So after lunch we went to international market.(which Ive never been to) As soon as you walk in its the worst smell ever. But I'm very intrigued. Theres all kind of fish laid out in the open for you to grab and go. And so many vegetables from different countries with names I've never heard of before.Maybe I should have "expanded my horizons" more by buying some of these veggies but I did not. I ended up buying some strawberry tarts which I thought would be a safe buy.But they tasted like feet. really.Maybe worse.
Then we bought a watermelon to take to the family we were going to meet and off we were. We knocked on their door and they invited us in. We left our shoes at the door and took a seat on couch.They brought us a diet soda to drink. Now we were already told by a friend that if they offer you a drink or something to eat you have to take it or its disrespectful. We really wanted to befriend these families so we would do whatever we could to not offend them. Were sitting there drinking our soda listening to the family and you can hear some of them chopping away in the kitchen. Not "chopping a cucumber chopping" but maybe more like chopping wood.They had a whole pig in there kitchen floor chopping away and saving every part. So we talk to the family for a while then the mom comes and ask if we want something. I couldnt really understand her and my friend is standing behind her making circles around her belly.I still didn't get it.So Amanda finally translates and says "yes we will try a little bit of pig intestines" Thanks for volunteering us Amamda. I will forever be grateful to you!! lol So she hands us the bowl and I'm praying " LORD if I get it down YOU have to keep it down because I don't want to puck in this family's floor". So I try cutting it with a spoon but in chirs' words "its like trying to cut a water hose with a spoon" its just not gonna happen. So I bravely take a bite and chew, chew, chew. Then I finally get it down with a sip of my soda.A very long sip of my soda. And these intestines were not cleaned out by the way. So we not only had intestines we had poop and blood to go with it.By GOD answering my prayer we all kept it down. About 8 hours later I finally pucked my guts out. Or better yet the pigs guts out. lol sorry for those of you that have a week stomach. After we ate our "exotic snack" we were able to sit with the daughter and she read the first chapter of Genesis out of her Bible which was written in her native tougne.It was wonderful to sit and listen to her read and try to explain as best as she could in English what it was saying. We bid goodbye to this great family and headed to a neighborhood church for a block party. We got to meet other children and play games with them.
It really is amazing how in one area there are all these different cultures. All them have a different belief than I do.They serve a god or gods. One friend asked me what I learned that day.This is what I learned. Every tribe and every tongue search for a god or gods. They all believe there is something bigger than they are. It is our job and responsibility to point them to the one and only GOD. The ONE who created them and loves them.Another thing I learned is there is a wall between us and other cultures. This may not be for every person but it is true of myself. I was raised where its mostly made up of one culture. I was not raised to be prejudice against any culture. But there is still a wall because its not what I'm used to.I want that wall to be knocked down. I want my family to be culturally diverse and except anyone no matter the race. I'm gonna be honest and say that when I first met that beautiful lady from Iraq my first thoughts were that she had a head dress on and that she was from where the terrorist are from.I was upset with myself because of those thoughts.Because I really don't care what anyone wears or where they are from.And she was beautiful inside and out. And I hope to meet her again soon. One major thing I respect about all these refugees is that they left all they knew to come to America and make a better life for themselves and there families.Icant wait to meet these families again and get to know more about them and where they are from and what they hope for their future.I thank GOD that Chris and I had the opportunity to do this.And cant wait for our children to go and be a part of something like this.
