets to discuss the Word and her faith with others.

Another resident regularly attends our Bible study. But she has had a very difficult time adjusting to her new life at the center. We take time to encourage her when she shares her concerns with us. She loves studying God's Word and looks forward to our time together. Sometimes she breaks into an old hymn when a Scripture passage brings its words to her mind. Then we all celebrate with her! The activities director says this is the only activity this woman attends.

The third resident who attends faithfully very rarely speaks, but every once in a while she blurts out something profound. She has a constant smile and especially loves hugs. I'm still trying to hug her in a way that doesn't set off the beeper on her hearing aid!

Our pastor has been incredibly supportive. Not only does he answer questions that perplex us, but he truly cares for the residents, even though they are not members of our congregation. One day when we met at the center we arrived to find a pipe had burst and one section of the facility was flooded. Two of "our" residents had rooms along that corridor. What few belongings they had were destroyed or damaged. Pastor took extra time to meet with each of them and pray with them. That afternoon our group sent them flowers with a Scripture verse.

We're learning so much from the Bible study lessons. We're learning by sharing with each other. But the Lord has made our presence at the facility a blessing in other ways. One day the receptionist approached me with some Bible questions. She told me that neither she nor her husband had ever been to church nor opened a Bible. While answering her questions, I took out a small Gideon Bible I had in my purse. I read several Scripture passages that I had previously highlighted. I explained book, chapter and verse and how to find them. She was delighted when I gave her the Bible. The women in the Bible study prayed for her and her family. At the time I didn't know this would be the only opportunity to share with her. She accepted a new job and I have not seen her since.

It's been more than a year since we started our Bible study. The Lord has blessed us immeasurably. We have developed very precious personal relationships. The church ladies take time to visit with the residents, not only before and after our study, but on other occasions as well. The Lord has turned our need for a convenient location for a Bible study into a joyful outreach ministry. There truly is a mission field right where we are.