A couple weeks ago there was a short term team of missionaries staying at the base with us. They came to install new stoves/water filters in the homes of a few families one of the villages. It just so happened to be the village my team does ministry in during the week, so we got the opportunity to join the team on the days they were installing all the new things! Thanks God for providing new items for these families! He is a God that loves to bless His children. Thank goodness we’re all His children, amiright?
{A lot of women in this village constantly get sick/are coughing because of how their stoves are. There’s no proper ventilation or chimneys, so smoke just clouds up whatever kitchen area they have, blackening the walls, the ceiling, and also their lungs. This also is a huge problem for kids and can cause them to get very sick or even die.}
Emeliana, one of the women we gave a new stove to, invited us over to make tortillas on her new stove. If you know anything about Guatemalan food, you know that their tortillas are the best ever. And they’re literally just made of corn & water. Woah. How’s that for simply homemade? Anyway, all 10 of us squeezed in her little kitchen/dining area. She had a bowl of masa (tortilla dough/mix/paste?? Not too sure of the right word to use) ready. Her daughter Joseline alternated laps to sit on and was more than happy to take a selfie or two with a couple of us. Emeliana asked us if we liked cheese. A resounding “yes” was the answer, so she proceeded to put cheese in the centers of the tortillas and fold them over, almost like an empanada. Then she stuck them in the pan filled with oil. The sizzling sound was so satisfying as they fried. The first batch was done, and she handed us each a piping hot pocket of melted cheese. If that doesn’t sound good to you, you either don’t know what you’re missing, or you’re much healthier than I am, haha. Our group was able to sit and visit with Emeliana and her family for a couple hours.
It’s pretty common knowledge that sharing food is a great way to promote fellowship and friendship. It’s a universal rule, I believe. I am so grateful for the generosity of the women we have met in this village. Being offered tortillas, pop, bread, or other foods is not uncommon. God has made it so easy for us to get to know the people here! I am so thankful for that!
How odd to think that talking to people to get to know them is a thing I can do back in the states, too? Huh. Never thought about it like that.
BONUS PICS
The new stove with a chimney!
Madison doing great at making a tortilla 🙂
