Happy Birthday Amy!

Wow! That’s all I can say to describe the last few hours…Wow! We just had our first party for LST. Thirty-three people attended; praise God!

The theme of our party was “Happy Birthday,” and it was decided (without my consent, haha) that it would be in my honor since my birthday was a few weeks ago. Nearly all of our readers came, and many brought their families too! Walter and Dolores’s house was packed tightly, but we had a blast. First, the children from the kids’ class performed a skit of the Bible story that they read in class. They acted out the angel telling Zechariah and Elizabeth that they will have a son. Then we played Human Bingo, where each bingo square was a characteristic; for example: someone who has seen snow. Everyone was enjoying themselves and getting to know new friends. Then we played a game called Birthday Scramble, where you line up silently according to the month and day of your birth.

Then it was time for cake. The room was full of people, and they sang four different birthday songs to me: three in Spanish and one in English. When the cake came from the kitchen, all the candles had gone out already, so I just pretended to blow them out. =) We all ate cake and visited with each other. We told everyone not to bring gifts, but many still did. Miriam gave me a beautiful bracelet made by the native Panamanians. Olga gave me a necklace and earrings. Leonardo gave me a striking red and black bracelet. Then Ingrid and Brigette gave me a bracelet and spoke English in front of the whole group! I was so so proud of them! Needless to say, by this point my heart was ready to burst. The people here have touched my heart in a special way. There is just something beautiful in their demeanor that speaks to me. It is going to be so difficult to let them go.

I stood up to thank everyone. I told them that they would have a special place in my heart forever. Then the tears came, I’m not gonna lie. Of course this was right before I attempted to repeat myself in Spanish. I’m not sure how many words came out, but everyone seemed to understand what I meant. Then Amilcar spoke up. I’m not sure what he said, but it probably had something to do with me being a princess. I don’t know why, but that’s what he always says. Or perhaps he was asking for yet another picture with me, haha. Then Miguelangelo (Michaelangelo), the new friend that Jimmy and Jason met this afternoon, said, “Amy, I just met you tonight, so I haven’t known you very long. But I will tell you one thing, you have made me feel like I am a part of this family here. To me, you are the cherry on top of the cheesecake.” It was priceless. I think being the cherry on the cheesecake is a good thing, but I sure haven’t ever heard it before!

It was honestly one of the best days of my life. There I was, in a room full of people that I have known only for a week, but I felt like the luckiest woman on the planet. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday.

I have so much more to tell you, but tomorrow is a BIG day. You will hear all about it later. Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. You are in ours daily.

With all my love,
Amy the cherry