Recently a birthday party was given for me and made me feel so loved. It gave me a new perspective on celebrating life which the Mexicans love to do. When it is a birthday, they are up at the crack of dawn and singing a traditional song to the birthday boy or girl in an effort to do the most they can to make the day special because the reality is that we cannot have individual parties for each child.
When I worked in the kitchen, we would often rummage through donations to come up with some snacks and then I would buy soda and treats so the girls could have a party in the dorm room for the birthday girl. The previous supervisors of the boys used to have a special meal once a month for everyone who had a birthday in that month.
This week it was brought to my attention that it was Leonel's birthday. When I saw him, I mentioned to him in excitement that it was going to be his birthday and he didn't even know. It literally broke my heart and then I realized that as he approaches age 7 that he had never had a birthday party that honored him. Since there are only 6 little boys, I knew we could pull it off to afford an individual birthday party.
As the plans came together I got very excited about the surprise. The kids knew we were going to have a fire and roast marshmallows but didn't know the reason why. When they got there, we grilled hamburgers and then brought out the piñata and explained to Leonel that the party was to celebrate his birthday. He was humbled at first not knowing what it really meant. However as the events unfolded and he got to go 1st in swinging at the piñata and then had a cake with a candle to blow out and even a gift, the excitement grew. We rounded off the evening by roasting marshmallows and then the boys were cleaned up and tucked into bed to watch a movie.
So the other boys didn't feel completely left out, Freddy and Ira pitched in to have a bon fire, hot dog and corn roast. The little ones slept as they all hung out until after midnight. Ira and I have been discussing ideas on how we can possibly do something once a month to honor the birthdays but we are pretty sure we are now obligated to have a party for the 5 remaining younger ones when the time comes. I can hardly wait!!
The Pan de Vida youth group, The Levi ministered at the Mount Sinai church through a mission project. The church is in a very poor area of the city that Pan de Vida volunteers Geno and Simon started about 7 years ago. Before, they were in the community for a few years building relationships and ministering to people in their homes. Later they obtained a piece of property and since then have been in construction to have a place of worship that more will feel welcome to attend.
The Levi's weekly Bible study had been in 1st and 2nd Corinthians on the importance of caring for and loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. They decided to apply what they were learning by reaching out to Mount Sinai. They did everything from pull weeds. sweep, paint, dig, and pour a concrete slab in the chapel for a pulpit.
The youth learned that they can enjoy doing these activities when it is done with the right motives. Geno was so thankful for the work and treated the group to a meal to show her appreciation. It was hard work but very rewarding when they realized how much they accomplished in making the church a better facility for many people to come and learn about Christ. We pray God will continue to bless Mount Sinai and many will come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the ministry there.
Happy Birthday to me! I was very blessed to not just celebrate but be celebrated on my birthday. In the past, with family spread out all over, our special occasion days faded into being just another day that was merely acknowledged. It didn't seem practical to invest in decorations, cakes, food, flowers or postage so we opted for a dinner out and usually it happened on a day that was convenient rather than the actual birthday or anniversary itself.
This year was so different. The Tia (Elena) planned a birthday party for me. She made her famous Mexican lasagna, which is my favorite, and all the other guests brought a side dish. They even decorated and had flowers to give the room the feel that a celebration was going on. I also realized how dreary our North American version of Happy Birthday is compared to the speedy, loud and energetic Mexican Birthday song. It is traditional here to taking a bite of the cake after you blow out the candle and of course you get your face smashed into it as well. This year my birthday was a night of fellowship, food, fun and celebration.
Then to top it off, the next morning I received a package all the way from Korea. It had all kinds of Korean candies for the kids but also tucked away were English books, magazines, some flavored coffee, special bookmarks and handmade silk bags for me. It is amazng how these things can make you feel so special.
It makes me reflect on how important these milestones with thought put into them are. God created us with such detail and He did it intentionally. He knew us before we were ever formed. How important is that? I think it is important enough for us all to embrace how special we really are especially in the sight of God.
My birthday was a blessed day this year and I am so thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful, loving and kind family and friends near and far.
Every 2 weeks, we have a women's Bible Study at Pan de Vida. Elia, our Pastor's wife, started the reunion last year after the Daily Vacation Bible School. The original idea was to provide an opportunity for women in surrounding communities to come and learn more about Christ in a small group setting. She thought that they would feel more comfortable and open to learn and ask questions they have about Jesus. The visitors never really engaged in it but those of us at Pan de Vida continued to meet.
Each week someone different would lead the study. Recently Elia started a workbook series titled "How To Be Victorious Over Our Emotions." Well, we all know that this is something we all deal with daily and as women, emotions can run high. The workbook guides us in daily reading of specific scriptures with self application questions. Already in the second meeting, as we gather to reflect, we feel so much more unity in the group. It has been such a place of encouragement to one another. We enjoy it so much that the last session lasted 3 hours.
I truly believe God had it planned all along for this to be a group within the ministry of Pan de Vida. Not only a time for us to grow closer to God as we read His word and seek direction but also a time of fellowship with each other to share our burdens and encourage one another. I have personally enjoyed digging deeper in the word and answering questions on how it applies to my life.
There are some days we feel so emotionally drained and this Bible Study has been very instrumental in reminding us of God's great love for us and finding joy in each circumstances. We all leave more energetic to the journey God has each of us on. I get a double blessing as it is all in Spanish and allows me to improve in that area as well.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Ira and I have been very blessed to become part of the fellowship of Rosa de Saron (Rose of Sharon) Church which has English services each Sunday morning. Not only is it a church for missionaries to come for spiritual nourishment, fellowship and encouragement, it also provides opportunity to minister to people who are here working in other industries as well as Latin Americans who are learning English.
When we first arrived in Querétaro, we used to go to the services but things got busy at Pan de Vida and we weren't able to go as much as we would have liked. Then in April, God reunited us with the ministry so now we attend there on Sundays and Pan de Vida Thursday night. It gives us the best of both languages as we worship God and receive spiritual nourishment. We have both made new friends and been active in some fellowship outside of the church.
We celebrated Father's Day with a couple who are relocating to Bridgewater Nova Scotia which is only 2 hours from where we lived when in Canada and a friend from Singapore who teaches English in a local University. Then I took 4 of the younger kids to a Disney concert. Audrey, whose family has been missionaries here for 12 years, is very gifted in music and did a concert with songs from many of the popular Disney shows. Also, we had a girl's day out to a market in San Miguel de Allendale. The fellowship has been a real revival for us.
Rosa de Saron has asked Ira to start leading some of the services. After 3 years in a Lay Pastor's course, we hope this will also allow him opportunity to minister some services as well. Ira says he really enjoys the time with God when seeking His message to deliver.
We are enjoying meeting new people and seeing what God is doing in and through their ministries. One of the members comes each friday to Pan de Vida and teaches violin lessons and then entertains the kids with some guitar and music. We are extremely blessed to be a part of the fellowship of brothers and sisters here in Querétaro.
