Birthdays

Feeling a bit 'partied out' today after two birthday fiestas in row this week.  If anyone knows how to throw a party - it's Peruvians!  Birthday parties (and pretty much every Peruvian celebration) includes LOUD music, lots of balloons and confetti, too much candy, cake, singing and dancing, pinata, and of course fun party games for the kids like musical chairs, and balloon-popping games.  Loads of fun.
Not every child at Casa de Paz gets a birthday party every year - thank goodness. That would be too much partying for anyone!  But this week we celebrated 2 very special birthdays.

Our youngest member at casa de paz turned 1 on Friday.  This sweet little guy came here as a newborn.  Having a severe head injury when he was only a few days old he was brought to the hospital by his mother, where she then abandoned him, and casa de paz took him in.  The head injury caused some minor brain damage and he is a bit behind, but praise God he is in good hands now and healing well!  With the needed therapy and lots of loving care, we are expecting a full recovery.  We are so proud of our baby boy and how far he has come in one year. Happy birthday little guy!

The other birthday celebration was for one of the young ladies 15th.  Here in Peru the 15th birthday is a big deal for the girls.  It is tradition for them to have a quinceanera (which means fifteenth year) to mark the transition of a girl going from childhood into womanhood.  At this special party the birthday girl gets to get all dressed up in a beautiful gown and tiara, and her father will dance with his daughter.  Since most of the girls here don't have fathers, Jake, and another volunteer Bruce got to share in the father roll for the beautiful birthday girl.  Happy birthday beautiful Princess!