By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
BATON ROUGE, La. (LBM) – Patients who receive a terminal diagnosis experience physical and emotional trauma, so one non-profit ministry has created an opportunity for them to record a special message to emphasize something other than the trials to loved ones.
Since 2019, Jewels of Remembrance, derived from Malachi 3:16-18, has given families this blessing of a legacy of love. Dianne Miller, a member of Parkview Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, said the complimentary videotaped messages allow the individuals to pass down words that their families will cherish for years to come.
Miller started the ministry after she videotaped a conversation with her dad, Richard, then 96 years old. Her father suffered from multiple health issues and died in 2023 at age 100.
She realized the importance of capturing a visual memory of her dad and felt others who had loved ones who received a terminally ill diagnosis could benefit from similar videotaped messages. A year later, Miller started offering to make complimentary recordings for others.
Those who participate submit in writing their agreement to being videotaped and participate in two “visitation” sessions before taping. During those sessions, Miller said the individual shares details about his or her family life and spiritual journey. She also prays with the family members.
When the video is complete, she will either email it to the individual or send them a DVD or thumb drive. The ministry is funded by donations and grants.
“Usually at the end of the session, I will ask them to tell me about their own Christian experience if they want to, and I love hearing about what God has done in their lives,” Miller said “And I always hold their hands and tell them what blessings they are to me. I pray with them and tell them thank you for telling me their stories.”
Among the most touching encounters has been Wayne Marcel, who died of cancer at age 72. Though he died in 2023, his family, including two adopted children from Taiwan, still rewatches the videotaped message often.
“Ben, the son, is married with children. However, Mai lin the daughter, who hears well but can speak only 6 or 7 words, lives with her mother and misses her dad so much,” Miller said. “The ‘legacy of love’ video we provided for them is watched by Mai lin many times during the day. It’s especially precious to see her hug the video and watch her laugh with delight as she watches and hears her dad in the video.”
Miller said she is grateful for the continued support from others, including her family, videographer, board members and supporters of the ministry.
“It’s going well and I’m very grateful for God’s guidance and leadership because I definitely could not have done any of this without his help,” said Miller, also a bereavement coordinator for the ministry over the last 19 years with Life Source Hospice in Baton Rouge. “My life verse is Philippians 4:13, which says ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ I could not do it without Him.”
For more information, visit https://jor-inc.com.
