African Night

My mom usually blogs on our monthly African night, but this month she asked me if I would blog on the meal instead.
Since I was about 9 years old, I have felt that the Lord is calling me to the mission field in Liberia. Liberia is on the Western Coast of Africa. They speak mainly English, but there are many other languages including sign language and tribal languages. There are about 39 different tribes in Liberia. Although the main religion is Christianity, there are about 12 tribes that follow Ethnic Religions and 4 that are Islamic tribes. As of the this year there are approximately 3,441,790 people in Liberia, 60% of which are unsaved. The religious population in Liberia is 40% Christian, 40% indigenous beliefs, and 20% Muslim. Liberia's past has been filled with many wars. Originally populated by African-Americans and freed slaves, most of Liberia's population is now made up by the descendants of these people. Due to disease, contaminated water, parasites, malnutrition, and lack of proper medical care, the life expectancy in Liberia is only 40.4 years!
Because of this calling, I have been doing a lot of research on Liberia and one day I decided to try an African meal. The first meal was just an experimental meal, but after that meal I decided that if my family was brave enough we would start having a monthly African night. I would have liked a weekly African night, but it was unanimously voted no! :)
Last Thursday was September's African night. On the menu this month was Liberian food. For dinner we had Irio ("Stewed" Vegetables), Garlic Roasted Chicken, Quick-and-Easy Cornbread, brown rice, and Party Fruit Punch. For dessert we had Tropical Whip.
The "Stewed Veggies" was actually boiled veggies and the cornbread was ordinary cornbread with nutmeg and vanilla added. The punch was really sweet. It had lime, orange, and white grape juice in it along with tea, sugar, and ginger ale and the chicken was roasted with garlic, pepper, and salt. Last of all, the Tropical Whip was a frozen dessert that was made with pineapple, shredded coconut, bananas and meringue. It was topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
I thought everything was yummy, but when I asked Daddy how the meal was he just said that it was "getting better". Which means it wasn't a favorite! :) When I find an African meal that Daddy likes, than that'll be a triumph! :) Until than I am just grateful that my family is brave enough to keep trying new meals each month! I makes me really happy to be able to share part of my passion with my family!

"Thanks guys for being willing to do this every month!"

~Shelbie