During one of our evangelism days in Granada, Nicaragua we met this sweet old lady and her soon to be 15 year old granddaughter. On that day we met, the four of us on our team, a translator and a another local stopped and talked with them for probably half an hour. We asked them for prayer requests as well and this was when we first heard about the birthday that was coming up on that Saturday which was three days away. The grandmother was saddened to not have the funds to provide the quincenera that a girl in Latin America normally gets. This story and the love the grandma had for her granddaughter touched each one of us there at that time.
This was the last house we visited on that day of evangelism, but this left the most lasting impact on all 6 of us that were there. As we were walking back to our vehicle, it struck all of us that we needed to do something for this kind family. As we drove back to our dorms we started the planning process to throw a small party for the sweet girl, Alexandra. The four of us asked both the translator and the local to help us in the planning of this party. The plans were to go into town and buy a cake, piñata, and a small gift. We would then all meet up on Saturday afternoon to show up at the house and surprise this family.
The local and three of us went Saturday morning to the town nearby to buy these items. We were able to find all three items we had in mind even though we had to walk probably five miles across town to the different shops. The four us then jammed into a small car with a large piñata in the vehicle as well. Once we got back to our place we spent some time loading up the piñata with candy and making sure our plans were in place for the afternoon surprise.
At about 1 o’clock in the afternoon we loaded the piñata, cake, and all six of us that was originally there that first day. The translator also brought his six year old son to join in this special celebration. We were parked just outside the house and all jumped out of the truck and walked up to the house. We did our best to sing Feliz Cumpleanos (Happy Birthday) to her as we walked up. The smile on her face spread from cheek to cheek. We heard from the two of them that they had been discussing if we would have come that day, almost as if someone told them we might. None of us remember discussing this with them. We spent the next couple hours eating cake, listening to music and chatting with the family. By the time we were ready to leave she had invited some of her friends over to join in the celebration.
We never got to see the joy of her crushing the piñata but I’m sure her and her friends enjoyed that time. We all enjoyed the time we were able to spend with this family because the appreciation and joy from the grandmother and Alexandra was enough. Some people on our squad may spend their birthday away from family because of the World Race, but each one of us is happy to fill in for the family that isn’t there to celebrate them. This is why when we had the opportunity to step in for this girls family we were happy to do the same.
