Nona's Birthday...

Yesterday was Nona's 8th birthday. She really wanted to have a big birthday party. If you are a regular on this blog you may have seen some of the photos from Indonesians birthday parties. Lots and lots of people come and you receive lots of presents/money and you have a "program". Nona doesn't understand that this isn't possible for her mother to afford. Nona's father left Nona's mother long before she was even born. For a number of years Nona, her brother and her mom lived with her fathers parents on another island. As you can imagine, that wasn't the optimal situation. Ibu Y decided to come here to Papua (where she had lived while married and had friends) to start a new life for herself. She was forced to leave her children behind until she had established a life here. There were issues with the in-laws, they wanted money and then they didn't want to take care of the kids anymore etc... Last year while we were on furlough, Nona's father died and Ibu Y actually accompanied his body back to his home island. While there it was decided that she would take Nona back with her but the in-laws wanted to keep the boy (or so I understand). It's been hard for Ibu Y to suddenly be a parent again and it was hard for Nona as she'd been allowed to do whatever she wanted. So the two of them have been going through an adjustment period. They have rented a little house of their own to live in which is great. Ibu Y works very hard to provide for her and Nona. About a year and a half ago I was able to help her find a job as a house helper and she also helps out other people with ironing and such and she takes orders for specialty cakes and treats.

Anyways, Ibu Y thought it would be nice to have a party with the kids from church to celebrate. So after Sunday school (before the service) we decorated the room a little and then after the service all the kids went back there and we sang and prayed. Nona's mom also asked her to obey her better and not be naughty and try her best at school. Then Nona sang a song for us. At the end Nona gave everyone a plastic container with nasi goreng and a little bag of krupuk. We gave her a gift bag with lots of girly stuff in it. It was nice to do something special for this little girl.