 |
| December 2008 |
| Billie Silvey |
 |
| Welcoming Strangers |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Los Angeles is a city made up of people from all over the world. It gives us the opportunity to get to know and welcome into our homes and fellowships a vast variety of people. As we welcome them, we never know what to expect. A few surprise us with their negative attitudes--their hatreds, prejudices and fears. But many surprise us the opposite way--they inspire and challenge us with their kindness, openness and faith. |
| The same thing happened to the Old Testament Patriarch Abraham (Genesis 18:1-8). Approached by three strangers, Abraham and his wife Sarah provided water for them to wash, shade to rest under, and food to eat. The strangers turned out to be angels. In case we might miss the point, the writer to the Hebrews explains, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). Frank and I have enjoyed opening our house to various people. We have invited singles, writers, community people and other groups into our home. We like to mix groups--inviting some church people and some community people so they can get acquainted. |
| You never know who might turn out to be an angel. Often it's the one you least expect. That's why we should be gracious and welcoming to all |
| Entertaining Angels |
| The Poor and Needy |
| Racial and Cultural Diversity |
| For too many people, there are two kinds of people in the world--people like us and people who are different. Strangers may seem different, but then again, who is exactly like us? If we offered hospitality only to those like us, our circle would be very limited indeed. We can learn a great deal by opening our hearts, lives and homes to people who are culturally and racially different from us. Our congregation has a ministry called FriendSpeak to foreign nationals in Los Angeles who want to improve their conversational English. Each Tuesday, we meet at the church building with the student who has been assigned to us. I just completed a series of lessons with a woman from India who was here for an extended visit with her son. As we grew to know each other, we were surprised by how much we had in common. Before she returned to India, she and her son visited our home, and since she left, we've corresponded by email. We're looking forward to seeing each other again next year. |
| The German-American artist Fritz Eichenberg (1901-1990), was a Quaker who produced wood engravings to illustrate books. He became a friend of Catholic social activist Dorothy Day. His Christ of the Bread Line (above) shows Jesus' identification with the poor and suffering (Matthew 25:34-40). Ministries of the Culver Palms Church of Christ have served the homeless and working poor in various ways. We maintain a two-pronged food pantry--one part with sack lunches for homeless people and the second with canned goods for people with can openers, pans and stoves. Our School Store provides school supplies for local children. And our holiday programs offer turkeys, groceries, and toys. An earlier ministry to help single parents get jobs was the subject of my book, God's Child in the City: Catching God's Vision for Urban Ministry. As we come to know needy people, we find that they help us as much as we help them. Those who don't have savings, investments and insurance to count on challenge us with their reliance on God and their love for their fellow strugglers. What angels has God brought into your life? And what angels may you have missed by not welcoming strangers into your home, your church and your life? |
 |