It was noticeably quiet in the pelibuey pen. We knew that Mama Pelibuey had been butchered for the birthday dinner. It was sad as the baby pelibuey was out loose in the back yard and Elizabeth said she had been crying all day for her mama…it looked like Elizabeth had shed a few tears herself. The pelibueys were her pets but she said they couldn’t afford to feed both of them anymore. Knowing the facts behind the decision didn’t make it any easier.
Miguel’s mother had decided not to go to the party, which was being held at Kenet’s house. Evidently, she hadn’t been feeling well all day, saying her stomach was upset and she felt dizzy from her diabetes. No one seemed too terribly concerned so I’m guessing this isn’t the first time she’s complained of those symptoms. The rest of us got in the car and Miguel directed us to Kenet’s house.
The family li
ves in a poorer neighborhood. We walked around to the back of the house and I was surprised to see a fairly good-sized back yard. There was already a fair gathering of people and the trees had balloons and streamers tied around them. A piñata hung from a suspended wire just begging to be whacked. The music was loud and the smoke thick from the borrowed barbecue grill that was heating up in anticipation of searing some freshly butchered pelibuey. I didn’t get to see the “firing up” process of the grill but Jim did. He said that they were using wadded up pieces of plastic to get the little chunks of charcoal started. That’s got to be good and healthy…
ves in a poorer neighborhood. We walked around to the back of the house and I was surprised to see a fairly good-sized back yard. There was already a fair gathering of people and the trees had balloons and streamers tied around them. A piñata hung from a suspended wire just begging to be whacked. The music was loud and the smoke thick from the borrowed barbecue grill that was heating up in anticipation of searing some freshly butchered pelibuey. I didn’t get to see the “firing up” process of the grill but Jim did. He said that they were using wadded up pieces of plastic to get the little chunks of charcoal started. That’s got to be good and healthy…As soon as Kenet saw us, he came over and gave us big hugs. We handed him his present, all neatly wrapped in a great big bag. When I had asked him awhile back what he w
ould really like to have for his birthday, he said a remote control car. Everyone had told him they were very expensive so I don’t think he expected one. Jim and I managed to find one at a reasonable price and were so excited to know that we could give this little guy what he had hoped for. Of course, Jim had to test it out at our house to make sure it worked okay…or so he said. He tormented the big kitties with it and once he elicited arched backs and venomous hisses from the three of them, he was satisfied. I had to gently remind him the car wasn’t his to play with! Thankfully, he gave it up so that Kenet was able to have his present after all.
ould really like to have for his birthday, he said a remote control car. Everyone had told him they were very expensive so I don’t think he expected one. Jim and I managed to find one at a reasonable price and were so excited to know that we could give this little guy what he had hoped for. Of course, Jim had to test it out at our house to make sure it worked okay…or so he said. He tormented the big kitties with it and once he elicited arched backs and venomous hisses from the three of them, he was satisfied. I had to gently remind him the car wasn’t his to play with! Thankfully, he gave it up so that Kenet was able to have his present after all.I know the RC car was the big gift but I also know that Kenet gets so bored just sitting around and his lack of endurance doesn’t allow him much opportunity to actually get out and play. I had asked him one day if he liked “rompecabezas” (puzzles) and he had said yes. So, I made him a book filled with dot-to-dots, mazes, color-by-numbers, word-finds (in Spanish) and some Hidden Picture pages out of the Highlights magazines. There were about 30 different puzzles. We also gave him a box of colored pencils, a little pencil case with pencils, a sharpener and a matching eraser. I had found a novelty eraser that looked like a little truck and also put in a package of stickers. Not big stuff but fun stuff.
Kenet to
ok the bag and went to set it inside the house. We were ushered over to one of two tables set up and covered with tablecloths. The other table had Miguel's dad and some of his brothers...a patriarchal table. No one was sitting at our table...it had been reserved for us. Once again, without understanding why, we were the honored guests. That’s an uncomfortable position in which to be placed. We would have preferred to just be able to sit at the back of the crowd, but that wasn’t going to happen. After awhile, the stares weren’t quite so disconcerting and smiles were even returned.
ok the bag and went to set it inside the house. We were ushered over to one of two tables set up and covered with tablecloths. The other table had Miguel's dad and some of his brothers...a patriarchal table. No one was sitting at our table...it had been reserved for us. Once again, without understanding why, we were the honored guests. That’s an uncomfortable position in which to be placed. We would have preferred to just be able to sit at the back of the crowd, but that wasn’t going to happen. After awhile, the stares weren’t quite so disconcerting and smiles were even returned. The children were bored and restless and the smell of food cooking only made sitting still that much more torturous for the little ones. Eventually, a woman stood up and took a microphone that was hooked up to a couple of small speakers. A microphone wasn’t necessary in that small space, but I don’t think you could have pried it out of her hands. She is a member of the church that Kenet’s mother goes to. The woman basically began preaching. And she preached for a long time!
