Wonderful Hospitality

 I know when we first arrived, I thought about writing about incredible hospitality, and since we’ve just returned from yet another spontaneous Sunday lunch at someone’s home, I’m inspired and thankful and want to write about it now.

Many (white) South Africans have been so hospitable to us here! The first weekend, we stayed at a B&B one night (paid for by our would-have-been landlords when the housing arrangement fell through). The little old man, Ron, asked what we wanted for breakfast; when M suggested hashbrowns, R said he didn’t know what they were but he wanted to learn, so M found a recipe and emailed it to R. Ron practiced making them for dinner for his wife, and in the morning, he made us delicious, crispy hashbrowns! He also drove us to UCT campus and dropped us off where we needed to be. And he stored our bags for us overnight until we found another place to live.

The first Sunday we went to Jubilee church, we chatted with the man who oversees small groups in our area, and he offered us a ride home since he lives nearby. Then he offered us lunch; we went home with in and as we’re walking in the door, he tells his wife that there are guests. She was so sweet and flexible and just pulled out some more food to offer us. The have continued to be very welcoming, allowing us to do laundry, use internet, or drop by for tea.

Another neighbor was an exchange student in high school in California and now is a mom of middle school age kids. She also had us over for dinner, and we have a standing invitation to pop in for tea or coffee any time she’s home. (Because houses are not warm, we drink lots of tea to warm us up!)

Of course, there’s this American couple who have been helping us out from the beginning with a bed to sleep in the day after their 2^nd son was born, sharing meals their neighbors brought them, loaning us all kinds of kitchen utensils and offering rides, laundry, internet, welcome. They’re amazing.

Today was rainy. We got a ride or a “lift” to church and knew we’d need to find another one home. We chatted with a lady in our small group who has an American exchange student in her home, and she offered a lift and lunch. Mark said “yes and yes”. It was lovely and laid-back - sitting in front of the fire visiting, drinking tea, answering the potentially awkward questions M asked about life during apartheid.

It cleared off and the sun was shining so we walked home from their place. As we walked, I told M how much I admire these ladies who can just invite us over without prior planning. I love having people over, but I want to know ahead of time so I can have the house clean and something prepared. It is so nice just to be welcomed into life as it is, nothing to impress – like joining the family for an afternoon. I’m thankful for the Body of Christ and how it does work like a family.