Cooking with Celestina and Suzana

When I first started going to Temane I met the family that first asked our pastor to come and start a church in their community. From the first day that I went back in October, the wife, Celestina, has been ill. She has received 3 liters of blood, spent 9 days in the hospital, and taken many medicines. She struggles with constant anemia. Then, she got a wound that would not heal and then developed these abscesses in her leg. We have helped them with transportation to the hospital when she was too weak to ride on the back of her husband's bicycle. We helped them purchase some blood when they didn't have enough to buy all that she needed. We have visited them and given them some food. And we have prayed for the Lord to show Himself as healer for these believers whom everyone in their village is watching.

Celestina's leg this past Thursday

This family has nothing but a small house of sticks that they rent and a bicycle. Our family has helped them in their time of need as the Lord has led us to help. 

Then I prayed, "Lord what is a more long term solution for this family?" 

In the process of talking with Suzana about this, who also has had trouble with anemia most of her life, we decided that Celestina and her family do not know how to use what they have access to to cook well. Suzana does a great job of this. She loved the idea of helping someone else so, she and I (and Meghan) set out for the market Friday afternoon. We spent about $10 buying flour, onions, tomatoes, fish, peanuts, coconuts, and LOTS of fresh greens. Then we set out for Temane.

Suzana chopping greens

Celestina, Euzebiu, Suzana, I visiting

Meghan has this little chubby friend that shows up every time she is there.

She yawned and yawned 

Suzana talking about how the secret to the greens is mixing different types

According to Suzana this is the best plant for good health.
(Sorry can't remember what it is called.)

They took the plant and pounded it into a powder.
Then, Suzana mixed it into a cup of water.

Then she made Celestina drink it....ooooh!

They finished getting the greens mixed and washed.

The oldest daughter got the fire ready.

This is what it looked like before it started cooking.

Meghan and her friend sit and wait

After a little while it cooked down and was done.
The family will take the corn flour and make xima with it and eat it all together for dinner.

Me and Celestina before we left

Then, this family that who has nothing gave us some rice and their chicken

Then, he pooped in my car :(

Continue to pray for this family and their health. Pray for the husband to find work so that their needs will be met. Pray for them to know the Father in an intimate way.

Tracy