Kylie was devastated when her mom passed away from a serious illness just weeks before Christmas. The only family the little girl had left was her dad – but he would be in prison for many more years. Kylie never felt more alone, but the hopelessness in her heart fell away when Angel Tree gave her a Christmas she could cherish forever.
Kylie enjoys the Angel Tree Christmas party.
Debi, the Angel Tree Coordinator at the Central Church of the Nazarene, called Kylie’s house early that December. She surprised Kylie with the news that her father wanted to give her a gift for Christmas.
“Wow! Well, I just need a pair of jeans,” Kylie said. “I’d be so grateful to get a pair because I really need them.” Debi smiled at her sweet request.
“Is there anything else you want?” Debi encouraged.
Kylie paused to think. “I’d really love to have a password journal too. That’s really all I want for Christmas.” And then she handed the phone to her mom, Anita.
Anita told Debi how excited Kylie was, and added through a whisper, “I absolutely want her to have contact with her dad.”
A Mother’s Last Wish
A few days before the party, Debi heard the shocking news. Kylie’s mom passed away from a sickness she had been struggling through for a while.
Debi couldn’t stop thinking about the little girl that was left behind and the last words Anita spoke to her: how she wanted Kylie to know her real dad and how happy she felt knowing that her little girl was getting a Christmas present from him.
Debi called Kylie’s house just a few days before the party to see how she was doing and if she could still attend the Angel Tree party. Her step-father answered the phone.
“Kylie will definitely be there,” the step-father told Debi. “It’s the one thing that’s keeping her going!”
Giving a Gift That Lasts
The day of the party had finally arrived. Debi noticed Kylie right away; the little girl brightened the church fellowship hall with her smile.
For an afternoon, Kylie forgot about the sadness that overwhelmed her and could be a carefree kid again.
Debi handed Kylie a big present wrapped in red and green paper. She took one look at the angel-shaped gift tag and beamed. “I love you forever. Love, Dad,” the tag said.
Kylie tore through the wrapping paper. She pulled a password journal and a pair of lime green jeans out of the box. They were the first gifts she ever received from her dad. And then she heard the Good News, planting a seed in her heart that could grow into a great faith.
Debi will never forget how much of an eternal impact that one Angel Tree party had. “It was such a blessing to get to be ‘Jesus’ to her for those few hours. We were His hands and His feet that Saturday,” she said.
How You Can Pray
Kylie moved in with her grandmother but misses her mom dearly. Pray that her heart heals from the heartbreaking loss and that Angel Tree continues to build a relationship between Kylie and her dad. And please pray that this Christmas she will feel loved and remembered again through Angel Tree!
