Evening settled as two of my donors, their three children and I sat around the table finishing up our dessert. Knowing I was soon to leave for AFM summer training, they had invited me to dinner. Not only did they treat me to an incredible spread of vegan food, the children eagerly put on a musical concert, and we ended the night with board games and family worship. I felt like not just a guest of honor, but family.

Take it from someone on this side of the magazine: in the midst of the heartache that comes from thoughts of trading time with family for Skype calls and Whatsapp messages, it is a salve to the soul to experience the beauty and blessing of being part of the family of God.

We are reminded, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some have unwittingly entertained angels.” But, these last few months, I have been humbled in experiencing this in reverse—a stranger entertained by angels.

To many people who have chosen to support me, by this world’s standards I am a stranger. Yet, like angels delivering divine tokens of grace, the family of God has opened their arms and means to support my project to the Sinim people. Prayer warriors send up daily prayers; I know because I can feel them. Donors I have never met hug me tightly. Readers email encouragement, wisdom and sympathy. Supporters in various towns love me as one of their own, offering their homes for my lodging, their cars for my use and their food for my nourishment.

What words of thanks can repay the many donors who have willingly given me and the Sinim people space in their hearts? I can only pray that one day in the bright future, a Sinim person you’ve never met will hug you tightly, love you as one of their own, invite you to eat in their heavenly home and thank you for giving them the chance to know the eternal beauty and blessing of being part of the family of God.

• Twitter