Welcome to Nicholas'

Disclaimer: There is a graphic picture of a cow head so if you are faint of heart... don't scroll down to the last picture.

Nicholas goes to Faith Baptist Church in Snake Park, Soweto. He has had trouble finding a job with such a high unemployment rate in SA. He has worked from time to time as a car guard. Car guards work at malls or sporting events hoping people will give them small change such as 2 Rand which is equivalent to 0.27 cents. Now Nicholas has a restaurant which is located on the side of the road at a major intersection.

His restaurant sells pap, which is mealie a type of corn, and cow head. The food is cooked in two pots over an open wood fire. The cost of a plate of pap and meat is R30 which is about $4.

This is the kitchen which includes dishes for people eating in and plastic bags for take away.

This man came and got take away.

This video is to show you where the water supply comes from. They retrieve water from a broken and leaking water pipe that has created standing water with rubbish floating around in it. They use the water for cooking, drinking, washing hands and dishes.

Cooking 101 from Rachel Jensen on Vimeo.

Nicholas was nice enough to give us a small taste. Sibongile, Thembane and I shared a plate of pap and cow head. The meat was tough but tasted just like steak. I thought it was pretty good and would eat it again which is saying a lot!

Afterwards, Nicholas asked if I would take him to the butchery so that he could buy another cow head. Of course I love to help because otherwise he would have to take a taxi to retrieve it. Thankfully, he had some plastic to put in the boot (trunk) of my car to keep blood from getting all over the place.

As I was talking to him about the cow head.. he explained that this shows how poor they really are... that this is what is available. Africans truly make use of every part of the animal... including intestines, tongues, eyes, hooves, brains and every other part you can imagine.

My friends enjoy having me try everything and I'm always happy and willing to... at least once. So far since being in Africa I have had caterpillars, kapenta (tiny fish eaten whole), dove, snoek fish, chicken feet, chicken neck, intestines, liver and cow head. What will be next?

I'm so thankful to God for all that I have. But my heart breaks to know that there are many starving people living in Soweto! Please remember to lift them up... that God would provide for their needs as He promises to those who are His children.

Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33