Christmas Outreach 2009

Here it is again! Livingstones Youth Christmas outreach. It was only my second time this year, and this year, we were doing the skit again! My only dilemma this time was that i was casted off as the character, Angel Gabriel, who sort of narrated the story, and acted along with it. To tell you the truth, i was real scared with my role. I'll leave the reasons for your witty imagination.

So weeks before the day we would reach out, we practiced long and hard for it, and prayed for it as well. Good thing too, because everyone helped each other out. Bloopers here and there always cheer everyone up.

Finally, the day came when we would go over to NOPH to reach out to the sick kids and their families stranded there in the hospital for the holidays. Sad to know that people get stuck in the hospital for Christmas huh? Spreading the joy and the real reason for the season was our mission that day.

So there we were, propped up and ready, just about to visit the wards. However, even though we were there to carry out our mission for God, it's quite unfortunate that the enemy never sleeps. i got attacked the very moment we started. The right part of my chest cringed with the greatest pain i've ever experienced in that area. It was so distracting that i really hesitated during our first visit to the first ward. Struggling to keep with the outreach, i did my best, messed up a few of the lines, but whispered a few prayers every time i didn't appear in a scene. i needed God's help that very moment. Ministering to the families and telling them about Jesus comforted me a bit.

Right after we got out, i had to tell KG that i needed prayer. He reminded me that i shouldn't let this distract me, especially since at that moment, we were all on a mission. He prayed over me, and had our group rest up a bit.

God gave me so much strength after that. The pain never left, but it didn't distract me when our group got to the other wards. "Trust, trust," was what rang in my mind while doing the skit. "It's hard, but keep fighting. Jesus never leaves." He kept me going.

Being a little kid myself and ministering to the patients really blessed me to be used as a blessing along with all my other teammates. God is awesome!!!

By the time we finished, i couldn't believe it was over. Honestly, i was still hoping to do a little more visiting to the patients, but we all had to call it a day.

An awesome start to an awesome Christmas eve! The Lord is the ONLY source of our strength in the real battlefield! Can't believe i had to go through all that to be reminded. Jesus loves you!!! <><

Dear Jesus,

It's Christmas again. i mean, You for One should know it, though. Not that it actually is Your birthday, but just because most of the world celebrates Christmas.

i just decided to write You a letter this Christmas. i thought, maybe You'd like something different from me this year, compared to years of just whispering in Your ear, turning away from You, and well, You know the rest. So let me start.

Happy Birthday! You know what i mean. More and more people are celebrating this year, and You know it. Parties are being thrown everywhere, gifts are being given, decorations are put up the whole season, i mean, it's just grand! But it's also sad for me to know that You're the One who's supposed to be the reason we're all celebrating, and You're the One being shut out of all of it. Nobody knows the reason we're singing anymore. There's less and less talk about You every year. Everything's becoming more and more about the presents, the tree, the parties, the food, the games, the booze, and Santa. Even Your Name in Christmas has been replaced with a big X. i can't imagine how that must be for You. i mean, You came to forgive, and You're the One forgotten. But i guess You're not surprised.

As for me, i choose to remember the real reason for celebrating. Jesus, there's not much i can give to You, but i do want You to take my time and turn it into moments of glorifying You. You know i can't love the way You do, or comfort the way You can, or forgive, or provide, or do anything You can, but that's the reason why i've turned my life to You. It's all i can give.

Jesus, You know my heart and You know how it loves to ask. But this year, i'd like to add others in my wishlist this year. i'm not a child anymore, so You won't see any toys down below. The wants of a teen are much different from what a little young one asks for. So here it goes. Just a few things i want to have.

1 First and foremost, my family (the one at home) really misses me. School really keeps me out of the house, not to mention the things i love doing in church. i'd really like You to bring us closer this time. They would like that.

2 Peace within the household. i'm not asking for a perfect Christmas, just one where people aren't all at one another would be enough.

3 If You plan for me to reach out to people in need, please do. Especially to the ones forgotten.

4 You're the great Healer. Thanks for restoring me back from my sickness. For Christmas, i also wish for You to help me mend the friendships i might have messed up. You know how i am in need of coaching when it comes to friends.

5 i know i'm not the most [let's say] charming guy in the world, nor the most easy to be with, nor the one who knows what to do, nor the least annoying. i can never take back the things i have said or done to the people i hurt, so please give me the heart to ask for forgiveness, and for them [and me] to be able to forgive me.

6 For all the people i dearly love, if it is possible that You would give them a better Christmas than me, please do. That would quite honestly make my world.

7 For all the people i care for, mend and build them up in their relationship with You. Count me in this one.

8 For all the people i've met who don't have a relationship with You yet, open doors to let them enter one with You. Show them that now is the perfect time to start.

9 You've blessed me with so much. More than most of the world, in fact! So this one goes out to everyone who might not make it this year. Be with them, provide for them, and let them know the true meaning of Christmas. You know what to do.

10 For me to be able to bless You.

11 Most important, if You could use me to make Your Name shine brighter and brighter to the world, and not only for this Christmas, but for the rest of my life, don't hesitate to show me Your plans.

This is my letter to You, Jesus. Just hope these words from a just turned seventeen-year-old are enough for You.

Your beloved,

Matt