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Member Stories
We want to hear from you!!! Send us your stories of how
hospitality has been a blessing in your lives...
Be sure to include your state or foreign country.
Send your stories to:
info@acandleinthewindow.com
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I'd say my first use of A Candle in the Window was a great smashing success! And I hope our host and hostesses, who had us as their first guests, feel the same way!
Dave and Sharon treated my mom, my sister, and me like royal guests! They went out of their way to make sure that we had everything we needed on a busy visit to the area for a nephew's wedding. I really appreciated their flexibility in meal preparation times and in our coming and going times due to family obligations. Sharon, thank you for staying up late and getting up early to make extra-special food items to cater to dietary restrictions! Dave, thank you for setting a calm peaceful environment with your worshipful guitar playing and singing!
We so enjoyed their kindness, joyful spirits, and servant hearts. We arrived strangers, but quickly kindled a friendship that left us hoping we'll cross paths again someday.
Thank you so much A Candle in the Window for setting up this opportunity for us to travel on a tight budget and make friends in the process.
Rhonda, Indiana
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We stayed with the K family (8536692) in Denmark two weeks ago and it was a blessing. We very much enjoyed the conversations over dinner and coffee table and appreciated all the effort that was put into the meals and sleeping facilities. We could split our journey to Norway into two shorter stretches, which worked very well for our youngest of 2. We wholeheartedly recommend the K family for other members.
Kor and Erna, The Netherlands (April 2013)
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"What a refreshing oasis this home ( 6848749, Forney, TX) was on our journey! This family was so gracious as well as a delight to get to know! We enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship immensely."
James and Deb, Texas (March 2013)
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"A great time seemed to be had by all!! Four ladies, representing 3 generations traveled from Kentucky to Elbow Road !! What joy they brought us!!
Almost daily their time was spent at Mayo Clinic ... We loved the experience... We also have mutual friends in Kentucky!! Amazing how paths cross!! Thank you for sharing your vision with me!!
with love and great appreciation for this opportunity.
Karen, Florida (March 2013)
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We just wanted to let you know that we stayed with two different A Candle in the Window member families (8551723 and 7245129) during our recent travels to Florida and that we have been received with warm hospitality and fellowship. We are very grateful for these families for having opened their houses to our family. We wholeheartedly recommend them.
Warm regards,
Kor and Erna, The Netherlands (February 2013)
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In September on our 8000 KM (5000 mile) driving trip across 3 weeks we stayed with families in Chicago, a farm in Iowa (Wellsburg, I believe), and with families in Mitchell S.D. and Bozeman Montana... We're still waiting for American visitors up here in the great white north.:-)
Ted and Shannon, Alberta, Canada (February 2013)
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"Not sure if Tom (from Japan) shared this photo with you, but it was fun to have people represented from Guatemala, the U.S., Liberia, and Japan at our table... Lots of kids - and fun sharing stories of life and culture from two different continents. We even got to sample some Japanese candy.
It wouldn't have been possible to expand our children's experiences in this unique way had it not been for A Candle in the Window!"
John and Amy, Colorado (November 2012)
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"We recently had a family of 9 (7 kids under 12) contact us last minute and ask if they could come stay with us that evening for a couple of days. I was a little hesitant at first because I wasn't sure how I'd be able to feed everyone with our end of month food budget & our crazy busy schedule with our 5 kids during those 2 days! However, I prayed about it and agreed. God was so BIG! Seemed like every time we made a meal, everyone was full & there were tons of leftovers! :) Umm, maybe it was my cooking? We had plenty of food & lot's of amazing fellowship!
The H family are outstanding house guests! I had an emergency about an hour after they arrived & had to leave them at my house alone & felt very comfortable doing so. All the kids were very polite and well behaved. What a testimony to the parents & to God. When they left 2 days later, I felt as if a piece of my heart was taken with them.
A Candle in the Window has created an amazing bond with perfect strangers! Thank you for this ministry!"
CJ, Texas (November 2012)
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"My husband and I had to be in Charlottesville, VA for an unexpected doctor's appointment this week. Our host family (member 8291261) was kind enough to open up their home to us to stay the night before the appointment. We enjoyed talking with them and found out that we had much in common; they are a sweet Christian family. The apartment above their garage was very clean and suitable for our needs. Our experience was wonderful in every way. We would highly recommend them for folks passing through the Charlottesville area."
Walt and Kelli, West Virginia (November 2012)
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"I wanted to let you know that we stayed with the B family in St Albans, WV and had a delightful visit with them. They were so kind and gracious... This stay was a blessing in so many ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your ministry!"
Hal and Melanie, Raising Real Men (November 2012)
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"We had our first CITW guests come to stay with us last night! What a wonderful time of food and fellowship! Thanks for creating this network that creates opportunities for us to meet people from all over the world!"
Shannon, via Facebook (October 2012)
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"We had a long trip across country this year from the east coast all the way to the west. We got to stay/visit with 6 different Candle in the Window families. It was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. The drive itself was so diverse and beautiful but the families were just as much, yet at the same time, we were all united under Christ."
