Inside-Out Hospitality

Host: Hello everyone. Welcome to the very first episode of our show: Hospitality Heroes’ Spotlight. Today, I am very excited to have our very first guest, he is popularly known as the Father of Faith but I call him the G.O.A.T of hospitality because he set the bar so high for the rest of us. Let’s welcome, Father Abraham!

Abraham: (chuckles) Thank you for having me, it’s an honour to be on the inside-out hospitality blog! I, however, don’t understand what you meant by ‘goat’ of hospitality. In what way are goats a symbol of hospitality? (looking confused).

Host: (laughs) Oh no, sorry. I am not talking about goat as an animal. Rather G.O.A.T meaning Greatest Of All Time! You know, you are well known for how you went all out for some 3 strange men in Genesis 18. Can you tell us about that experience? It is said you ran towards them…on a hot afternoon! Who does that?

Abraham: Those 3 strange men were quite a story yeah? Well, when I think about the fact that I was once a stranger and God called me and welcomed me, it makes welcoming others come naturally to me. I was also a stranger, as I moved a lot from one place to another, and along the way, people were hospitable to my family and me. So, why should I withhold hospitality from others? Remember we are in the desert. I saw 3 people who needed a little help and ran to them like God, our Father, does.

Host: Wow, that’s deep. Most times we invite people to come over but low-key wish they never honour that invitation. We notice needs but quickly brush them off; hoping someone else will meet that need. Here’s the thing Father Abraham, life has become so busy. Sometimes, welcoming people feels like a lot of work! See how you had to make a whole banquet. How do we apply this in modern times? It’s not like we have calves in our backyards (at least most of us don’t) and even if we did,where is the time and in what economy will one ‘kill a calf’ for a guest or a stranger?

Abraham: By no means should the calf intimidate you. It’s about offering what you can and not holding back in generosity. Sometimes, we calculate too much! I think you guys have an expression for it-Japanese hand-break’ and we all know that a closed hand can’t receive anything. Can the media team display Proverbs 11:24-26?

24Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. 25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

Whatever it is you can offer, do it with love. Whether it’s a homecooked meal, folere (local drink in Cameroon) and chinchin, simple glass of water, or even time to listen, it’s the heart behind the offering that matters. Moreover, there is something about giving the best you can that really shows people that they matter.

Host: Amen to that! Talking about offering the best, you gave the best even when you did not know the identity of the strangers. Would you have done things differently if you knew from the get-go that they were angels?

Abraham: I probably would have had my staff prepare a bigger banquet, clean the house squeaky clean, and prepare dance performances. I think God taking a different appearance also taught me a lesson or two. One: My hospitality does not have to be perfect and planned , if not it will be all about me, my house, and how I perform. Such hospitality takes the focus off me and places it on the needs of the ‘stranger’. Two: I should give my best to everyone…be it a cleaner or a president. You never know which one is God, right? (winks).

Host: Right! Ok, I still have so many questions for you but our time is running out. Let me slide in one last question. They say ‘between man and woman palava, noh put your mop’ but I can’t help but wonder Sarah’s take in all this? Wasn’t she tired of you always hosting people and all the work that came with it? Did it ever cause problems in your home?

Abraham: Hahahaha, don’t mind that the Bible didn’t record it oh…that woman can host for the whole Canaan combined! God blessed me with such a loving partner. You see, every family devotion and in our daily living, I try to build the culture of hospitality in my household. This is to the point that even when I am not around, my servants know what to do. We usually have fun stories at the end of the day. Remember the 3 strangers telling us we will have a son the following year…and it did come to past.

Host: Hallelujah…(singing) Father Abraham, has many sons, many sons has father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you (pointing to Abraham)…hahaha no sorry, not you. So, Father Abraham, do you have any last words of wisdom for the audience? 

Abraham: Start showing hospitality as you are, don’t wait to be perfect. Hospitality is not about being perfect, it’s about being present…present with God (by letting Him guide you) and present with others. I encourage you to keep reading this blog for tips. I must say, inside-out hospitality is doing a good job. If we all can develop a culture of hospitality, the world will see Jesus in us and who knows, we will welcome angels (bearing good news) without knowing (Hebrews 13:2). Finally, I urge you to read Matthew 25:31-46.

Host: Well, Father Abraham, thank you for this incredible chat. You’ve inspired us to open our homes and our hearts just a little wider. Maybe it’s time for all of us to start practicing some inside-out hospitality, just like you did.

Abraham: It was my pleasure! And remember, if you ever find yourself in the wilderness, feel free to stop by (I mean it). I’ll make sure the calf’s been fattened.

Host: For sure! (Singing) Abraham’s blessings are mine….

(End of show)

Hope you enjoyed today’s episode. Until next month for another episode of our show 😉