MUCHOMO RIBS CYIKAGO (CHICAGO) STYLE: NOTES ON HOSPITALITY, POVERTY, AND DIASPORA LIVING

The term Diaspora goes back to the Jewish experience of Babylonian exile.  Since then many people have borrowed the term to refer to an experience of leaving one’s homeland for an extended time and becoming multi-cultural in the process.   This process many times starts with great optimism, but then goes through a painful dashing of ambitions.   Too often the first voices to the Diaspora seek to sooth the pain while on a philosophic diet of falsehood (Jeremiah 28.)   Then it seems God is silent for a season.  When a called one does speak he brings hope, but with a message of settling down for as much as three generations.  In this process one is to remember the ideals of one’s cultural expressions of faith, be a good neighbor, invest in one’s children, and seek the Lord in prayer.   Then over time God will do more than any of us could imagine (Jeremiah 29:1-14.)

Many of us come to Diaspora living through forced relocation (refugee.)   Others start as students.  Some come as professional immigrants.   Few expect to spend a season living in poverty in a foreign land.   Yet, many Diaspora for a season are economically poor.  Yet, we remember that Jesus the Son of God had heaven’s infinite riches and then came to live among men in humility.   If God’s Son could become poor so that men could see, hear, and feel His compassion surely Diaspora can also walk a similar path of humility.  In this walk we not only learn empathy we rediscover creativity and our old values of hospitality.   Economic poverty does not make our community spiritually poor.   Spiritual poverty is a choice to not live in God’s blessings.

Here are some practicalities of hospitality, poverty, and Diaspora living:

• We shop at the least expensive grocery stores (such as Aldi.)   We first go to the special reduced price sections.  Though we can live on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sometimes we find great deals on meats such as ribs and we buy enough that we can feed our relatives, neighbors, and friends an inexpensive, nutritious, and memorable meal.
• Our homes are full of visitors during the holidays.  We know what it is like to be lonely and we want to make sure we share our joy so none in our community are alone (Deuteronomy 10:19.).  We believe visitors are blessing and remember that some have even served angels unaware (Hebrews 13:2.)
• In our Diaspora parties we have traditions of hospitality such as introducing one another.   Surely we can help people find new friends.
• Another of our East African traditions is “Giving a push.”  Our goodbyes are long and drawn

  

  ZOE'S JERK BAR B Q SAUCE

  out.   We walk a distance with our visitors as they leave.   We don’t simply send them out the door.  In an urban environment we walk them to their car or to the public transport stop.
•  During “the push” we get extended time to share the most intimate of conversations and blessings.   Sometimes we exchange gifts.
• Recently, in the process of giving a push we were given a special bottle of Zoe’s Jerk BBQ by our friend, Lloyd Griffin.
•  Now we go back to our traditions of creativity.  Can we blend our East African muchomo with Chicago Barbecue tradition?

PREPARATION

• Take ribs and generously sprinkle with meat tenderizer.   Allow to sit in refrigerator for several hours.

•    Start a hot charcoal fire.  Wait for coals to become red hot.
•  Place a roasting pan over coals to prevent flames from burning meat.
•  Either rub a cut onion or lightly grease the grill rack so ribs do not stick.

GRILLING

• Place ribs on grill
•  Generously baste with Zoe’s Jerk BBQ
• Cover grill so meat is well smoked, heat is even, and flames are kept to a minimum.
• Keep ribs on grill for approximately 30 minutes.  Then turn to other side and baste again.
•  Check in about 30 minutes to see how the ribs have cooked.   Cut a few ribs to see how the meat has cooked.   If needed continue checking, basting, and turning with shorter times of covering and testing.
•  When done remove ribs, cover, and allow ribs to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

SERVING

• KARIBUNI ABAGENYI (VISITORS ARE WELCOME!)  Besides your immediate
  
  family feel free to invite extended family, neighbors, and friends to dinner.  For some reason when we practice hospitality we always have enough food.
• If the group is becoming large gently suggest for others to bring some food.
• Mix up the starches.  Feel free to have traditional American side dishes such as corn bread, potato salad, and coleslaw.  Also, add starches from home such as rice and roasted sweet plantains (ngonja.)
•  If available serve with passion fruit juice (obatunda / maracuja.)
• Ask a community elder / pastor to say a prayer.  This can be either a man or woman.
• As this is a culturally blended affair be flexible with conversations, but inclusive and full of joy.
•  Ask questions.  When appropriate tell good stories.  Laugh even if the jokes don’t seem that funny.
• When the meal is over serve chai (African tea with milk, sugar, and ginger) or coffee.
•  When visitors leave give them a push.  Whisper blessings to them.  Receive their gifts.  Give
  
  a gift.
•   Repeat the process.   If you are displaced and in poverty still remain hopeful, creative, and generous.   Invest in your children’s education and talents.  Be a good neighbor.  Enjoy life.  Trust God to bring great good over generations.
• We greatly enjoyed Zoe’s Jerk BBQ.  For further information or to purchase some yourself go to http://www.littleslydees.com/  and
  http://lnlchicagostore.com/.  This is a great company to support who takes their inspiration from

  "The righteous care about justice for the poor,... (Proverbs 29:7. New International Version.)"