Our Sunday plans often vary, but today we walked down to the Anglican church, then hit up the large Chinese market on the way home. After two hours of church, an hour at the market, and a sidetrack for an impromptu brunch of teh tarik and pau, we started making the sweaty trek home.
From downtown up to the seminary campus you have two options. Either a grueling 5 minute cardio up a steep and unlevel jungle hill, or a leisure 20 minute walk on the road. It’s always a toss-up; up the shortcut for more sweat? Or the scenic route with the unpredictable dogs and cars?
Every once in a while though, we run into a friend with a car. Today was one of those days.
As the car slowed down, creeping next to us, I felt my frustration rise. I was about ready to roll my eyes and say to Kels, “Really? Can’t they just let us walk home in peace?” when she looked in the car and found not young gawking Malay men full of catcalls, but the gardener from STS.
My relationship with the gardener is based on friendly greetings. Each day we exchange a smile and a selamat pagi. But he’s a quiet guy, I’m the quiet orangputih, and our work doesn’t exactly cross paths.
We slip into the car, unsure of where to begin the conversation. He’s with his wife, whom I've never met; a few small shopping bags slide on the back seat, some black jeans slipping out of one of the bags.
“Kamu pergi di geraja?” I fumble and ask, already knowing my question is incorrect.
I stumble through my Malay as we have our first official conversation. Did you go to church? Yes, and the morning market. PCS church? No, Anglican. You are Anglican? No, I’m Lutheran.
The wife speaks faster. Maybe my Malay is sufficient enough that she assumes I can speak… I surprise myself in being able to answer and understand most of it.
Did you learn Malay at STS?
I laugh, and reply, “Tidak belajar... Not learn.”
We silently pull into the drive. “Kamu tinggal di sana?” Yes, we live over there.
An exchange of termia kasihs and we were on our way, but I couldn't stop thinking about the brief exchange that had just occured.
He doesn’t know me well, and he could have easily not given us a ride. But in the few minutes it took to drive up the winding road to the seminary, I felt surrounded in the love and friendliness found in a small gesture of kindness, in the most unexpected of places.
Praise the Lord for the lovingkindness of Christ shining through the man and his wife Sunday! I exclaim a silent but loud, "AMEN!" as I come to the conclusion of your entry for the day. The kindness we are shown and the kindness we show others, including strangers or mere acquaintances really does show love to us, to them, to those who 'hear' about it and to those we don't know are watching! It reminds me of the verse in Hewbrews 13:1-2, "LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail].
ReplyDeleteDo not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood--being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it."
Glory be to God!
Ellen, you are a gift of God to many, including me.