CEN FAQs: Preparing to Take in Emergency Houseguests

When I was in high school a major fire ripped through our house burning through the roof. When the damage was surveyed, we came to understand what the fire didn’t destroy, smoke and water destroyed. The fire was out by midnight and clearly, we could not stay in the house. One of our neighbors had us stay in their home for the night and had guest rooms ready for my parents and myself.

Likewise, a ReadyChristian has an opportunity to extend the ‘ministry of hospitality’ to others during an emergency. The first step is to have one or more guest rooms available that are not overly cluttered with clean linens already available.

In our situation, we were able to retrieve a change of clothes, pajamas and underwear for short-term use. When practical, maintain a mental inventory of how you may be able to share your extra clothing. Have a few devotional books on the side table for encouragement, too. 

Given we never know what our guests may require, prepare some simple toiletry kits. We keep a few extra toothbrushes, shampoo bottles, mouthwash and even toothpicks to make our guests as comfortable as possible. These additional supplies also double as a way of using as an outreach should others need support outside your home.

When you’re taking in an emergency houseguest they will be traumatized and upset so use the time as an opportunity to listen, and sensitively offer prayer with the afflicted. Often simply listening and offering a ‘ministry of presence’ is the best gift you’re able to offer. When someone has been burned out of their house, they don’t need to hear three hours later everything will be great or the home will be rebuilt better than before, this is the time for listening.

A word of caution be certain you know who you bring into your house and their background. Log onto www.christianemergnecynetwork.org for CEN’s FREE Guide on Questions to Ask BEFORE Sheltering.

As uncertainty abounds all around you, are you being led by the Lord to become a 

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