Hello! This month I am in Kigali, Rwanda.
I’m staying with a family in which both the husband and wife pastor a church and started schools. We arrived during a crusade they were hosting and saw many people prophesied over and accept Jesus into their lives for the first time. Prophesying and deliverance are two areas that I have little experience with, however, it is very clear that God is using prophecy and deliverance to bring people to His kingdom.
On the Sunday after the crusade ended, some of the people who attended made a commitment to become a member of Pastor Venecia’s church. They were asked to come forward and share their testimony. Pastor Venecia began by praying for them and asking the congregation to show hospitality and welcome these new members.
As they stood up front, a woman from the congregation, without prompting, approached them. She took her scarf and wiped the dust off each of their shoes as the pastor was speaking. Then, just as silent as she approached, she sat back down without a word.
The simple act of the woman spoke loudly to me. She didn’t fear what people might think as she walked to the front of the church. She didn’t consider herself better than the new members because of her status or age. She wasn’t worried about getting her hands dirty. She completely humbled herself by boldly approaching and bending low to wipe each persons’ shoes with her personal garment.
In John 13, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Much like this woman used her scarf, He wiped their feet with a towel that was on Him (v.5). By washing their feet, they have been made completely clean (vs. 10). It is a symbolic act which shows that this woman, like Jesus, is not holding past sins against them or condemning, but views them as cleansed. Jesus has given us this example so that we should do the same to one another (v. 15).
“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17
I cannot think of a better way to welcome someone, than by letting them know we’re not looking at the past and the wrong that’s been done. The wrong we do does not define us, but we are defined by our Creator and what He’s done for us.
