COLUMBIA — Carson and Andy Prock celebrated their birthdays with a huge party that included cake, candles, games and laughter.
There was, however, one element that was noticeably absent from the festivities.
There were no presents for the two young sisters.
Instead, Andy, who turned 10, and Carson, 7, used their big day as a means of giving, not receiving.
They did so by asking the party’s attendees to make donations to Grace House — an organization that provides housing and other essential needs for displaced families.
“We felt like this was a way that we could really teach the girls the importance of helping others,” said the girls’ mom, Kyle Anne Prock.
To coincide with the girls’ ages, attendees were asked to bring donations of $7 and / or $10. Many of the guests did that, while others choose to give even more.
Several days later, Andy and Carson, along with their parents, J Hugh and Kyle Anne, made a stop at Grace House and hand-delivered the money — which totaled $550.
The family, who are members at First Baptist Church, Columbia, said it was an experience they won’t soon forget.
“The girls were excited about donating the money all along, but it was when we visited (the Grace House campus) that things really sort of came to life for them,” said Kyle Anne.
Grace House, located in Columbia, was started by the Room in the Inn organization.
Kyle Anne said the in-person delivery had exactly the type of impact that she and her husband were hoping for.
“We wanted the girls to be a part of that process and to really get a full-circle understanding of what they were doing,” she said.
Andy Prock said it was an “amazing” feeling to know that she and her sister were making a difference in the lives of others.
“There are tons of people in the world who don’t have houses,” Andy said. “And there are single moms who are scared for their children. So, it really felt so good to donate to other people and maybe (help get them started toward) getting their own home.”
It was January when the idea started to come together of having a joint birthday party for the two sisters, whose birthdays are about a month apart, and to donate the money.
Throughout the month, FBC Columbia put an emphasis on missions during worship services each Sunday — and the Procks wanted to get involved.
“With January being Missions Month, we were hearing a lot about missions from the different speakers at church, and we decided to use that as an opportunity to really show the girls the importance of giving,” said Kyle Anne. “So, we started talking about things we could do.”
Marty Shadoan, senior pastor at FBC Columbia, said he was excited and encouraged by the Prock’s show of generosity.
“It’s one thing to see people ‘doing church’ on Sunday morning in worship and small groups,” said Shadoan. “But it is quite a different thing to see people doing things for God’s kingdom during the week.”
Shadoan said he hopes the Procks’ story can be an inspiration.
“I was especially blown away by the fact that two young sisters, Andy and Carson, were excited about giving up their birthday presents in order to help other people in Jesus’ name,” he said.
Shadoan said one of the key elements that makes the Prock’s story special is the long-lasting impact this will have on the girls. And perhaps other children, too.
“It’s exciting for me to think that other young Christian families might see the example of the Procks — and maybe follow their lead,” he said. “It is through godly examples that Christians learn new ways to grow and spread the gospel.”
Kyle Anne said when she and her husband first mentioned the idea to their daughters, they naturally had a few questions. “Right at first, as we began thinking about this and talking about it, they asked ‘does this mean we aren’t getting any presents?’” said Kyle Anne with a laugh.
The girls were told that, yes, they would still get a few gifts — from grandparents and others — but the emphasis during their birthday would be on giving.
From that point forward, the girls were all in.
“They really got into it, especially when they got to visit Grace House,” said Kyle Anne. “They started asking if they could do this every year.”
For now, Kyle Anne said she isn’t sure what the family will do in the years ahead to celebrate the sisters’ birthdays, but she hopes the girls learned a life-long lesson through this experience.
“We told them, ‘even if we don’t do this exact thing every year, we do want you to know what this is like,’ ” Kyle Anne said. “You don’t need anything else. You don’t need any other gifts. But this is our chance to give to those who do (have needs).”
Shadoan said he believes the Procks’ show of generosity goes beyond being just an act of charity.
It is, in fact, a form of witnessing, he said.
“It reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s challenge to believers in I Corinthians 11:1,” Shadoan said, “when Paul said to them: ‘Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.’ It is through watching Christ and maturing Christians that we all can learn better how to bring glory and fame to Jesus’ name,” he said. B&R