There was the one lady at a church in the Pittsburgh area who I didn't know. I didn't know her name. The walked up to me and gave us some money. She felt like doing it.
She didn't know that we pretty much made the trip back to the States on faith. We didn't have very much money. The Spirit moved her to do that.
There was the family that gave us a vehicle for the month. That was huge.
There was that group of people whom we had just met and they took us to lunch.
We prayed with and for people. People prayed for our church in Descartes. They prayed for people that they most likely will never meet in France.
They showed hospitality to OUR French friends.
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Hospitality is a fairly straightforward thing. Hospitable people are able to host others, they give people a place. We think of it as doing it physically, like at a house with a cup of tea.
I don't think that is exactly it.
I think service and hospitality go hand in hand. We have a friend here, a Christian, who wants to be hospitable but his wife in not a Christian. He is as hospitable as he can be in the situations that he is called toward and that respects his wife.
Prayer, especially as I was speaking before, to me is also a practice in hospitality.
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In the last few weeks we have welcomed some old and new friends. Some of which are coming to investigate working long term in France. They might even end up being teammates. This is a very welcome idea!
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We are excited that a church has tentatively scheduled to send a group next July (2020). This is such a great and welcome opportunity for us, especially because we will have the opportunity to show hospitality and that other people in our local church.
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Lastly a huge thanks to the 4 people who have pledged to help our specific work here in Descartes. The church here is so blessed and honored by your thoughtfulness and your hospitality.