Two Causes For Celebration

The children and staff of NPH Honduras recently celebrated two special holidays: Día del Buen Pastor and Día de Talita Kumi. These holy days each mark an event on the religious calendar. Día del Buen Pastor, which translates to Day of the Good Shepherd, honors the figure of Jesus as the pastor of our souls. Día de Talita Kumi, meaning “stand up, little girl” in Aramaic, commemorates the miracle in which Jesus breathed life back into a young girl who had passed away.

Pequeños throw darts during Día de Buen Pastor. [1/9]

While we recognize and praise the religious significance of these days together in church, to our children here these two days are extra special. They aren’t solely spiritual occasions, but also a celebration for the very people who live at NPH Honduras. This is because these two days are directly connected with the boys’ and girls’ homes at the Ranch as Buen Pastor is the name of the boys' home and Talita Kumi is the name of the girls’ home. This means that the boys and girls of the Ranch each got to throw their own personal party!

The celebration of Día del Buen Pastor came first, and since it is our acknowledgment of all the boys’ homes here, the caretakers and children that live in these homes hosted the party for the entire Ranch. The boys had complete control of the day’s games, activities, and food.

Walking around the grounds of Buen Pastor, one could play darts, partake in a volleyball tournament, or climb a tall, slippery pole to try to get the treasured prize at the top. Later on, after a tasty beef dinner, a boisterous talent show was held on the soccer courts where the boys showed off their dancing and acting skills. The night slowed down as children, employees, and volunteers sat around a large campfire and enjoyed each other’s company into the later hours.

Next, it was the girls’ turn. Día de Talita Kumi, which was held this past weekend, started in the late morning and lasted into the mid-afternoon. The girls hosted their party in the field next to their homes. Here they celebrated the day with catchy music and various forms of entertainment. Potato sack races, soccer games, balloon-popping relays, and a piñata stuffed full of candy were just a few of the amusing pastimes that took place. Everyone raved about the delicious pork lunch that the girls and their caregivers worked very hard to prepare for the entire Ranch.

"The festivals were incredibly fun," says 14-year-old pequeño Luis. "I really liked playing all the different games with everybody. The food was very good at both celebrations."

Both parties were great successes filled with food, family, and fun. In fact, our children continue to talk about the exciting games and activities as they reminisce on these special days. While Día del Buen Pastor and Día de Talita Kumi each carry their own religious significance which we honor together in mass, these celebrations also directly praise our children here. It also enables them to host parties that recognize and celebrate their own lives and continued growth here at NPH Honduras.

Hunter Johnson   
Communications Officer - NPH Honduras

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