Our family, and the Hambrices, have really been spending a lot of time in a village named Savilong. There are a lot of really nice people there, and several of them have been willing to help us learn Tok Pisin well. Mandy and I met a woman named Rosemary who wants to help us, and she mentioned that she wants to learn how to bake a cake! Someone asked me, “do they not eat cake there?!” Well…no! They basically live off the land, so anything that you need from the store (flour, salt, sugar, etc.) is not readily available to make cakes!
A few of the ladies came over last week, and Mandy and I taught them how to bake. Side note: any time we go visit them, we just sit outside their house. They don’t do anything in their house except sleep, and they have nothing, so we sit outside. When they came over to cook, they obviously had to come inside our nice house, and use our nice bowls, and spoons, and stove, and oven (they cook over fire). I felt a little weird because they don’t have anything nice…but it’s something I have to get over.
I chose to teach them how to make a coconut cake (coconuts are in abundance here!) We had so much fun!! I would tell them a step in the recipe, and they would watch me do part of it, and then I’d make them do it. Then, I would have them tell me what they are doing in Tok Pisin, while I record them (so I can study the language!) One funny thing to mention was I told them to put a cup of sugar and gave her a measuring cup (which they don’t have!) She filled it half full and asked if that was good. I thought, “no way! You gotta fill that bad boy all the way up!” But how would she know?! The cake turned out delicious! We baked 3 circle cakes and ate one. Then we sent the other 2 with her (so she could sell in the market). She told us that she wouldn’t be selling them, she was too greedy! Relationships are forming for sure!!
Stephanie Shaw says
This is so cool. What a great way to use your talents (yes, baking is a talent) to build relationships! We miss you guys and will continue to pray your you and your family.
-Steph Shaw
jennifer freeman says
Love this so much!
Sammy And Sue Long says
Hi Jill: Oh, how I look forward to your messages! It is such a joy to inform Northway of your struggles and successes—such as the bonding that took place through the cake-baking experience. Thank you for being “real” (your uncomfortable feeling over your new friends being exposed to your nice house). God bless you dear friend as you continue to let your light shine in that place where God has placed you. With love and affection and prayers, Sue Long