July, Aug. & Sept. 09 Birthdays
On Sept. 12, 2009 we celebrated the birthdays of 24 members of our RIN family, and yes, this happened to be an unusually large group even for us! Since we have tried to do something new and special for each quarterly celebration, this time it was Movie Day! We had the children assemble in the gym and explained that this time around we weren’t going to be able to go on an outing, but that we were going to have a special activity right there in the gym. Though trying their best to be polite, you could see the disappointment on their faces and a few groans slipped out.
Unfazed, Malena Guillen the site director at RIN, proceeded to call each one of the birthday boys and girls forward and presented them with a VIP ribbon. Next, we committed our activity to the Lord in prayer and thanked him for giving each of them another year of life. Then, we ask the whole group to move to the other side of the gym, where our big screen TV was all set up for Movie Day! The front row seats were reserved for our VIPs and everyone slowly but surely crowded around.
But alas, we had “unexpected” technical difficulties… the crowd of 92 began to grow restless and a few of the unsuspecting house parents and teen boys became almost a little too helpful in fixing our “problem”. Tia Lucia meekly raised her hand and said if you promised us a movie, then I think you should take us to a theater! As several of the other house parents looked at Tia Lucia in shock, Malena went on to explain how terribly expensive that might be, and we continued to fiddle with the DVD a little while longer. The children then, led by Tia Lucia and a few others who were in on the secret started to chant, ”El Cine, El Cine” , which as you can probably figure out means – “the theater, theater!”
To which Malena reluctantly said to me “Betsy, I guess we don’t have another choice, let’s go to the movies!” It’s a shame I don’t have a photo or a sound clip of their reaction: Pure Joy, mixed with true surprise and a tad of disbelief!
Outside the other two accomplices, Nohemi Martinez and Tia Silvia had decorated two of our vans that would be used to transport our VIP’s, we posed for a group picture, loaded the rest of the folks into the other vehicles and off we went.
Negotiations for this outing had begun a few days prior and ended quite satisfactorily with the Manager of “Cinapolis” waiving the ticket fee for the whole gang, upon the condition that we purchase a popcorn/soda combo for each individual. This worked out fine because the Jirelles, who help sponsor Itzel & Jahkeline and had sent an extra gift to buy ice cream, for this party, or whatever snack food that was needed.
Our kiddos were on their best behavior. Everyone loved having their own pop corn and soda and “La Piedra Magica” (The Magic Stone) seemed to be enjoyed by everyone from little Johnny (2) up to our house parents and even by the 4 child sponsor couples who joined us.
After the movie, we went back to the Home, enjoyed pizza and opened presents of course! Each child received 3 gifts: a change of clothing, shoes and a personal item (toy, jewelry, etc.) Oh yeah, I almost forgot… we had cupcakes too, which you’ll see from the photos, the children really love! It was a great day and I’m so happy to now have our web-site to share it with you.
-Betsy Chacon
