Hosting tips 101

Ever had people crushing over at your place for a few days,weeks,a month or two,years?
I have been hosted before by friends and I have learnt a couple of things about hosting people. There are hosting Dynamics and today Rachel and I share tips on how to be a good host.These tips are in no particular order.

+Always know your people.What do they like to eat,what are they allergic to.This helps to plan better for their stay.

+Plan!plan ahead for their coming.Stock whatever you need to stock for their stay.

+Don’t change your menu for your guests.Make adjustments depending on who likes what but don’t do a 360 on your menu.This might be costly and draining as well on your pocket,house help if you have one or yourself too.

+Take/accept the help.The more people in the house, there is multiplication of house chores.Incase a guest asks to help out ,let them help.

+Ask for help.Remember some of these guests,like to work and if African ,they have been trained to work and might be uncomfortable sitting all day.Ask them for help.This helps you bond and you could learn something new about each other.

+You are bound to meet people of various cultures.don’t be alarmed.

+For guests who stay for long;months or years, purposefully involve them in the house chores and activities.If you go by a rota include them that way they appreciate and are part of the family and it also lifts the burden off of you to do everything. Everyone has to have some form of responsibility.

+It is important to know how long a guest is staying, especially if you are in a family setting, that way there is no uncertainty and family members are well prepared. Guests who stay for Ununspecified days can easily feel like a burden and there could be the anxiety of how long is the person staying.To avoid such discomfort and uncertainity,it is good to know the length of the stay.

+Be ready to be vulnerable.This comes with letting someone in your space.Be yourself and don’t adjust your lives completely. Let the guest adjust to your system (this can be added to the menu as well)

+It is great to learn from your guests as well, as much as it is your house, your rules, try to involve some of their ways especially if they are from a different culture. You could ask them to cook a common dish of theirs or show you how they do their things. This way the guest feels appreciated and is able to involve a part of them in the family

+When a guest does something wrong or off, it is OK and right to tell them directly and in a kind and polite way. It is so easy to find yourselves discussing the guest behind their back with other family members yet the issue would have easily been resolved by speaking to them. This can also breed contempt and ruin the whole experience.

+Always consult with your family members before agreeing to host someone, that way they are prepared cause even if you are the one taking care of most of the things, they have a right to know and agree as their space will be invaded/interrupted

+Considering all the above, it is actually OK to say no to hosting someone, it doesn’t make you a bad person, it does take grace and quite some work, so be willing to give 100% rather than say yes and your heart is not in it. Whatsoever you do,do it with all diligence as unto the Lord and not man.

This post was co-authored by Racheal Atieno-my Kenyan sister,who has hosted me and so many other people at her home in Nairobi over the years. It is right to say her home is international 😂😂.

Kindly leave your views in the comment section.

Photo credit: Gakosun Photography

©Racheal Kizza 2018

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Lamachi: a Jack(line) of all trades?

It`s not everyday that you meet a 20-something lady doing things that many dream about. Today, I introduce you to Lamachi(did I mention that I love her name?!!well-I do), gifted musically and her hands prosper in whatever they choose to do. She has a huge personality that oozes kindness and love.

1. Who is Lamachi?

Lamachi: Lamachi apa(actually preferred as ) my new name version -Purple:is a child of God whose greatest desire is to know the love of God more and to mirror it on the earth.

2. What are you passionate about?

Wow!!…That question is ambiguous when it comes to me. I am passionate about A LOT of things. In precise order, I must add:-God, people, loving the above, the color purple, teaching the word, design (in general), fashion design, counselling, fine art, music,singing ,and just being.

Multi-media wall hanging with stained glass,local and glass beads ,calabash,bamboo,bark cloth and beaded painting on canvas. Photo credit: Lamachi

3. Are you pursuing music professionally?

Well,yes and no. For a long time, I was just doing music with people who were doing it professionally. (Talk about collabos and the background eish,hehehe.)Until recently, when I was asked to train people in music and worship by 3 institutions/ministries.One of them being a bible college. So you can say,I am doing it professionally. But ,if it were left to me, I consider myself a worshiper who is here to teach and usher people into the mysteries of worship.Then they can walk on their own from there. I also teach them fundamentals of music and singing, which is a stepping stone to ministering.Worship being a KEY word.

Photo credit: Lamachi

4. Where does fashion and design come in?

My middle name is Jackline and I often tell people I am a Jack(line) of all trades. I have this tinkering ability to do something new, and do it well. So, having been presented with a sewing machine by my mom after my first degree,I literally taught myself how to sew and then enrolled for a master`s degree where I majored in sewing(Fashion Design),more like fine art and they are both academically my professions.

5. Do you plan/intend on doing it full time?

Yes!!I work at an organization where tailoring is THE job.So, when I go home and do my personal orders, it is just a continuation of my day time job. So tailoring is my full time work.

6. How do you deal with people who take ages to pay up?

Well,I have not sewn professionally for long.I am just easing into it but ,I dont work on anything that hasn`t been already paid for in full or close to it. That`s my rule.

7. Any future prospects.

Hehehe. I will not be jinxed!!hahaha,anyway,I think it is safe to say,“watch this space”.The bible says,“man may make his plans ,but God has the final say. Jeremiah 29:11 that`s where you will find my future plans.

8. Advice to people who want to venture into the clothing/sewing/tailoring business.

I say go for it. Be sure to have what I call the 3 ps that every tailor must have:passion,patience and perseverance.

Racheal Kizza © 2017

Building the Nation through good work ethics

1^st May-Labour Day is an awaited holiday year after year with all workaholics (non-workaholics too) looking forward to more hours of sleep than the usual early birding.

This year’s theme was “building the nation through good work ethics’’ and it was held in Pallisa district with wide media coverage (I flipped through our local stations and they all had the face of the president). The theme is however ironic in a country ravaged with a corruption stench so strong it hits all sectors.

It is no coincidence that I was reading Genesis 39 which gives an account of Joseph`s rise to power from a mere prisoner. His impeccable character placed him in right standing with his boss not forgetting the favor of the Lord.

Genesis 39:6 “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph`s hand and he didn`t know what he had except for the bread which he ate..’’

I am not sure whether this can be said about our government officials or even the common man as he works and toils each day. We have forgotten what it means to build the nation with love and commitment. We are building the nation our way.

Back to Joseph, he could have stolen and filled his own bank account and bought a house out there in any part of Africa or across the Jordan(he didn`t).I mean, the boss, didn’t know what went on in his house except for the bread he ate.so he trusted him fully to take care of his affairs.

• Joseph exercised good and God stewardship where he faithfully took care of his master`s property.How many of us are such faithful stewards that we execute our duties without being reminded? Or our boses don`t worry about handling of money or doing our job?
• He was a blessing in the Egyptian`s house .Are you a blessing at your workplace or a nightmare??
• His work ethic spoke volumes and ought to be emulated by all who claim to serve the Lord.

I agree all jobs and various industries have different dynamics and those who work their know best; however, you have the power to “build the nation with good work ethics.”

Check out more about ethics from a cool blogger friend https://noelinekirabo.blogspot.com/2017/05/work-place-ethics-1-understand-code.htm

Racheal Kizza © 2017