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The cup runneth over
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” (Matthew 25:35 NIV) When I was growing up, hospitality as defined in Matthew 25 was modeled to me, but somehow over the years that picture was overshadowed for me. Until recently, my view of hospitality consisted of hosting the perfect dinner party, complete with beautiful centerpieces and a little Frank Sinatra in the background; or maybe it meant inviting my closest friends over for a night of games. However, I discovered that if I am caught up in what kind of food to serve, the way the table is set, and how clean our house is, it’s easy to forget to offer food and drink to the neighbor in need, overlooking opportunities to open our homes to strangers. My perspective changed when I lived for eight months in Argentina as the stranger in need. There I was shown the true definition of hospitality and rediscovered the meaning of Jesus’ words in Matthew. I participated in RAD, a discipleship training program for young adults through Mennonite Mission Network, from August 2006 through June 2007. Along with three others, I lived for eight months in Choele Choel, Argentina, and became an active participant of the Mennonite church in Choele as we served, taught and learned what it meant to be part of a community. I entered the Choele community and church family with only a year of Spanish classes and little knowledge of the Argentine culture. I truly was the stranger and found myself lost in countless ways. However, I was immediately welcomed into the home of Juan and Gaby Ignacio, and there I experienced how meeting real needs brings to life the message of Jesus and the love of God. Living with strangers — strangers who don’t understand English — can be very difficult. However, my host “parents” (ages 28 and 26) remained patient and understanding and welcomed me into their young family. Like many Argentine families, Juan worked while Gaby remained home with the kids. I, therefore, had many opportunities to observe and learn from her — a woman of God with a heart ready to love and serve. Juan and Gaby, according to U.S. standards, are not well-off financially, and their small apartment was in need of repair. Yet at the end of my stay, when I offered to leave many of my belongings with them, Gaby told me she would find someone who needed them and give the items to them. In Argentina there is a great emphasis on relationships. Spending time with family and friends is important and stopping by someone’s house unannounced is not considered unusual. You are invited in and immediately offered something to drink, usually yerba mate (a traditional, tea-like beverage) and something small to eat, such as crackers or something sweet. The Mennonites of Choele have found that sharing life’s stories as you pass around the mate is a great way to meet strangers and share God’s love with them (be it through actions or actions and words). Being part of this culture for eight months helped me realize that the words hospitality and evangelism are really quite connected. Being hospitable, opening up your life and your home, and meeting real needs puts feet to the gospel and enables those around you to see concrete examples of God’s love. Now I am back in northern Indiana, and many voices are calling for my attention. I’m wondering if the lessons of Choele can find a place in my life here — if Gaby’s simplicity and generosity can withstand the screams of “More!” that I now hear, and if the culture of sharing mate and life’s moments can take precedence over the “tick, tock” of the clock and all those daily planners. Oh, how I desire to have Matthew 25:35 be true for my life. How I desire to continue to be a minister of God’s love to those in need, to the stranger right here in Indiana. Oh, Lord, grant us eyes to see the needs of those around us and courage to radically love you and all your children. In this issue: Features Highlights Viewpoints |
