Living
across from Tambo in Bolivia, now Monte Blanco, lives a woman who has
impacted
many missionary kids through her egg sandwiches. Long
before my brother and I began attending Tambo in the early 80’s, Doña Antonia’s
place was “the” spot to go. We’d
often “go off prop” to enjoy her company, egg sandwiches, and papas
fritas. This woman cared for each
of us…and was dearly loved.
across from Tambo in Bolivia, now Monte Blanco, lives a woman who has
impacted
many missionary kids through her egg sandwiches. Long
before my brother and I began attending Tambo in the early 80’s, Doña Antonia’s
place was “the” spot to go. We’d
often “go off prop” to enjoy her company, egg sandwiches, and papas
fritas. This woman cared for each
of us…and was dearly loved.
So
when I returned to set up our Ambassador trip, I made it a priority to visit
her. The first time we headed over
to her place I was nervous. Would she be alive? Does she still live here? Will
she remember me? I was excited
when I recognized her tienda/store. I walked up to the window and yelled “Doña
Antonia!”. My friend Kristen was ready to capture the reunion with her camera
while Don and David stood waiting. It was a beautiful moment. She came to the
window and stared at me–and I at her. Then I asked,”Do you remember me?”
“Connie Lengkeek. I went to school here through the 80’s.”
when I returned to set up our Ambassador trip, I made it a priority to visit
her. The first time we headed over
to her place I was nervous. Would she be alive? Does she still live here? Will
she remember me? I was excited
when I recognized her tienda/store. I walked up to the window and yelled “Doña
Antonia!”. My friend Kristen was ready to capture the reunion with her camera
while Don and David stood waiting. It was a beautiful moment. She came to the
window and stared at me–and I at her. Then I asked,”Do you remember me?”
“Connie Lengkeek. I went to school here through the 80’s.”
She
smiled and reached through the bars. “Si”, she said. Within seconds she was
outside and we were hugging, crying, and laughing.
smiled and reached through the bars. “Si”, she said. Within seconds she was
outside and we were hugging, crying, and laughing.
We
only had a few moments before we had to leave for our next appointment, but we
followed her into her humble home and reminisced. It was fun to introduce her
to my husband, my friend and to tell her my brother still talks about her… as do many
others! I was able to tell her she had a huge impact us.
only had a few moments before we had to leave for our next appointment, but we
followed her into her humble home and reminisced. It was fun to introduce her
to my husband, my friend and to tell her my brother still talks about her… as do many
others! I was able to tell her she had a huge impact us.
We
hugged good-bye with the agreement that we’d come back the next morning on our
way out for breakfast – sandwich de huevo. She wanted to wait for the fresh
bread and eggs to arrive.
I
could hardly wait. It felt like Christmas! When we walked in, she was chopping
the onions and tomatoes. She shoved a spoon of them in my mouth and asked if
they needed more salt. I explained that there has several times when I’ve tried
to make these…but always fall short. I told her the difference is the love she
makes them with. It was joy to watch her work her magic in her little kitchen.
Some things never changed! Thank God!
could hardly wait. It felt like Christmas! When we walked in, she was chopping
the onions and tomatoes. She shoved a spoon of them in my mouth and asked if
they needed more salt. I explained that there has several times when I’ve tried
to make these…but always fall short. I told her the difference is the love she
makes them with. It was joy to watch her work her magic in her little kitchen.
Some things never changed! Thank God!
We
sat at the table chatting with her while drinking her coffee. All was well. I
began to ask about her husband, her kids. Her husband died 6 years ago, her
children are all spread out. One is in Spain. I asked how business was. Since Tambo
is no longer, she doesn’t have the customers. She had to sell her freezer that
housed all the soda that we kept in business with our missionary kid
addictions. David had the opportunity to tell her about the new ministry that
bought Tambo and the people being impacted by it…and promised to introduce the
Monte Blanco staff and teams to her little business.
sat at the table chatting with her while drinking her coffee. All was well. I
began to ask about her husband, her kids. Her husband died 6 years ago, her
children are all spread out. One is in Spain. I asked how business was. Since Tambo
is no longer, she doesn’t have the customers. She had to sell her freezer that
housed all the soda that we kept in business with our missionary kid
addictions. David had the opportunity to tell her about the new ministry that
bought Tambo and the people being impacted by it…and promised to introduce the
Monte Blanco staff and teams to her little business.
The
sandwiches were ready and we all sat together. In many ways it was a worship
service. We spoke of God… Actually she spoke of God! I love how she teaches
about God. It’s in her actions, in her humility, in her eyes. I ate and ate. I took pictures after
every other bite. Yes, these were made with love…and can’t be duplicated.
sandwiches were ready and we all sat together. In many ways it was a worship
service. We spoke of God… Actually she spoke of God! I love how she teaches
about God. It’s in her actions, in her humility, in her eyes. I ate and ate. I took pictures after
every other bite. Yes, these were made with love…and can’t be duplicated.
We
had to hit the road before it was too late. I asked to pray for her… we held
each other and cried. Tears of joy…I’m so grateful for that moment.
had to hit the road before it was too late. I asked to pray for her… we held
each other and cried. Tears of joy…I’m so grateful for that moment.
While
the others slipped out, I gave her money to pay for the food…plus some. I knew
she didn’t have much. She adamantly refused it. It was her gift. I couldn’t leave her without something.
I took off my scarf and wrapped it around her. Beautiful! She made my scarf
beautiful!
the others slipped out, I gave her money to pay for the food…plus some. I knew
she didn’t have much. She adamantly refused it. It was her gift. I couldn’t leave her without something.
I took off my scarf and wrapped it around her. Beautiful! She made my scarf
beautiful!
