Visiting the Sick
By Maureen McNally
On
December 12th, we visited our three community Hospitals, two of
which we have been visiting and singing at since Christmas 2003. This
Christmas the children and staff at Shriners Burns Hospital and UTMB Hospital (both
in Galveston, Texas) as well as those at Mainland Medical Hospital in Texas
City were happily surprised not only by our cheerful voices caroling of Jesus’ birth and
“His power and glory that evermore shall reign” but also by the special gifts we
were able to bring them.
My
daughter and I were joined by friends and fellow missionaries from different
cities to perform for the children. It
is always so touching to comfort the sick and injured, as we pray through our
songs for the healing of their broken hearts as well as their bodies. It is a privilege to be able to share the
Lord’s love and His spirit through our smiles and music.
This
is a comment from the Child Life Department of Shriners Hospital about the performance:
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you
for performing for our patients
and families this past holiday
season. Taking time out of your
schedules during such
a busy time of year in order to provide
such beautiful and joy-filled music to our
families was truly a wonderful gift. I believe the meaning of the holiday season
was
reflected upon by all present as you
shared your talents. We noticed many
smiles on
the faces of our children, parents, and
staff as they listened to your music. Please
know that we are most appreciative and
grateful for your time and dedication. It is
through the thoughtfulness of people like
you that helped make this holiday season
less stressful and more cheerful for our
children and families who are far from home
as they recover from their injuries.
Thank you for thinking of our hospital.
This
Christmas was especially exciting as we were able to not only sing for the
children, but also distribute special gifts donated by Activated Ministries. We
distributed 175 Christmas music CD’s in Spanish and English as well as 75 drama
CD’s with accompanying booklets to the children and families and staff present.
The staff helped us pass out the CD’s in the intensive care units for those
children who could not leave their rooms. Keisha, who witnessed and prayed with
several people to receive Jesus as their personal Savior, as well as Travis and
Michele, distributed most of the CD’s while we sang. Smiles and hugs of
encouragement and love were given along with these gifts to the children and
families gathered in the lobby of the Childlife Department at Shriners and also
to the children in beds in the rooms at UTMB. We sang in the lobby at Mainland Medical and were also invited by
special request to sing for the staff and administration having a Christmas
party in the cafeteria.
