The Sugar

"Irmã Jeni, could we please have more sugar?"

Last week I hosted a women's fellowship for the ladies from my church. I had been wanting to invite them to my house so they would know where I live and feel welcome to come by for a visit, so I planned the fellowship for the week when we would have a volunteer team from the States. It seemed like a great way to accomplish two things at once: have the church women over to my house and give the volunteer women another opportunity to spend time with them and teach them.

My idea was for the fellowship to be a tea. I would hold it in mid-afternoon, and I would serve tea and dessert. But this was the first time I had hosted an event on my own in my home in Mozambique, and I wanted to make sure everything was culturally appropriate. So I had questions about the details that I wouldn't necessarily have in the States. Should I invite them inside the house or should we sit outside? Exactly what type of dessert should I serve? Should I offer tea only or a variety of drinks like soda and juice? Should I pass out forks or let them eat with their hands? Should I make the tea for everyone in a big pot or kettle, or should I have them make their own cups of tea?

I spoke to a couple of more experienced missionaries about my plans and asked their advice. One longtime Mozambique missionary told me that when she hosted similar events, she invited the women into her house. She told me that whatever I put out to serve, I should expect all of it to be gone at the end. She suggested that I put milk in the tea and told me to make sure to use a lot of sugar.

The day of the event arrived, and I was both nervous and excited. Part of my nervousness was due to the fact that I would have to interpret (from English to Portuguese) for the American volunteer who was teaching the women. I don't have much experience interpreting, and I hoped and prayed I wouldn't make too many mistakes or get stuck too much. I had decided to serve cake and lemon squares; each woman would get one small piece of each. I also decided to make the tea in a big pot, with milk and sugar, and serve it to the women instead of having them serve themselves. Darla, one of the American volunteers, served as a missionary in Tanzania for ten years and also loves tea, so I left the tea-making in her capable hands. Teresa, the other, helped me plate and serve the desserts. Judah was there and also helped serve.

As Darla finished making the tea, she gave me a taste test and asked me whether I thought there was enough sugar. The tea was delicious but super sweet to my tongue, so I told her I thought it had plenty of sugar. 

Nine women and a few children came that day. I invited them inside, and I had rearranged my living room furniture to make the room more open and provide plenty of seating. After I said a word of welcome and prayed, we walked around to wash hands (with a cup, basin, and towel—a normal cultural practice), and then we began serving the tea and dessert. We offered forks; some ladies took them and some didn't. They all seemed happy. 

The only improvement we could have made, apparently, was to make the tea even sweeter: after taking a few sips, some of the women politely and gently asked whether I could bring them more sugar. So we passed around the sugar bowl and they stirred it in.

The rest of the afternoon was lovely. I didn't interpret perfectly, but I believe I got the message across. The women all seemed to enjoy the food, fellowship, worship, and teaching. Each time I meet with them, I feel like I learn more about them and grow a little closer to them.

There were many sweet moments with our volunteer team (from Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City) last week. They brought us so many treats from the states; it was fun to talk to them about life in Oklahoma; they worked hard to teach, train, evangelize, and encourage; they were quick to show appreciation for our hospitality and lend a hand around the house; they showered attention on our kids like aunts and uncles. 

But the time of fellowship and encouragement with the local women might have been the sweetest of all. No extra sugar needed ;)