Hospitality

I loved today. It started with me feeling a bit tired and grumpy (the result of more sleep rather than less...), the frustration of trying to fit in a run and breakfast and getting everyone ready to arrive at a church service for 9.30am (unsurprisingly we were late).

Then we just got overwhelmed by kindness. We had been invited along to the service by Charles and Janet Morris, who had met Craig once before when he was in LA. By the time the sermon was over I had met and talked to 5 or 6 women from the church who had shown me the nursery and baby feeding room, chatted, laughed and generally included me. Over lunch we met some fascinating people including Fletcher (attending seminary (theological collage) from Malawi), Ted and Linda (the pastor and his wife) and Jim (a former military man, now author). Within 20 minutes an big, sparky discussion was taking place over torture, national pride along with American and British value systems. There was a sense of mutual respect and warmth despite all kinds of varied opinions around the table.

Then we just hung out with Charles and Janet. They took us back to their home, fed us, made us a proper cup of tea, gave us gifts, took us across the road to taste wine from a nearby vineyard, cared for Barney, played with Evie, prayed for us and generally made us feel incredibly special. All this from people who work very hard (Charles and Janet produce a daily radio programme, Haven Today)and have very little spare time. By the end of the day I felt so relaxed in their company that I spent a happy 15 minutes idly rubbing the cradle cap off Barney's head as we talked (sorry Janet and Charles.. that was pretty bad form).

We didn't feel far from home because we felt so welcomed. A good day.