Birthdays and Blessings

Everybody loves a birthday party – especially your 13th (Welcome to your teenage years!), and if it’s your first fiesta de cumpleaños, then it is doubly sweet. Such was the case Monday for Weideland at Casa Amor, our partner in the Dominican Republic (DR).

CONANI (DR’s Child Protective Services) dropped Weideland off at Casa Amor last month because her father wouldn’t stop beating her. When Weideland arrived, she didn’t realize she’d also be getting birthday cake soon, because she’d never had a cake of her own.

“No one has given me a party before,” she said in Spanish, her smile shining brighter than birthday candles.

At the next table, her new sister, Carmen, was celebrating her own milestone, her quinceañera, the coming of age for young ladies in the Hispanic community. Both girls are grateful for family to celebrate with, but there is more here to share than party hats and pink cake.

Every Wednesday Casa Amor holds a family worship service. Last night Mercedes (12) led the singing. Doctors would say that Mercedes is completely blind, but in truth, Mercedes sees better than most. What beautiful vision God has given her for things eternal! Richard (13) then spoke from Psalms 23 under the watchful and encouraging eye of Pastor Altagracias….and I couldn’t help but think of my own family miles away.

This summer we’ve had plenty of time for swimming, movies, and travel, yet we have struggled to be in the Word and worship together regularly. And I gave thanks to Jesus for His gracious reminder of who His family is and what we do together. What a blessing are His grace and His ways! Thank you for investing in the lives of the King’s kids, our little brothers and sisters, la familia de Dios!

For more information on how you can be a part of helping Restoracion Church be family for children in need, please e-mail Ryan at [email protected]