Picture this: We’re in a country where we don’t speak the language, trying to minister to women who look at us like we’re from another planet (and in a sense we kind of are). It had only been 2 days since arriving in North Africa and was hard realizing that without language it’s fairly hard to communicate basics let alone share the gospel!
BUT GOD, my two favorite words. In a day God can drastically turn things around and change our perspective, if we let Him. It’s crazy how He can turn our plans upside down in the best of ways! Sunday morning we planned on going to the grocery store then coming back to our apartment to make lunch and do chores so that we could go to church in the evening. But God had other plans, so here’s what actually happened…
Before setting out to the store we joined together in prayer asking the Lord to create opportunities for us to meet people and bring His kingdom to this country. As we walked to the store we encountered 2 sets of women and waved and smiled at them. On the walk back home we were prompted by our Squad Leaders to be more intentional in trying to get to know these women. So we stoped by the small cafe where we had waved to some women earlier, and through some English, some Arabic, and some French on Google Translate (but mostly hand motions) attempt to buy some bread from them.
Within minutes we were drinking tea and eating bread with them! We asked if they would teach us how to make this amazing bread (and we set a time to come back the next day) and sure enough they took the time and care to show us how to make this traditional bread!
After walking home from the bread shop we encountered the other women we waved to on our way to the store. Somehow minutes later we are sitting in their living room, and again we are being showered with tea and cookies! Once again, communication was hard but I’m starting to learn that hospitality, love, and kindness are part of a universal language.
At this home, I met a young woman named Jasmine. Since she showed us so much love, I asked if I could braid her hair. She agreed and after I was done she was so happy and thankful. She hugged me and kissed me and told me this was the first time ever anyone has ever braided her hair! As I was getting ready to leave her home after being there for almost 5 hours, she digs under her couch and brings out a pair of her sandals and tries to gift them to me! I did not accept them but I was overwhelmed by her incredible heart and kindness towards a total stranger.
The hospitality and love we experienced from the locals here goes above and beyond anything I could have imagined or have experienced. Time spent with people here is so different than at home, it’s completely unhurried and it’s much more intentional.
When is the last time you invited a group of strangers into your home and just served them?
God showed me that even through the frustration of not knowing the language and trying to use Google Translate (mostly unsuccessfully) love and kindness are HIS universal language. I’m beyond blessed by the love I received and honored to have been able to share even the slightest bit of His love back!
P.S. Look at the end result of our bread making adventure. It was beyond fun and delicious!
I’d love to challenge to extend love and kindness to a stranger this week! It can be as simple as sharing some bread with someone.
