Kathy's Blog: Other Jobs as Needed

I walked out this morning to get my first cup of coffee to start the day. And Cecilia called up to me from the garage: “Debe maize!”

It took me a moment to figure out what the heck she was talking about: ‘you must corn’ ? (That is the literal translation). When I gave here the ‘huh?’ look … she said “tienen hambre.” (They are hungry).

Ah. I get it. I know it’s early – and my Spanish brain takes a while to warm up (even after almost 2 years) … but my first hint should have been that I was standing on the steps leading down to the main house and was saying good morning to the 3 chickens tied to the tree.

Ok. I need to give the chickens some corn! I can do that. Even before coffee I can do that.

They seemed grateful. If not a little gluttonous! If they only knew where they would ultimately end up!

So – are you wondering why we have 3 chickens in the yard? I could just let you make up your own stories about that. Maybe have a contest – tell me what you think – the best story will get a prize! Some eggs perhaps. I’ll just pop them in the mail! Ha-ha.

Ok. I’ll tell you.

Yesterday, thanks to a family who has a partnership with two communities, we had the pleasure of going out to deliver roofing lamina to all the families of these two communities.

After finishing in one community, we had a quick bite to eat before getting in the truck to go to the other where the lamina and the people were waiting patiently.

Balmore said a few words to the crowd to start. Then Blanca asked if I wanted to say something (and she whispered in my ear to ask them to make sure they attend our bi-monthly meetings!) So I started out by thanking everyone for working so hard to help out today; especially the men who came up to Berlin to unload 700 metal lamina roofing sheets! Then I reminded them why we were there – because in the walking door to door last September, their ‘partner’ could see the need. And what a joy it is to be able to share.

It was at this point – a woman came up to me and started to hand me one of those colorful plastic grocery baskets …she had a gift for me. Hmm… Inside the basket were two live chickens! She took them out and handed them to me … Cecilia grabbed my camera and started clicking away. I think she was getting a kick out of this … so I had the two chickens in my arms thanking her … I was a bit embarrassed … when up came another woman – with yet another chicken. Then came a man with a bundle of freshly picked beans still on the vines. Then a lady with a bag of corn, then a man with a bag of oranges, then a really old man with some bananas, then someone with 2 apples in a bag, a bag of squash, a bag of pipian squash – whatever people had to share – they shared. Tears were falling.

Blanca said I could NOT say no to these gifts … they were being given from their hearts. So I said thank you to one and all – knowing that these gifts will be shared with those who need!

And I already gifted some of that bag of corn to the chickens!

And I know we’ll probably spend part of the day getting the red beans out of the pods. We received 5 large bundles of beans when all was said and done.

This was another case of the really poor sharing what they have. I was reminded of the poor widow woman’s two copper coins. (Luke 21:1)