Children. Everywhere. HUNDREDS of children…upwards of 700, we think, though there was no way to tell.
Armed with hundreds of pairs of donated shoes, 12 buckets, water, washcloths and small bars of soap, World Racers, Vision trippers and AIM staff were ready to take on the crowds.
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“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” -Matthew 9:36
As I washed each child’s feet (in between shooting video, taking photos, finding the right size shoe from Pamela and so much more–) I looked into their eyes and told them why I was doing it.
“There are two reasons,” I said. “The first is that we are excited to give you a new pair of shoes!”
“But the second is even more important. When Jesus lived, he washed the feet of his friends to show them how much he loved them. So we are here today to show you that we love you so much because Jesus loves you so much! He is the one who sent us here today, and he is the one providing you with these new shoes!”
Some understood, but maybe some didn’t. Some smiles were miles wide, some were a little confused or maybe even scared of so many white people on the huge platform (we had at least 35 people there).
I saw the love if Christ in every servant’s eye there…Racers, Vision trippers, AIM staff, and especially our Christian translators, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to do anything!
But I also saw Christ in those children’s eyes.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'”
-Matthew 25:40
It was a beautiful day on the World Race–one of my favorites, for sure. The opportunity to participate in the shoe distribution was amazing! While I’m here in Nsoko I’ll be working on a bunch of multimedia to tell the world about what’s going on here. I can’t wait to share it with you guys. I don’t know when videos will get online (probably when we go to Johannesburg in early March)….keep in touch!
