Our branch president’s wife had their baby 3 months ago
while we were on R&R in the states. We
finally got over to President Paolo’s house to welcome their new baby to the world. Yumara is her name.
Not unlike our experience with South American cultures, he and his wife, Marsela, accepted our gift with gratitude and then quickly spoiled us with their best drinks and a treat. Marsela had chocolate cake on hand to serve us, along with fruit juice and a traditional Angolan drink made from corn. I, being gluten free, was not able to have the cake, but by looking at my kids’ chocolate covered faces and their acceptance of a second piece, it appears to have been delicious (we discussed on the way home how they should probably turn down the second piece next time, and definitely not ask for 3rd's so we don’t eat all of their food :) ).
As expected, it was a very humble, small home. Marsela took me on a “tour” of the house. The size and quality of the home were humbling. The kitchen looked like it had been an outdoor patio area, that is now covered with metal sheets that provide a roof.
Some gifts had been given to them for the new baby by a few of the wealthier branch members, including some items with Yumara’s name embroidered on them by another American wife in the branch that is here with her husband (he works for an oil company).
The baby’s crib is of course covered with mosquito
netting. (Most of the embassy families here are in
homes, so being on ground level, they have to sleep with the nets to keep from
getting bit. Our family is on the 14th floor of
our building where mosquitoes don’t generally find their way so we haven't needed them.)
I wish I could have taken a picture of everything, including the outside area in which they lived, but it would have appeared rude. Pres. Paolo is actually working as a law clerk as he attends law school (a 5-year ordeal here), and he attends the English class we offer at the church every month, so he is working hard to provide a good living for his family. President and his wife got married last September, got pregnant in October, and he was called to be the branch President in January after only being a member for 2 years. Their faith in the gospel and willingness to serve in the branch is inspiring to us. We love them and their adorable baby!
0 comments: