How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
Over debrief in the past week Brook and I prayed for what to do for our community themed night of worship and session. When she mentioned feet washing I couldn’t have Felt more content.
Community night would also be the same night that team changes were revealed. We had a public reading of John 13 and then we all sat with our old teams in a giant circle as a squad. With a bucket (really it was a flower pot) and 5 wash cloths ( 2 rags cut/torn into 5 pieces) sitting in the middle of our big circle, we each washed the feet of everyone from our old team, and then switched to our new teams and did the same.
This was a moment to reflect on really a command from our Brother. He demonstrated his love, humility, sacrifice, and honor to His friends, and then turned to them and instructed them to wash one another’s feet. It really was a sweet transition for all of us. This looked a little different for each person but it was beautiful. Some prayed over each person that they washed the feet of, some told each of their old team mates what they learned from them, some told their new team mates that they gave them their “yes”, and that they choose them. So many tears and so much laughter as we reminisced over old memories and looked forward to new ones.
What Brook and I had not foresaw was that using one bucket for 29 people, who would each be washing at least 10 other peoples feet, the water would become nearly black. Surprisingly, I believe this was the cleanest that some of our feet had been for a long time. Maybe ever.
And at the end I looked at the bucket and at first was disgusted, but then was tearful. Because in that bucket, was the dirt of the past 4 months, of the past 4 countries, from the feet of a community of believers wanting to see the Kingdom expand. In that bucket was memories, pains, laughter and so much more of a squad that was unified. Now we were able to shake the dust off our sandals (feet), leaving behind where we were and moving forward.
I love this squad, I love the work we do together, and I love the life we do together all in Jesus’ name for Kingdom’s sake.
