Blessings

Last week, we had the opportunity to have a couple of different people stay in our house. The first was a young married couple, he's an American and she's a Brazilian. They stayed with us during the week because she was trying to obtain a visa so that they could move to the States. The second person stayed with us a couple of days because he missed his return flight to the States, was stranded at the airport and couldn't book a new flight until a couple of days later.

The married couple were needing a place to stay while they went to and from the American consulate. As I'm sure that you know, staying in Rio hotels are very expensive and we were happy to be able to help this young couple save some money. The young husband's parents are new friends of ours' and are from Cushing, Oklahoma. Obviously we wouldn't open our house to just anyone. So, please don't go calling us up saying that you're wanting several days of vacation and are needing a place to hang out while you do tourism. However, we would love to fellowship with you if you are passing through Rio. The second guy had been working this summer in Rio on his practicum for his Masters and was a participant in out Small Group. He was at the airport returning to the States when he discovered that he had read his ticket wrong. It was never a question with Sharon and I if we should invite him to stay at our house while he purchased his new ticket and then had a couple day lay-over until his next flight out.

All three of these people expressed gratitude for us allowing them to stay with us. Honestly, we didn't think too much about it. We've always felt that the house that we stay in is itself a ministry since it's not really "ours" but IMB property. God has been good to us and we feel that it is only natural to pass this blessing onto others by sharing what great things He has given to us.

One of the interesting things to me is that doing things like opening our house for someone to stay as they obtain their visa, giving a ride to the airport for someone so that they don't have to take a taxi, or offering a meal to someone who has really just come over for fellowship, time has gotten away from them and they find that they are at our house when a meal is placed before them, these are normal events which become a blessings. Being a blessing to others is itself a blessing. When we open our homes and hearts to other we find that God always gives us more than we could give away. I must admit however that it is still sometimes easier to give than to receive. I still struggle at times with allowing others to bless me or my family. Giving is natural for Sharon and I, receiving some times take some effort. I was once told by a colleague, "don't rob someone of their joy when they're trying to bless you".

I guess what I'm trying to share is not a pat on my own back for opening up our home, but uplifted hands in praise to a God who loved us so much that He gave His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. We are blessed to be IMB missionaries. We are blessed to have a house that Southern Baptist provided for us. We are blessed because we have a mission vehicle that can carry someone to the airport, hospital or to a new church start. We are blessed because you are giving to us every day that we are here in Brazil. So, I want to write and say to you, "thank you" for being such a blessing to us!

Your fellow servant,

Jeff Renard - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil