It started with a dream. A literal, “while I was sleeping I saw this” kind-of dream.
With a soft smile and a contagious laugh, Pastora Myriam began to tell us about how we were helping her bring to life a ministry she dreamt of a few years ago.
Hotel Sol Caribe is a gorgeous hotel located a few blocks from the Caribbean and is bustling with vacationers, both local and international. When Pastora Myriam told us we would be praying over people and washing their feet I envisioned a large conference room lined with tourists and lots of sandy toes.
When we got to the hotel the following morning we were ready for action. Picturing hundreds of people coming through, I figured we would only have time for a short blanket prayer and a simple “What’s your name? Where are you from?” I didn’t think we would be able to form any kind of relationships with these people. But per usual, I was wrong. They showed us to a hotel room on the 4th floor and inside was Pastora with her facial and foot washing products, soft worship music playing on her phone, and the shade drawn low to block the sunlight.
That’s when we understood. We would be washing the feet of the workers at the hotel. Those that serve tirelessly behind the scenes were the ones we were here to serve. Each person was to receive an hour of personal attention, with prayer, foot-washing, a facial and a massage.
It was so beautiful, and did allow us time to dig a little deeper into each person’s story.
Two of our interactions specifically left a mark on me.
The first was a gorgeous woman in her late twenties. She came in to the room timid but eager to be pampered. We began asking her about herself, but she didn’t talk much. I noticed she was so at peace when Delaney was washing her feet. I could tell this was the break she needed, but it looked like it wasn’t just a break from her job that she was desperate for, but this was a breath of fresh air in her life. After I gave her a facial while praying strength and peace over her, we began to pray as a group before she left. Someone asked if she had something specific she needed prayer for.
That’s when the tears came.
Her husband had left her and today was the day he was coming back to discuss whether or not to pursue the divorce.
It was a broken moment, but not one that’s out of reach of the Lord’s redemption.
We prayed for restoration in that relationship, and found comfort knowing that all things are possible with God.
She’s fighting for the marriage. And we are fighting alongside her.
The second was the big boss.
Contrary to the previous woman, he charged into the room, brash and sarcastic. I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not with anything that he said. He talked so fast and didn’t seem to appreciate my attempts to speak Spanish and said he was going to make us work really hard, like “real missionaries”.
I was scared. I had no idea how I was supposed to talk to him, or pray over him when I felt like I had been crushed to the ground. My personality shys away from dominance, and I was quickly intimidated. How was I going to give this man a facial? Surely he won’t want one…
Again… I was wrong.
So, I prayed for courage and the words to pray over him I began to serve a man who I barely knew in a way that was incredibly uncomfortable.
The following day, we were working with him again, and he told me that the facial was very good, and asked for another. I guess I did an ok job.
This day of ministry was uncomfortable, but beautiful. Stretching, and redemptive. Nothing I pictured, but just as the Lord intended.
