Interview with Veronica Felix

			Prayer Times & Directions Member Login Contact Give Online
HomeOur Frontpage Get To Know Uswho we are & what we are about New To Southeast Times & Directions Meet the Pastor & First Lady Leadership Team Mission & Vision Our History Our Beliefs Ministriesfind ways to get involved Youth Adult Women's Ministry Men's MInistry Sensational Seniors Sabbath School (Bible Study) Family Life Worship Mirage Production Drama Music Ministry Outreach Community Food Giveaway Deaf Ministry City Mission Outreach Ministry Media Ministry Community Outreach Message To Go Ministry Visitation Ministry Social Committee Give $5 to Keep Ministry Alive Evangelism News & Eventscalendar, newsletters, announcements Calendar Newsletter (Southeast iMpact) Latest Announcements Event Registration E-Bulletin Listen to Worship Service by Phone Media & Resourcessermon archives, bible search, galleries Watch Live Sermons Photo Gallery Church Blog Bible Search Contribution Statements Policies and Procedures Church Service Online - Facebook Live! YouTube Live! ROKU Live! Southeast's Mobile App

(0 votes)

felix 2 copy As many parts of the country continue to shelter in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the term new normal is taking root in everyday life. Children are being home-schooled, healthcare is being delivered virtually and work meetings are being facilitated through Zoom and other electronic media. So much has changed in such a short period of time. Southeast family members, only weeks ago, enjoyed the simple pleasure of opening doors and walking freely into a church so many consider home.

Veronica Felix is usually one of the first faces members and visitors see upon entering. She greets you with a cheery “Happy Sabbath” in a soothing Jamaican accent and is always ready to include a hug when handing you a tithe envelope. Veronica wears many hats—wife, mother, grandmother, Hospitality Leader, Personal Ministries Leader, deaconess. Southeast, family, and friends all know her as a person you can depend for an encouraging word, a heartfelt prayer and a beautiful smile.

The woman who provides encouragement to family and friends now finds herself adjusting to a new normal. As a Resident Associate working at an Assisted Living facility, Veronica is responsible for patient care and is directly involved in the daily lives of seniors-- members of a vulnerable population described in nightly newscasts.

In the blink of an eye COVID-19 swept through their facility bringing with it confusion, fear and uncertainty.

According to Veronica, “When COVID first started there was pandemonium in our facility. Nurses, co-workers, residents and family members---everyone was panicking. As a Christian on the job, I had to remind people that God is in control and to seek God for the answer. For the first three weeks, everyone was running scared. I had to encourage them to speak life, not death.”

At the beginning of the coronavirus wave, one of the assisted living facilities shut down to contain the spread. Regretfully, four residents were impacted—two recovered and two passed away. The residents were frightened because they were on lockdown in their apartments and no family members could visit them. According to Veronica, “they are worried and crying because they can’t see their loved ones.” It is a very trying time.

Veronica is going that extra mile to encourage the residents by any offering whatever solace she can. In addition to taking vitals and making sure their immediate needs are met, she has stepped outside of her comfort zone. “I became an entertainer,” she smiled. “I started to sing and dance, just to cheer them up.” Veronica also helps to make phone calls so the residents can view their loved ones and speak to them during “window visits.” The residents also write notes on big cards and hold them up for family to read.

It’s a new normal no one could have anticipated.

Veronica has been in the field of patient care for 22 years, but has never seen anything like the impact of this virus before. Staff is working overtime testing, filling out questionnaires, taking temperatures (residents and staff, twice a day) and vitals, all in an effort to keep everyone safe. “Some days I just want to call off, but I know people are depending on me”, says Veronica, “my residents are waiting for me. Every day when I go to work, I have to be mentally and physically refueled to give to residents. It can be overwhelming.”

So how does someone who gives so much to others cope? Veronica stated, “When I get home, I also have my granddaughter to care for, but I always take an hour to recuperate. I relax and I pray. I have to pray for God to give me strength for the next day.” She also has a routine of juicing, drinking lots of water to stay hydrated and she always gets a good night’s rest. And of course, she recites scripture. Veronica’s favorite text is Psalms 121—“I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help, my help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth…” She refers to this scripture as the one that gets her through the storm.

Co-workers also ask her how she stays grounded in the middle of chaos and she tells them, “I take a blood bath every day…I’m covered by the blood.”

Veronica Felix always tries to remember that, “I’m there to uplift and encourage and be the support my residents need. When residents say to her, “you are different,” Veronica responds, “Christ was the greatest servant and I am glad to be a co-laborer with Christ in serving others.”

--Cecily Bryant, Communication Director

Content Navigation