As a creative person whose ideas are constantly flowing, you likely know how one thought leads to another.
And how soon, out of nowhere, you’re remembering some odd thing you hadn’t thought about in years.
That’s how it was when looking over some Welsh proverbs, I came across this one:
“A fo ben, bid bont.”➝”He who would be a leader must be a bridge.”
Immediately, I remembered Geovanni Nakamura and tacos.
Who is Geovanni, you ask? (And what do tacos have to do with anything?)
Geovanni was the young Guatemalan boy my pastor’s family adopted when I lived in Japan.
He arrived not knowing a lick of Japanese, and none of his adoptive family knew Spanish.
But I spoke Spanish, so they asked me to serve as an interpreter and help Geovanni feel at home as he settled in.
From the moment our eyes met at Nagoya airport through the first few months in his new surroundings—with his new friends, family, and language—Geovanni seemed to adjust well to Japanese life.
But I had no idea just how well he had adjusted until the day we talked about his favorite foods.
I asked him if he liked tacos, with the stuffed tortilla dish from Latin America in mind.
At that, Geovanni’s eyes lit up, and he raved in Spanish, “Me encantan los tacos.” He was crazy about tacos, or so I thought.
Not until he described the “taco” he had snacked on earlier that day as “chewy” and “on a stick” did I realize he was talking about tako ~
. . . or takoyaki, grilled octopus balls often served on a skewer, a popular Japanese dish.
Caught by surprise, I smiled at Geovanni and laughed quietly, thinking: My job here is done. Our little Guatemalan boy🇬🇹 has become Japanese🇯🇵!
Looking back, I see how I became a bridge to connect people,
… offering hospitality and language skills to unite people across two very different cultures.
And in your unique way, you’re called to be a bridge, too.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re sharing stories, opening your home, or creating something that reflects beauty and truth.
You can connect cultures, offer hospitality, and bring people together.
That’s not just a nice idea—it’s a calling.
And what a joy to walk in it!
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
—Ephesians 2:10
Now then . . . what one thing can you create, do, or say to be the bridge that connects and supports someone in your orbit today?
THE FLAVOR TRAIL
🍞BARA BRITH – WALES COZY TEA TIME CLASSIC
The name of this beloved tea loaf means “speckled bread” in Welsh, thanks to the little jewels of dried fruit tucked into every slice.
🫖 You find it everywhere in Wales, often served with butter and tea. It symbolizes Welsh hospitality. Sharing Bara Brith is a way to say, “Croeso!” (Welcome!)
It’s a sweet taste of tradition and home. And home, no matter where, is always special.
“Teg edrych tuag adref.”➝ “It is good to look toward home.”
So, what do you say? Is it time to put the kettle on? ☕🍞✨ Here’s a good Bara Brith recipe to try.
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STUDIO DIARIES:
🏆 WELSH FOLK ARTS TO INSPIRE YOUR INNER CREATIVE
Welsh folk arts are rich with tradition, storytelling, and a deep love for beauty and creativity.
No wonder the Welsh often say,
“Celfyddyd yw bywyd”➝“Art is life.”
Here are two art forms that’ll speak straight to your heart:
🎵 1. Folk Music & Poetry – The Eisteddfod Experience 🎭
If Wales had a creative soul, Eisteddfod, the centuries-old festival in the town of Llangollen, pictured above, would be it.
It’s where poets, musicians, and storytellers gather to share their craft in the most electrifying (and deeply Welsh) way possible.
Imagine—harps playing, voices rising in ancient hymns, and the country’s best bards weaving wonderful words.
Eisteddfod is an immersive, goosebump-inducing experience for anyone who appreciates the power of well-said words and music.
🖼️ 2. Landscape & Folk Painting – Where the Land Speaks🎨
Welsh landscapes beg to be painted. There, you find brooding mountains, windswept coastlines, and quiet village corners where the past lingers in every stone.
Small wonder artists like Kyffin Williams (master of bold, textured landscapes) and Mary Lloyd Jones (who infuses her work with Welsh history and symbolism) found endless inspiration here.
Whether you paint with a brush, a camera, or words, Wales is a place to soak in beauty and create.
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And that’s a wrap for today’s explorations, but before I go . . .
Let me invite you, once more, to set aside some time to create an easy-to-prepare Bara Brith.
Or a batch of chocolate chip cookies🍪🍪🍪 if that’s what you do best.
Then, share them with someone else as an act of hospitality. In both Scripture and Welsh tradition, meals aren’t just about filling our stomachs—they’re about filling our hearts.
I’m cheering you on as you cheer up that neighbor, friend, or family member😉!
Talk again soon.
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