Selling off all your belongings and moving to the other side of the world is an experience that few can truly understand. So when we were having our garage sale in Atlanta to prepare to make our move and start our life and ministry in the Philippines it was surprising to meet a woman shopping for our things who had also experienced this. Her and her family had moved overseas years ago and were now living stateside.
But it was even more surprising how God used this complete stranger to minister to us in the midst of the stresses of moving overseas. A few days after our garage sale I found a piece that went with something she bought from us. Thankfully with the gift of social media I was able to find her and send her a message asking if she would like to pick up the item. When she came by a few hours later, she saw us in the throes of packing and moving. We no longer had any kitchen supplies or even a table. What she did next had such a huge impact on me. She invited us complete strangers to come to her home and join her family for dinner. We had just met, and yet she welcomed us to her home. This small act of kindness and generosity touched my stressed out, overwhelmed, and exhausted heart. She and her family ministered to us as we prepared to leave to minister in the Philippines. Our kids felt loved and cared for in the midst of seeing all their toys and belongings go away. We were able to have a good meal at a table with some new friends! Sometimes the smallest acts can show the love of Christ. This is what beloved community can look like.