Andrea Cannady made birthday shopping easy on her friends and family this year. All she wanted was help spreading the gospel around the world.
Cannady turned 9 Nov. 21 but celebrated her birthday Nov. 13. She asked those attending her party at Game Time Sports in Columbus — which primarily offers private and group lessons for cheerleading and tumbling — to skip giving her gifts, instead asking for donations to the Southern Baptist Convention”s Lottie Moon missionaries.
Her grandparents, George and Faye Cannady, are SBC missionaries in Botswana, Africa, but will return home soon due to funding shortages. There”s not much Andrea can do to keep her grandparents in the field, but her parents say their “typical 9-year-old” wanted to help however she could.
“She basically just said she wanted people to know more about Jesus,” said Heather Cannady, Andrea”s mother. “She”s such a kind-hearted and giving child. She doesn”t have any needs. She has plenty of toys to play with, and she knew there was a need for mission work.”
Nick Cannady, Andrea”s father, said he and his wife at first were shocked their daughter would forfeit all her birthday gifts to charity, but were more than willing to make her wish a reality.
“We said if that”s what you want to do, we”ll support you 100 percent,” he said.
Invitations to Andrea”s party asked guests to make check or cash donations to Lottie Moon Missions through the SBC”s International Mission Board.
“It was very thoughtful she would think of her grandparents over herself,” said Brandon Wallace, a guest at Andrea”s party. “For a 9-year-old to do that was pretty impressive. I don”t know how much money they raised but it was probably a pretty good bit.”
Wallace, a recent college graduate, said it was inspiring to see such selflessness from a young child.
Fairview Baptist Church on Airline Road in Columbus, where the Cannadys are members, regularly gives to the Lottie Moon fund, but Andrea”s donation is a pure example of the spirit of giving, said the Rev. Mickey Dalrymple, pastor of the church.
“I think it”s so admirable that she”s doing this. She”s a very caring young lady,” Dalrymple said. “She has a concern for missionaries and wants to make sure they stay on the field to serve around the world.”
The weakened economy has led to a dip in donations of several million dollars to the Lottie Moon fund. The donations pay the salary and expenses of 5,000 full-time missionaries around the world.
Andrea”s donation will be added to Fairview”s offerings, and all the money will be sent off in January. The Cannadys won”t say how much they raised, but nearly 50 guests attended Andrea”s party.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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