Going Bananas In Uganda

Banana bread, or banana cake as it is called here…if we had a dime for every loaf we’ve baked both in the Philippines and here… But we do enjoy the obvious delight of every Ugandan who has tasted it—so far without exception…at least it’s something we as bumbling foreigners can do! Every now and then, we take a couple of loaves with us to Scripture Union to distribute to the staff right after their daily devotions—and never have we returned home with even a crumb! Apparently Dickens, the Scripture Union National Director, has taken some home with him. His wife, Nora, bakes cakes to supplement their income and she has tried unsuccessfully to duplicate “our” banana bread and so a request had been verbalized to please come to their home and teach her how to make it. Ruth is more of a baker than I…but she’s keeping her nose to the grind at the computer working on curriculum. So, today since other errands took me to that part of the city, I paused from VOICE work to spend some time with Nora in her kitchen. I took with me pans, cooling racks, measuring cups, wooden spoons, ingredients, and a copy of our simple recipe. We chatted away as we mixed up the batter and then put all three loaves into the beautiful oven that was given to Nora more than a year ago. While the bread baked, we shared together. I was amazed to hear her testimony, being one of twenty-one children! Then we shared prayer requests—what a delight to pray for her four precious children and have her pray for me. Soon the timer rang and we checked our three loaves. Save for burning slightly on the bottom, the three loaves turned out superbly. Just to make sure, soon after two little girls arrived from school, we cut into the banana bread and the smiles and requests for another slice left little doubt of the success of our baking. Thank you, Lord, for drawing people to Yourself in such amazing ways and for the delightful change!