Feliz Cumpleanos

So today is Mirna's birthday. She is Pola and Juan Luis' (the Arrayanes youth pastors) oldest daughter, and she is Mili and Sandy's cousin (Pola is their mom's sister, and Juan Luis is their dad's brother, so they're double cousins). Mirna turnes 13 today. So, last night....or rather this morning...around 12 am...we gathered up a handful of our youth and drove over to Arrayanes and woke her up at the beginning of her birthday by singing Las Manyanitas to her. That is the traditional Mexican birthday song. It was pretty fun, and kind of like an initiation for her. Since she is still in 6th grade, she had to wait until she turned 13 to be part of youth group. So, this was sort of our way of welcoming her into the group as well as to celebrate her in a special way. Since it's Friday, we had youth group tonight. After our meeting, which Mirna attended, Pola invited the whole youth group to their house for Mirna's birthday dinner/party. They served pozole, and it was a great time!

Please keep Mirna in your prayers. She has pretty much grown up in a Christian family, but nevertheless she's still very young (obviously!). Please pray for the Lord to awaken a fire for him in her heart instead of her understanding of God being about church on Sundays and Fridays. She is part of a Christian youth rap band, which she really enjoys and which is led by a young man on fire for the Lord. Please pray that his enthusiasm will be contagious and that this young lady will grow into a powerhouse for her God!

Enjoy the pics.

Mirna, now age 13!!

Steve and Gena eating pozole at the party!

Mirna and the guys
(L-R: top--Pedro, Gollito; bottom--Lorenzo, Martin, Mirna, Ruben, Chicle)

Mirna and some of the girls
(L-R: Ana, Cintia, Mirna, Mily)