Inside-Out Hospitality

I always enjoy attending the Destiny Conference (DESCO) organised by the World Changers Association (WCA), as it helps me truly appreciate the value of planning. And trust me, if you’ve ever tried to host just one guest for one evening, imagine hosting dozens of people (and most times give or take a hundred) for a whole week!

DESCO is not a one-day affair; it can run from a couple of days to a whole week, hosting people from different towns, with different preferences and family compositions, and away from their homes.

I will probably share lessons learned over the many DESCOs I’ve attended, but for today’s post, I want to talk about the most recent one. It was my first time experiencing it in a completely different setting from the one I am used to in Cameroon. This time, I was attending the one organised in Europe.

I noted many things, but the two main highlights of hospitality were the choice of location and the meal plan.

Location

I was very impressed by the location when we arrived, and I just had to ask our hosts what prompted the choice, especially since it was pretty “far.” The obvious answer was praying for God’s leading, affordability, capacity, and great reviews. But here are some other strong points I noticed:

• Family-friendly: One reason I didn’t bring my kids along was that most such settings aren’t adapted for families (please don’t ask the other reason, hahahaha). But this location had cribs in some rooms, an equipped playground, and plenty of yard space (all fenced in!) for little legs to run wild (Now, I low-key wished I brought them along hihi).
• Remote and peaceful: Being in a remote area was a big plus. The calm atmosphere, free of city noise, made room for prayer, reflection, and fresh air. We had a nice walk in nature as one of our planned activities. Very refreshing.
• Attentive host: The house was fully equipped, and the owner was just a call away. At one point, we needed a lighter for the barbecue, and in under 20 minutes, she showed up with one. That’s what I call hospitality on call!

Of course, nothing is perfect, and I did note two little downsides (that were very quickly covered up):

• Shower gel/soap was missing from the bathrooms (I don’t know if it was intentional or just an oversight by the owner). A rapid environmental check by the logistics team spotted this, and the situation was addressed by picking some up from a nearby store (another plus).
• The distance was far, and without a car, it would have been stressful. But again, the hosting team grouped people with cars to those without, which reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9–10—“Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”…How are your guests ariving your home or event? Have you made provisions for easier transportation, or at least offered options for reaching it?

Hospitality Tips – Choosing a Location

• How many people are attending, and what sleeping arrangements will be needed?
• What is the guest composition (families, singles, couples, kids, elders)?
• Are there facilities or amenities suitable for people of all ages and needs?
• How accessible is the location? Are there nearby stores or services if needed?
• Will the environment encourage peace, reflection, and fellowship?

Food

Now, this is where I almost lost my self-control. I think I am afraid to weigh myself after this retreat because there was more than enough to eat! But what I loved most was the choice of meals.

Eating African meals in a non-African setting can stretch a budget, but almost all meals were Cameroonian—ndolé, eru, roasted fish, fish rolls, BHB (puffpuff, beans and pap), and even the brand of tea was from Cameroon! Each bite carried the comfort of home. Like the early church, “they (we) broke bread in their homes (guest house) and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46).

Here’s what stood out to me:

• Meals were partly prepped in advance, either by subcontractors or by the host. Most of the shopping was done beforehand. This reduced on-the-ground cooking or grocery shopping delays and gave more time for fellowship and Word study.
• Cooking and cleaning were shared among us, which deepened our bond. (Reminded me of Martha bustling around, but this time, Martha got some help!)
• The host delegated meals to sisters from other towns. Delegation isn’t just practical—it’s biblical (Exodus 18:17–23, when Moses’ father-in-law advised him to share the load).
• The plan was flexible—for example, leftover ndolé was reheated and enjoyed again. Flexibility in hospitality is key!
• And just when we thought it was all over, everyone went home with a takeaway package. That abundance reminded me of the feeding of the five thousand—there was plenty left over.

Hospitality Tips – Planning Meals

• What are the food preferences, allergies, or cultural backgrounds of your guests?
• Can some meals be prepped ahead of time or delegated to others?
• Do you have a plan for leftovers (to reduce waste and stress)?
• Are mealtimes structured to encourage conversation and bonding?
• Is there a balance of hearty, light, and healthy options for different appetites?

Conclusion

From this retreat, I was reminded that good hospitality thrives on:

• Planning (location, meal plan, activities, etc.)
• Delegating (Moses-style leadership!)
• Attentiveness (checklists, inspections and good sense)
• Flexibility (because sometimes the leftover ndolé is God’s plan for day two)
• God’s leading (before, during and after!)

Hospitality Tips – Bringing It All Together

• Have I prayed and planned ahead for the needs of all guests?
• What tasks can be delegated to reduce stress and involve others?
• Am I attentive to the small details that make guests feel welcome?
• How flexible is my plan if unexpected changes occur?
• How can I create space for both practical care and spiritual connection?

Oh, one last thing I noted: there was a lot of cleaning before we left the premises. It was not required, but I am sure the owner was happy to find herself having less work cleaning after us. I do hope that as we strive to be good hosts, we are also good stewards and ‘hostees’, cleaning up after ourselves!

Of course, hospitality isn’t just about food or a nice location. Genuine hospitality blends planning with flexibility, generosity with wisdom, and meals with fellowship. If you are not part of a loving, God-fearing Christian community, I strongly encourage you to find and join one.

Inside-Out Question

How about you? Have you recently attended a retreat, conference, or event and appreciated something special about the hospitality?

Share with me—I’d love to hear!

How about I introduce you to a hospitality hero I might have overlooked in our next article? Don’t miss out on her juicy hospitality story by subscribing to the blog.

Here’s to hosting from the inside out