Category: Hospitality

We may just be entertaining angels. Hebrews 13:2

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Blog Celebrations Holidays Hospitality Service

Upson Downs 11.29.2021

Well, we did it! We had a grand and glorious celebration of grace and thanksgiving. We received rivers of grace: a visit from the Williams with a good time of connecting, Ramon’s annual holiday weekend with us, okie dokie Henrietta sharing words of wisdom, and seeing Anne after a long absence. Ash dropped in for a visit as well.

Our feast of the leftovers reminded us once again of our abundance, enjoying together  the delicious food prepared by hands of love, and hopefully filling ourselves by returning thanks and remembering blessings too many to fully recount. The dance was wild and crazy as always, with some fun surprises, some poignant moments, and plenty of action. Of course, “midnight bowl” was earlier than usual due to Covid issues, followed by the obligatory trip for more food with the youth after the bowling. There were many achy knees, feet, and general weariness the next day; nevertheless, it was a time to be treasured for years to come.
We began the blessed season with an opportunity to partner with Ramon in his Lutheran Border Ministries by building a house in Tijuana, visiting a children’s home, and providing dental care by Jose and Mary. The delicious icing on that particular cake was reconnecting with our dear Abif. This great event could not have happened without the generous support of the VanHofwegens, Johnny Colombero, and Patty Will. We give thanks for their kind offerings which allowed us to bring joy and shelter in Jesus’ name, and to serve our faithful brother Ramon.

Sunday night was the first Sunday of Advent, anticipating the light breaking into this dark world in the coming of Jesus. We head into this glorious and blessed time with joyful expectation. All the traditions continue as the mantle passes to the next generation. We will be busy in a time full of purpose and profound significance. We are most blessed.
Grace and peace to you all in the name of our beloved Savior.
For Church of the Servant-King, Regan 

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Special events Teaching Travel Updates

Upson Downs10.31.21

Well, it’s nearly Halloween and fall is upon us, (whatever that means in Southern California!) We have been making several trips to the Northwest (where they do have actual autumn,) hoping to encourage our brothers and sisters in their struggles. As the McCorkels return from Portland, the Kjos duo heads up to hang out for a bit. We will see what lies ahead for us all in this endeavor. Coming off break finds us full and busy as usual, looking forward to life together in God’s great adventure.
One event we are anticipating is our Halloween party on Saturday. We are aware that many of our brethren don’t celebrate this event for obvious reasons, but we approach it as a chance to redeem one more fallen and worldly occasion. We look for fun and frivolity, no evil or scary costumes, and an excuse to eat yummy homemade goodies. The kids’ candy exchange as a post Halloween tradition is great to behold; it’s an exercise in shrewd bargaining, tact, diplomacy, with a little peer pressure thrown in for good measure.
November will keep us occupied with Gene Sonnenberg’s long awaited teaching on leadership, taking the place of our reluctantly canceled Wineskins. We are also anticipating hospitality with the Bynum clan, looking forward to welcoming this faithful family.
We are planning a working trip to Tijuana later in November, working with our brother Ramon in a house build and participating in other aspects of his border ministries. One highlight will be joining Abif there and working alongside him after far too long being apart!
November brings our celebration of Grace and Thanksgiving, one of our life-giving traditions. We also look forward to welcoming the Williams family coming from Bend, Oregon to celebrate with us.
So we continue apace, entering with joy the holiday season ahead. We will miss our dear Rich, as always, remembering our last Thanksgiving together, ever in our hearts and minds with thankful gratitude.
Grace and peace to you and yours, especially in this joyful holy season ahead.
Yours in Him, Regan

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Blog Hospitality Partnership Updates

Upson Downs 8.24.21

Greetings dear ones! It’s time for an update. The “summer of hospitality” continues as we say goodbye to three guests and welcome five more. What an honor and a privilege. I truly marvel that God has found us worthy to be a cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters. As Cassidie is on modified bed rest in order to maximize pregnancy health, God has graciously provided abundant help. That help has come in various forms such as light housework, dinner preparation, and primarily toting around that big baby known as Rocky. He is rambunctious and adventurous, so he needs some alert supervision. Our guests have generously offered assistance, and we are most grateful.

