The Italian Creme Cake

Well this blog is usually dedicated to the stories of miracles big and small that we get to experience in this missionary journey. And though you may not put this cake into the category of miracles, I consider it a miracle that I was able to bake this cake successfully just the other day.

I have watched my mother whip up this cake many, many times. It was like it was no big deal. The other day when I made it for our Missionary Field Fellowship meeting, I figured that it would be easy. Well, it turned out that it required a Paula Deen anointing. You have to separate the eggs, fold in egg whites and not to mention that you need buttermilk. Buttermilk does not exist in this country! So I made it from SCRATCH. Impressive huh? Don't be too impressed. Buttermilk from scratch is just a tablespoon of vinegar added to a cup of milk. EASY!!

As I was reflecting on this little miracle in my life, I figured that there were a few lessons to be learned from this cake. My boys say that I can make a life lesson out of anything and since this blog is mostly for them I do not want to disappoint them. Here is the life lesson:

1. Know your gifts. Baking this cake makes me grateful for my wonderful mother and her gift of hospitality. I appreciate her cooking even more and realize the great efforts that she put into hospitality. For years I stressed over hospitality because I was intimidated by separating eggs and folding egg whites. I thought that I had to make "Paula Deen anointing" cakes in order to be the "hostess with the mostest." Yet I have learned that my gifts do not have to be the same as my mothers and that I can practice hospitality with a Duncan Hines cake mix equally as well.

2. Practice Hospitatlity. The moral of the story: Don't let the Paul Deen anointing keep you from practicing hospitality. It's biblical!

3. Do it without grumbling. Here I must apologize to my boys for all the times that I have stressed over hospitality. Most of the time that happened because I was stressed about trying to make a gourmet meal in a third world country.

Here's the biblical principal to my life lesson:
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace" 1 Peter 4:8

Ok so for those of you who are my missionary friends that follow this blog and,who like me, have to hash out how to make American recipes in a foreign, third world country, here are a few tips:

1. Always, always, always sift your flour. I never worried abou that in the states but here, it is the secret to a light and fluffy cake. Let me say it again, BUT LOUDER. ALWAYS SIFT YOUR FLOUR!

2. When beating egg whites, put the beater and the bowl in the freezer. Life here is always hot and this does not help when beating egg whites. Also USE FRESH EGGS. I bought eggs that very day for this reason. Older eggs just don't whip up very good.

3. Whenever possible have somebody from the US send you nuts and coconut. Nuts are expensive! and the coconut that we have here is the REAL DEAL. It is not sweetened. So I always have nuts and coconut on hand for these kinds of desserts.

4. Buttermilk- from scratch! 1 Tbs white vinegar (not apple cider) added to 1 cup of milk, mix and let it sit for five minutes.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. soda

5 eggs separated

2 cups sugar

1 stick butter or margarine

½ cup shortening

2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped nuts

1 ½ to 2 cups coconut

Combine soda and buttermilk. Let stand a few min. Beat egg whites until stiff. (I put mine back in the fridge while I finish the cake.) Cream sugar, butter and shortening. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add buttermilk alternately with flour. Stir in vanilla. Stir in pecans and coconut. Gently fold in egg whites. Bake in three 9” greased and floured layer pans at 325 for 25 minutes or until cake tests done. Frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter or margerine

1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese

3 3/4 cups powedered sugar (standard box in the US)

1 tsp vanilla (but I use 1/2 tsp of Dominican vanilla)

Mix well. Frost cake!

Taking Troy to College...

Troy was born around the same time we wrote our first missionary newsletter. It was Christmas time. Here's an excerpt:

Christmas 1991 takes on more meaning to me in light of the birth of my first child. Often I find myself just staring at this new little baby for what seems life forever. I love to look at his tiny feet and wonder... will they learn to kick soccer balls? When his small hands curl around my finger I look in amazement thinking how perfectly his long fingers could dance upon piano keys.

So we began this missionary journey with this little boy dreaming big dreams for him from the very beginning. He never did play much soccer as we thought he would. We ended up in the only Latin American country that could care less about soccer.

But his long fingers did develop a wonderful talent for worship playing both piano and guitar. And he God put his hand on Troy at an early age. From the time he was very young Troy always participated in minstry. Somtimes through puppetry, or magic tricks, and sometimes with his music. When Troy was 12 years old, at the ending prayer of an outreach, Troy felt God calling him to be a missionary to Spain.

I remember when he told me about it, I wondered if he would stick with that plan. Over the years he has never waivered from the calling and today he is preparing for a future ministry in Spain at Wheaton college in Chicago, Ill.

I have cried a river since we left him at College.I dreaded that day like someone dreads a root canal or surgery--necessary pain.

