Germany – Small Talk… and More
Every Monday morning, as many as nine young women come to Matthew’s Table for coffee and “small talk”. Matthew’s Table is the hospitality ministry in the home of AGWM personnel in Germany, John and Gayle Butrin. This “small talk” morning around Matthew’s Table was initiated as a result of the Butrin’s developing friendship with the owners of a beauty salon and cosmetology school in the building where they live.
During one of their frequent conversations over coffee, the owner casually remarked about their need for someone to teach English “small talk” to the students of the beauty school. The Butrins, listening for such opportunities responded, “What about us?” We speak English and Matthew’s Table would provide the perfect setting. What do you think?” No sooner was the offer made than their friend responded with “Yes, starting next Monday morning at 9 o’clock.”
So that was how it began. Naturally, much of the conversation centers on the vocabulary of facials, skin types, and hairstyles, but sometimes this leads to topics of self-image and trust-building. Gradually, issues like personal finances, life-styles, and morality have begun to surface. Of course, the Butrin’s ultimate goal is to move into issues surrounding personal faith in God.
The Butrin’s quote the Apostle Paul’s challenge in I Corinthians 9:19-22 as their guideline for missional living today: Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized–whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ-but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! (The Message)