There were several songs sung and then Kenet’s mother spoke. It was so touching. She thanked God for preserving Kenet’s life and re-told the story of his illness and what the doctors said two 
months ago…that there really wasn’t much more they could do. She told how many people were praying for Kenet, all their friends and family and there were even people in the United States praying. She then thanked us for the help we have given them. She told that we had helped them with a stroller when Kenet was so weak he couldn’t walk, that we had helped them with food and money and that when the church could no longer afford to help them buy the Pediasure that Kenet is using as a nutritional supplement, that we stepped in and that it was just in time as they had no “milk” left. She said that we helped to buy the food for that party and that it was possible because of our help. She then asked us to stand up and be recognized...and we were met with applause. Unbelievable.
months ago…that there really wasn’t much more they could do. She told how many people were praying for Kenet, all their friends and family and there were even people in the United States praying. She then thanked us for the help we have given them. She told that we had helped them with a stroller when Kenet was so weak he couldn’t walk, that we had helped them with food and money and that when the church could no longer afford to help them buy the Pediasure that Kenet is using as a nutritional supplement, that we stepped in and that it was just in time as they had no “milk” left. She said that we helped to buy the food for that party and that it was possible because of our help. She then asked us to stand up and be recognized...and we were met with applause. Unbelievable. I can’t even begin to tell you how Jim and I felt at that moment. None of those things were big things to us. They were just needs that were brought before us and that we felt God wanted us to help with. We didn’t do it…folks like you who support us did that. It wasn’t our generosity, it was yours. We didn’t need to stand up…you do. And we applaud you. You are making a difference here, you really are. I wish you could feel the hugs yourselves, hear the words of appreciation and see the faces filled with gratitude. I wish you could see the sparkle of life in Kenet’s eyes again. Honestly, it is so humbling and so motivating. It makes us pray even more fervently that we not miss where it is God wants us to help next.
Back to the party…as if that speech weren’t enough, it was Kenet’s turn…of course, using the microphone! He had written his little speech and thanked everyone for coming and for their prayers and then again, thanked us. The speeches were touching…the hugs, priceless!
The pastor’s wife then prayed over Kenet and then it was the pastor’s turn to preach a while. After that, Miguel’s oldest daughter from his first marriage, Esther, sang a song. It vaguely addressed God but was much more of a secular pop song. The crowd seemed to enjoy it.
At long last, it was Piñata time!!!! The kids were so excited they could hardly sta
nd still. Of course, Kenet got the first whacks but he quickly tired and had to sit down. Then the other children all took turns, repeatedly beating the blue bunny over and over again. I began to think they had the Energizer Bunny swinging from that pulley. Finally, the kids managed to whack it hard enough that they eventually beat it down almost to the ground. Once it burst open and the candy fell, it was a madhouse. We laughed and laughed at those kids scrambling for their sweet treats. Was it over? Nope…out came piñata #2 and the whole scenario was re-played. Finished? No…one more to go…there were 3 piñatas at this celebration! When I asked why so many piñatas, Elizabeth told me that it was such a special time…celebrating not just Kenet’s birthday but also his “strong life”. Those three piñatas were a great expense to the whole family but it was a visual expression of how grand a celebration this really was. I understood it really was a special time.
nd still. Of course, Kenet got the first whacks but he quickly tired and had to sit down. Then the other children all took turns, repeatedly beating the blue bunny over and over again. I began to think they had the Energizer Bunny swinging from that pulley. Finally, the kids managed to whack it hard enough that they eventually beat it down almost to the ground. Once it burst open and the candy fell, it was a madhouse. We laughed and laughed at those kids scrambling for their sweet treats. Was it over? Nope…out came piñata #2 and the whole scenario was re-played. Finished? No…one more to go…there were 3 piñatas at this celebration! When I asked why so many piñatas, Elizabeth told me that it was such a special time…celebrating not just Kenet’s birthday but also his “strong life”. Those three piñatas were a great expense to the whole family but it was a visual expression of how grand a celebration this really was. I understood it really was a special time. After the candy had all been snatched up, it was time for dinner. Eddy, a friend of Miguel’s and a 
young man we had met previously, was the official cook for the celebration. He had been cooking all day for the crowd of around fifty people. (We were introduced to each and every one of them!) Miguel and Elizabeth donated the pelibuey and we donated the rest of the food except the cake. There was grilled pelibuey, Arroz a la Valenciana (rice, chicken, hot dogs, ketchup, chilies, carrots, onion, garlic), tostones (shredded fried platano cakes), ensalada (shredded cabbage and tomatoes), salsa (tomatoes, garlic and onion) and of course, tortillas. Coca-cola was the beverage served.
young man we had met previously, was the official cook for the celebration. He had been cooking all day for the crowd of around fifty people. (We were introduced to each and every one of them!) Miguel and Elizabeth donated the pelibuey and we donated the rest of the food except the cake. There was grilled pelibuey, Arroz a la Valenciana (rice, chicken, hot dogs, ketchup, chilies, carrots, onion, garlic), tostones (shredded fried platano cakes), ensalada (shredded cabbage and tomatoes), salsa (tomatoes, garlic and onion) and of course, tortillas. Coca-cola was the beverage served. Okay…I know you’re curious…you want to know how pelibuey tastes. It was actually pretty good. The first two bites I had I think were of one of the internal organs…don’t wan
t to think about it. The taste was a bit strong and the texture reminded me of liver. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish it all but bite 3 and on, were good. The flavor and texture more like beef and although it was a bit tough, it was really pretty tasty. Miguel didn’t put ensalada on our plates as he knew we wouldn’t eat the untreated cabbage, but the thought never crossed his mind regarding the same for the tomatoes. As with all foods eaten at celebrations like that, Jim and I pray that God will protect us from any adverse reactions and so far, that’s been the case. We really tested Him this time as our sodas had ice made from city water…it will be awhile before we see if He covered us on that one or not. If not, we figure there’s medicine for things like that and it’s just part of living here.