With
a few more pictures and promises to send copies down with our team, we hugged,
cried, and said, “till next time.”
a few more pictures and promises to send copies down with our team, we hugged,
cried, and said, “till next time.”
I’m
so blessed by the many wonderful women in my life…
so blessed by the many wonderful women in my life…
To read about this from Kristens perspective, check out her blog at kristentorrestoro.myadventures.org
Connie, I love this story and the photos. What a blessing! I’ll bet Don was so proud and so happy to share in this wonderful part of your past that is still present (and a present!) I am, too!
Wow! That was beautiful. Thank you sooooo much for putting this all together so that we could enjoy it. That was glorious. Thank you.
Wow! Talk about GOOD memories! I attended Tambo in 8th and 9th grade…I liked Doña Antonia’s egg sandwiches, but my absolute favorites were her fried cheese sandwiches. I had to laugh about the sodas. Using my “bank” I remember buying a liter of Pepsi – it was GOLD.
The pictures were amazing – so clear, beautiful and full of emotion.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Donny Hilgeman (Tambo ’78-’79)
Hey! I want one of those. What a cool reunion! I actually attemp to make an egg sandwich almost every Sunday after I come home from choir practice–it is my Sunday night “thing” to eat. Love the pictures; love the story. Isn’t God good.
Love you
I am so glad you were able to reconnect with someone from your good memories in Bolivia. It brings joy to my heart! Bless you both.
Connie, I loved the story! It was so touching and I can only imagine how heart-warming it was for each of you to reconnect after such a long time. I love the photos too. This would make a great story for GuidePost or Reader’s Digest – and would continue to spread His Good News! Love to you and Don.
Debbie
Connie, This brings tears to my eyes. I pray that the Lord continues to bless you. I sent the last pictures to Jake & will send these also. Love, Ella
Love the story Connie! She is beautiful! Miss you! kim
What a precious story! I have heard so much about Doña Antonia. 🙂 It was nice to see pictures of her and her little store and get a glimpse of some you and Kevin’s childhood memories.
I try to make them too …. but they aren’t the same. Loved the way you honored her.
Wow that was a great story. I always loved going to Dona Antonia store especially for the pancitos warm out of that brick oven. Thanks for sharing this great story it brought back many memories.
Thank you for sharing your story, Connie. We all loved Doña Antonia! I am so glad you stopped over to tell her how much she meant to all of the Tambo alumni.
I still think often of Dona Antonia. When all was wrong, you could go to her, enjoy a sandwich and soda, and absorb her unconditional love for each of us students. Not only have I never been able to recreate the sandwich, I have not found anyone like her!
Indeed where would any of us MK’s be today had we not ever met Dona Antonia. I remember particularly how she was so understanding of a new “gringo” kid first learning Spanish and willing to correct me when I asked her, “Tiene huevos” instead of ,”Hay huevos”. Thankyou for sharing and bringing back to mind such wonderful memories.
I have often wondered about Dona Antonia and if she was still alive. I have known her since I was a toddler. When we were there in the 60’s I don’t remember her serving meals, but she had those puffed ricecake animals, the bags of tostados (the puffed corn}, her pancitos (bread) she baked in an adobe oven and she sometimes had patties of goats cheese and mote (kind of like hominey). The pancito, cheese and mote made a perfect meal. We usually went to her store to buy candy and she always gave me a “yapita”. It is different to see a real stove in her house. she cooked over a wood fire and in the adobe oven when we were there. I imagine with the main road moving and Tambo closing her business has been hurting.
This is a wonderful story. Dona Antonia is a high point in all Tamboites’ lives. I remember I had a nice little business running and getting egg sandwiches from Dona Antonia for the high school boys after study hall. She is such a beautiful person.
I was at Tambo 1967-68 (9th grade). Your story about Dona Antonia brings back some very fond memories. The egg sandwich must have come later because all I remember is the candy and, of course, the big bags of puffed corn. Dona Antonia was always so nice to us. And, I’m sure it was Dona Antonia’s puffed corn that caused the gasous outbursts in the older boys dorms at nite. Poor Mr. and Mrs. Lotz! It’s so sad to hear that Tambo is no longer- it was such a fantastic place to have spent some time.
As a Bolivian I loved your story . My family has been in what is now Bolivia since 1500, I am the last one that is full blooded criolla. I do not have nobody else in my beautiful country to go back to.
But people like you that show care and respect are what the world needs.
As I ma in my autumm years I like to read about memories from Bolivia.
Thanks you.
As a Bolivian I loved your story . My family has been in what is now Bolivia since 1500, I am the last one that is full blooded criolla. I do not have nobody else in my beautiful country to go back to.
But people like you that show care and respect are what the world needs.
As I am in my autumm years I like to read about memories from Bolivia.
Thanks you.
Wow! Great pictures of her! I was at Tambo in the 60’s and we would go to her store all the time. She was always so good to us. We would buy stuff from her when we had the money. I mostly remember buying sling shot rubber from her. He kitchen has changed. She had an adobe oven she would bake breads in. It was the best bread! Her place looks in better shape than when we were there. She has got to be up there in years! How old is she now?
Thanks for the pictures.
I have sweet, precious memories of Doña Antonia. Thanks for sharing this article and the pictures bring tears to my eyes. 🙂
Why did I not read this until just now? 🙂 Such a great tribute to a wonderful woman who we all were so thankful for…Doa Antonia! I was so happy to have her egg sandwiches during study hall (after finally making it OUT of study hall). She was the best. This was such a great post, thanks so much for sharing it…even though it was posted several years ago!
What a touching story! I loved reading it. Praise God for your time together.
love you guys!
Katie