25th Dec, 2008 ! Ta..la...we made it !
From 3 persons who responded my carolling invitation , finally with God's blessing on that beautiful christmas morning we had a total of 32 "little angels " joining the activity! Thanks to those who responded my email who later passed round the message to their friends.There was one who brought his Buddhist friend who spent hours to prepare 100 packs of little gifts for the unfortunate children.Not only that, Juan and family and a few of her friends ( a group of loving non-christians who are inspired by a catholic "Sir" ) , all together about 16 of them joined us in the celebration of the birth of Christ at the 11 am Christmas Day Chinese mass .It was indeed a unique day ! Praise the LORD ! :O)
After taking this photo, we embarked on our journey to Kuala Kubu Baru.........9 cars of spirited "little angels" were going to the children spastic home. Ho..Ho...hooo...here we come !
I believe most of us felt sad to see the condition of the centre. Inmates are according to their ages put in different dormitories. Most of them are bedridden and not able to speak. Only a few are able to move freely. According to the coordinator, the centre was previously a drug rehabilitation centre for many years. It seems there will be new buildings coming out to replace the old ones and some will soon be renovated. However, at the moment these inmates are living in a bad condition, the dorms are poorly ventilated and filled with unpleasant smell !
Anyway,the environment did not lessen our spirit to sing our heart out. So, from dorm to dorm we sang from "Joy to the world", Angels We've Heard on High", "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing " to "Bila Kita Berkumpul " and "Rasa Sayang eh" ! It was a delight to see our "little angels" holding some of the inmates' hands dancing and singing joyously. It was very touching to see them smiling or laughing in their unique ways, some longing for our hands to touch or amazingly moving their fingers on the guitar strings.According to the coordinator , usually when visitors want to entertain the inmates, they'll gather those who can walk to see the performance in a small hall .But this was the first time a group going from dorm to dorm to sing for them. Guess you can imagine how happy they were !
Reflection:
- I would say a big thank you to Christ who has sent so many "little angels" to join us especially providing us with a good guitarist and a choir master to lead the singing.
- To all the kids,you've done a good job by showing your little concern to these needy persons.
- To my friend ,Juan and her group , thank you for inviting me in your little mission,you have enlightened my spirit to see the needs of others.
- To all the "little angels" - I believe the sweat and the bearing of the unpleasant smell in the dorm are worth all the effort that you put when you see the joy on everyone's face ! I'm sure somehow this is a memorable experience for all of you :O)
Bravo ! A Joy That Is Shared ... is A Joy Made Double !
It is indeed a different kind of Christmas !
P/s: Juan shares that these inmates should be visited often as you can see they are very lonely. In fact, if more visitors coming , this will prompt the caretakers to clean the inmates more frequent.
4 comments:
Congratulations!
I feel and share your joy.
It is in giving that we receive.
Gift is never a gift till it is shared. Kindness is the hardest thing to give away because it is return to you. Thank you for your YES that fulfilled the beautiful plan of GOd. May all of you live the Christmas spirit and joy in our daily life. Whenever there is love, peace and joy, there is CHRISTMAS, GOD EMMANUEL!
Inspired by your Christmas sharing. I hope other groups also'll visit this particular handicape homs.
Keep on the good work.
ha ha, you are so humourous, visiting for encourage the worker clean up more often...hmm
Anna Yan
It is another experience following you all to KBB for the Christmas caroling. Visiting disable children is always been difficult to me. As by seeing the children with physical challenged is a torture to me. Seeing most of them lying on the bed , one in in the state of shivering always with eyes closed, one was monitored closely so that they won’t hurt themselves, one was yelling whenever someone touching her. Moreover, they are living in an unconducive environment. I have doubt that the kind of life experience in their past before they came to that home. It is a reminder to me who have five loaves and two fishes (five senses, my heart and soul) to experience Him each day still complaining that is not enough and not fair.
What touched me the most is; music is a wonderful tool which connects people from where they are .Each one of us follows the same rhythm, same tempo of the music. Even the child lying on the bed can feel the joyfulness of the songs, and moving her body along with the rhythm. Some of them are echoing their happiness with the crowds by clapping their hands together with one voice. It is a simple moment yet is really beautiful. It is beautiful because we, human are able to connect on the sameness (through feelings), despite of the differences (age, race and etc.)in each and every one of us.
This visit had given an impact on me. Despite for what I had seen, something triggered what is underneath of my personal iceberg. I am sad for seeing this as the reality and it reminds me that those situations where I was in undesirable, unbearable circumstances which is beyond my control. Seeing myself in those situations, i really felt sad, helpless.
Throughout the visit, I had seen some of us had emotions in the beautiful eyes, and some was dancing with love in their actions, some had keep a distance from them as they are struggle with courage of being with them. No matter where we are, I believe is our choice that how do we chose to see Christ in front of all these.
And I strongly believe that the Holy Spirit is always with us in regardless whichever spectrum of our life journey today is.
~CMK~
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