As if on cue from a Hollywood stage crew, our Brazilian hosts warmly welcomed their American guests with great interest and sincerity. Within moments of arriving we were presented the finest of what our hosts could offer. Nothing but the best rice and beans would be shared with these weary travelers from a distant land.
By the way, did I not mention that our wonderfully warm hosts that provided this “Five-Star” hospitality live within the sprawling slums of Brazil’s megacities? Yes indeed, believe it or not, Five-Star hospitality was provided within a “home” with dirt floors, glassless windows and stolen electricity from the nearest power line. “How’s that possible”… you might wonder?
It is so amazing to experience how true and sincere hospitality is not dependent on a person’s address, the quality of the food, nor their fine china; but more importantly upon the condition of their heart. It is totally amazing that even in the midst of total and complete poverty; within the heart of our hosts we find sincere and genuine hospitality.
Sadly, “Five-Star” hospitality is a nearly extinct within our modern American culture, a concept totally foreign to the vast majority of today’s suburban youth.
In contrast with our comfortable suburban homes, it is absolutely mind-boggling that Christians in our own communities struggle with hosting cell groups or simply inviting another family over for dinner.
I’m just thinking aloud.
1 comment:
Dad,
This is so true. As Im getting ready to go back to Brasil, so many people are asking me why I want to go there so badly. Other than the fact, that I strongly believe it is where the Lord wants me, I love the people there. I usally say about the same things, people there have hearts. Real ones, that cry out for Jesus, and just want to love people. Never before had I seen people who were as giving as some of the people I stayed with in Brasil.
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