Revolving Door of Ministry

A house of hospitality.  There is just no other way to aptly describe this beautiful home where we will call our place for three months.   First of all, it's more than a home; it's a small estate that goes on and on forever.  Attached to the huge house is a breezeway that leads into a 3 story barn where there is a complete work/maintenance area on the ground floor, bedrooms on the second floor and plans for a conference center on the third floor.  And, we are not describing house-sized floors.  This area is HUGE!

In addition, there is an art gallery on one side of the country court yard and entrances into the breezeway and the barn on the other side.  Also, there are entrances into the main house as well as into a complete basement area. It is easy to get lost!   But the reason we are here is to support in the launch of their coffee house/cafe ministry, which will open by the end of August.  By the way, the coffee house is also attached to the main house.   Because the ages of the buildings, some of which date back 150 years, the couple carefully renovates to keep the original character of the home...and the coffee house.  They have the buildings, the dreams, and the volunteers to help them with preparation, but they already had the inherent gift of hospitality.  This house and grounds, though located in a quiet rural village of Arrie, is never without busyness and people traffic.
  Their table is set like this three times a day, in addition to tea time (fika) in the late afternoon.  Friends and neighbors always drops by.  For instance, we have been here for 4 days and this is the world we have seen: 2 from Finland, 2 from Ghana, 1 + baby from Kosovo, and 1 from Slovenia, and one original Swede.  They all drop by to sit and visit.  It doesn't matter if you have your painting or carpentry clothes on, all sit at the table... using cloth napkins. Many of these guests share their testimonies at the table or want to discuss if a Bible is necessary in order to believe in God.  They are interested in comparative religion or sharing how they left their faith to become Christians.  We digest more than food at every meal.

It's a small international setting in this area, and a perfect setting for a coffee house ministry.  Farmers, bus drivers, and cyclists all stop to inquire when they can get their first cup of coffee.  That impresses us, but not as much as the openness and genuine hospitality of this couple who live on this property.  We can't remember being with people who have had such gigantic dreams and creative minds. God has given them everything, and they are not sacrificing one antique brick on the altar of "I don't think we can do it."  We see the reality of "when God calls, He equips."  It's thrilling and galvanizing to have been invited to be a part of this ministry.  Everyone sits at their table, and they are welcome - paint and sawdust and all.  Believing is easy when people feel like they belong.  

Life is an adventure here...and we love the dynamics of it all.  Truly, this is an honor to be enrolled in the blueprints of God's fingerprints.

Keep Looking Up!  And, thank you for reading our blog.
   J:m and L:nda