Malanga and Other Interesting Things

Luckily, Fred and I both are eager to step out and try new foods. In Wisconsin, we had our first taste of fried alligator, which was delicious and in  Arkansas, we have sampled and loved Paw Paw. Here in South Texas there are many food items that we have never seen or heard of before, but this week was one which even  the Mexican people were a bit leery of. It is a vegetable called malanga coco. or just malanga. It originates in Cuba and Costa Rica and is very similar in taste to a potato, a bit sweeter maybe with a nutty taste. It looks like a log - yep, just like a log you would put in the fire place. After asking around a bit, and some Internet searching, we decided to cut the bark like skin off, slice it, and then cube it, saute it in a bit of olive oil with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. It was very good - better than American fried  potatoes!!! We also made some mango salsa from the smaller sweeter mangoes - which was also good. How many times do we not step out in faith and give something new a try?? Be it for our physical needs or better yet, our spiritual needs. God is always testing us, pushing us onward, giving us a chance to push forward as He continues to lead us. He would not ever expect us to do anything that He has not already done. Who knows - maybe you will discover your malanga - your wonderful surprise for just making that first step.

malanga coco

this is a small one - there are some much, much larger

strange looking veggie

after a difficult time getting the skin off, it is cubed and ready for the pan - notice the strange pink coloring

It seems that this week was all about food - we took our coupons and went with neighbors Ron and Carole to the Kolache factory on Saturday morning (buy3, get 3 free!) and as we were coming home, a family was along  side of the road, selling cantaloupes. I love the pick up trucks along the road way, selling all sorts of wonderful produce as well as homemade items, and especially the baskets for holidays. We also saw some resourceful young men selling 800 count sheet sets for $20.00. What a deal. We did each buy a cantaloupe - it was also fresh and delicious.

perfectly ripe and sweet

 

 

On Monday CHI Director, Betsy Chicon, hosted a luncheon for the resale store summer workers. We often do not get to see each other, as there are few activities at CHI or even at the Haven in Reynosa. The church teams are usually here in the summer, so that keeps Betsy and her husband, Randall, fairly busy in Reynosa. This was a typical themed luncheon - the theme being the pink flamingo. a peculiar bird. In 1 Peter 2:9 the phrase "peculiar people" appears - meaning special and set apart. Betsy emphasized that we as volunteers at CHI are set apart by God to be used to make the kids at RIN a peculiar generation. We were treated to  Church's chicken, cole slaw and beans made by Betsy's Mother-in-law from Costa Rica, and special ice cream sundaes. Oh no, food again.

 

 summer CHI volunteers

 Director Betsy, explaining about peculiar people

 chicken dinner

this was not mine, but one lady made this sundae look inviting!

 

Pastor Israel's sermon this morning warned us to avoid the Big Blunder - the gross error or miscalculation we make in our lives without thought or consideration. David made many blunders, all leading to the death of his own son. God said David was a man after His own heart - how can that be after the many sins David committed. What David did after his sin made all the difference in the world. He turned back to God and recognized God's greatness  and  love and he was forgiven. Just as we are forgiven if we repent and ask for forgiveness. Read  2 Samuel 11:1-17, 26 and 27 for the whole story. God sent Nathan to confront David, making David realize what he had done. See 2 Samuel 12:1-15.   Before you make that big blunder, think ahead to the consequences, recognizing the fact that as humans we do make big blunders. What we need to do is avoid the blunders - don't take that first step.  And remember, what we do after we sin makes all the difference.