Hospitality

Wednesday April 8, 2009

I just have to tell you about the Family of God in the Philippines.  Leo (Layo) and Elsie were the first Filipinos I met.  Oh what a great discovery I made. 

Elsie is one of the most kind, generous and gracious ladies I have had the privilege of meeting.  It seemed that her goal was to set a new level of hospitality for us.  Leo was equally gracious but in addition he is very demonstrative, a little bit ornery and very much the life of the party.  It was a rare moment when he did not have a story to tell or a song to sing.  With his big authoritative voice he might bust out in a rousing rendition of  'How Great Thou Art' or just as likely his song for the moment would be 'God Bless America.'  Leo is a wonderful man of God full of vision and passion for God’s kingdom.

On Sunday morning Elsie and Leo picked Ron and me up at our hotel and headed for Pampanga, about two hours north of Manila.  We arrived at this rural community where we were invited in to the home of Sister Mary and her husband Jun. 

Sister Mary had prepared a breakfast consisting of pork steak and vegetables in a delicious red sauce served with rice.  Sister Mary then set before us the best (indescribable) mango I have ever eaten.  Keep in mind that we were eating this incredible food in the morning before the service had even begun.  Then it was off to the celebration service. 

The building was a block structure with oscillating fans for air condition on a day with high humidity and 90 plus degrees on the thermometer.  It was hot and my shirt, soaked from perspiration, gave clear evidence that I was not yet acclimated to the climate. 

On this Sunday morning the auditorium was packed with more than 80 people. 

The worship was heavenly as it filled the room and reverberated out into the community.  We sang songs with words we did not understand and then we joined them singing familiar songs in English. 

This beautiful pastor and congregation honored me with the privilege of sharing the sermon. 

I spoke, Leo interpreted (Not sure if he was interpreting my words or preaching his own sermon – smile).  Just think, Ron, half way around the world, did not get the break from my teaching that you, the ABC Family enjoyed last Sunday!

After the service it happened, we were treated to a meal that will go down as a top ten in my lifetime.  Unbelievable, incredible, delicious x 100.  Fish, adobo, prawns, soup, fried chicken, pork dishes, beef dishes, rice, fried bananas, more mangos,  one of those meals where you just don’t want to stop.  (Well okay, that’s most of the time for me)

Sister Mary and Jun gave their best to the two Americans.

I have to tell you that hospitality was raised to a new level on this trip to the Philippines.  The Bible instructs Christians to “practice hospitality.”  Ron and I were the recipients of a level of kindness that has raised the bar for what it means to practice or extend hospitality.  There was not a moment were the best was not offered.  Our needs were never left unattended to.  When I had to be at the airport by 4:00 am to visit the Asltons, it was Leo who picked me up.  They insisted on serving and they insisted on sharing what they had.

I hope this experience will challenge me to share and serve, to practice hospitality at a higher level.