Washing Her Feet 

Making young women feel loved, special, and beautiful when they don’t think they are. This week my team and I led a Beauty for Ashes event, which is a women’s empowerment retreat that shares how women are called beloved, royalty, strong, free, etc. We had 20 young Malawian ladies from ages 12-16 and invited them into our home.

“…give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61:3

During this event we shared personal stories, stories of biblical women, and actively shared how special and beautiful the girls are in the eyes of God. Many of these girls are going through many tough challenges at a young age and we wanted to bless them and share the love of Jesus.

We made paper crowns with words that show our new identity which included: free, never alone, beloved, strong, beautifully and wonderfully made, etc. We no longer wear a crown of ashes or have a name given by people, but we have a God-given name.

To finish the retreat my team and I washed the girl’s feet as well as wash our host’s feet.

“..Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him…” John 13:1-20

 

This experience was powerful. These women work so hard with their families and most don’t wear shoes, so washing their feet was a moment of love and humility. After washing the feet of the girls we painted their toenails. We made them feel special and royal, which they are!