NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

We’ve eaten many times with our host family in town.  Recently I wrote about the huge feast that they set out for us for New Years Eve.  We’ve had them over several times as well, but usually I try to stick with food that is somewhat like what they are used to.  But, Steve and I got to talking the other night about how it would be fun to expose them to something totally foreign – much like how they’ve spent the last year and a half exposing us to totally new ideas!  So, we decided to have a bbq here this past weekend complete with those American bbq recipes.  When we called to invite them over for supper we weren’t quite sure exactly how many we would be inviting!   Their house is a rotating door of kids coming and going – it just depends on the week as to who might be living there (this is completely normal here).  Maimouna called back to say that at least 12 would be coming – well, that told me that I needed to make A LOT of food!  
Steve went to pick them all up – you’d be surprised how many people can fit in one vehicle!  When they got here, he told the guys “okay, in the States, the men stand around the grill and talk while the ladies work in the kitchen”.  So, they got right up and went with Steve – this is probably one of the very first time these guys has had a part in meal preparation!  Maimouna and I worked on the rest of the meal as the kids (and 20 year olds!) rode bikes around the house.  It wasn’t long before the steaks were ready and it was time to eat.  This is where it gets tricky!  Here, a family eats from the same bowl, without spoons, without a table, and it’s basically the same thing every meal.  Here was food completely foreign to them, we were passing out plates, forks, and everyone was sitting at the table.  We tried explaining all the food dises, but gave up and just decided they would have to experience it all.  I loved seeing them heap their plates – another reminder that I need to be that willing myself with new foods!
They ate until there was absolutely nothing left – they were quite proud that they had managed to eat everything set out!  We then headed down to the playground for the kids to enjoy it for a while.  They live in town and there isn’t much room for the kids to roam.  I know how hard it was for our boys to live in town last year and it was so wonderful to see the kids all enjoying the playground, swings and room to ride bikes.  We shared cake at the playground and soon it was getting dark.  Before long it was time for Steve to take everyone back home.  Honestly, it was a bit like a tornado swept through my house, but it was a really great time.  It is so encouraging to see our families blending our cultures and experience this way – it’s what all our time has been about.  Reaching across those cultural barriers and developing real relationships that last.  Praising God for another opportunity to see those relationships strengthened!

Maimouna trying to explain the supper dishes - even though she didn't quite understand them herself!

how's this spoon thing work?

Tags: Africa, friends, host family, relationships

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 11:30 am and is filed under Family, Ministry, News Article. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.