Amy, Ontario, Canada (October 2012)
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"Recently we had our first wonderful experience with "A Candle in the Window." We stayed with the V family in Dresher, PA. We were so blessed to have them available to us. They took both of our college daughter's (and us for one night also) at two different times this past month. One daughter was picked up at the train station by them as well. It gave me great comfort to know my daughter's were in a safe place instead of a hotel alone. I highly recommend this ministry as well as the V family. "
Margie, New Jersey (October 2012)
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"We just wanted to mention our stay with family 5355409. We enjoyed our delicious meals and our time of Christian fellow-ship. The couple was very friendly and accommodating. Their children were easy playmates for our children. Even though we arrived late, our meal was hot and the conversation easy going. Christ is definitely the center of this home. What a refreshing visit, we arrived as strangers and departed as friends. "
Paul, Texas (October 2012)
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"Thank you for starting such a useful and helpful service for believers in the Lord!"
Tim and Franicia, Florida (Oct 2012)
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"I just wanted to send a quick note to tell you about another wonderful “A Candle in the Window” member. We stayed with Fred and Marie (member #6854044) on our last trip. They hosted us on our way to OK and then again on our way home. They let our girls borrow games on the first visit and then return them when we came back! We enjoyed the morning devotions at breakfast and the great fellowship. They even sent us away with unbelievable gifts! Thank you for starting A Candle in the Window!"
Diane, Kentucky (September 2012)
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In July we had to travel to Colorado/New Mexico area. On the way home we had the blessed opportunity to stay with a dear family in Bozeman , Montana – the W family. They opened their home to us and we had such a sweet time of fellowship. What a joy to break bread with like minded folks and to pray for one another! Chris and Amy were so accommodating and their children were a delight. We were missing our dogs back home so it was a special treat to meet their dogs and play with them. They even introduced us to an indestructible dog toy that we desperately needed for our big pooch back home.
Thank you “Candle in a Window” for introducing us to the joys of hospitality. What a blessing – we can’t stop telling all our friends about this special ministry.
Many Thanks and Many Blessings,
The Bryan Family (August 2012)
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I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful visit with the B family that recently came to our home through Candle in the Window. Thank you for all your work and effort in this ministry.
Amy, Montana (August 2013)
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"We had the incredible pleasure of hosting our first A Candle in the Window guests just this week! They were a Belgium/ Dutch family who stayed with 8 different network members during a 2 month visit in the States. We were so glad to be a part of their itinerary--it's always a delight to meet fellow believers who share similar passions, but this visit was extra special as I am 3/4 Dutch. Just hearing their accents was a treat as it reminded me of my grandparents!
If it wasn't for A Candle in the Window, I would never have made friends with a Dutch family, and been able to get in touch with my heritage. Their hostess gift to us was a Dutch cookbook which contained recipes I remember from my childhood! Now we are talking and dreaming of visiting them someday. International travel feels much less intimidating when you know you have friends waiting for you!
We so appreciate your vision and initiative in starting the network, and are delighted by the opportunities it's creating for fellowship around the world. As I get back into blogging this fall after a busy summer, I hope to help spread the word!
We still remember our visit with your family with fondness,
Trina (and Jeremy) New York (August 2012)
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"We had a great time on our recent trip west to visit pregnancy care centers we support, visit our partner Focus On The Family and speak at the Heartbeat International Conference in Los Angeles. While we traveled west our family was blessed to stay with The M family in Colorado Springs.
Dale, the father and retired Navy officer was out of town when we were coming to the Springs, however, his son Collier was at home. They communicated with us that all would be well to stay with Collier till Dale got in the following night. What can I say about Collier, how can I compliment him. Well let me start - Collier is a chip off the old block and a wonderful son bringing his mother incredible credit as well. He made sure we had nice warm beds by first giving up his for some of the kids. A spare bedroom and clean bathroom with all the trimmings as well as dinner and breakfast every day. He even went so far as to make sure the washer and dryer were free for us to use. [I have no idea where they hid their clothes for three days!]
We stayed three glorious days with Dale and Collier and we won’t forget it. Their hospitality was tremendous and helped me, Heidi and eight of our ten kiddos reduce expenses and breathe easier not worrying about things. Those three days saved us tremendous money on a 6k road trip from MO to CA and back and help us ensure we were being good stewards of the investment our donors made in this trip to visit our partners.
Kurt Guys for Life International (August 2012)
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We recently hosted the S family as our first "A Candle in the Window" guests. They spent one night and we wished they could have stayed longer. We enjoyed some interesting and fun conversations getting to know each other and learning about their lives and ministries in Belgium, Netherlands, etc. Hope we get to meet up with them again this side of heaven. It is easy to commend the family to others. They make us look forward to the next opportunity we have to host others from the hospitality network. Thanks for making it all available.
Scot & Kathy, Michigan (August 2012)
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We stayed in our first ACITW home, (Member #5443132), earlier this month. When they found out we were planning a quick trip to Maine and Boston while we were in the area, they had information and directions all ready for us when we arrived! The information included a light house in Maine. Visiting the lighthouse was one of my favorite sites on our excursion that day! We also had a wonderful visit with them while we were there.
