Mark and Bridgett do an outstanding job of leading Heights City Church in Pickering, Canada. As one who has benefitted form their exceptional hospitality on more than one occasion I can say, they are truly qualified to write on this subject ... I love the "tongue in cheek humor" ... Enjoy!
THE JOYS OF HOSTING IN EXCELLENCE
The Word encourages us to be "inventive, generous, dignified, and sensitive in our hospitality....", so here's a collage of thoughts and ideas we can draw from, as we swing wide the doors of our homes to bless those who tarry.....
Just mulling over the scriptures in Acts 16:15, and vs's 32-34, regarding Lydia, a wealthy business woman, and the simple jailer - both from totally different walks of life. They had two things in common; they immediately opened their hearts to the Gospel, and their homes to people. Too wonderful is this opportunity our Lord gives us to bless our co-workers in this marvelous Gospel, all for the King and His Kingdom!
Hospitality is an extension of the heart!!!
This "journey" will take us from the hustle and bustle of the Airport "pick-up" to the "dropping off" of our guests as they leave us.
I've listed a few things I've learned over the years of hosting, and of being hosted.....
1. Prepare a (small) cooler-box containing iced water bottles and fruit juices for the ride from the airport to your home. Depending on how long their flight has been, thirst may be an issue. A few health-bars may also delight!
2. Hot tip! Email / phone / skype your guests before their visit, to ascertain the following:-
a) What they enjoy to drink first thing in the morning?
b) Any allergies? (Cats / dogs can be an issue besides food)
c) Food likes / dislikes?
d) Drink likes / dislikes?
d) Shampoo preferences / deodorant preferences? (Helps with their traveling requirements, and negates suitcase weight / over-zealous airport security personnel...)
3. A Coffee-maker / kettle in the room! Coffee sachet's, Tea sachet's, and Hot Chocolate sachets. Sugar / Sweetener / Creamer. Set a tray with cups, saucers, and spoons for the guests to make their own hot beverages.
4. Have a Hair-dryer (and a flat-iron if you have one for the ladies) in their room.
5. A mirror (especially for the ladies) is a big plus!
6. Provide a basket of Toiletries, eg. Cotton swabs, Q-tips, Nail Polish Remover, Eye-makeup Remover, Face-wipes, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, (all available at Shoppers Drug Mart / Walgreen’s / Clicks in 'travel sizes'). Just helpful items for your guests.
7. Always advisable to have an adaptor handy in your guest room to accommodate laptops / cell phones etc.
8. CLEAN LINEN and TOWELS!!! Can't stress this enough!
9. Have the following in place in their room before their arrival:-
a) An assortment of fruit (eg. bananas, clementine’s, apples)
b) An assortment of health bars, crisps, chocolate bars, biscuits.
c) An assortment of drinks eg. Milk, water, fruit juices, their "pop"
preferences. (Remember.... you've assembled this info prior to
their arrival?!)
d) Notebooks, pens, magazines.....
e) Provide enough space for your guests to hang their clothes, and enough coat hangers - it's no fun living out of your suitcase!
f) As your guests have been traveling prior to your visit, offer to either
iron their clothes, or supply an iron and board for their use.
g) If you are able to, "His" and "Hers" toweling bath robes are a
blessing!
NB If you are blessed with a "bar 'fridge" either in, or close to your guest room, the drinks can obviously be stored in it, otherwise, a cooler-box is great.
Naturally, whilst you've provided for their personal stock, saying "mi refrigerator is su refrigerator" makes for family inclusion!
You may be thinking "for goodness sake", at this stage, but believe me, a little forethought and early organizing goes a long way to ensuring both your guest's comfort and relieving you of any unnecessary stress!
The Guest room / suite should always be a "home away from home" in cleanliness, comfort, and in provision. Imagine yourself in "new" surroundings.... what would bring you pleasure? What thoughtfulness would bring you delight in your surrounds? Our guests should never feel 'isolated', and of course your entire home should be accessible and welcoming, but we should always take their 'privacy' into consideration, and do whatever we can to enhance and nurture their well-being above all. What a privilege it is to lovingly welcome them into your clean, secure home environment!
(Would this be a good time to suggest that you entice your energetic, enthusiastic, soccer-crazy offspring not to display their sporting prowess within a 5-metre radius of your exhausted guests?)
Helpful Hints:
Prepare meals as far as possible, in advance.
Ask what they would like for breakfast, set a time, and have it all ready for them as they surface from their room.
Comfort is key, so ensure that there is a place in your home where they can just relax, put their feet up, and "chill"...... as hosts, be sensitive to whether or not "entertainment" is welcomed. Sight-seeing may or may not be your guest's top priority! (They've travelled, and ministered for 2 full weeks, and we want to drag them off to Niagara Falls for the 3rd time in their lives... just so we can show off our neck of the woods....ASK, before you don your khaki safari outfits!!!)
Gifts and Comforts:
A thoughtful "gift" on the bed is always appreciated. For example - a warm scarf (if they are arriving in your winter.) Be creative, with regards to your "season".
If you are hosting a husband... what a precious gesture to send him home with something that's fun and easy to pack for his wife and family!
A small box of chocolates on the pillow for your guest on arrival is good. (Both sides, if a couple.)
I like to stock up, especially when I see the "toiletries" on special, so that when we are preparing to host, expenses are stewarded well.
I also keep a "Gift Cupboard", and throughout the year, stock up with things that catch my eye, so I'm not caught short when I need a relevant gift.
********
Something for those "Being Hosted".....
How welcomed you should feel! Completely "at home!"
Well... there are a couple of keys to being hosted that you may like to take note of.... a few "f’rinstances" that will keep that smile on your hosts' faces....
1. Be honest. If the bed sucks, and your hosts ask you... be gentle, but sensitive and truthful! They need your kind, wise input, not your criticism!
2. If you need anything (maybe not a flat screen tv...) but hey....ASK, obviously without being over-demanding. Don't leave paradise "lost"....
3. Take (or at least offer to take) your linen off your beds the day you leave. Towels too. Just a helpful gesture to the hostess.
4. Bring your garbage to the appropriate disposal area.
5. A personal note of thanks left on the bedside table is a delight for your hostess to find after your departure!
6. Offer to help, especially after the meals....help is always appreciated, but if your hostess navigates you graciously out of the kitchen....go and put your feet up and ENJOY!!! Sometimes it's easier for her to have you languishing than to have you "helping"!
Please be assured that the above are all "suggestions"!
Hosting should be a WONDERFUL experience for ALL - both for the hosts and for the hosted!!! I urge you to consider, if you haven't done so before, to take the plunge, put your name on your respective church's Hospitality List, and ENJOY!!! As believers, we should relish getting into one another's homes to fellowship and to love on one another....thank You Jesus for this truly beautiful way in which to bless, giving You the glory as we do!
Much love and joy in serving Jesus together!
Bridget Ellwood
Heights City Church
Pickering
Canada
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