Humbling Hospitality

Yesterday, I went with Carol, the missionary I am working with, and Zaga, a friend of Carol's and my Macedonian language tutor, to the village of Koleshino. In the Orthodox church, it was Sveti Spas, or Ascension Day and the village was celebrating because it was the Saint Day that their church was named after. Zaga grew up in Koleshino and still has family there and it is tradition for you to visit family on this day. She invited Carol and I along to meet her family and to experience the celebration festivities in the village. As soon as we arrived, Zaga took us to her home that she grew up in. Her father was a famous Macedonian writer and loved to write in this village. She gave us a tour of the home and told us about growing up in the village. You could see her mind drifting back to her childhood as she recalled these memories. I was honored that she had chosen us to tell these stories too.

After leaving Zaga's home, we went to meet her relatives in the village. We traveled from home to home and within six hours I had been to four different homes and eaten four complete meals. At each one, as soon as we entered, they kissed us on the cheek three times, a Macedonian custom, and invited us to sit at their table and rest for a while. Platters of food, many things to drink, and several different types of cookies and cakes were given to us at each location. These people had never met me before, did not know who I was, nor were they probably ever going to see me again, but they brought me to their table and invited me into their conversation. Although it was mostly in Macedonian, they still spoke to me as if I understood and Carol or Zaga would translate for me. These people did not have to do this, but they did and I was humbled by their love and acceptance of a stranger from a distance land who knew very little about them. In the course of the day, I met Zaga's cousins, nieces, nephews, aunt, and even the mayor of the village invited us into his home.

This experience made me reflect on what I am like when a new person enters my life. I will smile at them and maybe say hello, but to kiss them on the cheek and offer them a place to relax and be themselves is not something that I usually consider my job. I know that in the US, it is not our custom to do this, but what if it were. What if it were ok to "eat your way through a village," as Carol called it? To be a people who offered humbling hospitality to one another. I felt very loved yesterday, and now all I want to do is to somehow return that love and kindness. To let people know that no matter who you are or where you are from, you are worthy enough to sit and relax at my table. To be yourself and to know that you are loved and appreciated simply for existing. That is humbling hospitality, and one that has the power to change a person through the love of Christ being exemplified through the kindness of an open door and a place at the table.

A couple of prayer requests:

Mitko, Philip, and the Meals on Wheels program. Mitco is the director/driver for the meals on wheels program and Philip is the cook that prepares all the meals. Five days a week this program feeds 100 people in a 2o km radius a hot meal. Just recently, a third employee quit leaving the program understaffed. Many of the youth have been volunteering to help, as well as a young pastor and Carol and I. Be in prayer for them as they try to fill the position as soon as possible so that the routine for delivering these meals can return and their lives are made a little easier.

Remember me this Sunday morning as I will be preaching at the church in Strumica. My words will be translated as I am preaching and pray for my patience as I adjust to this stop and go preaching style. My desire is that the Word of God will come from my mouth to God's people in spite of the langauge barrier separating us.

Love and Prayers,
Loletuth