Inside-Out Hospitality

I always enjoy attending the Destiny Conference (DESCO) organized by World Changers Association (WCA) because it makes me truly appreciate the value of planning. And trust me, if you’ve ever tried to host just one guest for one evening, imagine hosting dozens of people (and most times give or take a hundred) for a whole week! DESCO is not a one-day affair but can run from a couple of days to a full week—hosting people from different towns, preferences, family compositions and away from your home.

I will probably share lessons learned over the many DESCOs I’ve attended, but for today’s post, I want to talk about the most recent one. It was my first time experiencing it in a completely different setting than I am used to in Cameroon. This time, I was attending the one organized in Europe.

I noted a lot of things, but the two main hospitality highlights were the choice of location and the meal plan.

Location

I was very impressed with the choice of location when we arrived, and I just had to ask our hosts what prompted the choice of this place—especially since it was quite “far.” The obvious answer was praying for God’s leading, affordability, capacity, and great reviews. But here are some other strong points I noticed:

• Family friendly: One of the reasons why I didn’t bring my kids along was because most such settings are not adapted for families (Please, do not ask the other reason why hahahaha). But this location had cribs in some rooms, an equipped playground, and plenty of yard space (all fenced in!) for little legs to run wild (Now, I low-key wished I brought them along hihi).
• Remote and peaceful: Being in a remote area was a big plus. The calm atmosphere away from city noise made space for prayer, reflection, and fresh air. We had a nice walk in nature as one of our planned activites. Very refreshing.
• Attentive host: The house was fully equipped, and the owner was just a call away. At one point we needed a lighter for the barbecue, and in under 20 minutes she showed up with one. That’s what I call hospitality on call!

Of course, nothing is perfect, and I did note two little downsides (that were very quickly covered up):

• Shower gel/soap was lacking in the bathrooms (I don’t know if it was intentional or just an oversight from the owner). A rapid check of the environment by the logistics team quickly picked this up and the situation by picking some up from a nearby store (another plus).
• The distance was far, and without a car, it would have been stressful. But again, the hosting team grouped people with cars to those without, which reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9–10—“Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”…How are your guests ariving your home or event? Have you made provision for easier transportation or at least given options of how to reach?

Hospitality Tips – Choosing a Location

• How many people are attending, and what sleeping arrangements will be needed?
• What is the guest composition (families, singles, couples, kids, elders)?
• Are there facilities or amenities suitable for different ages and needs?
• How accessible is the location? Are there nearby stores or services if needed?
• Will the environment encourage peace, reflection, and fellowship?

Food

Now, this is where I almost lost my self-control. I think I am afraid to weigh myself after this retreat because there was more than enough to eat! But what I loved most was the choice of meals.

Eating African meals in a non-African setting can stretch a budget, but almost all meals were Cameroonian—ndolé, eru, roasted fish, fish rolls, BHB (puffpuff, beans and pap) and even the brand of tea was from Cameroon! Each bite carried the comfort of home. Like the early church, “they (we) broke bread in their homes (guest house) and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46).

Here’s what stood out to me:

• Meals were partly prepped ahead of time, either subcontracted or done by the host. Majority of the shopping was also done before. This reduced on-ground cooking or delays in grocery shopping and gave more time for fellowship and Word study.
• Cooking and cleaning were shared amongst us, which led to more bonding. (Reminded me of Martha bustling around, but this time, Martha got some help!)
• The host delegated meals to sisters from other towns. Delegation isn’t just practical—it’s biblical (Exodus 18:17–23, when Moses’ father-in-law advised him to share the load).
• The plan was flexible—for example leftover ndolé was reheated and enjoyed again. Flexibility in hospitality is key!
• And just when we thought it was all over, everyone went home with a takeaway package. That abundance reminded me of the feeding of the five thousand—there was plenty left over.

Hospitality Tips – Planning Meals

• What are the food preferences, allergies, or cultural backgrounds of your guests?
• Can some meals be prepped ahead of time or delegated to others?
• Do you have a plan for leftovers (to reduce waste and stress)?
• Are mealtimes structured to encourage conversation and bonding?
• Is there a balance of hearty, light, and healthy options for different appetites?

Conclusion

From this retreat, I was reminded that good hospitality thrives on:

• Planning (location, meal plan, activities etc.)
• Delegating (Moses-style leadership!)
• Attentiveness (checklists, inspections and good sense)
• Flexibility (because sometimes the leftover ndolé is God’s plan for day two)
• God’s leading (before, during and after!)

Hospitality Tips – Bringing It All Together

• Have I prayed and planned ahead for the needs of all guests?
• What tasks can be delegated to reduce stress and involve others?
• Am I attentive to the small details that make guests feel welcome?
• How flexible is my plan if unexpected changes occur?
• How can I create space for both practical care and spiritual connection?

Oh, one last thing I noted, there was lots of cleaning before leaving the premises. It was not required but I am sure the owner was happy to find herself having less work cleaning after us. I do hope that as we strive to be good hosts, we are also good stewards and ‘hostees’, cleaning up after ourselves!

Of course, hospitality isn’t just about food or a nice location. True hospitality blends planning with flexibility, generosity with wisdom, and meals with fellowship. If you are not part of a loving and God-fearing christian community, I highly encourage you to find and join one.

How about you? Have you recently attended a retreat, conference, or event and appreciated something special about the hospitality? Share with me—I’d love to hear!

How about for our next article, I introduce you to a hospitality hero I might have overlooked! Don’t miss out on her juicy hospitality story by subscribing to the blog.

Happy hosting!