Diane, Kentucky (August 2013)
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"We had the blessing yesterday of providing a picnic lunch for Dan and Amy (7451534) and their young ladies as they work their way west. It was just a quick stop for them, and the hour passed much too quickly. The family is delightful in every respect, and within minutes, we felt like we were with old friends. Dan ,Amy, and girls, may God bless your travels, and you be sure to stop by on your way back through!"
Paul and Jenny, Indiana (August 15, 2012)
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"We recently enjoyed having the S family stay with us for two nights. What a lovely family! They were easy and pleasurable to talk with, the children got along with each other very well, and we enjoyed learning some about the Belgian culture. We would love to have them visit us again.
Phil, Minnesota (August 2012)
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The K family (Kansas) visits with the L family (New Mexico) for dinner and fellowship.
Each night after diner we read a hymn history and sing. Our hymn for the evening was "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing". The K family joined us in lifting our voices in praise to our Heavenly Father. The sound of 17 voices was amazing as the sweet voices of the moms and young girls blended with the strong powerful voices of so many young men and their fathers.
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"We were thrilled to host this precious family and learn how the Lord is working half way around the world... So, to speak for our family, THANK YOU!! It was a bit to do last minute, but it was so worth it! We would definitely do it again. :-) We hope to be able to host more families in the future. Thank you so much for setting up this vital ministry!
Joyce, Illinois (July 2012)
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"This is a wonderful network. I am passionate about community and I am so grateful for this network of believers."
Amy, St Isidore, Ontario, Canada (July 2012)
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" In July we had to travel to Colorado/New Mexico. On the way home, we had the blessed opportunity to stay with a dear family in Bozeman, Montana. They opened their home to us and we had such a sweet time of fellowship. What a joy to break bread together with like minded folks and to pray for one another. Chris and Amy were so accommodating and their children a delight...Thank you "Candle in the Window" for introducing us to the joys of hospitality. What a blessing--We can't stop telling all our friends about this special ministry. Many thanks and many blessings,
The B Family, Washington (July 2012)
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"We are glad to have found your website. I've always thought something just like A Candle in the Window should exist... I'm glad to see that it does! We are looking forward to finding out who God has planned to bring our way."
Travis, South Carolina (April, 2012)
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"I wanted to share with you the joy and blessing A Candle in the Window has been to our family and little ones. We live in a little desert town in the middle of nowhere and had our doubts that we would get to have the delight of hosting through this network, though we were all very hopeful. Shortly after we joined, we began to pray that God would send someone though the network that we could host. The (5) children kept asking if we had gotten "any emails yet from Someone, Somewhere" To our delight, a family contacted us and we soon enjoyed the amazing fellowship and sweet friendship of this family.
Three months have passed and the little ones began to lament that "we have no candles in the window coming." Once again we began to pray and there in our inbox was another request! God answered "Yes!" to the prayers of our little ones and to our prayers. Thank you for this amazing ministry. We are blessed by the opportunities and lessons of sacrifice and service to be learned as well as the joys of fellowship and friendship in the name of Christ!
Debbie, New Mexico (Feb 2012)
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"We had a wonderful time with several of our member families and friends in the Colorado Springs area... Special thanks to Dale and Stephanie (and Chelsea and Collier) for opening their beautiful home and lavishing us all with true hospitality. Great fellowship with old and new friends!"
Craig and Theresa, Florida (February 2012)
A Candle in the Window Hospitality Network
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“What a fantastic idea ACWHN was – we had a delightful time with the L family . As a consequence, I’m thinking of how to arrange a Christian Filmmaking Camp next year!!
Just got an inquiry from a Swiss family too – It will be interesting to see if they are known to my daughter in law’s father who has been a mover-and-shaker in the homeschool movement in that country!”
Tracy, Surrey, England (Jan 2012)
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"Two years ago we were blessed to move from a trailer into our first home, a vintage 1800s house in the country. Finally we had space for guests! We completed a guest room and an extra bathroom this spring, just in time to offer a room to a couple of old friends traveling through the area.
Next was a family of 8 who brought their camper and stayed the weekend. We enjoyed showing them around the local state parks and had a bonfire in the evening. Throughout the summer we had additional opportunities to host old and new friends for meals or overnight.
It was at this time we became aware of the true meaning of the Biblical call to hospitality. Suddenly we saw hospitality was not just an option for those so inclined, but a calling for all believers. This increased our desire to pursue hospitality in our home and to encourage others to find the blessing and fulfillment in practicing hospitality in whatever place or season they are in. We've been greatly blessed by the fellowship we've experienced over the summer and are excited at the opportunities A Candle in the Window will provide to allow us to minister to the body of Christ and make new friends."
Trina, New York (Nov 2011)
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“This family (Russell and Debbie) showered Christian hospitality upon us and made us feel right at home. They cooked delicious meals and we enjoyed delightful conversation with all of them. They encouraged us in the Lord and we feel like we made lifelong friends in 24 hours. Thank you, thank you!"
Phil, Minnesota (Oct 2011)
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