More about the Choki Rama

When we arrived they were have a Christmas spiritual program in the chapel waiting for us. There were some sisters outside cooking a BIG pot of stew over an open fire and some tamales in the coals. After we passed out all of the Christmas gifts it was time for their Branch Christmas Party/Meal. Everyone brought their own bowls and got in line to receive some from the big container. Then they sat on the grass or basketball court to eat. No one had utensils. They just used fingers to get the large chunks and drank the broth from the bowl. There is a cute albino boy in one of the families. There were no tables to clean up or floors to sweep. Even the little children ate the stew with enthusiasm. Personally, we were glad we brought our own lunches. One family there with nine children walks one hour (each direction) to attend church. Another family walks an hour and a half. When it was time to go home they loaded the packs on their backs and started out. We were able to give some of them a ride part of the way in the mission pickup. It was a wonderful experience to provide Christmas to these people.