I’ve been blessed to have enjoyed coffee with people in their homes and at other locations in many countries around the world including:
- Italy
- Greece
- Germany
- Thailand
- Myanmar
- Egypt
- Israel
- Dominican Republic
- Nicaragua
- Canada
- United States
Over a cup of coffee, you can:
- connect with your spouse
- get to know new neighbors
- catch up with old friends
- relax as you read a good book
- get prepared to face the day
Some people drink coffee for the caffeine, some for the warmth, while others drink coffee for the taste. Some prefer Keurigs, percolators, or automatic coffee makers, but I prefer a French Press. I like my coffee pretty strong, whereas others like their coffee not quite as strong (aka, weak!). Coffee comes in a lot of varieties and flavors. Coffee is grown in great locations on continents around the world. I like to drink mine black, enjoying the full flavor of the beans!
Most cultures of the world place a high value on showing hospitality, and either coffee or tea is usually at the center of that hospitality. The Bible even tells us to practice hospitality to one another (Romans 12:13).
Here’s one story of the hospitality my daughter and I were shown that involved coffee. We were on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic last year. With a few locals, we were visiting families at their homes in the barrios.
We came to one small home where the man of the house was sitting on the front porch. He was repairing an electronic device and welcomed us to sit with him to talk. Through our interpreter we got to know about him and his sister, who lived with him.
For a few minutes, his sister disappeared into the house and we didn’t know if she was coming back. When she returned, she was carrying a tray with coffee, mugs and sugar. I took some coffee, black.
I had reminded Emma Grace before the visit that if the hosts showed us hospitality then she should at least try what was offered to her (within reason). She watched as our hostess poured what seemed like a cup of sugar into the mug, along with a little bit of coffee. EG was only 13 years old at the time, and she doesn’t drink coffee! She drank a few sips, smiled and said, “Gracias.”
In that moment, coffee brought together an elderly Dominican woman and a young American girl. We shared with the family for a few minutes about why we had come from the USA to the DR, then prayed with them before we headed to another home. It was a memory that will stay with us forever.
Enjoy your coffee!
Great take on coffee !!
Reminds me of when I was a little girl and my dad would pick coffee from the field, spread it on the barbecue to dry then parch then beat it then my mom would make. coffee on the fire. Oh for the joy of home made coffee.
Hospitality is so important to those of us who are not native to the culture. When we first arrived in Georgia, we attended an African American church. We were invited to the home of one of the members of the church. Sweet tea is comparable to coffee in the south.