Sobremesa

sobremesa

  (n.) The time spent around the table after lunch or dinner, talking to the people you shared the meal with; a time to digest and savor both food and friendship 

photo from here

Whether we knew the exact term or not, we've all experienced sobremesa. It's that nostalgic feeling of Christmas dinner around the table, hours spent catching up with old friends out to eat or in our case, sharing a meal with new friends.

The beginning of this year, we began to rethink our ministry strategy. We shifted our focus onto something we're all familiar with-food.

Every ministry day we bring food to family in the village and we eat with them.

The idea of doing life together around a table is so attractive. Who doesn't love food and good conversation? While we may not always have a literal table between us when we eat with these families, the practice of bringing in food and eating with one another has deepened our relationships with many of them and has given us a way to share the Gospel to an entire family. For once, ministry seems so simple.

Sit. Talk. Eat.

I can imagine Jesus doing the same when He ate with the tax collectors, fed the masses, and broke bread with his disciples.

Sometimes life and ministry can feel so rushed. But sitting down to eat with one another takes intentionality, from the preparing of the meal to the hospitality given and received.
Even though most of the villagers are receiving us into their homes, we have learned that we too must show them hospitality as we serve them and share the Gospel.

"Hospitality is rarely convenient. We must be willing to interrupt the lives of others and be interrupted in our own lives to truly experience hospitality as Jesus practiced." (Excerpt from She Reads Truth)

Through this ministry, we have become aware of so many personal needs these people have. And it has given us a way to personally pray over these families and their communities. Jesus was the greatest example of how life can be done with intentionality. I pray that we follow His example and our ministry will show people just how great our God is!

Perhaps more of life needs to be done around a table. More intentionality, more hospitality and more Sobremesa.

Buen Provecho!