Don’t get me wrong, I learned so much from month 1 of ministry. I loved it. I was pushed, I was stretched and challenged, but nothing could have prepared me for month 2 of ministry. My team and I have found ourselves working at an orphanage called Sending Hope International where we are teaching English and running a sports camp, so to speak. So far, our days have been filled to the brim with smiles, flowers, good morning/night hugs, and laughter. Tonight, however, there were many tears.
When we first arrived at the orphanage and met the girls, there were 2 other Americans that were already there and had been for the past week. Their names are Bob and Teresa. Tonight was Bob and Teresa’s last night at Sending Hope, and the girls had a very special and intimate going away ceremony that my team and I got to watch and partake in. We started off in a big circle where we sang a few fun songs and some worship songs as well. We were then asked to remove all of our belongings from the center of the circle as to make way for what was to come. Some girls grabbed 2 chairs from outside of the circle and placed them in the center. After, Bob and Teresa were led to the chairs and were seated. As soon as they sat down, 2 other girls carried in a large tub filled with water and flower petals. I could smell the perfume of the flower water from where I was standing and that is when it clicked. Bob and Teresa were about to have their feet washed by these girls.
Side note, these girls within the past 2 days have shown me what being a servant and having a servant’s heart really looks like. I’ve recently been trying to improve my score on the Love Language Test, specifically in the Acts of Service area (incredibly ironic), and these girls have made me realize a few things.
1. It doesn’t matter how big or how small, the heart behind it is what matters.
2. By doing simple tasks for others, I am able to show Jesus.
3. Washing another person’s feet is one of the most humbling things that 2 people can experience.
In John 13, Jesus, knowing that Judas is about to literally send Him to His death, chooses to wash his feet. What a great reminder that God is always calling us to love those who are difficult to love. I also love what Jesus says in verse 10. Peter was trying to argue with Jesus about washing his feet. He said,
“You will not wash my feet, now or ever.” Jesus replies,
“If I don’t wash you, you will have nothing to do with Me.”
Peter then tells Jesus to instead wash his entire body. But Jesus replies,
“Listen, anyone who has bathed is clean all over except for the feet.”
Meaning that once we accept Christ as our Lord, we don’t have to ever be saved again; however, because we are human, we will stumble and make mistakes, and therefore Jesus washes our feet daily. Jesus renews us daily through Himself. Walking through life is going to be messy and full of sin, but that’s why we have Jesus. We have Jesus to constantly cleanse us and wash our feet – in the most literal sense.
I was holding hands with a 5 year old named Arothai tonight, and she was one of the first to approach Bob and Teresa to wash their feet. She is 5 years old, and she practically jumped at the opportunity to was their feet. She jumped because she was excited to serve. If we all had the same child-like eagerness to serve others, oh how the world would change. Tonight, I finally understood what Acts of Service was and for the rest of my days, I pray I am given the opportunity to serve others just as these girls have done and just as Jesus has done. I pray that I jump at the opportunity to serve.
Thank you for giving me something so valuable, your time. I hope that this encourages you to have a ‘YES’ in your spirit when it comes to God.
Blessings, Presley.
