Why Birthdays Matter So Much at Casa Bernabé
When we think about birthdays, many of us remember gathering with family, blowing out candles, opening presents, and hearing the people we love sing Happy Birthday.
But for many of the children who come to Casa Bernabé, those memories don't exist. Remember that as you look at the joy on their faces in these photos.
Some have never had a birthday party. Others have never received a birthday gift. For children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment, birthdays can simply be another day that passes by unnoticed.
That's why we make them a very big deal.
At Casa Bernabé, every birthday is an opportunity to remind a child that their life is a gift from God, they are deeply loved, and He has a purpose for every year He gives them.
Each of our eight homes celebrates birthdays a little differently, reflecting the unique personalities of the house parents and children who live there. Some birthday children get to choose the movie for family movie night. Others enjoy a favorite meal prepared by their house parents or a special celebration over the weekend.
Many of our houses also ask Juan José and Isaac, the two young men who do the baking for the tienda, to bake a special cake for the occasion.
Tony has become a beloved part of many birthday celebrations. He faithfully shows up with cake (sometimes homemade!), thoughtful gifts, and often a new outfit or a few favorite treats to help each child feel celebrated on their special day.
While every house has its own traditions, the goal is always the same: to honor and celebrate another year of life. Once each month, a local church also visits Casa Bernabé to host a birthday celebration for every child who celebrated during that month. They bring gifts, cake, and food, creating a day the children eagerly anticipate. The excitement is contagious as each birthday child gets their turn to be celebrated.
One birthday receives an especially meaningful celebration.
In Guatemala, a quinceañera, or a girl's 15th birthday, is a major milestone that marks her transition into womanhood. Traditionally, family and friends gather to celebrate with a special meal, dancing, words of encouragement, and a father-daughter dance.
At Casa Bernabé, we are honored to continue this beautiful tradition while centering it on Christ.
Every girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday receives a special quinceañera celebration surrounded by her Casa Bernabé family. Together we encourage each young woman as she enters this new season of life.
These celebrations are truly a labor of love. Our kids in the party decorating vocational class create beautiful decorations designed to match the colors of her dress. The kitchen prepares a special meal, and our bakery creates a custom cake to match the celebration. Tony plays a special role by purchasing each girl's dress, shoes, and makeup, and he also shares the traditional first dance with her, in lieu of her father.
The birthday girl invites her house, friends from other homes, biological siblings when possible, and staff members who have poured into her life. During the celebration, her house parents present her, share words of encouragement, and gift her a ring.
Friends, family, and staff then take turns sharing qualities they admire in her and speaking words of blessing over her life. The celebration concludes with everyone gathering around to pray for her, asking God to guide her as she grows into the woman He created her to be.
For many of our girls, these are moments they will never forget, not simply because of the beautiful dress or the celebration, but because they are surrounded by a family reminding them they are deeply loved, wonderfully made, and created with purpose.
Our director, Edgar Salguero, recently shared why birthdays are so meaningful at Casa Bernabé:
"It is very important for us to celebrate the birthdays of our children and young people because we know how important they are to them. Of the very little many of them have left, they still have the opportunity to celebrate the gift of life.
Each birthday is a chance to remind them that God has a purpose for their lives with every passing year and that it is worth studying, working hard, and continuing to learn so they can build a better future."
That reminder doesn't happen only at birthday parties.
Every Sunday during church, our Casa Bernabé family takes a special moment to pray over each child or staff member celebrating a birthday that week. Nearly every Sunday, someone is invited to the front so the entire church can pray over them, bless them, and thank God for the gift of their life.
It's a simple tradition, but a powerful one. Every birthday becomes another opportunity to tell a child:
"Your life matters. You are loved. God has a purpose for you, and your Casa Bernabé family is celebrating the gift of your life."
Pray that every child at Casa Bernabé would continue to grow in the knowledge that they are deeply loved by God and that He has a unique purpose for their life.
Pray for our house parents as they faithfully create homes filled with love, celebration, and lasting memories for the children in their care.
And please join us in thanking God for the gift of every life He has entrusted to Casa Bernabé and for the privilege of celebrating each child as part of our family.
Thank you for helping create a place where children don't simply receive care—they experience belonging. Your prayers and generosity make these celebrations possible, reminding every child that they are seen, cherished, and deeply loved by both their Casa Bernabé family and their Heavenly Father.