We started our very very early Bible study with our Burmese brethren. Friday morning is the next day in Myanmar and Jack and Scott hosted our first pre-dawn zoom gathering last week. As our brother Garu wrote, “The word of God is the only joy and hope for their lives which give us strength in time of difficulties.” We will be discussing the feasibility of adding another early morning session. Please continue to pray for Myanmar as it is under siege from many directions.
Other than a few colds, we are generally in good health here. Please continue to pray for Lyndsie as she struggles with chronic conditions and the ongoing attempt to ascertain further issues through more testing. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful and encouraged. We are finding ourselves in need of more space as our families continue to grow. We are on the lookout for housing, so keep your eyes and ears open. We’d be thankful for any helpful tips!
Our outdoor Bible study has resulted in some timely contacts in our neighborhood. It was a great blessing and joy to host the Garcia family and to offer housing to the teens while their apartment was being made ready. They are now settling in and making it a home. On Sunday we had two visitors who dropped into our gathering. I believe Rich would be very proud. I think he would be most pleased, but not satisfied, as he often said.
In our Jesus Centered Bible reading for August, in the introduction to Nehemiah, he is described as an “unstoppable hero with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.” May we be found as well, with the word of God as our sword, and our sleeves rolled up to steadfastly continue the work of God’s Kingdom in this world.
Thanks again for your prayers, love, support, and partnership. Grace and peace to you all, blessings all ours with “ten thousand beside!”

Regan

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Blog Hospitality Partnership Updates Wineskins

Upson Downs 8.1.21

Dearest friends, please continue to pray for us as we welcome more guests. It is critical for us to welcome others and be hospitable; it is even more urgent that we extend that love and grace to those among us here. “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another..” (I Peter 4:8) We must be knit together in love in order to not become easily untangled. The church is both local and universal, yet it is in our day to day dealings with one another that Christ is made manifest and authenticated for others to experience. As Fran and Steve depart, Craig returns, followed by Linda, Liesl, Sean, Kirstin, and subsequently the Miller clan. I want to be full of thanks that the Lord has deemed us worthy and filled our plate with lots of good stuff! May our shoulders be broad enough and our sleeves sufficiently rolled up. Some of you ask about ways to participate in our lives here in Gardena. We have many things happening now and anticipate future events which need your prayers and any other more tangible help you might offer. We look forward to reviving Wineskins, to bringing a young Burmese pastor here to share in our life for an extended stay, to getting Abif back here for good, and to finally having a memorial remembrance for Rich. These are but a few. Many of these things are beyond our reach, so we covet your prayers, your financial support, and your continued friendship and support. Grace and peace to you all for Church of the Servant-King,

Regan

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Nature and Purpose of the Church Partnership Unity Updates

Upson Downs 7.20.21

sparkler for july

The Garcia Reyes family has arrived from Peru! We are again given the honor of being hospitable. Romans 12:13 succinctly states, “Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.” And who knows? We may be “entertaining angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) The Old Testament is also replete with admonitions to welcome the stranger. It’s a needed reminder to the Israelites that they were once strangers in a strange land. And so are we all, just beggars showing other beggars where to find bread. We have welcomed Jake and Joanna, Ramon, Molly and Paapa, Cassie, Jeff and Linda, the Dickersons, and the Williams in the time since our last update. It’s possible that I have even missed a few! We’re not finished yet as we anticipate the arrival of Liesl, Linda, and the Miller clan in August. I am confident that the Lord will bring more guests to our door. May we be found worthy.
We give thanks that the world is opening up again, and we look forward to what lies ahead. Some of what we are anticipating: Celebration of the Children, Wineskins, Rich’s Memorial, Nature and Purpose of the Church classes, and Member’s Retreat to name but a few. As always, we need “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” We are thankful for your prayers and partnership. Our world desperately needs to see unity manifested; thereby Christ is proclaimed. 
Grace and peace from Church of the Servant-King

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Our story Special events Updates

Upson Downs 4.1.21

two lambs in a field
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small...

