Birthdays are a big deal in Ecuador! The first night we got here, we were welcomed into our host home filled with people, empanadas, cake and speeches. It was a family birthday party and we were included as if we had already been living here for a month.
Our first time in church that Sunday we experienced something I’ve never seen in any church before…a time to recognize birthdays!
Somewhere between greeting, announcements and offering, the pastor asks who in the couple hundred member crowd has a birthday in the coming week. He has them stand and acknowledges them. Not only does the church family give them a roaring applause, but the band then strikes up a song and the entire congregation claps and sings to them!
We sing, “Today is your special day, may it be filled with happiness!! All your brothers congratulate you! We wish you blessing from God. May you be joyful in the Lord. May you always worship and glorify the one who lived and died on the the cross.”
We have attended four birthday celebrations since being in Ecuador and I have come to the realization that Ecuadoreans know how to party! Not only do they know how to have a good time together, but they know how to celebrate each other!!
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. – O. Winfrey
At every birthday fiesta here, there have been speeches. Friends, family, and even strangers have given words of cheer and good tidings to the cumpleañero (birthday person). They pour love and encouragement onto each other through not only music and singing but by their edifying words.
Birthdays are definitely a good excuse to have a party, but I have come to the realization that we can celebrate and pour love onto each other everyday.
Who in your life do you need to celebrate today?!
Sing a song to them, share some words of encouragement…tell them what they mean to you!!
