Henry and Dorothy Dicks sat side by side in the international arrivals waiting area in the airport, holding hands.
Dorothy rolled her shoulders and tilted her head back and forth. "Well, their plane's been down for a while," she said. "Do you think they've been held up in customs?"
Her husband squeezed her hand and replied, "I haven't seen anyone else from their flight. Probably just taking a while to get their baggage and run the gauntlet." He adjusted his bright red hat with one hand. "The hats were a good idea. We've seen each other on video, but this is a busy place and we'll probably just look like a couple more palefaces to them after the long flight."
Dorothy laughed and nodded, the brim of her own red hat bobbing. "After Woody went into that laughing fit when you told the congregation their names, it occurred to me that a big sign with 'Peter Dong' on it might cause some giggles at the airport."
"Mr. Woody Large has a weakness for laughter, I'll allow," Henry said. "I expect he got ribbed so much about his own name growing up that he can't help passing it along. Though in all other respects he's a pillar of Loving Community, as you would well know."
Dorothy giggled. "Henry!" she mock-scolded. "Yes, a pillar of joy, I know and can testify."
"His son Chip coming along well?" Henry asked.
"Very well, now," Dorothy said. "I'm proud of how he's coming along. I'll ask Laura to have the deaconesses take Chip aside and see if his lessons are really sinking in."
Henry nodded. "Well done. I was a little worried about the young man."
"Nothing to worry about now. Look, there's someone coming down the escalator."
A column of bleary-eyed international passengers, many of them Chinese in face and feature, were descending the escalator from the customs inspection floor.
"I see them," Henry said.
Toward the back of the stream of passengers were a man and woman wearing red baseball caps.
Henry and Dorothy rose to meet Peter and Irene Dong near the foot of the escalator. They greeted their guests.
"Are you hungry, or shall we just take you on home to rest up?" Dorothy asked.
Peter and Irene looked at each other. "Take us home," Peter said.
Henry drove, with Peter in the front seat and Dorothy sitting with Irene in the back. They chatted a little about the flight, their congregations, and their plans for Peter and Irene's visit as part of World Neighbors Exchange.
"We're so pleased to have you," Henry said. "And to hear that your congregation is growing."
"Yes," Peter said. "It was difficult in the past. The government is cautious of any organization it does not control, even a little church. But things are much better now that we have congregation members working for the local government who can speak for us."
"Mr. and Mrs. Chen have been good in so many ways," Irene said. "They helped us find our new meeting space."
As they neared the town of Hope, Henry started pointing out local landmarks. They went through the center of town and out the other side to Henry and Dorothy's church, the Hope Primitive Love Communion, and their adjoining residence.
"You'll be upstairs right across the hall from us," Henry said. "I'm sure you'll want some time to rest, but we have a little tradition with guests who've come from afar to visit the congregation."
"What is it?" asked Irene.
Dorothy smiled at Irene and Peter. "You've come so far," she said. "We'd like to offer you some New Testament hospitality. May we wash the dust from your feet?"
Henry helped carry their luggage upstairs while Dorothy prepared a basin of warm water, sponges and soft towels. Peter and Irene sat on the bed while Dorothy and Henry knelt before them on the rug. Each foot was gently sponged clean, rinsed, wiped dry, and clasped in warm hands. Looking up at their guests, Henry and Dorothy saw their faces relax with the warm, soothing sensations.
"Now, didn't that feel good?" Dorothy said.
"Come find us if you need us," Henry said. "We'll leave our door open for you. You are welcome in our home."
"And in our bed," Dorothy said. "It was sweet sharing Loving Community over that video link, but we surely look to share it in person when you've rested up."
Dorothy saw Reverend Dong's penis twitch inside his thin pants.
Dorothy continued, "Shall I close the blinds, if you're ready for a rest?"
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