A Friend This Holiday...

The smells that fill the Champagne home is usually good enough to draw a few visitors.
But now Chastity Champagne’s crawfish pies and etoufee are getting praise from as far away as Guatemala. That’s because she, her husband Kody and their son Kain have agreed to become a host family in a Foreign Exchange program.
Esteban de la Pena Gonzalez says he has no complaints about Louisiana cooking and the people he’s met so far: “The food is good and the people are nice,” he said.
Esteban is spending two months with the Champagne family in Franklin as he learns English, the area and the culture. Kain, the Champagne’s son, couldn’t be happier. He has a cool new friend to show the ropes at Catholic High.
“I have two annoying sisters so this is like having a brother,” Kain said, laughing.
Showing his friend the ropes has been fun for him. He’s introduced Esteban to the entire football team at Catholic High, as well as warned him not to eat the macaroni at school. “I tried it but I wasn’t sure about the taste,” Esteban said.
“I tried to warn you,” Kain said with a chuckle.
Esteban’s parents and the Champagnes met through a program called “Bonding”, which is made available through Catholic High and an extension of the Catholic Church.
Pablo de la Pena Alarcon, Esteban’s father, said it took them about eight months to prepare for their son to leave home.
“I was happy but I also miss him,” said his mom, Zenaida Gonzalez de de la Pena. “But I know he’s having an awesome experience.”
“They’re so closely matched, they did a good job with that,” Chastity said.
There are some differences in the two teen’s routines. Esteban has a very orderly day. His routine continues at home even after school. “There are tasks for him to complete, while Kain has more freedom in his schedule after school,” Chastity said. “We had to work on him getting to class on time. At the school in Guatemala they stay in the same room all day and they don’t have to transition.
“Where he is from you’re either poor or rich, they have servants. Here if you want something you get up and go get it.”
“Esteban’s humble spirit and willingness to adapt and learn to a new culture makes him a welcomed addition,” mother and son agreed.
“It’s fun. It’s something new. We play basketball, we play PlayStation. We went fishing, it’s great,” Kain said
‘He’ll always have a Louisiana home,” Chastity said. “Parents like the program because it’s a lesson in culture and it prepares them. If one day he decides he wants to go to LSU or any Louisiana college. He’ll have us here to help him.”
Those who may be interested in becoming a host family can start studying the bonding program. There may likely be a need for an audit and you have to have patience to go through the experience.