Recently I had the opportunity to go to the home of one of the local teachers, Profe Leslie, to learn how to make nacatamales. Nacatamales are similar to the tamales we are accustomed to in the Southern California. The main difference is the masa that varies slightly. We had a lot of fun learning how to fill, wrap and tie the nacatamales.
While we were making them and having fun, another family member was setting up a lunch to serve to us (unbeknownst to us). They insisted we sit down and eat so we sat at the only small table available while the family stood around us, watched us eat and talked with us. Leslie brought out the wedding album of her sister, who was one of the couples to have an El Ayudante wedding last year, and shared it with me. It was such a special time and I saw what true hospitality really looks like. They were so happy to have us in their home and treated us like such special guests giving of their limited resources to feed us. It was humbling....even as missionaries, we have such an abundance compared to them. The gesture that did me in......I couldn't share this with Amir later without tearing up.....while we were eating, my chair happened to be the only one that was in the direct sun. Seeing this, Saul, the sweet little old man who is the patriarch of the family, came over and held an umbrella over me while I ate! The entire time! Maybe that seems trivial to you, but would we ever think to treat our guests with such great esteem? It touched me more than I can even describe.I encourage you to slow life down a little, have a servant heart, and really treat others as Jesus would. Care deeply, give generously, forgive freely, and above all LOVE!
Denise