Note: From March 7-18, Rick Jost led ten Solar Oven Partner (SOP) team members with seven cooking demonstrations at four different demonstration sites. UM Missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner coordinate this ongoing effort. The team worked in cooperation with Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana [IED] churches and at the invitation of their bishop. 

Rick’s delight in solar oven teaching shows through as he tells this story:

“We had sunshine every day for our training, with 6 out of 7 days being blessed by intense sunshine. Those conditions always stir the hearts of the bread bakers on the team.

Photo: An apparent skeptic of solar cooking, this woman watched two days of solar cooking instruction at Jaquimeyes. She lined up to verify the progress of the food being cooked in the dozen or so solar ovens at the seminar, holding out her hand for a sample of rice and beans, vegetables, plantain, or potato, and tasting it like a food critic, Rick said. “She did not grumble or complain, but was clearly making up her own mind, and who could argue with that? This is the whole point of holding solar cooking seminars. She made my day when she left the church sanctuary with that big smile you see here—the proud owner of a new solar oven!”

All the women engaged in baking yeast bread at our demonstration sites claimed no previous experience, other than watching someone else bake bread somewhere. Yet all of our bread bakers must have been keen observers because they proceeded to mix and knead with expert motions.

The main thing we taught was the "poke test" which quite delighted them! As the gluten is developed in the dough by kneading, a quick jab or poke of a straight finger into the dough finds the hole closing quickly as the finger is withdrawn...when the dough is ready.

There is no question that a hot, browned loaf of bread coming out of a solar oven is impressive, but with the oven temperature at 300 degrees F. on this particular day, one woman burst out with, "WOW! WOW!! WOW!!! WOW!!!!" The first exclamation was a compliment, the second gravy, but three and four? I couldn't imagine a greater affirmation...until we broke that bread!”

Photo: The Rev. Aefreda Espinosa, an amazing organizer, turned out the women of her church and community in Jaquimeyes. Aefreda is pictured behind the woman she encouraged to bake bread with Rick on a perfect morning.

Solar Oven Partners are inspired by developments in the Dominican Republic. But success there depends on support here at home.

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