One of the joys of meeting visitors is a special bond that comes along occasionally when
you least expect it. My husband and I had the opportunity to meet two visitors from Utah. Cari
was an elder in their small Presbyterian Church, and her husband, Dave, was in Houston for cancer surgery at M. D. Anderson.
They visited St. Andrew’s one whole summer whenever Dave’s treatment schedule allowed. After his surgery, we visited Dave in the hospital. With tears in his eyes (and in ours), he hugged us several times and said how much our visit meant to him – just to see a friendly face of someone who cared about him so far from home.
You never know when you reach out to a visitor in some small way just how great the reward will be. Dave is doing great now. He and Cari still visit St. Andrew’s when he comes for his yearly check-up. They often tell us they will be forever grateful for the many prayers in Pastor Jane’s office and for the St. Andrew’s family who continue to surround them with love and care.
Let us always remember to keep our hearts open and our hands outstretched to welcome visitors – the Bible says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)
