Acquiescing to Processed Foods by Karen
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| "I want love to be simple. I want to trust without thinking. I want to be generous with my affection and patience and love unconditionally... I want to love the whole person, not parts; and this is how I want to be loved." - Jewel - |
Here in Santa Rosa, we've done as the priests have asked regarding the distribution of food so as to align our efforts with those already working to feed the hungry. If we encounter people on the streets, we invite them to the church kitchen and offer to buy them a standard plate: rice, beans, vegetables, tortillas, chicken, and homemade juice. When possible, we sit with them while they're eating to chat and pray. If a person's needs are more severe they are encouraged to visit the church office so that they can be added to the list which the Pastoral Social uses to distribute food. Representatives from the group visit people's homes to discuss their situation in more detail and sign them up for the church's food distribution program if/when appropriate. We want to "give to the one who asks" while following the rules that have been established, but it can be hard.
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| Gallo pinto is a very traditional Costa Rican dish that is served at the church kitchen. |
About a month ago, when Edrin saw us going into the grocery store, he approached and asked if I might buy him tuna and crackers. "Of course," I said as I continued walking, "come on!" I assumed he would follow me into the store, but realized when I saw him waiting outside, that he wasn't comfortable going in. I went back outside and explained that there are too many different types of tuna and crackers, and without his help, I wouldn't know which kind to buy. He was embarrassed, but after straightening the collar on the shirt he'd been wearing for a week and brushing the dirt off his pants he lowered his head and shuffled past the cashier. Edrin took forever choosing the tuna and crackers that he wanted. I imagine it had been a while since he'd had the luxury of picking anything for himself. Next, I thought we could get him some fresh fruit and veggies. "Come on," I called as I darted off for the produce section. "Do you like apples?" I asked, "What about oranges?" He laughed nervously and shook his head. Like any good mother, I explained the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet. "You need all the different nutrients that these foods have. You can't just eat empanadas your whole life."
Edrin wiggled his index finger back and forth, which is the local way of saying "no", and turned back toward the aisles of packaged products. He stopped in front of the canned beans, pointed, and smiled. Then, motioning toward the bins of produce, he said, "no se puede, no se puede, no se puede", which literally means, "it can't" but relatively speaking means that the produce doesn't work for him. As if the scales had fallen from my eyes I realized that Edrin couldn't eat apples or carrots without any teeth. He couldn't chew grapes or tomatoes. If I bought him bananas, the rats would come out of the woodwork, quite literally, and steal them. I asked the clerk if she had anything like summer sausage knowing that Edrin doesn't have a refrigerator, but he wouldn't have been able to eat that either. I'm not sure what I was thinking! We wandered up and down the three short aisles that make up the whole market talking about what Edrin could eat: canned beans, sardines, tuna, crackers, canned fruit, canned meat chunks in a sauce with soft veggies, small boxes of milk, juice, and oatmeal. We filled up our basket and headed for the check-out. As the cashier placed the items into bags Edrin shifted back and forth nervously, almost as if he was expecting there to be some problem that would force us to leave empty-handed. When the lady finally gave Edrin the groceries he started giggling. He was so excited it almost seemed like he was glowing. As he left the store he turned, and for the first time ever, thanked me without anybody else having to remind him to use his manners.
