Years ago, the Central American Anabaptists of Honduras and Guatemala warmly welcomed me. I had the honor of partnering with them for 11 years over three decades under Eastern Mennonite Missions and alongside Mennonite Central Committee.

In 2003, I returned home to Penn­sylvania with my family. My late hus­band, Dennis, pastored Diller Mennonite Church, and we welcomed strangers who passed through our town. Sometimes they needed a bus ticket, car repairs, food, rental assistance. We have served both local and international guests at our family farm table. 

In my work as a paraeducator and interpreter for the school district and for Keystone Agricultural Worker Program, I entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).

I have found that the opportunity may arise when one least expects it.

On New Year’s Day in 2024, I made three batches of blueberry pancakes. But why on earth — three batches? 

Around 10 p.m., I got a call from a community friend: Two young non-English speakers, a woman and man, had knocked on her door. Could I interpret for them?

By phone, the travelers told me their car quit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. They had been in New York submitting paperwork to their country’s consulate, hoping to get green cards to work legally in the U.S.

Cold, tired and desperate, they left a note on their car window with their phone number, climbed a fence and followed the road to my friend’s house. 

I said I could take them to a nearby hotel. But they wanted to sleep on my friend’s front step to be close to their car to get help in the morning. I heard their anxiety and fear.

What should I do? Was it wise to welcome them? It felt risky. Yet, I believe that in following Christ’s teaching to welcome a stranger, we welcome Jesus. I invited my friend to bring them to my home.

I found myself serving sandwiches, fruit and hot tea at midnight. We showed the travelers a small, heated RV plugged in next to our barn. I showed them the garage bathroom and collected some toiletries.

I didn’t sleep much. Instead, I prayed for discernment and wisdom in my hospitality. In my restlessness, I uncovered my own bias and insecurities. Then, I rested with new resolve. I would welcome these strangers as I would my own adult children.

I also realized God had been preparing me for this moment when I made all those blueberry pancakes!

In the morning, I prepared breakfast: the pancakes, some leftover Christmas ham, scrambled eggs. The travelers kept saying, “You are angels.” I countered that they were the angels.

We drove to a repair shop in Carlisle, where I gave the mechanic my credit card and said, “Please do whatever it takes to get them back on the road.” As I prepared to leave, the travelers asked: Could I take them to one more place to get money from home? 

At a nearby grocery store, we got help right away. Soon I was speaking with their father in South America. 

The two travelers were Indigenous; Spanish was their second language. With the help of the store manager, they received cash from their dad. 

We returned to the repair shop and said tearful goodbyes. Later, the mechanic called and said he replaced the alternator.

I want to live in a way that welcomes the stranger. As a Central American Anabaptist sister advised: “Always be as wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove” (Matthew 10:16). And I am praying for peace for all who live in fear these days. Let’s keep our hearts open to welcoming the stranger, for in so doing we welcome Jesus.

Lori Witmer is executive director of spiritual care at Menno Haven Inc. in Chambersburg, Pa. Ordained by Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA, she co-owns a family farm in Newville.