That is exactly how I feel about the "Mopani Worm
Challenge. " O how I wish the gentleman hadn't said this thing the way he
did. Let me share this absurd story
with you. We were building the Palace
of Mercy and it was time to get a quote for digging a septic tank hole. We went
to Pieter van der Westhuizen, site manager for RWC, RUWACON in the Masisi area,
for that quote. Pieter had a Backhoe and we badly needed a hole. I explained that HHTH was a charitable
organization and we were building an orphanage in the Masisi area that would
serve the whole surrounding communities and we needed to build a septic tank.
Therefore, we needed a quote. Pieter
shot back, "when do you need it?" I
panicked, because We didn't know if we could afford him, and squeaked out, "we
were hoping to get a quote because we don't know if we can afford you or not."
He said, "how about for free?" I
gulped and he said, "we will donate our machine and operator for your
project. When can you be there?" To which I blurted out, "any time you need
us, we will be there!" Pieter's parting shot was, "See you tomorrow!"
The Backhoe.
("You gotta love a Backhoe.")
We got up at the crack of dawn and went to our
building sight. Sure enough,
Pieter's lovely Backhoe lumbered on
site, and the dust rumbled over the earth. The crew worked hard and at the end
of the day, they had dug a huge hole for new outdoor toilets and got 1/2 of the
septic tank dug. Then Pieter was down 2 machines and other work was calling him,
so they couldn't come back to complete the hole right away. Being from the
South, I wanted to give Pieter something for his generosity. So we gave him one of my PGA golfer son's
beautiful golfing shirts. Pieter snared this opportunity to issue his dastardly
challenge, "I challenge you, if you eat a Mopani worm, I'll dig the other side
of the septic tank hole for you!"
Pieter van der Westhuizen.
(Pieter threw down the gauntlet, and Silly me
picked it up.)
I accepted the challenge and that was my last night
of sleep for quite awhile. I fretted and sweated over that Worm and thought of
all possibilities on how to disguise the Worm so I could eat it. I had
conversations with myself, "If our Venda friends can do this, I can!" To them, it is a delicacy along with
locusts and is a great source of protein.
Yummy.
Sidney with mustard.
(How does one disguise a worm?)
I wretched at the thought of it. Finally, it was decided... I would use
their sun dried one (their boiled ones were a definite "NO") and cover it with
mustard. Wayne would stand by with a
large glass of Coca Cola to help me swallow it. Pastor Budeli volunteered to
furnish the Worm. More sleepless
nights. The suspense and stress were beating me down. THE DAY OF DOOM
ARRIVED.
A bowl full of Mopani Worms.
(Just looking at these critters turned me green and gaggy.)
I had Janco, our esteemed guide, examine the bowl
full and promise to choose the smallest one. My strategy was to swallow it
without chewing. "OMGoodness, I don't know if I can do this!" My hands were sweating, I felt light in the
head, my ears were roaring... "Buck up Sidney. Remember the kids!" What we won't do for love. I love these precious children... there is
no backing down. Six witnesses were waiting.
(CJ, Sam, Wayne, Janco, Pastor Budeli and his son).
A
single Worm.
(Janco made his choice, and slushed mustard
all over it. He wrapped bread around,
but I blatantly insisted he cover ALL the edges so I couldn't see it.)
(Proof of achievement of the challenge.)
I hysterically threw the "thing" in my mouth, tried
to swallow, gagged down all the Coca Cola humanly possible while my stomach
tried to reject it. More Coke hoping
the acid would dissolve it. "THE DEED WAS DONE... and I lived to tell about it,"
though my stomach rumbled for two days.
Half a hole.
(So, Pieter, I did your awful Worm Challenge.)
"It was HORRIBLE I say! Now I need the other half hole." Our plumber, Patrick, can't build the
septic till the hole is complete.
Backhoe.
(Pieter, please make a plan and send your beautiful Backhoe back so the
children can have bathrooms.)
Just recalling all of this makes me tremble and weak
in the knees.
BUT... I hope I never ever have to do this
again! And we deeply appreciate Pieter
and RUWACON company for their generous gift. The children will also be very
grateful.
Until next time,
From the Bush with love, Sidney
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