A Bowl of Butter

In view of what is going on here in Argentina these past few days, this post seems rather silly. I wrote it before all this happened. So as you read this bit of humor, please keep the more serious situation at hand in your prayers. Please pray for the people in La Plata who have lost homes, possessions, electricity, food, etc. Pray for Christians to rally together to show the Gospel-love of our Savior. And now, a short story. Last night I told my sweet six year-old daughter that tomorrow, we would have Tea together. “Tea at 5, Mommy?!” “Yes Mia, Tea at 5:00!” It’s a tradition here, everyone has “tea” in the afternoon around 5:00…tea is usually a cup of coffee (or tea) and a sweet bread, like a facture- a sweet croissant with a jelly on top. Transitioning to another culture hasn’t been the easiest thing in the world for my two children, and Joe and I thought this would be a good thing for us to do together. So this morning I woke up to an excited Mia, already eagerly dressed in her tea-clothes. The sky was grey all morning, I waited for what was coming. Yup…right around lunch time it started to rain. And rain. And rain. And rain. Staying true to my word, and avoiding breaking my daughter’s heart, we bundled up for going to Tea. Layers of sweaters and scarves on our heads, we headed bravely out into the cold, very wet, rain to walk to the café together. It would have been easier if we had an umbrella- of course when you are looking for one thing in particular, it is very hard to find! We arrived to the café not too badly soaked, and sat down. I felt rather proud and independent, taking my daughter to tea in a country I have lived in barely three weeks, where I do not speak the language, all by myself! I opened the menu and browsed the front page that listed coffees and pastries. I ordered Te con Leche for Mia, and a café for myself. Feeling generous, I decided to order us a sweetbread treat as well. Listed right beneath the facture and medialuna options (sweet croissants) was what looked like a variety option. I called the waitress over and ordered the Manteca and Dulche de Leche….expecting two different cookies/breads to arrive with our hot beverages. Five minutes later she comes out with a tray and sets down on our table tea, coffee, and a bowl of butter. What?! Yes, a bowl of butter. An entire half stick of butter! (Mental note Manteca = Butter.) And, accompanying the bowl of butter, was a bowl of dulche de leche sauce. Mia and I burst out laughing, “Look Mia, Mommy ordered us some butter to go with our tea!” Another reason why language school is an important necessity- so I can take my daughter to tea, and order something more useful than a bowl of butter! At least now, I will never forget what Manteca means in Spanish. Please pray for us as we begin the process of language school- pray that God would give our minds sharpness and understanding, quick learning, and a good nanny for our kids.