I felt like I did nothing. I just provided him a meal.
Our first meeting was when I found him standing alone in the church hall. Parishioners were passing by him in front of me, but I felt nudged by the Spirit to connect. His cultural attire and warm smile made me curious.
Did he come alone?
What brought him here?
How long had he been standing there?
Did he have a place to go for lunch?
Sharing my name, I put my hand out and introduced myself. “How are you?”
“Fine, thank-you.” His accent was heavy, but I understood his words.
“Have you been to worship here before?”
“Yes, this is my third time, thank-you.” Like my dear Ghanese sister, he was appreciative of every acknowledgment. He continued to smile with attentive eyes while his words were slow and intentional.
“What is your name and what has brought you here?”
It was very much a one-sided conversation, a soft interview as such, as I wanted to learn more about him. As we carried on and my curiosity and delight in my new friend, an obvious servant of God, developed, I asked if he would like to join our family for lunch.
“Yes, please, thank-you.”
“Wonderful! Allow me to find my husband to discern how we will get everyone to our home. I believe we have another guest joining us as well.”
He drove with our other guest to our home. As was usual for our guest, they arrived at the yellow door of our house before my husband and I did. This is something we have worked on and are getting better at leaving shortly after our invitations at church. Thankfully, our married children were already home and they greeted our guests and welcomed them into our space.
As we had lingered a little long at church our children had already set the large family table and prepared the food for lunch. We quickly added a 13th setting so our new friend could join us as well. Each of the family members greeted both guests with a handshake and a sharing of names. As the food was placed on the table each of us took our respective places before opening the meal with our communal family blessing. As is most of our family’s custom, we love to learn through questions, so it didn’t take long before questions were littering the conversations and our guest was sharing his story, his education, and informing us of the prayers he had asked God to answer while he lived in Canada.
We served and ate our salads and pulled pork, and our family continued to enjoy the meal as if our guests were part of the family. We each asked and answered questions and showed interest in each others’ daily life. Some engaged in deeper and longer discussions which sometimes to others could look like a debate, but our family is familiar with banter and we enjoy the growth in challenge. Again, although we ate and used our manners throughout, the conversation with our new guest was mostly a soft interview of interest. He seemed relaxed with his warm smile and nods of agreement but his words continued to be slow and intentional in response to our interest.
“Thank you for the delicious meal!” he said as he put down his utensils.
“You’re very welcome. We try to serve a meal that most are comfortable eating.” I don’t know why I continued to explain, but I did. “Simple salads for those with allergies and sensitivities, complex salads for those who prefer not to have the meat or buns, and meat and buns for those who need to eat more. I’m thankful we were able to supply for some of your physical needs.”
As my husband opened the drawer under our table to retrieve the family Bible, conversations softened and a warm quiet filled the room. It was as if we were entering a common space of familiarity without any curiosity on our minds. The questions stopped, the banter was abandoned, and each person was comfortable in their chairs. I even saw shoulders relax on our guest.
But it was after my husband read Matthew 5, Jesus’ sermon on the mount that joy burst into the room. As the Bible was closed, what happened next was our treat. Our guest could not contain himself and in confidence, with strong posture and firm words, our new friend, a first-time guest, proceeded to explain and exposit the sermon on the mount. His eyes lit up, his face displayed joy and his words continued, not loud, but clear, in a way that had the whole table captivated by his excitement for the Word of God. Except for his calm encouraging voice, the table was quiet and eyes turned towards his words of wisdom to catch every syllable he expressed.
“Thank you for your insight!” It was my turn to express gratitude.
He smiled broadly but humbly, “Thank you for allowing me to share my heart.” His response wasn’t competitive, it was genuine. He felt seen and heard. And then he continued. For a beautiful five minutes he shared his heart for God and his understanding of Matthew 5 in a way that we could only sit agape with smiles. We experienced the Spirit of God fill a man and through him, fill a room. What a presence of peace and joy. A meal and the truth brought foreign cultures together through a common faith and love for the same God.
Following our prayers our guest moved to the couch to continue conversations with a couple of my sons while the rest of us cleared the table.
“Would you like some tea or coffee or something else to drink?” I offered.
“I have overstayed my welcome. Would you be able to bring me home, thank you?”
“Oh, you are welcome to stay longer,” I rebutted.
Standing up, he insisted, not harshly but with warmth. “Thank you, but are you able to take me home?”
I knew not to take his desire personally as I’d learned that each culture has its own ways.
“Okay, let me get my keys and we’ll take you home.”
“Thank you! I had a wonderful time at your home.”
Nearing his home, he again repeated, “Thank you! It was wonderful to be with your family at your home today.”
“It was our pleasure. We’ll have you over again sometime.” It truly was and we tried.
Unfortunately, our dates didn’t align to host him again.
We had no further deep conversations.
We had no more shared meals.
Six months later.
I received a text.
After one meal together.
“Your welcome has made me stronger and the six months in your country more enjoyable. Thank you!”
Does hosting a stranger intimidate you?
Have you discovered an easy meal or two to have on hand to invite guests at anytime?
Were you surprised we invited him upon first interaction?
What are your practices of hospitality?
Do you read the Bible and pray with new guests?
What have you learned about this shared experience with our new friend?
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