FI MessiahLifeways UnscriptedMagazine Fall2024 - Flipbook - Page 17
“We made peace at the breakfast table,” Nancy said.
“In fact, they wrote to me after they got back to France,
“And we were blessed to meet so many wonderful
saying that was a highlight of their trip because they
people who welcomed us into their lives, as we did
have nothing like that in France,” Nancy said.
for them.”
Five years and 1,200+ people later, Bill and Nancy didn’t
“ It reminded us that
most people are
basically good,” Bill
said. “If you treat
other human beings
appropriately, they
more often than not
respond the same.
And universally, when
you look beyond
differences, there’s so
many commonalities
to connect over.”
have one person that they wouldn’t welcome back—
During one breakfast, a Muslim family, who booked
and Bill has been an active member of their church—
the Airbnb stay to be near a Muslim convention at
only recently stepping down as treasurer. Together,
the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, invited Bill
they’re continuously strengthening their faith and
and Nancy to accompany them as guests, but they
community connections through regular Bible studies
had conflicting out-of-town plans. The following
on campus. They also continue to meet around the
year, however, the family stayed elsewhere, yet
table, with friends new and old, at Messiah Village’s
remembering Bill and Nancy, re-extended the
various dining venues.
invitation. This time, with a clear calendar, they
joined—enjoying traditional dishes during dinner
and attending a service spoken in both native
tongue and English.
and many did come back as repeat guests, earning
them an esteemed Superhost status from Airbnb.
But most of all, they’re grateful for the lessons in
trust and open-mindedness that it taught them.
“It reminded us that most people are basically good,”
Bill said. “If you treat other human beings appropriately,
they more often than not respond the same. And
universally, when you look beyond differences, there’s
so many commonalities to connect over.”
In 2020, they sold their home and closed the Airbnb
to move to a Messiah Village cottage. While they were
jokingly reminded upon moving in that they can’t open
an Airbnb on campus, the two have found many ways to
fill their hearts for hospitality here at their new home.
Nancy is Chair of the Helping Hands Committee
on campus, which uplifts and serves residents and
charitably supports the Messiah Lifeways mission,
“If you get into talking to people here, they have a
wealth of knowledge, information, and wisdom. They’ve
been to all different kinds of places, achieved many
things, and lived remarkable lives,” the couple said.
Nancy and Bill also recall inviting a newlywed French
“Everybody has a story, if you’re willing to put yourself
couple visiting for a four-week honeymoon, who were
in a position to listen.”
seeking a true “Americana experience," to join them
at church for Wednesday night dinner—a simple yet
heartfelt weekly tradition in their lives.
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