On November 18th, we celebrated the 15th birthdays of Priscila and Madisson from Manantial de Amor. In Mexican culture a Quince Anos (15th birthday party) is a BIG deal. It is basically a huge event that celebrates these girls leaving childhood and becoming young ladies. It is almost as important as a wedding to many young Mexican girls.
We planned this day for months with trips to the dress shop, shoe shopping, making decorations, food preparation, and inviting guests. We celebrated with near 120 people! Priscila and Madisson told me that they wished the day didn't have to end... it was what they had always dreamed of :)
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| Priscila |
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| Madisson |
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| Lalo Daniel escorting Priscila during the ceremony |
Tradtionally each girls selects a chambalan (escort) to accompany her throughout the events of the day. Two of our Hope Program guys stepped up to the task. Both of these young men came to the Hope Program from MDA.
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| Lalo escorting Madisson during the ceremony |
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| Edgar, the MDA captain, did the service for the girls. |
During the service, a message is given to encourage the girls to commit their lives and their purity to the Lord. They are presented with several symbolic gifts given to them by family or friends. Each gift (watch, pillow, ring, and Bible) have special significance in the ceremony and in their transition to adulthood.
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| The girls and I |
I feel so blessed to have been able to help make this day uniquely special for these girls. Usually it is the family of the quinceanera (birthday girl) who puts on the whole event. These girls' families came and participated in a few ways, but it would have been very difficult for them financially to host the entire day for Madisson and Priscila. Praise Jesus for supporters through B2B who helped make these girls'childhood dreams come true. This day had the fingerprints of our Father all over it :)
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| The totally transformed LDM!!!! Thanks B2B staff for all your help! |
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| Place settings |
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| Serving up lasagna |
Above is part of the SUPER awesome team of B2B staff who helped me pull this event off!!! I am deeply grateful for their creativity, love, and passion to make this day to be all it could for the girls.
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| Madisson with her b2b sponsors who came down to surprise her |
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| Madisson's family brought a traditional Mariachi band to play for the girls and guests. |
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| MDA girls enjoying the meal |
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| Dancing!!!! |
