A testimony from His blessed daughter, Amanda Leo (Singapore)

It was on the second night of our Youth Camp 2006.

After the post-praise and worship session was our reflection time, I saw Jesus, sitting on a particular spot in the room, (This was after some people had already left the room). He was in a pathetic state, sitting down and it seemed like He was in a busy street. He was rocking himself gently, trying to attract the attention of the busy people in the street, yet at the same time, trying to hide himself.

I was there, I didn't feel anything. I just felt there.I was watching him and then he looked at me. His eyes were a crystal light blue, then asked me a question: "What about you?" Jesus was sitting there, like a homeless person, and multitudes of people walked pass him; Like they couldn't see him, or didn't want to. Everyone didn't stop to look, but I was sitting there watching. When someone stepped on the spot, I got a shock. I felt a wave of strong emotion and felt disorientated when someone stepped on the spot where Jesus was sitting. They couldn't see him, only I could.

Then I saw him stand up and walk over to Freda (my room-mate). Freda was sitting next to me with her head in her knees. I wondered if she was sleeping. Suddenly, a bit of noise came from within her and I saw Jesus bend down and hug her. She started sobbing a bit. Then I got an image of Freda as a little girl in the corner, vulnerable, crying. The walls were white. Then Freda got up a left. And Jesus came to sit down next to me. We sat there, I held out my hand to him, we sat side by side, watching people walk past. And I felt him say, with his eyes stay with me...stay with me a little while longer...stay with me...Then after a while, I went out.

Suddenly, I needed to tell Freda what I saw,I was wondering if I should have told her in the room, like go over an say, "Freda, I can see Jesus hugging you..."But I didn't. Later on I asked Joy for her, then I saw her come out of the toilet, all bubbly because there was a cockroach in the toilet. I took her and told her Freda, I saw Jesus hugging you and she sort of stared and was shocked and then she said, "I saw him!! I saw him hugging me too!"

We both stood there, too amazed to speak. What stood out in this experience, is that I saw Jesus as a person. Usually he in my comforter, but this time I saw him as a person. You know, this whole experience, made me realise how real this is,You know, Geri told me something like how we never are aware that each time you sin, you drive another nail through Jesus on the cross. Freda did tell me later on, that she was mad at God a bit, and that I was singing my heart out. And why can't I sing like that? And she was also looking for a sign that it wasn't just happening in her mind. I, myself, during the Praise and Worship session, I was singing, but somehow, I felt a bit detached. I was a bit frustrated at why I didn't feel the closeness I feel usually. So, it was confirmed that what happened was real, and that Jesus was really there. That it wasn't just my imagination trying to imagine things because I wanted to feel God there. Neither was it Freda's. It really happened.

And after that, after I just related this to my father, I realised that that wasn't the end. God has follow-up as well...There was more! You see, I was asked by a facilitator, Matt, to share "my amazing testimony" that he heard about with the rest and Freda and I were reluctant to, we only wanted to share it with the facilitators. The next day, we had an "affirmation" session. We sat in a sort of circle and someone sat in the centre and we affirmed that person. If you don't understand, you will after you read on...See, it was my turn and the last few days I had been feeling a bit insecure and the last few weeks. I feel like I haven't been able to find myself, my identity. I was worried that people wouldn't know what to say about me when I sat down in the centre, Reggie always was the first to start the ball rolling and he said this"Amanda, I was amazed when I met you because you are very blessed". He said that "It is evident that you have the gift of speech". He said that I talk with an eloquence and poise and a deep maturity for my age. I was amazed. I thought I lost my gift, I was told I had it before. But in the few short days and short sharing sessions, I found my gift of speech! I had never lost it. Mark also said that I gave a personal touch to it. I was so touched.

I promise here and now, with you as witness, that I will use it to get through to people, to touch people.This is who I am. I promise to myself. I feel a bit ashamed because I feel like I have been misusing my gift. Using it to destroy rather than build people up...

Well, you see, during the beginning of the camp, I had certain impressions formed towards some people. Now, I hardly knew these people. It was my first time seeing some of them and already I had judged them. But somehow, somewhere during the line of the camp, God proved me wrong. He showed me how wrong I was about these people and that was a lesson to me. For me, as a person, I know that I am quick to judge, but the Lord showed me how to see the beauty in people. During the affirmation session, I learnt that my impressions of each person changed during the camp, and we really, in a sense, bonded and got to know each other. We learnt to accept one another.

Each one of these people affirmed me. After the affirmation, I asked if I could say something. This is what I said:During the last few days, or weeks, even, I've been confused, trying to find myself, trying to look past the different personas, trying to find myself. And these last few days I've been feeling insecure here and there, but I want to thank you guys, for all you have done for meYou've helped me to go one step further in finding myself in finding my identity. Thank you guys so much. And after that, all of them applauded me and Nat reached out to hug meWhich was a surprise, this gesture of warmth, and Mindy as well. They all smiled at me and clapped in appreciation

It gave me the confidence to share it with everyone. I am filled with gratitude. Love is patient, love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.... There was a triangle, at the tip was a marker, Reading "God and at the two ends "Me and "My Friends"Love, uncondiitonal Love

Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?
The greatest commandment is to love you God with all your heart, all your soul. The second is to love your neighbour as yourself.

I thought about it carefully
Loving your neighbour is not judging hastily,
It is giving them a chance
Would you want to be given a chance?
I know I would want to be given that chance, for people not to judge me
Loving someone, is treating them with respect and kindness and love
The love that has been shown to you by Jesus!

This is my testimony to God and i hope it serves you in finding him. Each one, every person that reads this testimony, its no mistake. Because each one of you is blessed to be who you are.
"Our God is truly awesome"
God Bless You!