Growing up in Hospitality, Oklahoma

I had the wonderful privilege of growing up in a typical rural community in Western Oklahoma. My father was the High School football coach, my mother was the Jr. High School secretary. Needless to say, I couldn’t get away with anything in that small town!

It was in that community where I first experienced Biblical hospitality at its best. My roots and passion for helping families in medical crisis began there. When I was 17 years old, my family experienced a serious medical crisis. My mother was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer. She and my father would travel to Oklahoma City, two hours from home, over many months for surgeries and inpatient chemotherapy.

With three very active teenagers at home, my parents were very worried about leaving us. Their concern was short lived though as we watched the entire community support us during that time. Our church family would pray and bring in meals for us, our school family would make sure we had rides to our church, school, and sports commitments, that uniforms were washed and ready, and that our academic studies did not suffer.

Two years of treatments brought many ups and downs to our family. My parents spared us the details concerning the financial impact this terrible disease was having on our family, but we knew. Toward the end of that second year, my mother was referred to MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas for trial studies.

As they were preparing to board the airplane in Oklahoma City that early morning, the President of our local Sports Booster Club greeted them at the airport. He asked if they knew where they would be staying during their visit to Houston. My parents explained they didn’t have a firm plan and thought they would figure it out when they arrived. That dear man then shared that our community had come together for the purpose of making sure they had lodging and meals while there. He handed my father $700 to meet those needs during this crisis. What a wonderful expression of support!

Sadly, my mother did not survive her diagnosis. My family and community grieved deeply. But even in the midst of that grief, these wonderful people surrounded us with all the love and support we needed to survive the loss. The lessons I learned and the love exemplified to me through this small community will never be forgotten.

If you are ever traveling on I-40 West, just before you get to the Texas panhandle, look for that town. Oh, the highway sign might display the name Sayre, Oklahoma; but to me, it reads Hospitality, Oklahoma.

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice Hospitality.
Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Hospitality - a world-wide ministry

I recently had the privilege of hosting a friend of mine overnight. She and her husband are missionaries in South America. Part of their ministry includes serving indigenous people in four medical houses which provide lodging and support to families and patients who come from remote jungle areas into the large city for medical care.

We spent the evening sharing our passion for this work in hospitality (PhiloXenia). We also shared stories of families that have served. We both have cared for families facing unspeakable pain and sorrow. However, we have also cared for families who have experienced amazing miracles of healing and hope. While the details of each family served may vary, the need families have for lodging, meals, prayer support, hospital visits, and encouragement are the same all over the world.

Loving Strangers?

While this title seems out of place in our culture, it is a core value practiced at The Hospitality House of Tulsa. This House was founded on the Biblical principles of Hospitality. Romans 12:13, (NIV) reminds us, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." The word hospitality in this verse is translated from the Greek word, PhiloXenia, meaning love for stranger or friend to the stranger.

The examples of this PhiloXenia practice is spread throughout the Old and New Testaments. But how can anyone in America really welcome complete strangers into their home? Aren't we supposed to be observing "STRANGER DANGER?" It depends on your definition of the word stranger. For example, read Matthew 25:31-46 to see how Jesus defined this practice.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'