A friendship had not even been established with a Middle
Eastern refugee family of eight when they invited us to their home for a meal.
Jamal and Bushra put on a lavish spread in their simple small home. We felt bad
they spent so much money on us. There was a language barrier between us but
that did not seem to bother them. I asked what each dish was called and
practiced saying the words which delighted them. They delighted in honoring us
as their guests. Left-over food was put in a container to send home with us. Later
I returned the container to them with some freshly baked cake. That was the
beginning of a relationship which has flourished into a friendship.
Showing such a display of warm and generous hospitality
towards strangers and friends is an outstanding characteristic of many Muslims
no matter which Islamic country they come from. They are our teachers when it
comes to hospitality. Buying, preparing,
cooking and serving many dishes of food, plus cleaning up, might seem too time
consuming and exhausting to us, but for them it is a delight and an energizing
honor to do so. While outreach in Christian circles uses entertainment by music
artists, charismatic speakers, programs, and dvd and book resources, outreach to Muslims will be most effective through home hospitality.
It speaks volumes when we invite them over for tea or a
meal. We can start with a tea invitation.
Cake(usually without icing), some fresh fruit and nuts are sufficient. A
meal of fish or chicken, rice, and salad usually goes over well. Reassure them
when you invite them that you will not serve pork or alcohol so they can come
relaxed about those prohibitions. Some are concerned that chicken or beef would
be halal according to Islamic slaughtering standards. Nowadays we can buy halal
meat in many of our grocery stores. It
works best if we invite just one individual or a family over rather than a
group if we desire to go further than just serve food and extend a friendly
welcome. Religious monitoring of each
other is common. Ministry and sharing will deepen if there is privacy.
Did you notice that the first eight letters of the word
hospitality spell hospital? Hospitality provides the environment when God,
our Healer and Savior, often causes their emotional wounds, painful memories of
war or fleeing, present struggles and challenges, and fears and anxieties to
come to the surface. We suddenly move beyond a cultural exchange of customs. It is within
the private context of a warm, loving, and safe Christian home where they can
open up and share their hearts and stories. Listening to them usually creates
the climate to offer praying for them or reading from the Word. This touches
them deeply. We can share our stories
with them, too. I often share about my past wounds and the healing found in my
Savior. To say hospitality is fruitful and powerful is an understatement. Hospitality
is much more than serving food. It is potentially a dynamic healing ministry.
Dear heavenly Father, please take me deeper into a
hospitality ministry that goes beyond serving food and exchanging cultural
customs. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
