As we were walking to the mission office on Tuesday morning, this little Ecuadorean, (YES the Ecuadoreans are small - adults and children) came marching out of a shop with all the confidence in the world. We assumed he belonged to the women selling fruits and vegetables down the street. He was so cute we couldn't pass up the opportunity to capture his confident walk.
Elder Lewis and I both celebrated our birthdays in September. He got a new front tooth for his 66th birthday and I got a crock pot for my 63rd birthday. We are both excited about our gifts. Elder Lewis can now eat what I cook in the crockpot!
Or......... he can try what the missionaries brought into the office on Friday afternoon ...... Chontacuros! The "Chonta worms" are the larvae or grubs of a beetle that puts its eggs in the Chonta tree. It has been a diet of the Amazonian cultures since the beginning of times, but it has become popular in urban areas and amongst tourists in recent years. The larva is eaten because of its high protein content due to its natural fat.
Friday the mission held a "verification" meeting for new missionaries. After three weeks of service in their assigned area, new missionaries return to Quito with their "trainer" companion to meet with President & Sister Barlow and the Assistants. The purpose of the verification meeting is to see how the new missionaries are adjusting to their companion and their assigned area, to answer questions (preguntas), and to provide motivational and inspired training.
It has become a tradition for Elders serving in the Amazon jungle regions of Ecuador to bring Chonta worms to share with the "civilized" missionaries when they make a trip back to Quito. Such was the case on Friday. Following the verification meeting, the Assistants to the President - Elders Flint & Pinto and the office Elders -- Burga, Flake, and Henrichsen returned to the office with 3 Chonta worms. They were planning a "Chonta munch!"
The excitement started to mount as the soda came out, the videos of previous Chonta munches were viewed, Elders discussed whether to swallow the worm whole or to chew it, and it was decided who would go first....... Burga, Flake, or Henrichsen!
Elder Lewis and I had to make a quick run to the bank before it closed, but the Elders said that they would wait until we returned. Unfortunately, our bank trip took a little longer than expected so Elders Burga and Flake pressed forward without us.
However, Elder Henrichsen was still queued up to eat the final Chonta worm when we returned. There was some hesitation, but he lifted the chubby little grub out of the bowl with his fingers, positioned the head in a pincher grasp between his thumb and forefinger, laid the worm on his tongue, bit the body off at the head, tossed the head in the trash, and chewed up the wriggling worm!
However, Elder Henrichsen was still queued up to eat the final Chonta worm when we returned. There was some hesitation, but he lifted the chubby little grub out of the bowl with his fingers, positioned the head in a pincher grasp between his thumb and forefinger, laid the worm on his tongue, bit the body off at the head, tossed the head in the trash, and chewed up the wriggling worm!
It was CRAZY! Elder Henrichsen decided to chew, not swallow, his worm and that made it all the more interesting. We kept our eyes on him to insure there was no adverse reaction while watching the 3 discarded worms heads wriggle around in the trash can. What a day!
To be honest, I felt a little queasy then and I'm feeling queasy now just writing about it. It's safe to say that Chonta worms are not an Ecuadorean cuisine that Elder Lewis and I will be trying.
In between eating Chonta worms, attending training meetings, loosing cell phones, getting robbed, welcoming new missionaries, and saying good-byes to returning missionaries, gathering Israel in the Andes is exciting, fun, and rewarding.
Mission work continues to move forward. There were 40 baptisms scheduled for the mission this weekend and we're anxious to get to the office tomorrow morning to see how many transpired. We know the missionaries are working hard to find, teach, and testify of the restored gospel, and we are grateful to be a part of this great work!
We love the gospel of Jesus Christ and share our humble witness that it is true!
The chonta worm feast reminds me how lucky I was to serve in the great state of Texas.
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