The Importance of Hospitality
If there were angels on earth, then they may be named Emilson and Estella. This month, those two perfect strangers (friends of Sarah's aunt's friend) took us under their wings and have blessed us during several "breaking point" moments when the team just needed a getaway from San Buena and some peace, quiet, good wifi, and chocolates. They knew the ways to our hearts – and we thank them for blessing us with kindness, genuine warmth, and Filippino hospitality.
As Emilson "jokes" about us on this race: "You guys are doing the Indy 500, and you are at lap 150, so we are coming along side of you on this lap to make sure you make it until the end."
Today is Christmas Day and Team Shiloh is spending it with Emilson's family, feasting on a roasted pig, giant prawns, and an European gelato cake, a far cry from the bibingka and speghetti dinner we had at Mama Thelma's humble home for the Noche Buena dinner lastnight at midnight. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed every bite from the labors of Mommy Thelma and Carlo, but clearly there's a different level of social classes we are experiencing on Christmas Eve compared to Christmas Day.
(Us with Emilson's family on Christmas Day.)
Today, we even got gifts from the family, and a kind stranger (thank you Vince) gave me perfume (what am I going to do with nice perfume on the race???), and Amanda gave each girl a thoughtful gift we truly loved- when did she sneak away to get us something. Oh, and we all opened the nicely wrapped gifts my mom and dad gave each of us at LAX last month – thank you for the beautiful mini journal and snacks mom and dad! Not to mention Sarah giving away her dress on the race to Marie Rose, the daughter of Mama Thelma, pay it forward people!
(A Video of the girls opening presents.)
There's something about entertaining a stranger, caring for a weary missionary, hosting a stranded traveler, treating a friend of a friend, giving gifts to those in need, that is the heart of the gospel, and what Christ commanded us to do. It's the kind of thing that brings lasting impression on someone. I may not remember what I had for dinner tonight or the details of the day, but I'll always remember that Emilson and Estella hosting us on this Christmas and treating us with the kindness of angels.
Here's what the Bible says about hospitality. I encourage you to show true hospitality to someone this holiday season, whether it's a lonely neighbor, a church friend who's away from home, or a family member in need.
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Matthew 25:34-46
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
Romans 12:13
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Leviticus 19:34
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Thank you Jesus for your birth! Merry Christmas everybody!
