I am not going to lie, at first I wasn't SUPER excited about staying around here for my birthday. I mean I wanted to be with the kids on my birthday but I also thought I could use it as a day away. At the same time I really didn't want to make a big deal about my birthday because the majority of the kids here don't even know when their birthday's are and haven't been made special so why should mine. Now I will say that every month we have a birthday day and for all the kids who have a birthday that month, I make them a cake, we sing "Happy Birthday" and I tell them I love them and that I thank God for creating them. Anyway, I just didn't think it would really be right to make mine a big deal.
The day started as a fairly normal day here at Lifeline. I made peanut butter/chocolate brownie things to share with the kids that evening and then I went out with the kids. I spent about three hours taking braids out, played a pick-up game of soccer with some of the little boys which was short lived as usual, was able to sit and hold my baby boy while listening to some of the mama's sing hymns. I had hoped to get a nap but that didn't exactly happen. Mama Nicole sent out for Coke and had someone make me a birthday cake which was beautiful AND delicious, it was SO sweet of her. So when it was snack time the kids all came in and sang "Happy Birthday" to me and we had a little party. They got their favorite snack that evening of bread and peanut butter along with Coke and the brownies that I had made for them. They all loved it and I so enjoyed their beautiful singing and birthday wishes! Throughout the day I received sweet gifts from the kids. I received 3 little stuffed animals which I fear came out of the hands a smaller child :), a few silly band bracelets, a really cool chain necklace(don't go too crazy with your imagination, it's like a $0.25 machine chain), a really cool chain bracelet and lots of kisses and "I love you, happy birthday, Emeely"'s! I loved every sweet little thing I got from the kids! After I finished with the kids a couple of the mama's asked me to come up to their room. I took the cake Nicole had made for me with me to share with them because it was too much for me but not enough for all the kids. All of the mama's who stay here came into mommy Delva's room and they gave me one of the best birthday blessings I've ever received if not the best! Delva told the ladies that she wanted them to bless me because I live here by myself because the Lord called me here and that I can't be with my family but that she wants me to understand that they are my family. She said, "We don't have any gifts to give you because we don't have anything but I know that the gifts God will give you are better than anything any person could give you. So we want to bless you for you birthday as your gift." And that's EXACTLY what they did. The ladies sang a beautiful hymn to the Lord and after that in unison all prayed blessings and coverings over me. When they had finished praying, maten Saurene read Psalm 24 which is BEAUTIFUL, when she finished they sang another amazing hymn and then sang "Happy Birthday" for me and it was probably the best and most fun "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard! I could not stop crying. Delva knew I was already missing my family and friends back home but I couldn't feel more a part of a family as they make me feel. I told them that I was so happy to be with them and that I am so glad they are my family. Then my day ended Skyping with my family :) It was so good to see their faces and hear their voices since I couldn't be with them. My mom was even clever enough to send my birthday card and gift with a friend who came on the August work team!
It was a birthday I will never forget. I was so humbled and honored to receive so much love from such hard working, amazing women of God. These women have given up everything, they've left their kids at home to come to care for others kids SO THAT they can care for their kids at home. I feel like I'm supposed to be loving on and spoiling them and then they pour love and blessings over me and spoil me beyond what I could ever even dream of being spoiled and in such a God honoring way. What a birthday and day to remember. Receiving love and blessings from 100 precious children, an amazing woman who is the director of this orphanage, the amazing women who care for these children and so many friends and family back home who sent me more birthday wishes and blessings then I could have hoped for! The Lord is too good to me, I'm blown away by my Father's love for His children!