I am not worried about him at all. He is ready. I am so excited for him! The tears are grieving tears because I know that today was the last day of his childhood. He will be back of course but not as a child. This is a sadness that I have yet to conquer.

So I am counting the blessings, (there are so many) and I am grasping on to the joy that my beautiful son's life is being spent for the Glory of God. That was our goal. We accomplished it.

What the Earthquake Destroyed

On January 12th our island was shaken by an earthquake that caused the destruction of the principal city of Port-Au-Prince. Since that time your television set, newspaper, internet and email inbox have been filled with images and words describing the horrific results of this kind of destruction. To see the rubble, the blood-stained clothes of impoverished children and watch the desperation of a mother in the aftermath of this event is gut-wrenching from across the ocean but to experience it with the people of this island has been indescribable.

Three days after the earthquake Nelson loaded up supplies and left in the middle of the night with a group of colleagues to reach Miguel Ovalle, a Dominican missionary who lives with his family in Port-au- Prince. He was able to see and experience first hand what the earthquake destroyed. He saw the buildings, the roads, the vehicles and the wounded. He wept at the sight and sounds of such tragedy. Then there was that glimmer of light in the midst of such black darkness. It was something else that the earthquake destroyed.

The seismic phenomenon had begun the break down of the division that kept these two nations on one piece of land so separate. For the first time in history Haiti was dependent on supplies and relief that could only come to them by crossing the border. A border that represented years of racial hatred, prejudice and pain. The Dominican Republic and Haiti share the same piece of land in the Caribbean and they also share a difficult history. The history between these two countries is a road stained with conflict, racial prejudice and hatred. The result is a border that separates the languages, the culture, the sport, religious tradition but most tragically, the people.

Yet, since that tragedy of Jan 12, the separation has been diminished. Something is changing in the culture. Dominicans are responding, both in the church and secular organizations. The grocery stores have places to receive donations. Our church leaders have met and ministered to Haitian church leaders. God is at work. Many have responded. Maybe YOU have responded. Some have sent a monatary gifts, others were able to donate tangible items and others have volunteered time and expertise.

As we look to the future of this island we can see something else in the rubble. Doubt has been destroyed by the earthquake. No longer will we see Haiti as a barren wasteland with no hope of a brighter future. The world's response to this tragedy has taken away our doubting. There are so many dreams being born in the debris. But as we dream was see the greatest hope in the children.

The future will be built by the youth and children of this nation. It is our passion to reach them with the only true hope for Haiti found in the Gospel. For we are convinced that with the redeeming power of the Gospel is power to transform this nation. With the Gospel comes wisdom, integrity, and the principles of the Kingdom of God that not only give us a hope for our eternal destiny but make a difference in the here and now. And because of the Gospel we have a true hope that is rising from the rubble of what the earthquake destroyed.

"For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace." Colossians 1:5,6

January 14 2010

Tuesday our house shook. At the moment, we laughed thinking ..."that was weird". Then I got the feeling in the pit of my stomach. I said to my friends "Somewhere this could be REALLY bad". The Dominican Republic suffered a little shake and we are enormously grateful that all is well here. It turned out that this was worse than bad for our neighbors in Haiti.

Here's what we know:

We know that our US Assemblies of God and Dominican missionary families in Haiti are safe. They are already in the midst of disaster response. Communication, however is extremely difficult.

WHAT WE ARE DOING:

First and foremost, we are praying fervently for the nation of Haiti and for our missionaries there. That God would give them strength and wisdom and keep them safe as they begin to respond to the overwhelming needs amidst the destruction. And we pray that the people of Haiti turn to the Lord in their time of need.

Second, we are ready to respond in whatever way we can. We await communication with our missionary colleagues there as to how we best can assist at this time. Already there a plans underway for a caravan to be leaving for Haiti tomorrow. Our Dominican Republic A/G executives are meeting today to see how best to respond as well. Pray for God’s anointing and direction on all parties involved.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Pray with us! Pray for Nelson, as just last week he was named missionary representative to the National A/G in Dominican Republic. This is an enormous responsibility in a time of disaster response.

You can help us respond by sending an offering to our missionary account. Nelson will be driving to Haiti, taking supplies, buying supplies, & covering expenses for this kind of immediate response. We DESPERATELY need your help to cover these surprise expenses. Our account has suffered greatly from this past year's recession and your offering would be greatly appreciated. Click on this link http://tiny.cc/haiti_help and add Class 46 (for disaster relief) to the comment box.

You can also respond by giving to a relief fund that will provide aid through Convoy of Hope. You can give online at www.ag.org by clicking the Haitian Relief button or sending your donation to Assemblies of God World Missions, PO Box 2020, Springfield MO 65802, marked AGWM/COH Disaster Relief 410946-8 (70).