Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)
Twins
The town, in which we lived, was known for its abundant fruit orchards. This particular year the season was later than normal as the cooler weather refused to let the warm summer ripen the fruit. For years, workers would travel for miles to spend the summer picking the fruit, trying to get enough money to help them through the rest of the year. Most of the workers were young people who came from across the nation. Some were trying to raise enough funds to support themselves through university. Many did not speak English.
Once day as we walked downtown, we noticed that the young folks had arrived and wanted to work but there was no work. Their money had be spent on travelling and now they were destitute. As a result, they were sleeping on the side of the road, in the parks, wherever they could.
Our concern for them increased. We had access to a medium sized portable building which we fixed it up to help any of them who were homeless and without food. They we tried to let them know that they were welcome.
One day we were downtown and we saw a set of twin boys who obviously were destitute. They did not speak the language of the people. We wanted to tell them of the safe place to which they could go. There would be food and shelter. But, they didn't understand our language and we did not understand their language. Charades was not working. Pointing, bending, gesturing, was all to no avail.
We paused and noticed that just behind the twins was a man, sitting on one of the many large cement flower planters that adorned the sidewalk. He looked to be about thirty-five years old, with average build, average hairstyle, and wearing the stlye of clothing which was common for the season. He looked at us.
"Do you know French?"
"A little" was his reply.
We explained that we wanted to let the twins know that they could be fed and sheltered, but we unable to communicate in their language. We told the man where the shelter was.
He repeated what we said to the twins who were very happy to be helped.
We were so grateful that the twins would be safe and fed. When we walked away we felt relief but a few moments later, a thought came to us.
"Wait a minute! We didn't thank the interpreter!"
We turned around to where the man had been, but saw only the flower planter. Only a few moments had passed, but the man was nowhere to be seen.
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! (Heb. 13:2)
