Sometimes we forgot the most basic things about us, our habits, routines and what we show to others as a priority. However, when you have people over to your home – anyone for that matter – such encounters help you remember those basic things. It is often the basic things that new people notice and ask about, things that we often take for granted and just assume is understood. And not only is there blessing in having others over to your home, having internationals opens a whole new world – literally – for them and for you.
In fact, many have never been to American’s home, especially amongst international students.
The other day, we had a few friends over from the Middle East together with some other Christian friends. It was a blessing as we shared food, conversations and fellowship, and yet you never know what or where the conversation will lead to. One of our dear guests then asked one of those basic questions that I had taken for granted. We will call this friend “T” for today.
T said to me in a serious tone, shifting the topic from a more lighter conversation. “You shouldn’t live in this neighborhood. It isn’t safe. Why are you here?”
I wasn’t expecting that question.
I paused and then answered something to the effect that we want to move to a better home and we are praying that God provide a new place at the right time and at the right price, but we are here because we are serving God. We don’t have a lot of money. We want to serve God and love others.
T responded, saying that my wife could work, or we could work at a better job for a few years and get to a better financial situation, still do our church thing, and then do this work or help others. What about that?
I responded, “Honestly, we could make more money and my wife could make way more than me. But we first want to follow God in this work. Honestly, if I was busy making more money, I wouldn’t have time to be reaching out and spending time with internationals or even you.
T was thinking.
T then proceeded to come up with other alternatives to earning money. T has a kind heart, but I was grateful that this neighborhood was – something so simple and common – was an opportunity to share about how and why we serve God.
Now, there was no amazing transformation or instant change, but something amazing did happen. God took a mundane and ordinary thing and turned it into an opportunity to talk about God, to plant a Gospel seed.
Turners at WFI 