There are some people the whole world loves. Well, actually, there are some people the whole world should love. They are unique, talented, kindhearted, genuine, and bless every person they come in contact with. They are people the world should know, and would love, but who wholeheartedly serve not to be seen or known. You know some of these people. I want to introduce you to one that I and many others around the world know. Her name is Veronica, and she is a chef.

Veronica is not the chef of a 3 Michelin star restaurant. She has not always had the privilege of working with the finest in culinary equipment (though God HAS recently blessed her with a new kitchen and equipment, of which many chefs would be jealous). Veronica is a chef in Jamaica. And no, she does not have a restaurant in Kingston or Montego Bay. Her kitchen is deep in the heart of Jamaica, in the mountains, at the Jamaica Deaf Village. She cooks for countless missions teams, big and small, who come to serve and pour out their hearts to those who are often forgotten and most often looked over. Veronica is not deaf herself, but she works alongside those who are. She works long, hard hours, with a warm smile. And you can tell, from each of the three meals a day, that her food is made with overflowing love...and tons of skill!

The first time I served at JDV, I had not started my culinary journey. This time though, I had the extraordinary privilege of aiding "Vern" in her kitchen for the evening meal. I thought I knew how to cook, but I felt like an infant next to this long time pro. It was an incredible experience that I will always cherish.

Veronica cooks everything from scratch, whether she is cooking for 5 or 500. She uses fresh herbs, no packaged seasoning, and she wastes nothing. She has no formal training and learned to cook from her mother when she was a teenager. Her skills would put many Michelin star chefs to shame. Although she cooks three meals a day for large teams, she will, spur of the moment, quickly whip up the most delicious cake for someone's birthday. She will go above and beyond to make people feel special. A young couple with our missions team were married two weeks before the mission trip and decided to spend their honeymoon ministering to the deaf in Jamaica. Veronica went above and beyond and gave them the most elegant meal, even sculpting roses out of carrots.

 

With all that to say, I was so delighted to be able to join her in the kitchen for one of the evening meals. The dish I helped prepare was roasted pork. It was beyond amazing. I have since tried to replicate it, but it does not even come close. Served with the meal was fried rice (from leftover rice over the week), and fried fish. The recipe below is for Veronica's Roasted Pork. If you cook it, be sure to do it all from scratch, with a warm smile on your face, and with as much love as you can muster.

This post does not do Veronica justice. She has served in obscurity for dozens of years. She serves wholeheartedly. She is loved by so many. And everyone always remembers her food. Everyone. Always.

Enjoy the pictures below of my time in this great chef's kitchen. And even try the recipe for yourself.

The Jamaica Deaf Village and their missionaries are funded solely through donations. They are a part of the organization Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD). I would greatly encourage you to give to this extremely worthy cause. You can give HERE.

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You can be forgiven and made right with God. He loves you and gave Himself for you.

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Let me know how I can pray for you!