t to think about it. The taste was a bit strong and the texture reminded me of liver. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to finish it all but bite 3 and on, were good. The flavor and texture more like beef and although it was a bit tough, it was really pretty tasty. Miguel didn’t put ensalada on our plates as he knew we wouldn’t eat the untreated cabbage, but the thought never crossed his mind regarding the same for the tomatoes. As with all foods eaten at celebrations like that, Jim and I pray that God will protect us from any adverse reactions and so far, that’s been the case. We really tested Him this time as our sodas had ice made from city water…it will be awhile before we see if He covered us on that one or not. If not, we figure there’s medicine for things like that and it’s just part of living here. 
It was then time for the cutting of the cake. The wind had come up a bit so the children all made a circle around the cake so that the candles would stay lit. The next battle was trying to keep the children from blowing out the candles before Kenet could! Finally, it all went as it should and the children were lined up ready for their cake. One little guy just couldn’t wait for the actual cutting and serving of it. Jim caught him with the camera pinching off a piece…the other adults weren’t so quick and he got a good little bit of it before he was ushered away.
Throughout the celebration, Kenet would come over to us periodically and just spontaneously give us hugs. At one point, I asked him if he had opened his present…I know that is something that typically is
done after everyone has gone home. Of course, he shook his head “no”. I asked him if he wanted to go ahead and do it and he said that he did. I told him that it was fine with me and that I wanted him to go open his present. He raced in to the house and was gone for a bit. The next thing I knew, I was just about knocked out of my chair as he threw his arms around my neck and squeezed so tight I wondered if I was taking my last breath. “Gracias, Gracias, Gracias!” he kept saying. His joy at receiving the unexpected was off the chart! I hugged him back, kissed his forehead and told him he was welcome. I asked him if it was the right thing. He assured me it was and that he was very, very happy. So was I. Seeing him run and play with excitement like any other kid (who might be wearing a face mask) was the best thanks of all. I’m telling you this child is so special to us and it was an absolute privilege to help make his birthday a day to remember.
done after everyone has gone home. Of course, he shook his head “no”. I asked him if he wanted to go ahead and do it and he said that he did. I told him that it was fine with me and that I wanted him to go open his present. He raced in to the house and was gone for a bit. The next thing I knew, I was just about knocked out of my chair as he threw his arms around my neck and squeezed so tight I wondered if I was taking my last breath. “Gracias, Gracias, Gracias!” he kept saying. His joy at receiving the unexpected was off the chart! I hugged him back, kissed his forehead and told him he was welcome. I asked him if it was the right thing. He assured me it was and that he was very, very happy. So was I. Seeing him run and play with excitement like any other kid (who might be wearing a face mask) was the best thanks of all. I’m telling you this child is so special to us and it was an absolute privilege to help make his birthday a day to remember. It came time for us to go and after we said our good-byes to everyone, we were once again thanked by the family. His mother said they didn’t know what they would have done if we had not helped at the times we did. Although she was very grateful we helped with the food costs for the party, she was most appreciative for the Pediasure. I understand that. I can’t imagine the desperation she must have felt when the church told her they couldn’t afford to keep buying the Pediasure…and they really couldn’t. It’s very expensive by Nica-standards but that mom knows that her child’s life is worth every centavo. The medical system here is set up so that they can get free medical care but unless a doctor gives the medication themselves, then the people have to buy it. Most can’t.
She has had some hard days the last six months. Her faith has wavered, the questions have mounted, the money has run out, the family has been hungry and Kenet was given a death sentence. What we have told Miguel repeatedly and what we had him pass on to his sister is that God is faithful in all things and that He is sovereign. His mercies are new every morning. Kenet has made it to his ninth birthday and for that we celebrate. But we know God can take him through number 10 and we’ll do what we can on our end, if possible, to make that happen. Please join us in praying for God to completely heal Kenet of this cancer and rejoice with us in this moment…if you have a blue bunny…whack it!
Disclaimer for all animal rights activists…I should have said if you have a paper maché blue bunny. I am not advocating through the writing of this blog, the harming of any animal, blue or otherwise.
That should suffice...I would hate to be hit with a bunny suit! (I can hear the groans from here!)
1 comment:
Isn't God good to allow us to glimpse joy from our obedience? So glad you got this emotional HIGH...I have to say selfishly of course, I'd much prefer you to experience this happy instead of encountering the po-lice : ) Remember my warning: They'll put out an APB on your car so they can all get the benefits of encountering y'all! Love you both much and thankful for your on-going example of loving and serving Him!
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