At the beginning of the month in Malaysia I was a little nervous about how Christmas was going to go. A lot of the girls on my team have traditions with their families and I knew all of us were going to be homesick at Christmas. I never thought I would have a time in life where I was only home for Christmas in my dreams. After this Christmas, while I can say I spent a Christmas outside of the United States, I still can’t say that I wasn’t home for Christmas. Our hosts were so hospitable that I felt at home the moment we met them. Pastor Mark and his family and church were so welcoming to us. They are true examples of living sacrifices for Christ and they practice hospitality on a level that I have never seen before. They saved their Christmas tree for us to decorate, they had us over for Christmas, we got to go Christmas caroling and they cooked for us most of the time we were there. They loved on us so much that I felt like I was the one being served more than I was serving. I think that is how God intends it to be. If all of us act as living sacrifices we are always constantly building each other up and loving each other. So, even though we are always pouring out, we are always being filled up by the community that surrounds us.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13
Rachael, me, and our friend, Brother Gerard at our Christmas Eve service.
