Be Our Guest!
It was a brisk, but sunny Sunday morning on November 28th, 2021. The following day, we would be sharing our story with a re|engage ministry in Littleton, CO after they extended an invitation during a marriage conference in Dallas. Following Sunday morning service at Mission Hills Church, we met a few couples from that church in Littleton: Scott & Deb Mitchell along with Michael & Margo Hanschke who provided us with great company and a lunch. That time with them in Colorado triggered a chain of events that led to the sale of our home and the birth of marriageRV earlier this year.
Since that time in 2021, we’ve visited over a dozen churches who host the re|engage ministry, and encountered many surprises along the way: a number of meals ranging from homemade Mongolian Beef to Memphis Barbecue to Reindeer pizza; driving us when we didn’t have transportation; providing RV hookups; offering up yurts and Airbnbs; taking us on a Frontier Texas museum tour; suggesting we visit a Nordic spa (so fun!); and authentic fellowship.
I’m not sure what I thought journeying around the country was going to look like, and I don’t think I necessarily had any expectations outside of meeting a lot of folks who love Jesus and love God’s design for marriage. Apparently, those same people love other people including a couple of strangers who stumble into town in large RVs looking to share the story of a disaster that was transformed into something beautiful (that’s our marriage I’m referring to, if you haven’t figured it out)! Our travels have allowed me to reflect on and empathize so much more with the Apostle Paul’s letters in the Bible to the local churches he planted back in the first century. “That’s so nice,” I initially thought when first reading some of the introductions and greetings from those letters, epitomized by his letter to the church in Philippi. But now having traveled much of this year from Alaska to Tennessee, a deep affection has grown in our hearts for the people and places we’ve visited, often feeling sadness upon departure and yearning to return when we reflect back on a visit. I can so relate when Paul wrote, “I thank my God when I remember you…because of your partnership in the gospel…I have held you in my heart.” (Philippians 1:3-7)
Although we, like Paul, were never seeking gifts (Philippians 4:17), we have received abundantly from those He placed in our path, starting with many friendships. Additionally, our new friends have given so freely of both their time and their “fragrant offerings” (Philippians 4:18) as Paul describes it. Even though I believe it is enough for us to pour ourselves out to others showing them where their thirst can be quenched, this other unexpected part, particularly upon reflecting back, has been overwhelming. Each one of these couples has taught us something new about hospitality and sacrifice.
During this journey, it has been on our hearts to be the hosts, sharing love with and serving our “guests”: the churches, re|engage couples, and leaders we visit. That said, I guess it should have come as no surprise that the married couples we’ve encountered along the way feel the same call we do – to be servant hosts to us while honoring our Lord. These men and women, in doing so, are living out Romans 12:10-13…
The hospitality we’ve received is like a warm blanket, enveloping us with both the act and feeling of love. It’s given us a tiny peek behind the curtain and a taste of what God’s perfect love for us is like. We’ve been able to experience the self-sacrificing, love-as-a-verb display that is steeped in a deep affection for those who he’s created BECAUSE they love what He loves: people.
Written by Alex
Published November 28, 2023