Figuring Out Food

Food is a central part of celebration. It is a central part of bonding together as a group or a community. So as we were coming together to celebrate resurrection and new life, we needed to figure out food!

The idea was that everyone bring some food or drink and we all share. In the US, we call this a potluck, and it is a cornerstone of most shared meals in larger communities that we’ve been a part of in the US, but for the islands potlucks are not normal.  An islander had suggested it once before and we did it successfully, but several key players hadn’t been present and they were still skeptical.

‘What about drinks?”
“People bring their own water and maybe some people will bring drinks.”

“What about a snack when people first arrive?”
“Maybe some people will bring some snacks.”

“What about poorer people?”
“They can just bring something small.”

“What about single men who can’t cook?”
“They can just buy something small to bring.”

“What if there isn’t enough?”
“Then people can go home and eat more. But don’t worry, there will be enough.”

Tom and boys after   potluck

 On the islands, the normal way to do food at an event is for the person/family hosting the event to provide the food for said event. If a group is coming together for an outing, then they might set a price that everyone will pay in order to participate and then a big part of the event is preparing the food together as a picnic. Food can become an obstacle that stops people from getting together.  
If a participation price is set, then the poorer people may just not come. Or if there is no wealthy person to host, then the event may just not happen.

We wanted to have a service and celebrate together, so we didn’t want to take up the day with preparing food like at a picnic. We wanted people to feel like this kind of event could happen again, even if there weren’t wealthy people carrying the brunt of the expense.  We wanted everyone to come and everyone feel like they had a part in making it happen, not just a few hosts. So, as a group, we planned a potluck.

There was plenty of food. There were snacks. There were drinks. There were starches, greens, meat and dessert. People had extra plates, spoons, cups and water for those that forgot. No one had to miss any of the proceedings because they were in the back preparing the food, everyone was there to hear and sing about resurrection and the promise of new life. There was food leftover at the end. It was enough.

We thought it was a success. Time will tell whether the islanders liked it and see it as a model for the future. But we’re always praying for ways of doing things that seem doable and reproducible for average islanders with the hope that gatherings and celebrations keep happening even without the wealthy, even without the foreigners.

Celebrating bday with food!

We pray that islanders will see that God loves to stretch what we bring together. He will make sure it is enough!

PRAYERS ANSWERED
The celebration went well with only a few minor mishaps. There were some people there that are new to the community and it was encouraging to see them getting to know people. Hashiri has continued to message Megan a lot and remember things that she has studied in the past. Tom has had two new men show interest in studying with him.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray that island brothers and sisters would continue to meet together and wouldn’t allow obstacles of location, transport or food to stand in the way. Pray that they would be led to creative solutions. One of Tom’s old friends, Fakhadi, has set down a challenge that they should both pray to their own God and see which one answers. Tom has suggested that they ask for a dream. Pray with us for a miraculous end to this challenge. Our daughter is not feeling well. Pray for her healing and that she would be well enough for the planned travels back to mainland Africa for her new school term. Megan will travel with our older two kids and take our daughter to the hospital for her follow-up. Meanwhile Tom and our youngest will travel by boat to the French Island to visit and encourage our colleagues and friends there— this requires an overnight boat trip. We all leave Clove Island on Wednesday— pray especially for calm seas and no seasickness and for our daughter to be recovered.