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The Parkers

When deciding where to stay while we were in Hanover, Jeremy asserted many times that we could stay with his friends, the Parkers, who work for Navs at Dartmouth, no problem. Not knowing the Parkers, Kate and I were a bit skeptical of this, because really, who is so hospitable that 3 people could show up to their house practically unannounced and that would be fine, even welcomed? So we made reservations at a campground for our time there.

And then, we met the Parkers and the truth in all that Jeremy had said was immediately evident. Never have I met a couple so hospitable and welcoming.

Saturday night, we stopped by their house to say Hi and literally wound up leaving the next morning. The weekend we were there, there were four other people staying with them: a former student and three of their son Garrett's friends. And yet each night we were there, they invited us to stay for dinner and welcomed us to spend the night.

Saturday night, we sat on the porch with Nancy for hours, talking about life. She is a godly, gentle, wise woman who I would love to sit and listen to for many more hours. She talked to us about her family, life in Hanover, their ministry, and sacrifices they have had to make. Even while we talked, three people dropped by just to say hello.

Monday morning, the three of us had breakfast with Craig. Like his wife, he is a humble, thoughtful, kind lover of Christ. Over breakfast, he talked to us about the church, transforming culture within our communities, how we really love our neighbors in that, the supremacy of Scripture, and the face of their ministry at Dartmouth. It was such a good, encouraging, and refreshing time.

I can only pray that I might one day be so open handed with my home and with my time.

Labels: travel

posted by CP @ 2:14 PM 0 thoughts