Next Concert • January 30, 2011
Posts tagged Birthdays
A Birthday Party Story
Aug 20th
On the third day of my stay at Hope Ranch, the girls in House 4 surprised me with a belated birthday celebration filled with giggles, dancing, cake, and love. One of the girls, Gabriella, read a favorite verse that they had chosen especially for me.
However it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9.
She paused and quietly added, “We know that God has prepared amazing things for your life and we thank him for bringing you into our lives.” Inside my heart was beating with joy, and I quietly wondered to God what I had done to deserve such love.
As they sang “Happy Birthday,” I thought about how blessed I was to be in the presence of these amazing girls who have, through faith, overcome poverty, abuse, neglect, and tragedy in their lives. When the song ended, I closed my eyes, made a wish, and blew out the candle.
Suddenly, all the girls ran up to me and wrapped their arms around me. “There’s more!” Fran exclaimed. “We made you something.” The girls made me close my eyes again, and Fran handed me a large, folded up poster with a blue ribbon tied in the middle. I unrolled it, but I wasn’t prepared for the contents.
The poster was covered with birthday wishes, pictures, Bible verses, quotes, and favorite memories of our time together. My heart melted, and saying “thank you” didn’t feel like enough. This was the greatest birthday gift ever!
Birthday Memories
Aug 8th
Here’s a story from Beth.
How old were you when your family first celebrated your birthday with a party? What was your most memorable birthday party? I will never forget when my parents “wrapped” my out-of-town grandparents in a refrigerator carton with a big red bow to surprise me when I turned 16. When I lifted the box, Mops and Pops were seated and holding their toy poodle, Cocoa!
Prior to their arrival at Cidade dos Meniños, many students have never celebrated their birthday with a party or gifts. In fact, some don’t even know their actual birthday. Thankfully, the administration and staff at the City of Youth make sure no child is neglected at birthday time. Approximately, once per month, the campus bus takes birthday kids to the local shopping mall for an extravaganza including gifts, dinner at McDonald’s, the arcade and a movie.
On one such birthday outing, I was enjoying a Big Mac with Philip Smith (Co-founder and CEO) and several of the girls. As they chatted and I tried desperately to comprehend their Portuguese, Philip translated one very telling exchange that went something like this: “Did you understand what she just said?” I shook my head. “She said, ‘Oh look! That’s my neighbor from my slum! And she sees me here at McDonald’s, all dressed up and celebrating my birthday!’”
At that moment, I learned two things. First, all children have the same desire and right to receive unconditional love. Herein lays one of the central missions of Cidade dos Meninos. Second, I must make learning Portuguese a priority so I don’t miss important dialogs like this ever again. I am so grateful to be a fan and supporter of such an incredible organization.