Genesis 32:10
A unique Combined, Farewell, Holy Communion, Christmas Service all in one, was our Sunday December 25, 2022. We learned a lot by the hospitality of Bishop Mathews and Pastor Jamile Mtonga, of Destiny Bible church, Kitwe.
Destiny Bible church, hosted Beth Adonai Fellowship for the past two years in covid perilous times. Their hospitality, has joggled my mind on Christian love.
At the combined service, host pastor, Mrs Mtonga shared a probing word, “we are now two camps!” (Genesis 32:10). Cited Jacob’s cry transitioning to the promised. To Jacob, if one group is attacked the other can flee and all is not lost. Is that us I thought?
On the Sunday 1″ of January, 2023, our Ministries have a home, 31-2nd Ave Nkana West, Kitwe.
After two wonderful years of hospitality, we feel healed and refreshed.
Hospitality, if I may, is associated with hospital, motels or hotels. Hospitals and hotels respectively, host the sick the weary for recovery, resting, food and water etc.
Generally, hospitality is room and board to restore the sick, refresh the exhausted travellers.
Marys for one needed hospitality in Bethlehem (Luke 2). Jesus gave an example of wounded man on the road to Jericho (Luke 10;25_37).
Typically, biblical hospitality is more than just room and board. The word hospitality appears four times in the ESV Bible Romans 12:13 – Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2- Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:9 – Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1 Timothy 5:10 – and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.
Hospitality is both action and affection, receiving and loving a stranger. Which, admittedly, is not always easy to determine. We can offer hospitality food, a bed, a shower without love, then it is not biblical. We can judge for ourselves here. For Christians … we are to show hospitality to one another without grumbling 1 Peter 4:9.
When we grumble while giving food or lodging to someone, our hospitality is gone.
In this regard, we wish to thank and bless Destiny Bible Church and pay glowing tribute to Bishop Mathews and Jamile Mtonga.
As a ministry, and me in particular we were in great distress. We lost a meeting place, lost membership, lost property and lost ministry stride but they helped us to stabilize in two years among other friends. The Sar-Shalom (Prince of peace) be your portion
When it all happened, we asked why…? Until we just left it all to God. Tthe last two years you provided unbridled hospitality. Holding nothing back for us, not asking why we were in such quandary. Not even telling us how long we could stay.
May God bless Bishop Mtonga, and wife. May God refresh you as you refreshed us.
This Sunday, 1s of January 2023, we will be in our new facility. We could not wait for furnishing, paint or renovations. Our hearts burn to get busy for God.
Literary Pastor Jamile Mtonga we are indeed two camps for strategic reasons, but are one people, children of Jacob. Like in Jacob case, we may face our perceived enemy but they will melt away into their wilderness.
Thank you. The comforter, came to us in the person of the Mtonga’s.
God with us, Emmanuel.