Giving and receiving

Last night we had our friends Alain and Nathalie over for supper. Sunday evening supper with Alain is becoming one of our weekly rhythms. He is a godly man and a wise counsellor and mentor to us. Our kids look forward to having Papy Alain and Tante Nathalie over whenever they come.

After supper, we had a discussion over one of our concerns: our son. It was extremely helpful to have their perspective and observations as friends outside of our family. Nathalie has done social work for 13 years, so she observed some things yesterday about our son's behavior that were useful.

My wife and I came back to France in 2000 to help in whatever way we could. And we have been able to be of service here.

But God has also put some French people (and people of other nationalities) in our lives who very practically serve and help us. Alain, Nathalie, and Antoinette are some of them. Liz, a British who taught our older 2 kids in Sunday school yesterday, is another one.

Giving is something that many of us in intercultural ministry want to do. We've motivated to do so. However, receiving from those we're trying to help is something that often doesn't come as easily. In our case, it's out of necessity. But even if it wasn't a necessity, I think that it is part of ministry. Jesus received the hospitality of others at the wedding at Cana, at the well from the Samaritan woman, and of the disciples on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection. On Maundy Thursday, he seemed to really desire the companionship of his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Sometimes, it is only as we receive graciously from others that doors of ministry are opened. This is an example of "when I am weak, then I am strong."