Those who know me know that I love to cook. Bringing people together to enjoy community and to fellowship with each other has always been something that I love. Being in all these other countries has really allowed me to learn and cook along side so many amazing cooks, try some incredible food, and learn some great new recipes.
In Ecuador I was able to work alongside Alba (the cook our hosts had hired). After a lot of chopping, juicing, and pealing I finally mustard up the courage to ask if I could do a little more. The next day was her husband’s birthday. I was already planning to make the famous lemon yogurt cake but wanted to do something a little more cultural for him. So I asked if I could butcher a chicken. After a little convincing that I was serious and could really do this she made a plan to have chicken soup the next night for dinner.
The next morning she told me to be ready at 4 o’clock. As the hours ticked down and person after person would ask me if I was sure if I wanted to, I started to question myself. I knew though that this was a once in a life time activity and that I would regret it if I did not take this unique opportunity. So I was set on doing it. I text some friends from home to get some advice and encouragement.
The hour finally came and I was walked out back to where Alba was, a chicken under each arm. There was a bucket and a knife. I walked over and in Spanish Alba explained to me what I needed to do. There I held the chicken over a rock, prayed to the Lord thanking him for providing dinner for our little family and then “took care of it”. After holding it down as it kicked and clawed and we waited for all the blood to drain I began to realize how thankful I was for this experience. We “took care” of the second chicken and then moved inside to finish the job.
Inside the house we poured boiling hot water over the chickens and then she showed me how to pluck and prepare the chicken. As I plucked out the feathers I was amazed at this beautiful creature that God had made. I was amazed at how each feather had been placed in a very specific spot, How different feathers were in different places for different reasons, I noticed how God had created every part of that bird, allowed it to grow and gave it a specific purpose for us.
After plucking we held the chickens over the flame of the gas stove to burn off the remaining feathers, gutted it and then were ready to cook. While I did not take part in these final steps it was fun to watch and learn. What respect I have for the culture and the women that work so hard to provide for their families raising their food (animals and plants) and then spending the hours and hours in the kitchen cooking.
I know that might sound crazy and strange to think of killing a chicken that way but it was so amazing to be able to enjoy God’s creation in such a different and unique way. God is so good! He put so much thought, time and effort into each and every thing he created. I am so thankful that I was able to have this experience not only in a cultural context but also in such a cool new way of seeing my God.
