I have never been a part of a dining experience that was more interpersonal and inviting. Besides being treated with the greatest level of hospitality and service, the form of eating Ethiopian style can make for great dinner table, or might I say, "dinner basket" conversation.
Eating this way is community at its best! Everyone eats from one plate and uses only the best utensil we have, our hands!
Oh, and the taste! Lets talk about the taste! The food was prepared with only the freshest meat available bought from a local market. Collards, lentils, eggs, beef, pork. All prepared with traditional spices and the tastiest sauces.
After dinner, we waited for the Traditional Ethiopian coffee bean roast, promised by our hostess. This is my personal favorite of all the traditions I have heard of. Beans roasted right in front of you, made into warm delicious coffee. It is served the traditional way with a handful of popcorn to go along with it!
We sat and drank our coffee and asked many questions about the country we would be traveling to. In return, we were blessed with so much more than just answers, but with childhood memories, customs and traditions you can't research online, and a beautiful picture of what we might expect to see when we ourselves go to love on their people.
This was a rare and awesome opportunity that our team was given and I thank God for it. Being able to come together and break bread with Kiddis in her home, I think, prepared our hearts for this mission more than we could have imagined.
Written by: Shannon Mathis
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