We are working with a Christian church and one of our main ministries is to develop relationships with people in the community. This totally excites me and I am pretty pumped up about doing it! Yesterday turned out to be a pretty amazing day. I listened to a sermon that really hit home – centered around 2 Peter 1:5-8 which talks about adding on virtuous qualities. “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection.” I saw straight up saw some intense brotherly affection, “Philadelphia”, yesterday as Chelsea, Hope and I were visiting homes in the community and inviting people to the church. One of the first homes we stopped at ended up being such a blessing. Immediately after we said hello through the screen door, this couple invited us (perfect strangers) inside their home. They beckoned us to sit down at the kitchen table and offered us Coke to drink (because all Americans love Coke!) This older Arabic couple were in their late 50s and spoke very little English. The man was super friendly and he had a laugh that reminded me of my own grandpa. I love how laughter translates the same to every culture! The couple never once showed frustration about not being able to clearly communicate and treated us like queens the entire visit. After a bit, the couple’s daughter came home and was able to speak to us in better English. She translated for her parents and told us that they wanted us over for dinner that night! We eagerly accepted (how could we turn down free food?) and said we would see them at 6 for dinner. The night turned out to be so much fun! The meal was incredible, and the wife worked hard to make everything perfect. The food seemed endless and we were all stuffed by the end. She made a delicious tea called ‘Louisa’… all-natural, lemony goodness, that I am pretty much obsessed with now. She even gave me two huge bags full of the stuff! The conversation was very uplifting and we ended up learning a good deal about the Arabic culture and what life looks like living in Rama. The endless hospitality blew me away. At one point, they even offered us to stay the night at the house.
When does anything like this ever happen in America? It seemed unreal. After this experience, I now feel compelled to be way more generous, inviting, and interested in others. I need to share the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it makes me think about how I want my Thanksgivings to look a bit different here on out. I want to invite others (even strangers) into my home for a meal, for fellowship, and to share some genuine love. I so look forward to next year – to be able to invite those over who don’t have a family to share the holiday with, or those who can’t afford anything special! Warmth, kindness, generosity… often so contradictory to what others regard as important characteristics. Most times we care more about comfort than character. As believers, we get to pursue these virtuous qualities and we have the Holy Spirit guiding us towards righteousness. If we are ever increasing in these qualities, we will be effective for His Kingdom.
