I have been shown hospitality in many different countries. People whom I really did not know, invited me into their homes, cared for me, and made me feel welcomed with no thought of gain. Many went even further, butchering one of their few chickens so I could be served some meat with the meal.
Once, while in Iran I got to show hospitality for a couple of days to a man from India. There were very few foreigners who lived in the city of Kermanshah, so we stood out. Many of the taxi drivers knew I lived just outside the city in Sarab Saeed. Imagine in the 70’s you could get a taxi ride for one nickel.
Anyway, this young Indian man, dressed all in white, arrived at the bus terminal in Kermanshah, spoke no Farsi, and was picked up by a taxi driver who knew where I lived. Supposing I could speak Hindi, he drove near to my village and pointed the man in my direction. I fed him, gave him a place to sleep and eventually sent him off on his way. To this day I have no idea what his name was, what he was doing in Iran, where he was going etc. He just needed someone to show him hospitality.
When Paul got shipwrecked on Malta. He said he was shown unusual kindness. Publius, the leader of the island, invited him into his house and took care of him for three days.
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 NIV That is what God’s people do.
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