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bath & wells: mission
World Mission
Guidelines for Parishes Receiving Overseas Visitors
Introduction
Visitors from many countries, not only Zambia, come to our parishes. Whether you have had such visitors before, or plan to act as hosts for the first time you will be anxious to make the event a success. It is hoped that this section will provide some practical advice which, together with your own tact and sensitivity, will ensure that the visit is mutually profitable.
Welcoming Your Guest
It will be as well to give members of the parish information about the guest, the nature of the visit and some background to his/her country. It will also be useful to find out if this is your guest's first visit to this country. When he/she arrives, the impact of welcome will be all important. The British tend to be seen as stiff and formal in some respects and over-casual in others so, although we may not feel this is true, a friendly welcome and careful attention paid in introductions will set the visit off to a good start.
Accommodation
Most male guests from overseas would be embarrassed if accommodation were arranged in the home of a single woman. It is safer to ask married couples to act as hosts.
In The Home
Food - If possible find out particular likes and dislikes. People will want to offer hospitality and your visitor will not wish to seem ungrateful by refusing a kindness but too many large meals and new foods within a short period can be an embarrassment.
Clothing - It may be wise to check that your guest has enough warm clothing. As she/he is likely to come from a warm climate, she/he may not have gloves, scarf, nightwear or waterproofs. The vagaries of the British climate can come as a surprise.
Heating - Our warm weather may be relatively cold to an Asian or African so expect to provide extra heating. The use of bathroom facilities, room heaters and other equipment unfamiliar to your guest should be explained/demonstrated to avoid possible accident or embarrassment.
Customs - Be prepared for differences. What is considered 'good-manners' in one country may not be so in another. For instance, removing shoes on entering the house is normal in Asia. Some of our customs will be equally unexpected.
Pressure Of Time
Time will always be at a premium. However, visitors will need to relax, adjust and get over the journey when they first arrive. Further into the visit invitations may snowball so the programme needs control. A regular day off for rest or relaxation should be arranged each week. Some sensitivity is required over suggesting a day out as most visitors will be dependent on their hosts for transport and/or money for travel and expenses.
On the matter of timekeeping we are notoriously bound by the clock. Remember that others are not!
Language
When your visitor is not over-fluent in English, a large meeting can seem daunting to him/her and difficult for listeners. Small informal gatherings are easier to handle and equally profitable. Visitors will also need time to be quiet, join in parish activities and not always be 'on show'.
Gifts and Money
Christians in this country often want to express their love by giving gifts, and offering to send further gifts when the 'new friend' returns home. This can lead to serious problems. Small personal gifts are fine but it is not wise to go beyond that, at least without discussing the matter fully. The collective experience within our diocese has led to the Zambia Group formulating certain guidelines which we are happy to explain.
We hope that your parish will enjoy hosting an overseas visitor and find within the experience an enriched understanding of our share in the world church.
For further information contact:
Mrs Jenny Humphreys
World Mission Advisor
Tel: 01749 67077
Email: jenny.humphreys@bathwells.anglican.org
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