Many Chileans spend Sundays with their families. Even pastors don't have people round on Sundays because that is the day they spend with their extended family. So it is sort of a big deal and a bit weird to invite someone over after church so it's hard for it not to become a big production if you ever do achieve it. I said to one mum after church one day, 'Oh, we'll have to have you round for lunch some time.' (Testing the waters, as it were.) She replied, 'Really? Why?'
In general, the folks here are less adventurous with food, so we have had some awkward moments, with children begging their parents for bread, so they can eat that instead of having to eat what we were offering. Many men leave the vegetables at the side of their plate as well. I don't typically have soft drink at home, but consumption here is extremely high. Offering my kids' schoolmates water to drink is really weird. So I often feel like I have nothing to offer, although baking is a novelty, so if I have anything homemade, that goes down well.
The best occasions have really been habitual ones, for example when we have been doing pre-marriage counselling, and have invited the couples over early enough to see the kids before bed and share supper with us. It has apparently been really valuable for them to see how we relate to our children, especially the fact that we worry less about mess and appearances, and more about heart issues. That is very culturally different, and if they can overcome their horror at the mess, and see beyond it, they find it quite revealing.
Benefits have also been to reveal what is in my heart. If it's not going well, why am I so annoyed/upset/embarrassed? What's my issue? Am I loving them or me? The fact that it is harder, means I have to love people more. It shows my lack of true mercy, and how much I need God's help to do a good job of loving people.
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