“Momma” Watopa’s "Restaurant"

The Beautiful hut from which we enjoyed our meals in Waropen each day while I was there for Evangelism Meetings.

October 1-12 I was in Waropen for Evangelism Meetings. . .There’s a beautiful “restaurant” in the Waropen Kabupatan.    No, its not really a restaurant but I was just as impressed as if it were.   “Momma” Watofa, pronounced Watopa to the English speaking ear, is the wife of our retired Education Director a few years back.   He and she still work as Principle and teacher in their retirement.   The food she produced, between teaching classes to elementary school kids, was spectacular for this westerner.   She accommodated my western vegetarian taste buds and found a way to blend Indonesian, Papuan and Western foods in a divine way.    Wow it tasted good.   Can we say Granola, Pizza, Quiche, Grilled Vegetables, something that tasted like Special K loaf.

Gradola, Papaya, Peanuts that a church member dug and “Momma” Watofa roasted.
On Top of the spectacular food the Watofa family land is beach front and they have little modern huts called Pondoks for enjoying the sea view.   Each day we would watch boats coming in an out and birds catching their prey and children and fishermen at play.   It was such a delightful experience that it made me wish there was a place this refreshing in Doyo Baru.  

The Watofa Home faces the ocean but they’ve also started a church in this former government home that was built on their family land.   It actually use to be rented by prostitutes for their business.   When the Watofa learned of this they bought it back from the government and dedicated it to the Lord instead of to Satan’s benefits.   They hope to one day afford the rest of their land to buy is back from the government who has an abandoned tourist facility on it.  
I told “Momma” Watofa, as everyone affectionately calls her, that she should seriously consider opening a Restaurant.

“Momma” Watofa (in red top) in her kitchen

With her “staff” of volunteers who cooked for me and the team while we preached, taught and visited during the reaping meetings in Waropen.