Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Upcoming Guests

I have such encouraging readers! Thanks for your comments and suggestions yesterday :-)

This afternoon I spent a bit of time trying to put things away that Ivan picked up while in Cordoba. One of his stops was a warehouse type of store and one of the items on his list was toilet paper. I'm a t.p. snob and readily admit it. I was a loyal Charmin user for YEARS and was beyond sad to find it is not available here. Honestly, finding decent t.p. became a bit of a crusade at the beginning and I was no end relieved to discover Scott brand doble hoja. Hard to find locally, plus it's cheaper if you buy in bulk. So I was trying to squeeze 14 packages into every free nook and crannie in the guest room closet.

Speaking of the guest room, it will soon be occupied by a young lady from one of our supporting churches. She'll be here for three months, working on her Spanish and observing missions up-close-and-personal. Actually it will be sort of like jumping into the deep end of the pool. Her arrival coincides with a group from Palabra de Vida who will be going into a couple of schools as well as doing street ministry by the lake (fútbol and evangelismo ilustrado) and helping us blanket the neighborhood with tracts and flyers about Centro Esperanza.

We'll have two young ladies from Palabra de Vida staying with us, two couples staying at the little house (Centro), and our co-workers are hosting 5-6 young men as well as having their two oldest home (they're also students at PdeV). Because of space issues we decided to each cook for ten, and we'll rotate people around so we all have a chance to get to know each other.

Planning a menu for five days: no big deal. Wrapping my mind around cooking for ten every meal: a bit more work. Cooking for that many was not unusual when we lived in Michigan. But now that it's been just the two of us for almost a year, I've gotten out of the habit. My strategy includes some cooking ahead of time, trying to be very organized, and choosing fairly easy menus.

I also had Ivan pick up some disposable plates at the warehouse store and he grabbed cups while he was at it.

So in one week, life is going to shift into high gear for a few days. The group will be here from Wednesday, the 19th, through Sunday the 23rd.

Everyone coming (except our friend from the U.S.) is Argentine and I'm not sure if any of them besides our co-workers' kids speak English. Y'all be praying, 'kay?!

Any tips or ideas for serving big groups: Greatly Appreciated.

Toilet paper supply: We got it covered.

6 comments:

Mari said...

Wow - life is going to get busy for you! Glad you got the TP part covered. :) I don't have any great ideas on cooking for so many. I've never done that.
I just read yesterdays post and have to tell you I'm just impressed you are learning it. I took Latin in high school and have forgotten most of it!

Jenniferbuehrer said...

I wish i was an upcoming guest =)

or a downcoming guest...

Heidi said...

Well, I think you read how we handled cooking for 75 outside at a campground for an entire weekend here in Michigan. As for the toilet paper- I'm with you- can never have enough.

Enjoy your company! And happy cooking.
Heidi

Skoots1moM said...

sent you an email w/ some stuff...
:)

Robynn's Ravings said...

Just had to tell you I was over at "Be Still and Know" and saw your comments. You had me splitting a seam and boy did you nail it, girl!

Sounds like you guys are leading an interesting life and doing great work! So glad it comes with good toilet paper. :) Blessings to you!!!

Debbie said...

You are going to be a very busy bee! Can't wait to hear all about it.