Pupusas...

Hopefully, you'll enjoy this story as much as I do.

Last Thursday, I went to have pupusas for lunch. Pupusas are corn masa stuffed with queso (cheese) and/or chicharrones (meat or sausage), then shaped like a pancake and cooked on a griddle. They're usually served with shredded cabbage and some salsa. I had something very similar in Mexico last February, and they were called gorditas there.

So, I rode my bike to Pupusería Pamela and sat down at one of the tables. There were two guys sitting at another table, and I recognized one of them, from seeing him there before, so I said hello. I started my greeting at the same time he started to greet me; he recognized me also. Two other younger guys came in right behind me and sat at the other remaining table. Someone came out to take my order and the order of the two young guys.

A few minutes later, Juanita, the owner, came out and saw me. She started walking toward me as she was saying her greeting and I got up and made the few final steps to her. We exchanged the traditional kiss/hug greeting of friends and I was so happy! This was a sign that we had crossed over, past merely acquaintances who say 'hello' on the street. She asked if my order had been taken yet.

When Juanita went back inside, to prepare our food, I turned back to the first two gentleman. I asked the one that I did not know if the taxi with the Hispano flag out on the street was his. It was. I asked him if he had gone to the game on Sunday. Then asked if he was going to the game that night. Yes, on both counts. The flag on his car was a great conversation starter for me! A few minutes later, those guys left and the two guys who came in about the same time as me started asking me some questions.

We talked for a few minutes, across the two tables and then I just asked them if I could join them. Talking at the same table was much easier than talking across two. I didn't need to ask them to repeat themselves (as much, anyway). I found out that they were both doctors and they worked at Colonial Hospital, doing their residencies. Luis planned to specialize in internal medicine and Yasser had his eyes on surgery. (Too bad these guys weren't a little older...) Yasser was not familiar with the Center here at Enlaces, so Luis started to tell him about it. I thought that was pretty cool! Luis told Yasser about all the ways Enlaces helps the people of this city, that it was more than just the Youth Center. Luis said that he came to the Center regularly when he was younger, and when he had more time.

Then I found out that Luis was one of the doctors who helped with the medical brigade here in September. Yasser has participated in two brigades that were coordinated by the military base here in the area. Again, how cool. Both doctors want to give back to their country and people. They were asking me questions about why I'm here and what I've been doing. It was an awesome opportunity to share God's love with them, and to share my heart for this country with them.

Soon, we were all done with our lunches. Luis and Yasser got up to go pay and I sat there for another minute to finish my Diet Coke. When I got up to go inside to pay, Yasser was just coming out and said, "Please, we want to pay for your lunch." My jaw absolutely hit the floor!! I mean, speechless!! I was finally able to thank them. But I was still in such shock. They left and I got on my bike to head for home.

While I was riding home, it was hard for me to see the road through the tears. I was (and am still) so overwhelmed by their gesture. As I was thinking about it, I am certain that buying me lunch was their way to say "thank you" to me for caring about the people of their country. They heard my heart and responded.