A taste of Africa for Donemana Presbyterian Church

Noelle Holmes, Gwen Smyth and Patricia Jones with the recently launched recipe book 'Some Favourite Recipes'. Members of Doneman Presbyterian Church are using the recipe book to raise funds for Mtunthama CCAP, Malawi.

In 2009, a group of six people from Donemana Presbyterian Church visited Malawi, where they focused on Mtunthama CCAP (Church of Central Africa Presbyterian) Congregation near Kasungu in the Nkhoma Synod in central Malawi.

Since then Donemana Presbyterian Church has been supporting the congregation in various ways, contributing towards the new Church building, supporting the orphan work and helping with the purchase of Bibles in the native Chichewa language.

A cookery book, entitled ‘Some Favourite Recipes’ is the latest effort and many people associated with Donemana Presbyterian Church and the district have contributed to it. As well as over 100 favourite recipes, a few Malawian recipes have also been included in the recipe book, some of which were sampled at the Launch Night.

Margaret Logan, Sally Robinson and Joy Holmes working out the tastes in the recipes.

‘Some Favourite Recipes’ was launched on Wednesday, February 19 at the church, where some of the Malawian recipes were served and enjoyed by those who attended.

The Launch began with Mrs Patricia Jones, wife of the Minister Rev Dr Stewart Jones, who welcomed everyone and showed some pictures of the building work that Donemana Presbyterian Church is supporting in Malawi.

Noelle Holmes read the Parable of the sheep and the goats at Matthew chapter 25, 31–46, while Gwen Smyth spoke about memorable moments during the team’s visit to Malawi and explaining the Parable reading said: “God’s desire for us, as his sheep, is that we will freely give to others to glorify and honour God’s name since He has given us everything we have and so much more”.

She followed her message with a prayer and the evening continued with Patricia showing some more slides before the food was served.

Margaret Forbes, Angela Hamilton and Glynis Bresland sampling the food at the Recipe Book Launch.

“The traditional staple diet of the Malawian people is Nsima, a mixture of cornflour and water, which resembles porridge in its consistency and is very filling. It is the type of food that you either like or dislike on the first taste and there were various responses on Wednesday night,” said Gwen.

A basic Vegetable Ndiwo, a vegetable and tomato sauce, was served to accompany the nsima. A Malawian Mango Chicken and Nkhuku Ya Sabola which is a Malawian spiced chicken curry, were also sampled.

The evening was brought to a close with a cup of tea and some homemade cake and traybakes.

Those who have already bought copies of the book at the launch, the PW Link Breakfast or from the congregation have been thanked for their generosity, while those interested in obtaining a copy, priced at £5, can contact Patricia Jones on 028 7139 8663; Noelle Holmes on 028 7139 8728, or Gwen Smyth on 028 7133 8076.