Maria Luisa's 1st Birthday Party!

As I mentioned yesterday, I was blessed to be able to join Maria Luisa in the celebration of her 8th birthday! However, this was not just any birthday party... it was the first one that she had ever had. Maria Luisa and her brother came to Casa Hogar El Retiro Juvenile (ERJ) from the DIF, which is the government run children's home. At the DIF they do not celebrate any birthdays because there are so many kids who live there. I find this fact to be so utterly sad. I think that every child should know what it feels like to have their birthday celebrated- their life celebrated! So last night I had the opportunity to celebrate the life of little Maria Luisa! The best part of it all was that it was a surprise party, and her face when she realized what was going on was absolutely precious and priceless!

I love ERJ because it is like a family. There are about 30 kids from ages 4(ish)-17 that live there and they all take care of each other. It was these kids that decorated the Palapa, organized games, made banners, and poured their love out on the birthday girl.

Here is the Palapa all decked out for the party...

Maria Luisa waiting to see what is in store for her...

Look at that face!! Does she not just melt your heart?! She was so shocked and excited that she didn't know what to do!

Some of the kids gathering around her to wish her a happy birthday...

The Birthday Girl!

A Mexican birthday tradition: the birthday girl takes a bite of the cake and someone else pushes her face in! Look at the joy in her eyes as she finally gets to partake in the tradition!

Since it was such a special occasion, everyone got to eat meat. Oh, how much I take things for granted- things like meat!

Enjoying the birthday feast...

Everyone loved the cake!

What a great night! I hope to get out to ERJ as many times as possibly before I move. It will be hard to leave these sweet, precious children.

Happy Birthday Maria Luisa!! Please take a moment to pray for her tonight- that she grows up knowing the love of her Heavenly Father and that she experiences His peace, joy, love and healing in her life.