Cheek Pinch

Note the 'cheek pinch' in the front row.  Delightful kids.

Kids and sticks.  It's grasshopper season in southern Kenya.  These kids are out hunting grasshoppers which are a seasonal delicacy, I'm told.  Fried or boiled, they're ready in minutes. My wife says they're pretty good in a sauce over rice.  I'll take her word for it.

Working in eastern and western Africa, I've been offered a variety of things to eat; most were pretty good. One family adopted me. At a weekend family meal, I offered to bring things and make the salad.  As I stood at the table slicing tomatoes, the women watched wide-eyed like they were afraid I'd cut off my fingers or something.  I later found out that men NEVER do food preparation.  When I asked the men if they liked to cook, they were speechless.  Live and learn.

Our friend, an African bishop, met the kids in the picture while visiting a village we know.  It's located in the coastal plains outside Mombasa.  Nice folks in a harsh place.  The last couple of decades have brought persistent drought, so crops, forests, and flocks have suffered.  A difficult life. For now, Bishop Samuel is working on small assistance projects for the neediest.  He hopes to build a little church/community center there to begin the work of community development.  If you'd like to join in, drop me a note.  Or better yet, if you'd like to see for yourself, we'll provide introductions!