Not too long ago was one of the girls’ birthdays. While in the office the day after, I got to give her a note her sponsor had written for her birthday. The house mom with her had no idea when her birthday was, so I informed her it was the previous day. My quick thinking, I asked her if I could bring a snack to the house later that afternoon to sing for the birthday girl. I ate lunch as fast as I could to run to the grocery store, leaving me enough time to bake, cool, and frost the cupcakes before the set time. At 5:00, we all gathered on the field outside their house, sung happy birthday- in Spanish and English-, and enjoyed some fun-fetti cupcakes, topped with sprinkles. 1-7 year olds like as much color as possible, right?! I was watching the birthday girl as we sang and she looked a little sad. But, I did manage to get a few giggles from her while the rest of her housemates were playing and running around post-cupcakes. By the time we were ready to part for the day, I walked up to her to give her one last hug. The tears started rolling. I don’t know if she’s ever had a birthday treat made specifically for her nor heard her name sung in the Happy Birthday tune. I don’t know if she felt more loved and adored than she felt that afternoon. She didn’t know how to process the emotions of being accepted, cared for, cherished, worthy of celebrating. I didn’t get a hug from her, but she stood for a few minutes with me, while I was rubbing her back, wiping her tears, and telling her I love her.
I went back to my house and cried probably more than she did. I’ll probably never eat a fun-fetti cake mix without thinking of her. I feel honored each and everyday God allows me to show others that they are valuable.
***Sponsorship plug: Look into child sponsorship!!! Casa Shalom, another Central American orphanage, any missions organization/ministry you’re interested in. It’ll change you. And the child(ren). And me too.***
(har)Perseverance on a mission 