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“God’s Gumbo Gang” to Bring Louisiana Cuisine to September Convention
Woody Keim of Baton Rouge has personal knowledge of hurricanes. He has the distinction of having every home he’s ever lived in destroyed by hurricanes. The southern Louisiana native moved to Baton Rouge—a bit further from hurricane reach—only to have Hurricane Gustav drop a tree on his current home.
Keim is the tenth generation of his family to live in south Louisiana, since the 1700’s. And he is one of “God’s Gumbo Gang” coming to Norfolk, Nebraska, to serve Louisiana gumbo and jambalaya at the Orphan Grain Train Convention’s Friday evening meal, September 18.
At Trinity Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, after Hurricane Katrina, “We started thinking that we wanted a volunteer group other than a chainsaw gang,” says Keim. “We thought we would do something more personal, like serving food. That’s how the ‘Gumbo Gang’ was born.” “God’s Gumbo Gang” goes around and serves after hurricanes. A revolving number of people participate, from two to twelve people, depending on who is available, usually an average of four to six people.
To prepare the meals, two giant 20-gallon pots are used. One for gumbo and one for jambalaya.
What are these meals made of? Keim explains, “Jambalaya is rice with other stuff in it, such as sausage, chicken, or pork. Gumbo is a thick soup served over rice.” Jambalaya is drier than gumbo. To make gumbo, one “starts with a roux”—flour and oil mixture that is browned. Then, chicken stock and the “holy trinity of seasonings,” green bell pepper, onion, and celery are added, along with poultry, shrimp or pork, seasoned with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
The Orphan Grain Train meal will not be as heavily spiced as the gumbo in Louisiana. However condiments will be available so one may season to taste.
Both dishes are coastal Louisiana in origin. The Cajuns and Creole’s both make these dishes, but their recipes are different. (Creoles are French in origin, and the Cajuns are originally Canadian French.) At Norfolk, God’s Gumbo Gang plans to serve Cajun Jambalaya and Creole Gumbo, which is seafood based. Of course the shrimp will be from Louisiana!
Keim, who is also the Chairman of the Board of RAI Ministries Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore, said that, “Offering a little bit of Louisiana cuisine is the least we could do to thank Orphan Grain Train for being so instrumental in our recovery efforts. Y’all have responded greatly with the love of Christ to the people affected by these devastating storms.”
Keim grew up in the seafood business. When not serving great Louisiana cuisine he practices family law in Baton Rouge.
**Note from Rev. Dave Buss, RAI Ministries Executive Director**
As a small token of our appreciation for the extraordinary aid and support in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for the most gracious continued collaboration and disaster recovery assistance in the four years since Katrina and Rita, the Southern District LCMS, RAI Ministries, and “God’s Gumbo Gang” from Trinity Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge Louisiana, humbly ask that we be allowed to bring some Southern Cook’n’ to the good people of the Orphan Grain Train. We cannot repay you for all you have done for us; but please know that we thank God for you all.