A Radical Way to Live
I’ve lived in a dorm room, on my own, with my family and even with an ornery dog, but I never dreamed I would be living in a house with nearly 80 people, 4 bathrooms, and 3 showers.
What is amazing is that it works. You are forced to throw your own desires and wants away and put others first. A concept that I have spoken about for most of my life, but one that is becoming a reality rather quickly.
Community and hospitality seem to be crucial elements to the World Race Lifestyle. My first encounter was at Alabanza, a ranch in Pretoria, South Africa. After some interesting flight arrangements, our team of 27 was split into to flights. Thirteen of us were to spend the night in South Africa until the rest of our group flew in, and we were all able to drive together to Manzini, Swaziland. Our new friends, Claude & Colin greeted us with warm smiles at the Johannesburg airport, and gave us the joyful news that they had 2 meals, a hot shower and soft beds waiting for all of us at Alabanza. It was an amazing view of how the body of Christ works together. We were all able to rest and relax as our bodies adjusted to the new time zone. Thank you to all of the amazing people in Pretoria for your warm hospitality. You are a blessing from God.
The community continues in Manzini when the January World Race team opened up their housing. The men have actually sacrificed their beds and moved out to the front yard in tents, so that all of the ladies could sleep inside on a bed. These World Races have joyfully shared their bathrooms, kitchen, and personal space with us. Not only that they have welcomed us into their family.
I know that God has a lot to teach me this year, my first very clear lesson was the expand my vision of what it means to live in a community of believers and share what God has given you to bless others.
Please keep us in your prayers as we figure out to what to do after our training time in Manzini, Swaziland wraps up the end of this week.
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.” 1 Peter 4:9-10
