Thursday, May 25, 2006

Hospitality

 

In Dec we were asked to host a Malawian accountant who was coming to fill in at WR.  At first I thought it would be 2 weeks (it turned out to be longer).  Introvert that I am, I struggled with the thought.

 

But God seemed to be nudging me and it became a point of obedience.  So I said “yes” and he came.  He is a very gentle man, thanking us profusely for allowing him to stay with us.  We slowly got to know him and I discovered a kindred spirit.  We have a lot in common since he is also a third culture kid, having grown up in the U.S. and Canada and then returning to Malawi.  One of his favorite phrases is “that’s Africa for you” with a shake of his head.  He struggles with some of the cultural issues just like we do.

 

He washed the dishes every night, caused very little extra work and became our friend.  We talked about work a lot, joked, talked about life and had a great time.  He told us he felt very at home with us, like he was with family.

 

This was a lesson to me to welcome strangers into our home, for who knows, they may become our good friends or they may even be angels!

 

In Reaching Out by Henri Nouwen he says:  “… if there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality.  It is one of the richest biblical terms that can deepen and broaden our insight in our relationships to our fellow human beings.  Old and New Testament stories not only show how serious our obligation is to welcome the stranger in our home, but they also tell us that guests are carrying precious gifts with them, which they are eager to reveal to a receptive host.  When Abraham received three strangers at Mamre and offered them water, bread and a fine tender calf, they revealed themselves to him as the Lord announcing that Sarah his wife would give birth to a son.   When the widow of Zarephath offered food and shelter to Elijah, he revealed himself as a man of God offering her an abundance of oil and meal and raising her son from the dead.  When the two travelers to Emmaus invited the stranger, who had joined them on the road to stay with them for the night, he made himself known in the breaking of the bread as their Lord and Savior.  When hostility is converted into hospitality then fearful strangers can become guests revealing to their hosts the promise they are carrying with them.  The biblical stories help us to realize not just that hospitality is an important virtue, but even more that in the context of hospitality guest and host can reveal their most precious gifts and bring new life to each other.”

 

 

 

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