A Full Day

Saturdays are one of the busiest days of the week.

      Yesterday, as per usual upon finishing breakfast, we went to la feria to buy fruits and veggies. Isa asked me if I had tried chirimoyos before and as I hadn't promptly bought one. Oh...my...goodness! This fruit is delicious! We researched it and found it was good for diabetics because it contains glucose and sucrose, is great for people who suffer constipation since it contains a high amount of fiber, should be eaten by those with high cholesterol as it binds the bad sort, helps people lose weight, is high in vitamines A and C, and is 70-some % water. Why are we not producing this fruit in large quantities here? The only places it is widely cultivated in the States are in the southern part of Florida and in California. Exporting it is tricky because of pest and sanitation issues. Yet, even though it requires tender care, the taste is worth it and the medicinal benefits much more. In the US, this fruit is known as the custard apple, or alternatively, the sugar apple- although these may also refer to other fruits of the same species.

El chirimoyo

The soft, white inside is sort of akin to a pear with a sweet, yet tangy flavour.

     For lunch Isa made a merengue to top our "tutty-frutty", a mix of fruits. We added cookies on each side and a sprinkling of cinnamon. It looks like something out of a fancy restaurant, but made at home.

Delicious...and healthy

     I completed the English lesson in the afternoon. The last one. I taught the sweetest, shyest youth. It cost him to talk with me in Spanish and much more in English. Because he was so shy, it was a real pleasure to see his progress. Writing things out worked much better for him than speaking. The lesson for the day was often presented first on computer, but I tried to then do more hands-on learning.              

Lessons with Brian

     Immediately after the lesson, we had youth group. A new leader is taking over so yesterday was a groundwork-laying kind of day. We had been studying the art of homiletics. Everyone was to take a turn preaching in first person and then hand in a message written in third person. There were a lot of youth that needed to finish the preaching assignment yesterday. Sadly, only one took her turn...which means, more preachings next week (although I won't be there to hear them). I'm sad to miss out seeing everybody dressed up as a biblical character and presenting a message as much from the person's perspective as possible.

     We didn't take once before youth group so we had to wait until we came home. We started preparing things and then guess who showed up? That's right...all my dear friends in the youth group, by groups, by pairs, and solo. They came to take once with me one last time. Ohhhhh! With an assortment of sweet and salty snacks, we spread out over the living room to watch a movie called Miracle Hands. Good movie. If you haven't seen it, it's about Dr. Carlson, who was a leading brain surgeon at John Hopkins and pioneered the first successful separation of twins conjoined at the brain. Fascinating...although difficult to stomach in some parts. At they end, they sang me goodbye to a sweet song. I'm going to miss this group!

     So, kind reader, this is an account of a full and busy Saturday, my last Saturday (at least in this season) in Santiago, Tennessee.