I’m often asked how the food was in Africa. It was very palatable, not spicy at all. Because the Sisters operate farms where they grow their own crops, the food is fresh and free from chemicals. They also raise their own animals.
Breakfast was eggs, cheese, pancakes, yogurt, sausage, peanut butter on bread. Chapati (chewy, flat bread) was at every meal, but regular bread was also available. Usually for lunch and supper, we had rice and shredded cabbage, sometimes with slivers of carrots mixed in. We had all kinds of beans and potatoes, even French fries. What I assumed was mashed potatoes turned out to be white maize (corn). We had soups, like peanut soup. I was introduced to cassava. Meat was often chicken. I found the chicken gizzards tough. Here is a picture of the salads:
Fruit was plentiful: avocados, papayas, passion fruit, apples, pineapple, many bananas, and a lot of watermelon.
The Sisters drank plain hot water or water mixed with a little milk. I had bottled water, instant coffee, or tea.
One morning a Sister asked if I ate fish. I said yes. That night at supper large fish with the heads and tails were served. The fish of the Sister sitting perpendicular to me was smiling at me all during the meal. Considerately, the Sisters had prepared a bowl of the meat for me.
Before meals, the Sisters stood in line to wash their hands at an urn and dry them.
Each morning and afternoon the Sisters enjoyed “tea breaks” with popcorn and other treats.
One evening Sisters from Papua New Guinea made supper according to their culture. Banana leaves served as plates. (But these were set on plates for us.) The food was set on a large blanket on the floor, and we danced around it in colorful skirts, New Guinea style. The food included chicken, greens soaked in coconut milk, and cassava.
The novices run one of the farms. They even work in the slaughterhouse! Here are some of their animals. Their latest addition is a fish pond.
At Karen House, where I gave the retreat, there were seven sheep, including a ram and a lamb. Each Christmas and Easter, a sheep gives its life. The herd replenishes itself.
Here are some of the Sisters’ crops:
Stay tuned. Next week I’ll report the Sisters.
