活水團契Professional shoppers 合影( I downloaded this photo from a friend's website)
演出片段
Every year, our church has a Christmas musical. It's not only to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to introduce the true meaning of Christmas to our family or friends who haven't known Jesus. This year, our Christmas musical was : Christmas Shoes 真愛聖誕鞋。
The story involved 2 families: One is rich but without love. The husband is busy at work, but his wife wants to divorce him because he never has time for his family. The other family has an ill mom, but they love each other, and they know that God has prepared a place in heaven for the mom after she dies. When the kid tries to buy a pair of shoes for his mom before she meets Jesus in Heaven, the husband from the other family tries to do the last minute shopping even though he doesn't know what to buy because he doesn't know much about what his family wants. During this short encounter, the husband learns the true meaning of Christmas and life.
Our fellowship had a two to three minute dance in the show; however, we had practiced it for about two months. Every Friday, we practiced about 45 minutes after fellowship time, and there were 3 rehearsals on Sunday and Thursday in December. I was touched that every family was willing to sacrifice its own family time for the show, and I believed that we have given our best to Jesus as His birthday present.
The main characters have given out their best, too. Some of them really cried on the stage, and it moved many audience. It was a blessing to be part of this musical, and I prayed that many people could know God better through the show.
After the show, the lady who's acting the ill mom sent us the following email:
Dear Team,
I have to share a true story with you. I have just realized why I was chosen to be the role of 思恩.
A few hours ago, while our family were sitting in a restaurant for a lunch, we received a phone call from Gene's dad, Chris. Gene is my son's school friend, an 8 year-old boy. His mom, who is in her mid-30s, has been terminally ill for a while. Chris told us that Gene's mom is hospitallized and she can go anytime now.
Gene, a legally blind child, is very cheerful boy with a positive attitude. He was raised in a loving Christian family. His mother was diagnosed with the last stage of cancer right after she delivered Gene's sister Gina, who is also a legally blind girl, and just turned 3 years-old last month.
Gene will be staying with our family for the next few days. What am I going to say to him?
Now I know!............
I will tell him: "媽媽在天堂裡不會再生病， 會完全健康。她會跑， 會唱， 會玩， 還會跳舞， 就像沒生病以前跟Gene在一起的時候一樣",
I will also say: "上帝會張開雙臂迎接媽媽的。她雖然不在了，但是媽媽會活在Gene的心裡。媽媽和Gene以后會在天堂裡相見的。
Our performance and the scripts are the gifts that God prepared to deliver his love, 安慰 and 盼望, at this Special Christmas time to the little boy, Gene!
Praise HIM.
Min
and a week later, she sent another one:
Dear brothers and sisters:
You are all sweet angels to Gene and Gina. Because of your love, your prayers and your loving gifts, they can enjoy their Christmas even though their mom in the hospital bed can not buy and wrap gifts for them and their father is constantly needed at her bedside. We are truly moved by your gifts and cards, some anonymous, some from friends of yours not on our emailing list. May God remember and bless your loving hearts. Gene talked to my son on their way to a park today: “My dad told me that there are two possibilities for my mother. 1. If my mom goes to heaven, it is because God needs more workers there 2. My mom gets cured, which is a miracle and which could not be done by many doctors. In this case, it will show God’s existence and power to more people. Of course, my dad and I pray everyday for number 2 . But my dad told me that he had a dream. God needs more workers in heavens…” Gene trusts God either way. With your support of prayer, on the Christmas Eve, the Shenzhou fellowship Christmas carol group went to the bedside and sang for Gene’s mom. It was a beautiful sight. She was happy and grateful.
In His love, Min Ma
May God's love reach to everyone, everywhere.