Greetings! Tonight our men are reviving an old tradition- the baseball draft. I am giving thanks for the special memories that such celebrations bring. Jack Read has been participating in this event since his teen years; now he carries on his father’s legacy. Some things, of course, have been interrupted by Covid-19, notably dinner at Phillip’s and opening day at Dodger stadium. But many others remain the same, such as delicious varieties of hot dogs, haggling and negotiating over teams, and lots and lots of laughter. We have been watching The Chosen in anticipation of Easter and also plan to watch The Passion on Good Friday. We will join together for a celebratory meal on Easter Sunday. Easter is the ultimate joke on the Devil: “He is not here. He is risen!” He is risen indeed. Hallelujah! Sean, Kirsten, and Kristy came for a wonderful visit last week. We are so glad to be opening up again, albeit cautiously. It was especially great to enjoy a special meal on the Le’s first anniversary with much of the wedding party in attendance! Our international Bible study has been encouraging and kind of amazing too. Our visiting angels drop in from Mexico, Peru, Myanmar, and closer to home, Oregon. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are teaching a Spanish Bible study and watching our kids. That’s a lot to cover for our little congregation. He is strong in our weakness. Well, that’s it for now. We are blessed to have the abundant life here, keeping us busy and living life with purpose. There truly is “never a dull moment.” Grace and peace to you all, and joyful Easter. God bless us all, everyone.

Regan

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Hospitality Our story Updates

Upson Downs 7-22-20

Upson Downs 7/22/20

Well, it’s been an exciting week! Of course, life in the Kingdom should always be exciting, challenging, daunting, and life-giving. This week has been especially so since both of our expectant mamas have been experiencing high blood pressure, with concerns for the babies’ and moms’ health the subject of many prayers. 

Currently, Mary and Cassidie are in a bit of an uninvited contest over who will deliver first! We will keep you posted. During Covid times hospital protocol has drastically changed, so obviously the expectant dads will need extra prayers too. Looking back makes one realize the awesome privilege it is to be a coach, support, and partner with mothers and fathers in the labor and delivery process. 

Appreciation box for delivery personnel
Everyone needs encouragement and appreciation, a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

We are continuing to seek new avenues to reach out to our neighbors, essential workers, and friends and relatives who are experiencing isolation, uncertainty, and suffering from lack of vital connections. We strive to “see” those around us, always reminding ourselves to “above all hold unfailing our love for one another.” Some small ways we are putting this into practice is providing drinks and snacks for hard-working delivery people and mail carriers. We’ve had several “thank yous” for such a minimal effort on our part. Everyone needs encouragement and appreciation, a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name.

Thanks for reading our updates, for your concern about our life, filled with ups and downs, but life abundant. Stay well, and keep us in your prayers.

Regan Read

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Hospitality Updates

Angels unaware

“Be ready with a meal or bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:1-2 from The Message. For spring break we were blessed to entertain some angels from Concordia University in Irvine. Five college girls partook of our hospitality, building what we hope are lasting memories and relationships.We enjoyed hosting students from as far away as South Africa and South Korea, experiencing the love of Christ reaching around the globe. Midnight doughnut runs, lunch with the homeschool gang, favorite restaurant lunches and dinners, and a trip to the beach were a few of the events planned for our guests.

Of course there was time to sleep in (catching up on the usual college sleep deficit), as well as sharing in our typical events and traditions: Lord’s Supper, Bible study, convalescent home visits and letter writing. We are hoping this will not be their last visit. We do take our hospitality seriously and have had countless priceless encounters as a result. There is never a dull moment, and seldom an empty room, thank God!

We look forward to many more opportunities to entertain angels, giving thanks to the One who welcomed us when we were strangers and gives us the wherewithal to extend hospitality in His name.