Of course, the guys managed to find fun right away! playing volleyball over the clothes line...
...and then kicking the soccer ball in the BIG backyard!
...while the women chatted in the sitting room (I guess some things are universal!)
Ah...women in the kitchen, preparing the fixins for later...Courtney (Doug's daughter) and Virginia.,,
...while the men try to light the barbecue...
and the boys play a game of soccer...
Calling in the reinforcements!
I guess he decided he would rather cut sugar cane...yum!
Francisca chopping carrots for the stew...
...while Jane grabs the goat (slaughtered that morning)
The ladies were very uncomfortable with Doug in the kitchen until we assured them that this is not uncommon in America...(not sure they were convinced!)
"What can we put this on?"
Washing up in preparation for chopping goat meat...
"I guess this will do"
Back in the kitchen Jane is preparing the pumpkin leaves for the mokimo, which is a traditional dish of her tribe (Kikuyu) made with maize, peas, potatoes and pumpkin leaves...although there are other variations as well.
Paul is sharpening the knives - yikes! Looks more like ruining the knives to me!
Fire!
Francis studies the meat and rubs the knives together...more sharpening - in preparation for chopping off the tail! See it there?
Now he is demonstrating what Mzee (old men) do with the goat's tail...brush off whiskers after shaving.
Abraham and Francis cutting while Boniface watches...
...and Jane puts the leaves on top of the cooking peas, potatoes and maize...
...carving a goat is a joint effort.
And Boniface decides to get into the act...notice Francis on the phone?
this meat will be for the stew and for frying, not for roasting...the rib cage and legs are for roasting.
After moving the barbecue it is now ready for the meat!
Wow - beautiful veggies!
Chopped meat for the stew...
Tending to the mokimo...
Mmmm...roasting nicely...
Still chopping...
...and roasting.
Cooking the meat while on the phone!
Time to mash the mokimo...
...and mash...
...and mash...
...and mash!
Think the pot is too small?
...and mash...
Time to empty that pot so the stew can be transferred to it!
All roasted and staying warm under that foil!
The feast is now ready for consuming!
It was only after eating all the other food and resting a bit that the roasted goat was served!
...and then packaged to go...
Time to present the gift to Doug and Jen. Here is Samuel doing the honors...
Virginia and Paul present the gift.
It says "The joy of the Lord is my strength" Nehemiah 8:10
Doug speaks...
...and Jen speaks!
Then we all pose for a picture...
What a great day and for me a great welcome back...
