I invited her to church and said, “Afterwards, we’ll serve fanesca.” Fanesca (fah-NAYS-kah) is a thick dried fish and grain soup traditionally served during Easter week in Ecuador. The preparation is long and complicated, and very few women know how to make it. The church was buying the ingredients and the women of the church had planned to meet Saturday evening so that each of us could take home an ingredient and cook it. Sunday morning, we would meet at a church member’s house and together prepare the fanesca.
Maria Elena said, “Who’s making the fanesca?” Before I could respond, she said, “Who knows how to make fanesca? I know how to make fanesca!” I invited her to come and help. She said, “You have to season the white onions just right, or it won’t be good.”
Sunday morning, I brought my pot of peas to the kitchen where we were cooking. Maria Elena and her husband were there. She spent two hours working with us in the kitchen, cooking grains, onions, fish, and other ingredients. She didn’t stay for the service, but left for a family gathering in another town. The fanesca was delicious, and everyone had a good time of fellowship after the service.Monday, she called me. “How was the fanesca?” I told her that it was really good. She said that she and her husband would be at church the following Sunday, and they were. She had already met many of the women and enjoyed the service. When she left, she said that they would be back.
I’m praying for the salvation of Maria Elena and her husband, Carlos. Should we call this Fanesca Evangelism?
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. I John 1:3
