Propempo International

There is no question that French cuisine is one of the great delights and benefits of being here in France. You understand that much prayer may be needed to graciously welcome foods that lie outside your tastes or experience. The Lord has mercifully helped Ann's gag reflex on occasion.

We have deeply appreciated the range of foods in our host home. We've been served liver from a variety of animals (duck, goose, chicken, pig), as well as other innards (kidney, heart, and ??????). We've had great fresh salads and interesting combinations of vegetables. Tonight we had small portions of roasted filet mignon with plain, boiled potatoes; not bad, eh? In our place, every supper is accompanied by a supply of toasted sandwich bread. Then, between the main course and dessert, we must have "the sacred cheese course."

Charles deGaulle, I think, is credited for saying, "It's impossible to unite a country which insists on having 400 types of cheeses." True! The French love their cheeses; "the sacred cheese course" is alive and well. Several types of cheeses in different shapes are put on the table. You have to slice and eat each one in just the right way with the right utensils and in the right amounts. It's sacred!

Dessert, if there is one, can be anything: Fresh fruit, a small slice of pound cake, flan, a cup of yogurt, homemade fruit ice cream. It's always in relatively small amounts.

We are very privileged to be here, swimming in French language and culture, trying to keep our heads and hearts up. Bon appétit!

Thanks for your prayers,

Charlie