Our Next-Door Neighbors

In Acts 17:26f, Paul says, "And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us."

In His good wisdom, God has placed a wonderful family next-door to us, a family from San Salvador. God Himself determines the boundaries of nations and the houses of families, and we are thankful to Him for the Fuentes family. We had the amazing opportunity of having them over for dinner on Friday night, followed closely by their kind hospitality to us on Sunday afternoon.

In many ways, these dinners were surreal. First, my wife and I do not speak much Spanish, and they do not speak much more English; yet the conversations went smoothly. God was surely at work even in our very communication. Second, I have long prayed for God to put an international family near us - a family for us to love and care for and minister to, a family for us to share our life with. And as we ate dinner both nights, I realized that God has answered my small prayer. At once I felt tiny and abundantly blessed in Christ.

Then the other night, uninvited and unannounced, their son Andy shows up at our door carrying a plate of hot taquitos and another of Spanish coleslaw. Amazing! B came into the bedroom and exclaimed, "The Fuentes family brought us more food! They must think we don't eat!" We were overjoyed at God's lavish grace upon us in the form of physical food. He certainly cares for us as His children. I went next-door to thank their father, and he gave us more tacos!

What a picture of cheerful giving, what a friendly and hospitable family they are. We thought that we would be the ones doing the giving, but we thank You, Lord Jesus, for encouraging us and humbling us by the Fuentes family. They are a gift from You.