Yesterday was another one those busy days that we regularly live.
In the morning and early early afternoon, we did a family outing to downtown Paris. We didn't go away during this 2 week "winter ski vacation" that the French school calendar has programmed in. So we did do this event together. At our son's wish, we invited one of his classmates, whose parents are from North Africa and whose mother practices the main religion of that region. This friend has regularly come over to our home during school breaks.
We took the bus downtown together. Our 3 kids and their friend enthusiastically took turns riding plastic sleds down the "hill" that the City of Paris sets up from December through this weekend. The City of Paris has some nice events and activities for children. We splurged and took a lunch break at McDonalds, which is not inexpensive here. Before the meal, my wife explained that we pray before meals to thank God for providing the food. Our 4 year old daughter volunteered to do so. She prayed in a natural manner for a 4 year old, which was great.
After lunch, we did a couple more rounds on the sled hill. While waiting in line this time, we met another American couple with 2 children. He's an international lawyer and she works for a NY university. My wife spoke with them while I was wandering around and trying to keep our 2 year old entertained. They got excited to learn about the arts association I help with, as their family helper has studied photography and is looking to pursue further that area. So we exchanged business cards and will hopefully be in touch. From their names, they are probably Jewish, which wouldn't be surprising since they are from New York and he is a lawyer.
I would love to have a photo of the 6 of us taking up the entire back row of the bus. As I thought about the time together, I was struck with the idea that we probably should try to regularly bring one of our children's friends with us when we do smaller outings like this.
In a situation where Erwin McManus wanted to provide an intense program of accelerated spiritual growth for his future replacement as pastor, he invited the person (a believer of less than one year) to live with him and his family for a year. About this particular case, McManus writes, "I was inviting him to observe us up close. We, too, would not be able to hide who we are. This was not a formal discipleship structure. It was an invitation to enter our lives and know us for who we really are. If you want to increase your influence, risk bringing people up close. Of course, it is important to first ask the question, If I bring someone close enough to see the real me, what will he see? Who will he become?" (Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment, p. 128).
After we got back, our friend's brother came by and picked her up. We then moved into the next phase of our day: rest time for the kids and me getting ready for the 3 University of Georgia students to come over for orientation and supper.
Lauren, Lisa, and Britt arrived yesterday afternoon for a weeklong project with the arts ministry. I arranged for their housing, including last night's stay in a youth hostel near our apartment. Before they came, I mixed the crêpe batter and did a final revision and printing of their schedule.
I was about to get the vacuum out when the doorbell rang and it was them. Our living room accumulates crumbs very quickly and needs to be vacuumed at least every other day. However, this often doesn't happen. Nearly 20 years ago, I remember a colleague with 4 kids saying that one price of showing hospitality was not being able to have her house completely cleaned and arranged when people came over. Now I understand and live this reality. We try to keep it picked up and arranged in a way that shows order, following some of the ideas of Edith Schaeffer, wife and ministry partner of European ministry and art ministry pioneer Francis Schaeffer. But having everything spotless just isn't compatible with showing hospitality. If we want our house to be a museum, then we won't be able to have people over.
We apologized for the crumbs on the floor and said that we were just about to vacuum. It didn't seem to matter to them. What was more important was the meal and time that we enjoyed together. We've done crêpe nights many times over the years with teams that have come and everyone seems to have enjoyed them.
The 3 students will be back over for lunch today and we probably still won't have vacuumed, due to lack of time and energy. Oh well. Maybe tonight?
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