Hospitality

“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, 

we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.” 

Gal. 6:10

This verse has been marinating within me the last few months. I’ve had it hung up over my kitchen sink, pondering it while I mindlessly wash dishes fourteen times a day. And then this weekend, I saw the verse come to life and take on an entirely new meaning.

I had the opportunity to go with Jason to what is commonly known as “the Islands”. As the name implies, it’s the region of PNG filled with...islands! His job would would be flying members of another organization from the main land out for their annual islands conference plus various other flying that they needed done. Part of the incentive for the pilot to be away so long (a total of 6 days) was that he could bring his wife along for a few days. Jason jumped on the chance for us to go.

Clearly he's a busy man with no time for a selfie :)

I had no idea what I was getting into, but anything with “island” in the name sounds inviting, so I organized the kids to stay with gracious friends around center and took off with my pilot.

When we landed at our second and final stop for the day, the sweat already pouring, I was told I needed to get to the mission center because...I had plans.

Wait? I had plans?? Why would I have plans? I’m just the pilots wife...from another organization! Surely, they’ve mistaken for someone else.

I grabbed my bag, waved to my pilot with the “what-is-happening-save-me?!” look and headed to the nearby town for lunch with at least 30 women I’ve never met in my life. There was no searching for an extra chair at the table or “fitting me in” to their agenda or plans. They were eagerly anticipating my arrival and included me, no questions asked. Well, except 

one: “What do you want to eat for lunch?!”

Here’s the beauty of the Body of Christ: It doesn’t matter that I’m not a part of their organization or that I’m a support worker and not a church planter or translator. What matters is that we’re all sisters...all bonded by the blood of Jesus. We’ve all left our home countries, our families, all working towards the same goal. Maybe we go about getting that end result in different ways, but ultimately, we’re on the same team.

Never mind the storm blowing in. I had a good time at the lunch, complete with an ocean view, treat bags and a few laughs. (I may or may not have been “recognized” from the “Missionary Mom” video... ) And the next three days went on the same way. Jason and I were taken in, invited to be a part of their conferences, cared for, fed well and welcomed.

The hospitality we received challenged me in so many ways I didn't expect.

*Do I show this kind of love to new people I meet? And even those I’ve known for awhile?

*Do I include people that I don’t know as well as others?

*Am I taking every opportunity to do good to my family of faith that I come in contact with?

Maybe this challenge is easy for you, but I know it’s not for me. I get too caught up in my own agenda, people and life. I overlook even the simple acts of “doing good” that we need to show each other...a friendly "hello"to those walking by, a hug to my single girlfriends, a chat over coffee with my stressed out mom friend. And sometimes, the needs are much greater, the response requires a much bigger sacrifice. But as part of the Body, I'm called to help, to serve, to reach out to my brothers and sisters around me.

The question I now have to answer: am I willing?