We were assigned to Home Teach this amazing Banda family. They have been members for a long time and even held church in their home when a new group was started in Matero North. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the group was disbanded. They are very gracious to invite us into their home. They have a large farm outside the city where they grow maize. Each year they pick the maize and bring it to their home in Lusaka to dry and prepare for the mill. One time when we visited their front room was half covered with a huge pile of corn. When it is dry enough, all the kernels are removed. We helped them do some of it. We did it by hand. But when it is really dry, it can be put in a bag and beat until the kernels fall off. Alan had a great time helping.
Everybody helps. Even the young neighborhood kids. Fidas and Alma on the left actually are live with the Brother and Sister Banda and are their grandchildren.
Sister Banda taught me how to make mshima and relish. She makes it look so easy and I did learn to make relish pretty well, but my nshima is still not quite the right consistency and is a bit lumpy. She's been making it for years and I have made it less than a half dozen times, so I guess I should not expect to be at her same proficiency level! They cook most everything over a charcoal stove such as the one on the right or a braai, which is a b-b-q type cooker.
This is what she made for us. It was delicious. In turn, I showed her how to make Rice Crispy squares. It's much easier than nshima and relish.
The kids who were helping with the corn enjoyed the treat. Sister Banda is a beautiful African matriarch and we have so enjoyed visiting in their home!
The Matero District had a service project where the six missionaries and us went and helped again with the corn. We did a lot of maize that day, but there was still a really big pile to do when we pooped out and left after having been fed a wonderful meal by Sister Banda. In the picture we have Elder Ssenbgooba, Elder Hiltbrand, Elder Komakech, Elder Bobowski, Elder Almeida and Elder Day and a neighbor who stopped by for a visit.
It was a beautiful day for the service project--not too hot and plenty of sun!
A great bunch of service-oriented elders! We enjoy the opportunities we have to go with them to teach, to visit, to serve or to just have a good time together at an activity.
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