Friday nights are a favorite around our house. We spend all day Friday cleaning up our living room and cooking. On Friday evenings, we open our doors to friends who are like family to us, open our Bibles, and share an amazing meal together.
Years ago when we moved to Volcan, there was a local Bible study that we joined. It met in homes and usually we shared a meal afterward. Families came and went over the years, so we have really enjoyed getting to watch the changes in the group.
A few years ago, we started meeting in our house. We like this because it makes us clean up the living room at least once a week - keeping it clean is no small task to a family of 8 people! It is fun to see all of our good friends at least once a week at Bible study.
We usually choose one book of the Bible and go through it verse by verse, chapter by chapter as we study. One of the men will facilitate the group and discussion is always encouraged. We end the study with prayer requests and a prayer. Right now, we are finishing up the book of Matthew. We have also studied Judges, Proverbs, and Isaiah in the past.
At the end everyone grabs a plate and goes down the buffet line of potluck items everyone has brought. Sometimes we have 5 desserts, 2 salads, and 3 main courses. Sometimes we will have 5 main dishes and 1 dessert. It changes every week, but it is always a great time of fellowship!
A few weeks ago, I decided not to make my usual salad for the group. There were so many comments that they really missed it, that I try really hard to get it made each week! It is one of my favorites as well, so it is easy to force myself to get it done!
Here is the recipe for the salad that everyone loves:
Cabbage Salad
Ingredients:
Head of cabbage chopped (green, purple)
Carrot peeled and chopped
Ramen noodle package smashed (chicken flavor)
1 T butter
Ramen seasoning package
3 T olive oil
1 t salt
2 t sugar
1 T mayonnaise
1 T white vinegar
1 t pepper
Directions:
Chop the cabbage and peeled carrot. Toss together in a big bowl.
In a pan, cook the crushed ramen noodles in butter, set aside.
Mix the oil, seasoning packet, salt, sugar, mayo, vinegar, and pepper in a bowl with a whisk. Refrigerate until ready to serve the salad. Mix the cabbage, cooked noodles, and dressing before serving.
If you make it, let me know how it is! I got the recipe from a friend of mine, and we all love it! It tastes great, is easy to make a bigger or smaller amount, and is easy to mix up!
Our Friday nights are filled with our favorite people, good food, fellowship, and fun! It is one of the many ways God has richly blessed us in Panama. I cannot imagine my life here without my expat group.