Birthday Party!

On Monday we went to Brittney's 2nd birthday party. Brittney is the daughter of one of our national mechanics. She's very very precious to them as they have had two other children who both died seven years ago. There were a lot of kids at this party! They were mostly children from their church and the children of other MAF employees. The woman dressed up was the "master of ceremonies" and she did a wonderful job. Unlike at other parties we've been to, the children actually paid attention to her and enthusiastically participated. She had them sing some songs and then gave a Bible lesson. Someone from their church also prayed for Brittney.

Then Brittney blew out her candles and cut a few small pieces of cake to give to the important people in her life; her Sunday school teachers and then she fed each of her parents a bite. This is a tradition here in Indonesia. Then the cake was put away. My children were a little disapointed not to get a piece.

After all that, each child received a gender and age appropriate goody-bag. Here are Marc and Brynne with theirs. Inside the bags was a plastic take-out container with yellow rice, noodles, a chicken nugget and a hard-boiled egg and a box of milk, chip-type things, chocolate and a small toy.

This party was from 4:00-5:00. Then later at 7:00 they had a service at their home for adults where their pastor spoke and a couple different people prayed, we sang, and then we all ate together. Earlier in the day Brittney's dad had cooked pig the traditional Papuan way with hot rocks. He also cooked ferns and sweet potatoes with the pig. I knew they had cooked it all in the afternoon so when it was time to eat I avoided all the meat and just had yellow rice and noodles... Hugo was brave enough to try his first piece of pig meat. I've never been brave enough to buy it... He said it had a unique taste. It was neat to celebrate Brittney's birthday with her parents. They are truly thankful to their Lord and Maker for the gift of their daughter.