June 10, 2001
CYBERCOLUMN:
The God of more than rice and beans
___By Donna Van Cleve
___A young girl's "quince anos," Spanish for "15 years," is a very important celebration in Latin American countries as well as among many Hispanics in the United States. Here in South Texas, the celebration is called a "quinceniera," although the word actually is referring to the birthday honoree. Many parents save for years for their daughter's 15th birthday party, which signifies a young lady's coming of age.
___The tradition closely resembles a wedding, but without the groom. Invitations are sent out, gifts are given, a religious ceremony is held in a church and a party follows, which includes a meal, a decorated cake, music and often a dance. The young lady dresses like a bride, usually wearing a long white gown. The end of her "quince anos" party means she is ready to start dating boys.
DONNA VAN CLEVE
___One young Christian girl in Guatemala dreamed about her party for years, but her family could not afford to give her one. Her mother often reminded her of that fact so she wouldn't get her hopes up.
___"But I have been praying about it, and I will have my party," Iris told her mother. "God will provide."
___"God provides rice and beans, but he doesn't give parties," her mother would reply.
___In a culture where so many people literally live from hand to mouth, Iris' family saw regularly how God provided their basic needs. But a special birthday party fell into the category of luxuries and wants, and her mother thought it might be asking too much of God to provide such things as that, no matter how special it was to them.
___The lack of funds for a party wasn't the only hindrance for Iris. She suffered from polio and had to have an operation a few months before she turned 15. That meant her legs would not have enough time to recuperate well enough for her to walk down the aisle of the church for her "quince anos" service. Iris told the doctor she had to be able to walk for her 15th birthday celebration. The doctor told her there was no way that would be possible.
___"But I have prayed about it," she told him confidently.
___When Iris' birthday arrived, her brother walked her down the aisle of the church. Through caring friends and family, God also provided invitations, a beautiful dress and a party with a meal and a cake. Iris never doubted God would answer her prayer.
___My pastor and his wife, Don and Pat Doyle, are former missionaries to Guatemala and Costa Rica, and this is one of the many stories of faith they have shared with us.
___Last month, Pat traveled to Guatemala with several other women from our area to participate in a prayer walk for the ministries and people of that country. She took time to visit Iris and her family, and this time it was Iris' mother who shared a wonderful story of God's provision.
___Mirtala's elderly mother passed away recently. The funeral cost 3,000 "quetzales," or $375. Mirtala had only six "quetzales"Ñabout 75 centsÑin her pocket. A friend located loan so Mirtala could borrow money to pay for the funeral expenses, so she agreed. Her mother was buried on a Friday, and afterward Mirtala learned she had to pay the loan back on Monday. With only six "quetzales," she had no idea how she would repay it.
___It is a custom in Guatemala for people to place money on the casket during a funeral. After her mother's funeral, a family member gathered the envelopes of money and later brought them to Mirtala, who hadn't even realized they were there. When they counted the money, it came to exactly 3,000 "quetzales."
___After that experience, Mirtala still had only six "quetzales" in her pocket, but she knew without a doubt that her God was the God of so much more than rice and beans.
___He was God of all.
Donna Van Cleve is director of the public library in Cotulla, a writer, wife, mother and member of First Baptist Church in Cotulla, where she is pianist.
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!
