“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13,2
„Vergeet nie die goedheid teenoor vreemdelinge nie, want daardeur was sommige waardig om onwetend engele te onthaal.“ Hebreërs13,2
“I will never forget, what you have done to us! You were our angel! “
With these words a tourist said goodbye to me. He and his wife had a terrible experience at Langstrand in Namibia. They had just been robbed and the tyres of the car had been slashed with a knife. The handbag with all personal cards and cash were stolen. They wanted to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach and then disaster struck. It was the second day in their holiday. There was no other option for me but to help them to report to the police, to get new tyres, to organize a date at the German Embassy and to find a lodging where they could stay. I supplied them with funds to make ends meet for the next two days. To me they were total strangers, but they needed help. I could be of assistance to them and they remembered this and even related it with a saving angel!Om gasvry te wees moet nie altyd met dramatiese ondervindinge gepaard gaan nie.
Dit gebeur af en toe dat ons gevra word om gaste te ontvang of om akkommodasie aan hulle te verskaf. Uit etlike van sulke ontmoetings kan waardevolle vriendskappe ontstaan. Die ondervinding van die twee dissipels wat op pad na Emmaus was, is `n goeie voorbeeld hiervan. `n Derde persoon wil die twee dissipels vergesel. Hulle dink eers hy is `n vreemdeling. Goeie gesprekke oor die onlangse gebeure in Jerusalem het tussen die drie stappers on-tstaan. Toe hulle tuis kom, nooi die dissipels die vreemdeling uit om by hulle te bly. Eers tydens die aandete herken hulle dat die persoon Jesus was.Ons nooi Jesus ook uit as ons by voorbeeld voor ete bid: Liewe Jesus, wees ons gas en seën ons en ons daaglikse brood.“ Hierdie gebed maak dat elke maaltyd `n besondere geleentheid word; ons verstaan Jesus se teenwoordigheid by ons maaltyd. Opsommend mag ons dus sê dat gasvriendskap `n wonderlike manier is om die goedheid en ge-nade van God te ontvang.
Van my kant af wil ek graag betuig dat ek baie dankbaar is vir al die gasvryheid wat ek die afgelope vier weke hier in die gemeente van Bellville ontvang het. Mag julle toekoms ryklik geseënd en onder die beskermende hand van ons Vader wees. May the good Lord bless you all, and be ascertained that God will guide you and your congregation.
Pastor Reinhard Keding
