Birthdays and special gifts

About a month or so ago, my husband, Francisco, was reading the Bible to our 3-year-old, Corban.  They came across the word "offering".  Corban was intrigued.  What is an offering exactly?  My husband explained that it is like a special gift for Jesus.  We can give Jesus many things: our money, our time, our talents, etc.  Wanting to know what was on Corban's mind and in his heart, he asked what did Corban think would be a special gift for Jesus and what would Corban like to give him.  Without hesitation, Corban enthusiastically answered, "a toy!".  Of course, what could be more precious to a small child than a toy?

one little girl excited to recieve her birthday bag

The children that attend our Little Giants program, although village children facing many econimic, family, and educational challenges, are like any other child in the world.  They value toys as a special gift- on their birthdays or for any other occasion.  However much they appreciate receiving toys, they also place a high value on pratical gifts.  Imagine having just one matching pair of socks, with holes in the toes, worn thin at the heel, to get you through the week?  Or having no socks at all and having to walk miles to school and home again in hard shoes that rub blisters on bare feet.  Socks and underwear are a special treat to "our" children.  Imagine your teeth rotting and painful because you have no toothbrush or toothpaste.  Imagine your hair a knotted mess.  Imagine what it must be like to know that every year for your brithday you will recieve soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, underwear, socks, and a small toy.  Now THAT is a happy birthday for a village child.

Yolanda standing with the birthday children

At the end of each month, the Brazos Abiertos outreach team celebrates birthdays.  We give each child who has had a birthday during the month a birthday bag with the above mentioned items.  These bags have been lovingly sown by a wonderful woman in Virginia.  The children love them and find a hundred uses for them after their birthdays.  This year, though, we were running out of bags.  The sweet woman who had so generously supplied bags for our children for the past few years became ill and unable to make enough bags for all of our children this year.  What to do??? 

We began to pray about it.  We trusted the Lord to meet our need and help us bless these children.  The good Lord moved through family and contacts of Chrissy's.  Because of a donation of material and a volunteer we will have birthday bags for the rest of the year!

enjoying cupcakes!

Chrissy has such a generous heart.  She is such a sweet, loving, giving person like very few I have met.  She selflessly purchases the supplies for the birthday cakes each month and the staff busily prepares the birthday cakes for our 3 Little Giants programs.  This past March she made cupcakes.  Chrissy told me how before she had even made it all the way in the door the children saw the cupcakes and their faces lit up and broad smiles overtook their sweet faces.  What a special treat for children who most likely will not have a birthday cake at home.

one of the games enjoyed at our last brthday celebration

Besides cakes and birthday bags, the team prepares a class full of games and fun- all designed to review the month's lessons.  I think it is a time that children and staff alike enjoy.

Thank you to each individual and church who has supplies money, supplies, and birthday bags over the years to make each birthday a special event. 


see our website to find out how you can be a part of making these birthday smiles happen! 
www.crossculturejesus.org

some of the moms helping to serve cupcakes