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A Cherished Legend in Three Episodes (continued)
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Episode 1961 (concluded): having been a very brave
and heroic resistance fighter during World War 2. He had hidden
several American and British Airmen in his basement at different
times and had helped them escape back to allied territories to fight
and fly again. He said that since he had a cafe that served the
usual Belgium ice cream one or more of the Americans had told
him how much more creamy and sweeter the American ice cream
was. Eventually Mr. Poirier had created his ‘special ice cream’.
The flavoring was improved as well and he put more fruit, nuts,
cream, whole milk, etc into it. During the War most of the extras
were either not abundant or not available. It was after the War
that his ice cream became the best.
I had lived in that neighborhood for at least 4-6 weeks and had
only thought his cafe was just another cafe with beautiful pastries
in the window. Elder Thornton and I had never gone in that cafe
before.
When Elder Dodd walked into the cafe good old Joseph Poirier
exploded with joy. He rushed overr to Elder Dodd and gave him
a great big hug and handshake. Elder Dodd introduced me and
we chatted for a little while. Mr. Poirier and Elder Dodd reminisced
about when Elder Dodd had been there. Then Elder Dodd said he
had brought Joseph a 'new, hungry and ice cream loving American
missionary.' Mr. Poirier shook my hand again and had us sit down.
Then he asked Elder Dodd what he wanted. Elder Dodd wanted
more ice cream than 'the usual' (the usual was 1-2 small scoops
in a small ice cream dish). I believe Elder Dodd had at least 4
scoops stacked high in his dish. Then came my turn. I asked
Mr. Poirier if he had a larger dish and he said no. It was at that
time that I noticed on a shelf, behind the counter, a larger bowl which
had plastic fruit in it. I asked him if he had another bowl that size and
he immediately snatched that bowl, took out the contents, washed
the bowl and stood ready with scoop in hand to serve me the first
official "Big Mike." I had him put 6-8 large scoops in it. He could
not believe I wanted that much. This cute little guy was giggling
and happy as can be doing all this. The other customers had been
watching soccer on a small screen TV and were now watching the
two of us. Elders Dodd and Jarvis ate all their ice cream. Everyone
was smiling, especially us. I was only in Seraing another 1-2 months
before being transferred to Liege, Belgium (10-20 miles up the
Meuse River).
I forgot to mention that Elder Dodd and I were both large and tall.
Both of us were about 6-5 and 250 lbs. When we came through
the door everyone looked at us. Joseph Poirier and others at
future times had said we reminded them of the first American
Soldiers who drove the Germans out of those areas. Many of the
Americans were large, tall and tough. They were fearless men
who were strong, well fed, new clothing, weapons, vehicles, etc.
Everyone noticed such a strong difference between the Americans
and the defeated Germans who were wearing tattered and worn out clothing,
shoes, beat up weapons, equpment and vehicles that were patched
together, etc. This was only 16 years after the end of World War 2.
The people were all very friendly and liked America.
I believe I only had a few more times that I came to Poirier's and
had ice cream before I left. I never ate 2 dishes at one time but
just one with either 6-8 larger scoops. They never had a real
large scoop like in America.
This story like many others got better and missionaries all love
ice cream and a challenge to out eat each other.
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—Mike Jarvis, January 2010
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