A
girl’s 15th birthday is an important milestone in Mexican culture-
and celebrated with a grand, almost-wedding style, ceremony and reception: big
dress, cake, ring, flowers, meal, etc.
However, for Andrea this tradition was a financial impossibility.
Andrea
and her father, Gerardo,
accepted Christ at an evangelistic event in April, and
have been faithfully congregating and studying the Bible with us ever
since. We have marveled to witness their
faith and obedience grow over these months.
For Gerardo, work has been scarce, though he joyfully states that the
lull in work has allowed him more time to study his Bible J. When our small church family heard that
Andrea could not celebrate her 15th birthday, the
body rallied
together to throw our own party for her.
Each
church member sponsored a part of the celebration: a new dress, the tiara, the
flowers, the cake, the meal, the ring, the Bible, the decorations…
The
ceremony affirmed Andrea’s commitment to Christ in her now
adult life and
flooded her with verses to direct her steps as a young woman.
Andrea
and her family were amazed at the love of the church family to celebrate
her! Andrea’s mother even started
attending services with us- marveling at this group of strangers who would
provide for her daughter. Also, a few of
Gerardo’s non- Christian family members attended the ceremony- where they heard
the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ proclaimed. We pray that celebration would affirm Andrea
in her future walk with Christ and draw her whole family to the God of love and
provision.
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