Shepherding: Hospitality

A few weeks back I was informed that a brother was to come and stay with us for his medical check-up in New Delhi and it was just for a few days. Since the matter was urgent, I agreed but was only concerned how well we could take care of them. In other words, we need to learn how to give hospitaltiy to our guests; this is the area I have been wanting to improve. A few days before the guest was to come as we were told, the guest came earlier. Nonetheless, we took care of his hospitality. My brothers who are with me have helped me a lot in giving hospitaltiy to our guest.

A few days later, our guest's sister also came and stayed with us. I wanted them to feel as comfortable and homely as possible.  In fact, they both adapt to our family situation so well, and they became a part of our family. They were so free to come and go, cook and eat whatever they want. I felt happy that they were comfortable and felt at home. 

The best part of the hospitality was that every evening after dinner we would sit together for family prayers and after then a time of fellowship. Every night while they were with us, the Lord gave me a specific burden to minister to them. Some nights I testified my personal testimony, other nights I shared the truth concerning the church and some important items in the Bible. Every night as we fellowshipped, the Lord spoke His timely words which were needed for our guests. They have been very touched and impressed by the truths the Lord has revealed to us, and the life testimony the Lord has been gracing us. What a grace!

One specific burden I shared with my guest was that he should spent time everyday with the Lord in the word, at least 10% of the day, 10% of 24 hours to be spent with the Lord for prayer, Bible reading, and fellowshipping with the saints. He agreed to inculcate this newfound lifestyle. As to the complaint he had about his "church", and his disagreement with some elders in his group, my simple fellowship was to learn to submit to authority and to learn to be dealt with in his person. Our person is the Lord's work. 

In fact, I had the confidence to tell him that his coming to stay with us was the Lord's sovereign arrangement to get to know more bout the truth of the Bible concerning Christ and the church and a pracitical living testimony of believers. Though he came for his health checkup, that was merely the outter covering the Lord used; the actual reason was for spiritual fellowship. I also told him that if he began a new living, the Lord woul work on him and grant him a new beginning. In fact, he can become a living testimony to others, especially for the Lord's move among our tribesmen who are yet to believe into the Lord Jesus Chruist.

Fianlly, after about two weeks of stay with us, I went to drop them at New Delhi Airport. I believe the Lord has began His work on them for His move in his village and among his community. 

Lord, gain my brother and sister for your testimony!