Why Baking Classes? (Amigas del Alma)

Yesterday Shari had another baking class, and it was a great success!  So – how did all this get started?

Back in 2009, Shari, Mayra and Aurora started doing baking classes in Jesús María.  I should mention Tiffany too, who was there for the first class even though she wasn’t living here at the time.

Around the same time they also did a baking class in Santa Barbara.

This was the beginning of many more baking classes in both communities.  So – what are they all about?

The ministry, known as Amigas del Alma, was described by Rod this way back when it started:

The phrase “Amigas del Alma” has two meanings in Spanish. The common meeting [sic] is “soul friends” or “best friends.” The second meaning is “friends of the soul.” Obviously the purpose of this dynamic trio is to reach women through different creative events, principally…are you ready for this…baking and cooking. So far, Shari has helped the women make banana muffins, and Tiffany assisted in making Christmas cookies. [original post]

Amigas del Alma has evolved quite a bit in over three and a half years, and the “amigas” have changed over time.  But here’s the basic idea…

How it works

It’s nice to have a specialty, and Amigas del Alma has specialized in desserts.  Yes, it could have ended up much broader, but sticking (more or less) to desserts has brought a nice focus, specialization and expertise.  Shari has also tried to bring recipes that are less known here in Mexico City.

Actually, dessert-making here is not especially common.  You can buy cakes at the store, and you might make flan or rice pudding, but there’s not the variety that there is when it comes to other types of food.  Not to mention that many Mexican women use their ovens more for storage than for baking!

Shari usually hands out the ingredients and what-to-bring list a week early (not the recipe itself – that would take the fun out of it!).  Everyone brings their ingredients and what bowls and utensils they can.

Then at the class, Shari goes through the recipe and everyone bakes more or less together.  Some share ingredients, others bake their own thing – and it kind of depends on what’s being baked.  But everyone wants something to take home! 🙂

As the goodies are in the oven, someone leads a short, simple devotional.

As time has passed, Shari has learned a lot (as have the rest of us!) about what and how to teach!  For example, how to explain things in a culture that often just doesn’t have the specific words that we use in Canada when we bake (how do you “cream”?  or “fold”?).  Or what things are natural to those of us who have grown up baking, but are foreign to those who haven’t.  (For example, a pie is not a stew – you can’t just put everything in at the same time and mix it like crazy and throw it in the oven!)

Some things we’ve more or less invented Spanish names for – fun!

Why it’s so cool

There are a lot of reasons why the baking class has been an awesome ministry!  For example:

• It’s delicious!  What a great thing to share – and to bring home to your family!  Good feelings all around!
• It’s relational!  What a great way to get to know people – believers, unbelievers – what a great way to make friends!
• You can invite your friends!  It’s a fun, non-threatening atmosphere.
• It’s a great skill!  As a matter of fact, some women have used what they’ve learned to earn money for their families!
• You can bring your kids!  And many women have over the years.  It’s a great mother/daughter event!  (And yes, some guys have come once or twice – but here in Mexico, that’s just pretty weird.)
• You can pass it on!  You can teach baking – and then someone else can take the same recipe and do the same thing – and some have!
• Short termers can be involved!  As Tiffany did when she first visited, many others from the USA and Canada have come and have been involved.  Can’t speak much Spanish?  No problem – just come and share a recipe, help stir, and share a smile.  You’d be surprised how powerful it can be!

Oh, and of course when someone shares something from the Bible, something else happens.  People start to think about spiritual things – and struggles, and hopes.  And conversations get started.  And people are introduced to – the Pan de Vida (Bread of Life)!

And His food and drink last forever!

Thanks to those who have prayed for this ministry, and those who have donated supplies.  Sometimes at the end of a series of classes, the women are invited to one of our closing programs, and they get a little gift.  It’s especially fun to get something that’s expensive or hard to get here, that can help with future baking exploits!

And looking back, it’s so neat to see women in the church who got to know other believers through Amigas del Alma.  And of course, they got to know Jesus.

More about Amigas del Alma:

• Soul Friends “Amigas del Alma” (2009)
• Another Event Starting Now! (video) (2010)
• Community Centre Event (April 2011) (video) (2011)
• Baking Class with Shari! (2012)
• (10/30) BAKING CLASS! (2013)