Never Forgotten

God’s children are never forgotten. As a missionary in Mexico, I met Francisca and her family during our training visit. Their roof was leaking, and they needed new mattresses for their house. Being some of the poorest in our Mexican pueblo, Francisca and her family became quick friends of ours. They were in need of food daily and would come to the mission house for bags of dried beans or leftover chilaquiles.

We soon found out her need was far greater than food. Francisca didn’t know how to read, tell time, or comfort her crying child. In a conversation one day I asked her children how old they were. They didn’t know. I asked them when their birthdays were to figure out their age. They didn’t know. 

I’ve always enjoyed birthdays. It’s a day that I’m reminded God gave me to this world as a gift. It might sound arrogant for me to say, but in the humblest of ways I mean God thought I, my life, would bless this world. When he made me, He declared I was good. He believes I am a blessing to this world. And so are Francisca and her children. 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17).

I was then convicted to help them learn their birthdays. I’d repeat it over and over again each time they came to the house. “Brenda, your birthday is May 1, 2005.” I’d quiz them when I met them on the street outside the market. I put their birthdays in my calendar so we could celebrate them together. When I got my calendar notification, I would make them a cake and remind them again that their life was a gift from our Father who loves them. 

We left Mexico in 2018, but their dates remained on my calendar. For years I would pray for them on their birthdays. This year, the notification binged on my phone for Brenda’s birthday and the Holy Spirit whispered “Buy her a cake.” So I got in touch with one of our local missionaries and asked if she would get a cake for Brenda. 

My friend got a cake from the local bakery with “Felicidades Brenda” written in red frosting across the top. When I saw the video of my friend presenting the cake to Brenda, I couldn’t help but notice the JOY on her face. A usually quiet, reserved girl with her head hung low and little to say, Brenda was smiling and jubilant. I praise God that none of His children are ever forgotten and I thank the Holy Spirit for using me to love her. 

As missionaries, we meet and love a lot of people. As difficult as it is, we cannot be there for all of them for the rest of their lives. It is a cross we carry: to love and then eventually have to leave. But God never forsakes, nor abandons His children. He never leaves them. He always remembers them; even a simple cake can be a reminder of that truth. 

It’s a privilege to work for God’s kingdom, to bring His daughters and sons the knowledge of Him and the reminder of His endless, fierce, and generous love!