Hi,

I'm getting ready to fly away from the nest (my parents home) and rent an apartment. I will be getting a 2 bed/2 bath apartment. Being that I'm single, I will have an extra room available at my new home that I'd like to turn into a guest room/study.

I'm prayerfully considering contacting several local churches in the area and opening my guest room up to any visiting missionaries or ministers who need a room to stay at for a few nights. For anybody who has ever done something like this before, do you have any practical suggestions for me that I should consider?

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Jimmy H

As a side note, I work about 60 hours a week Monday-Friday, and will only be home on the weekends (well, I get home at 9:30-10 every night). So, I won't be able to do much for them besides offer them a bed and perhaps some company on the weekend.

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Jimmy H

As a former missionary, I would say, Thank YOU!!! A bed, warm water and access to the kitchen is all we need.

One idea on the practical side....we normally like to have a basket of goodies for our missionary guests, things like chocolate, fruit, nuts, snack stuff, etc. Also bottled water is a nice thing to have on hand...we have friends who visit us once a year from another country and due to extensive traveling they prefer bottled water for health reasons.

It's a wonderful ministry to have...and it is also a wonderful blessing to have missionaries in your home. :-D

This is a great idea, and I'm sure it will be a wonderful blessing to whoever stays there.

The basket is a nice idea, keeping things simple will probably be to their tastes. I'd feel awkward receiving a big to-do as a missionary. Maybe a simple map with directions to the closest grocery store or restaurants, or any other notable places, with some phone numbers for the local hospital and police.

If you have a bike, maybe make it available for a little "getting around" without a car. When I lived in Australia as a missionary, I got used to not using a car. Now I enjoy opportunities to take a walk or ride somewhere with my bible and a book.

King Jimmy: Yes, I have done this, and consider it a command to practice hospitality from the Lord. I have had many varied experiences over the years...some good and some distasteful.

1.] My first advice is to be led of the Spirit. Prayerfully submit to the small still voice that ministers peace to your heart. Sometimes, it might be wise to MEET the folks that will be living with you.


2,] Do not confine your hospitality to "missionaries and ministers" alone, but remember that we all our ministers, and we all walk in the Spirit to some degree. I don't want to sound critical, but I am not impressed with missionaries as an exalted tier of the Apostolic succession. On the whole, with some exceptions, I have been deeply disappointed with those who say they are missionaries. I have met many in America, and around the world. It doesn't mean that people [i]are[/i] what they may believe themselves to be, or that they are Godly because some group here or there may support them.


3.]When brothers stay with you, make sure everything is brought to the light. Make sure the expected [i]time[/i] of their stay is defined, unless the Lord specifically speaks to you otherwise, and the conditions. If you expect to provide everything[ I do..], let them know. They should by the virtue of BEING a brother, to know to clean up after themselves. You should lovingly make it clear though, what you expect.


[4. If you discover, that those whom you have shown mercy and hospitality to, are takers and users, rather than lovers and givers, do not hesitate to go to them according to Matt:18. If there is no desire to change, show them the door. God will provide for them some other way, according to their needs. It is not your responsibility.


[5. Do it in secret, unto God, and not for your own glory to prove what a spiritual giant you are, or how committed to the Lord you are. If not, this praise of men, and smug afterthought will be your only reward. Do these alms with joy, and cheerfulness. I have often been offended when taken advantage of, but each time I realized that I wasn't doing my good deeds for God, but for me, for reason's of pride. If you are offended, it is because you we're not walking in love. Blessed are the unoffended.


[6. Remember the helpless, the Alien, the orphan, the lowly. Be led by Jesus's compassion and spirit. In a few months, the trickle of those displaced by the Mortgage crisis will turn into a raging river,and there will be confusion and hardship, even among displaced Christians.



How can we have the Love of God in us when we close our ears and hearts ,to these that we do see in need? We cannot, and have the Lord Jesus call us His own....


When you give a feast, do not invite those that can repay you, but when you give a feast, invite....???


This is a wonderful idea, and worthy to pursue. It is rare today, in our Christian world of "Your best life now", and "Your at your best when your blessed!" mentality. "IT is all about me, ME ME ME!.


It is really about pleasing Jesus.."As Jesus laid his life down for us, so we ought to lay our lives down for one another."


My wishes for success....brother tom.

BrotherTom, great advice.

A word of warning: I once opened my door to a troubled young man who claimed to be a Christian "getting his life in order." We made definite arrangements, allowing him two weeks. I determined privately that if he had not shown any interest in reading his bible and praying, or speaking about things of Christ in the least, he was a user and not a sheep of the fold. As it went, he skipped out after one day, disappeared with my key for two weeks, and then I found him in my apartment one night with a large, threatening man, with drugs or some other illicit paraphernalia. He refused to leave, so the police escorted him.

Would I allow another person in my home? Lord willing, yes. But I do not believe Christians are obligated to house unbelievers. It is a matter of discretion. Loving your neighbor includes loving your wife and children in practical ways. Jesus taught the disciples to "flee to the next city" when persecuted. Seek wisdom.

Thank you all very much for your practical advice.

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Jimmy H

Great practical advice. Have had some unpleasant experiences as well as decent ones with this issue.


My zeal has often gotten in the way of that still small voice and my desire to be 'used' of the Lord often takes a turn to 'get used' by others.

It has been counted all joy and the Lord has shown His amazing protection and grace to us through every situation.

Commit it to the Lord, ask his favor and guidance and then do as He leads. He will see your heart and give His reward!

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RICH

Why just ministers and missionaries?
Why not anybody whom God himself may draw to you?


Diane

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Diane