Monday, March 10, 2008

Las Botijas




This last Saturday the CPT was able to spend the afternoon harvesting botijas. A man in the village of Yucunama taught us how to dig into the dirt and find tons of these little creatures hanging from the walls of the tunnels they live in. The process was very exciting, but the best part of the day was sharing these delightful little snacks with the rest of the gringos (white folks) on the base. Ok, I know that you are dieing to know what a botija is, a botija is an ant, but a very special kind of ant. These ants spend their lives collecting nectar for all the other ants to drink. This nectar is collected in their behinds. So, a botija, is an ant with a large hinnie filled with juice. In order to eat these ants, you simply suck the juice out of their booties and enjoy the delicious flavor. Some of you may be feeling a little nauseous at this point. But I want to tell you with an honest heart that I enjoy them, it kind of tastes like fermented grape/apple juice.


This ant spends its life giving to others. I have thought about how blessed we are to have such a colony around us. The first church mentioned in Acts is painted much like a colony of believers: giving to those who had need. Let us remember to live in loving and generous giving as we learn to be the body together.
" And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. " ~Acts 2:44-47

6 comments:

Linda said...

Only in Mexico could the story of an ant with a large hinnie be a parallel to the early church. I guess it is an example of how every day gives us chances to see God's glory in the every day. Wow. Mom

Linda said...

Holy fruitnugget! you my sister is such a DORK! I love your analogy about how the ants spend their entire lives serving others. Highknee Juice!

(p.s) fermented grape-juice is wine so drink up mi hermana! Love VU!

BY: Da big d-da-dawg! (a.k.a- Daniel Cosby)

The Nagel Family said...

Girlfriend, that is so gross! I am glad you enjoy it, but I think I will just stick to enjoying Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream with you. Not those bugs! Love you, Christina

The Nagel Family said...

Pammie, so sorry to hear about your aunt. We just left your mom's house and was able to spend some time with your family. We love you, please let us know what we can do for you.

Unknown said...

pam! hii! great to see a pick of the bug you talked about in my class.

RenshawTribe said...

Oh sweet! I never got to eat them in Yucunama. Just the vispa larvae in the paper hive. They on the other hand were not a delightful snack. They were a challenge in intestinal fortitude! I love these kinds of stories. I once shared of the day you rubbed your eye after cutting up all the moranga (sp?) peppers. I know you remember that! But do you remember bumping your head on the bucket of gusanos hanging from the ceiling. That was my first lesson in "when in mexico, if you are in someones kitchen don't ask what the container of bugs is for!"

Blessings Sister! Sorry we couldn't be there for your reception in GA.

The Renshaw Tribe
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www.renshawtribe.blogspot.com