“Our love for outsiders runs deep as it flows from remembering ourselves to be outsiders who have been dearly loved by a lavishly hospitable God.”
Skogheim, translated “home in the trees” evokes memories for many people who have visited here over the years. Groups return year after year, and look forward to staying in “their own room”. Our everyday focus is to plan for guests; from ordering food, cleaning rooms and enjoying “trips down memory lane” with holiday makers, each day starts from a base of “serving”. Currently our staff are being trained in guest service. The training is proving to be insightful and challenging., with Jono as the trainer, it is at times very entertaining, involving role play and discussions, on how to serve best in practical ways.
We are glad to notice changes in our staff, as they become more confident in their new skills. The New Testament word for hospitality comes from a compound of “love“ and ”stranger”. Guests arrive tired and hungry, anxious to be settled, needing to know their way around, the first night can be disorientating being in a new surrounding. By the end of the stay, they are more relaxed, know the routine, having had time to rest and enjoy the fellowship, we get to know each other by name and the “strangers” are now friends.
As believers, we are all called to practice hospitality, to show our love to others, and also as an effective tool for Evangelism, and Discipleship. Todays society no longer “pops in” to visit. People are lonely and in need of companionship . Being hospitable does take practice, yet we can all improve our skills as we seek to show the Father’s love to strangers. Remembering that we too, once, were strangers, and now belong to a body of believers, due to our Father’s love.