Most missionaries abroad are all too aware of the notable lack of the painfully sweet sensation of brain-freeze that punctuates our favorite frozen ice cream treats. Now six weeks into my present adventure, we have twice-churned the cream; mixing an assortment of not-so-secret ingredients until it magically became something resembling ice cream. Unfortunately, Honduran cows seem to live an unimaginative life, since the product of their udders leaves many familiar foods less than favorable, flavorful, or even altogether familiar. However, despite this gastronomic depravity, I will never turn down ice cream. Never.

I consider myself something of an ice cream connoisseur. Although my palate has never received formal training in the culinary arts I do enjoy my fair share of ice cream, and often someone else’s too. Once a friend wagered me that I couldn’t finish the local dairy bar’s flagship ice cream dish, the “Bigger than Bill” (Bill was the owner of said establishment and a rather tall fellow). The dish comprised of six generous scoops (not spoon dips mind you, but heaping ice cream scoops) of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice creams smothered in chocolate, caramel, and strawberry sauces. There may have been a banana and cherry involved in the affair and no-doubt a generous foaming of cloud-like whipping cream. I scoffed at my friend after finishing the desert in less than ten minutes. In addition to being an ice cream authority I am also two-parts swine when it comes to its consumption.

Therefore, if I ever get to see any of you again…my esteemed colleagues…I hope to have ice cream with you. I prefer Ben & Jerry’s…while I admit that it is a bit pricy and hardly the brand of a suffering missionary, I do crave it so. Besides the quality of its bold flavor gently tiptoeing across my palate, I also enjoy the variety of flavors and their names: Cherry Garcia, Everything But The, Neapolitan Dynamite, Imagine Whirled Peace, and Chubby Hubby…to name a few. My personal favorites are Chunky Monkey, Caramel Sutra, and the drably-named Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.

Now, if when we do see each other you are unable to provide Ben & Jerry’s, as aforementioned I will gladly accept any ice cream. From Breyers to Dreyers, Baskin-Robins to Haagen-Dazs, Schwan’s to Maggie Moo’s, Cold Stone to Stony Creek, or Blue Bunny to the partially frozen milk of a magga Honduran cow; I am an equal opportunity ice cream aficionado.

So as you quietly go about your ice cream-saturated existence back in the states— think of me and take another huge heaping of that sweet stuff…smile and enjoy. Be well and God bless.