Christina Ng - A Blessing in Disguise

We’ve been opening our home as hosts since 2023. The Bible teaches us to show hospitality to strangers and to help those in need. When we heard about a Nigerian family with two young children who were new to the country and struggling to find a rental home, we felt called to open our doors to them.

We live in a 1,600 sq. ft., single-detached house with a single garage. The basement has one bedroom and one bathroom but no separate entrance or kitchen. Besides the second floor, the family is welcome to use all the shared spaces in our home. It took about two weeks for us to get used to each other’s routines and rhythms. While we usually have our meals at fixed hours, we soon realized that they eat only when they’re hungry. When they cook, they make large batches that often require hours in the kitchen! On some occasions, we quietly and respectfully eat out instead.

Sharing a kitchen has taught us to share not only time and space but also patience and grace. We tried each other’s cuisines and soon discovered how different our tastes and flavours are. 

Yet hosting this family has been a tremendous blessing. We don’t have children of our own, and their little ones have filled our home with joy. Their laughter, the thump of their little feet on the floor, and even their occasional cries have become precious sounds to us. Twice a week, we help by taking one of the children to school. Whether in the car or at home, we’re often blessed by Nigerian worship music and preaching—full of energy, faith, and conviction. It’s a beautiful reminder that God’s family is wonderfully diverse.

Through hosting, our hearts have been transformed. Hospitality is more than offering a place to stay—it’s about sharing life and extending grace. It reminds us daily of God’s generosity and mercy in welcoming us as His children. We hope more people will open their homes to help those in need. There is deep joy in walking alongside one another on this journey, and we are profoundly grateful to be part of their lives.