Here we are in North Africa! I haven’t been to this region of the world since 2009 and it is vastly different than the other parts of Africa that I have been to. But I think that’s why I do enjoy this continent so much, for its rich diversity.
With that diversity comes the ability to learn about new cultures and immerse ourselves within them. That is what myself and the team I’m with (Fierce Five) have been doing. It’s been sweet to see the open doors of receptivity for just our willingness to look the women in the eyes, smile, and say “hello” to them.
My first day with the team we went to go get groceries for the week and on our way we saw some women working a tea/bread shop and decided to stop by on our way back. Man what joy was brought to the women’s faces! For when we just stopped to take notice and try and talk with them they welcomed us with open arms. Teaching us how to make their tea (don’t worry mom I got the recipe!). We also managed to ask them how they make their bread—for there were three different kinds. They told us to come back in a couple of days at 10am.
We said our goodbye’s and walked back to the apartment we were staying in. As we headed there we saw a man in a wheelchair and stopped, low and behold this man was from France and was visiting family. The nurse and his niece that were helping take care of him came out of the house and immediately they brought us in for tea. Through Google Translate we were able to ask if they would be willing to teach us to make some traditional cuisine. The girls nodded with pure excitement “yes, yes, yes!” Again, they said to come in a couple of days to learn.
I’m going to pause the story here…for now..because what I want to highlight to you is the way in which the Lord opens doors. But, more importantly our willingness to step through them. There are plenty of times that doors are open to us, yet we refuse to take a step in to see what might happen. There are so many instances that I can reflect back on and clearly see the door way open, but I said “no not today, maybe another time…” and I missed it, I missed Him.
What if we had decided to just go on our way, not stopping or being willing to be interrupted? We wouldn’t have been able to start building relationships with the women that we met that day. That’s the other thing I want to mention—interruptibility. We got to have it, being willing, and open to it.
When I was little I didn’t like to answer the door when someone knocked on it. Reason being, with full transparency, was because I was scared to open it to a stranger and not be able to answer their questions they may have. Of being seen as incompetent, stupid, or flat out just didn’t want to talk to someone I didn’t know. And yet, what if it was one of my friends? What if it was someone I knew and had relationship with and they needed help? And again I missed the opportunity to play, to foster more of a relationship, and to help that person.
Are we willing to answer the door when someone comes and knocks? This can mean physically at your door, or metaphorically. “Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.” (Revelation 3:20, TPT)
Wow! What a beautiful promise God has made for us, that He, Himself, will come and feast with us and us with Him! We just must answer the door and let that “stranger” in. Are you willing to risk opening the door and inviting Him in to whatever aspect of life He has been knocking to come into for a while?
But, what about people? What about those that come to your door? Or even are you willing to just keep your door open and invite people in? Strangers, neighbors, family, friends? Are all welcome in your home? That, is the astounding thing anytime I have been other countries is the willingness to let anyone in. And you know what? It’s an honor and a blessing to feast at the table with them…
Which brings me back to our story…which I will continue in my next post…
