Diving through the city of Hyderabad, India, is an experience of chaoticness that would make Chicago drivers jealous. The cacophony of sound and people is astounding and exhilarating, but needless to say it can make giving directions a little complicated, especially when the two people communicating with one another have a language barrier to compete with.
It was a result of this traffic that we were late to a meeting to learn about women in Islam, to hear first hand about what their experience in India is and who they live and function both within their faith communities and at home. This session was one we were all eager to attend, and were relieved when we finally arrived at what we thought was the speaker's house. Her name is Najma.
As we got out of the car, the driver confirmed that we were at Najma's father's house. As many people live in non-nuclear family structures, no one blinked an eye we were at her dad's house. Najma's father warmly welcomed us, inviting us in to a lush living room that could easily have sat twice the number people in our group.
As we were geting comfy, Najma's dad turned to us and said, "Well, this is a surprise." Apparently there was confusion with the driver, and we were not supposed to be at Najma's father's house, but rather her own house!
Eventually Najma and the other speaker, Arshia, joined us at the house where we had a fascinating discussion on women and Islam. Throughout the entire two-hour lecture, Najma's father's house kept providing us with refreshments: water, sandwiches, vegetable pastries, and two selections of cake. All for people who they hadn't known were coming.
I was reminded of the story of Abraham welcoming in the travelors. This moment was truly a hospitality moment. My parents are amazing people, but I can't imagine them so effortlessly welcoming in 16 foreigners into their home, feeding them, making sure they were comfortable, all before asking the question of "Why are you here?" They would be gracious after they knew the reason for the visit, but this sort of forward hospitality is one that astounds the mind.
This is the forward hospitality that God welcomes us into as we enter the body of Christ. We are accepted just as we are, without any questions or a second thought. We are fed the luxuries of forgiveness and grace and are seated in the seat of self-assurance that these gifts are unconditional.
What a blessing to experience that heavenly grace on earth. May God continue to bless Najma's father's house.
It was a result of this traffic that we were late to a meeting to learn about women in Islam, to hear first hand about what their experience in India is and who they live and function both within their faith communities and at home. This session was one we were all eager to attend, and were relieved when we finally arrived at what we thought was the speaker's house. Her name is Najma.
As we got out of the car, the driver confirmed that we were at Najma's father's house. As many people live in non-nuclear family structures, no one blinked an eye we were at her dad's house. Najma's father warmly welcomed us, inviting us in to a lush living room that could easily have sat twice the number people in our group.
As we were geting comfy, Najma's dad turned to us and said, "Well, this is a surprise." Apparently there was confusion with the driver, and we were not supposed to be at Najma's father's house, but rather her own house!
Eventually Najma and the other speaker, Arshia, joined us at the house where we had a fascinating discussion on women and Islam. Throughout the entire two-hour lecture, Najma's father's house kept providing us with refreshments: water, sandwiches, vegetable pastries, and two selections of cake. All for people who they hadn't known were coming.
I was reminded of the story of Abraham welcoming in the travelors. This moment was truly a hospitality moment. My parents are amazing people, but I can't imagine them so effortlessly welcoming in 16 foreigners into their home, feeding them, making sure they were comfortable, all before asking the question of "Why are you here?" They would be gracious after they knew the reason for the visit, but this sort of forward hospitality is one that astounds the mind.
This is the forward hospitality that God welcomes us into as we enter the body of Christ. We are accepted just as we are, without any questions or a second thought. We are fed the luxuries of forgiveness and grace and are seated in the seat of self-assurance that these gifts are unconditional.
What a blessing to experience that heavenly grace on earth. May God continue to bless Najma's father's house.
Rob - I too was welcomed to Chennai in a similar way when I went there for the very first time. I felt that "family member like" hospitality from people I had never met before. Enjoy the good people of India!
ReplyDeleteRuss