If you know me, really know me, you know my true disdain for feet. They are sooo gross to me. Sweaty, dirty, smelly, calloused....gross. So this past week really took me out of my comfort zone. Let me explain.....
Our trip had a couple different items in our agenda. I was a part of spending time with the Mums of Laminadera Village of Watoto. The kids get most of the attention from visitors, I mean they are some pretty cute kids and they call you Auntie or Uncle. How cute is that?! But it was on the hearts of our church to pamper, love on and hope to encourage the Mums.
For three days a group of women, myself included, led a devotional, gave a testimony and then broke into small groups. In our small groups we talked about the devotional and what touched us, we shared our stories and our prayer requests. Praying for and with these Mums was a huge honor for me.
After small groups we broke for lunch. The Mums went home and fed their little ones and made lunch for themselves. On the first day we walked around and visited with some of the Mums and played with the kids. The older kids, primary 1 or as we call it first grade, and up stay in school all day. But the little ones have half days.
After lunch we had a project or a craft for the Mums.
Ok, wait. Back to the feet. We need to back track a little. But also fast forward to day two with the ladies. Ok. Now I'm confused! Stay with me people.
On day two our devotional was about being the Bride of Christ and we wanted to celebrate the ladies. And serve them. And remind them that they are loved. So we did a feet washing ceremony. I paired up with the Hope girls from my small group and we washed the feet of the Mums in our group. One person poured water over their feet and washed them, one read scripture and one of us prayed over the ladies. And we rotated these roles so we all got a chance to experience each one. I think all of were a little out of our comfort zone. Praying aloud, touching feet and just being bold in our faith.
I prayed first. Sara washed feet. And Lauren read two Scriptures one being 1 Corinthians 6:11 '"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."'
Then we switched and I washed feet. I washed Momma Joyce's feet and Momma Margaret's. What. An. Honor. I poured, rubbed and prayed. I prayed for where those feet had been and prayed for where those feet would take them. I prayed that they would always walk with God and know His love. When we finished all three of us prayed over the ladies. I cried when I prayed for Momma Lillian. Her smile is infectious and I prayed she always smiled that smile of pure Joy.
We did this before our lunch break so that the Mum's had a chance to meditate on the feet washing and the love poured out on them.
After lunch we did manicures and pedicures for the ladies! We had little stations set up. Each time I said "Welcome to Maureen's Salon!" What a weirdo. :-). They chose a color or two and we painted! I think I did five mani's and pedi's. I was all up in those toes. I just wanted them to know God's love and to see it through me. It didn't bother me in the least to hold their feet and touch their toes. I really wanted them to feel special. I wanted each toe and finger to look perfect for them! On a side note, the sparkle top coat was by far the best thing ever! At one point we had five ladies waiting for their sparkles. :-)
The whole day was amazing. But the thing that touched me the most is what Momma Rosemary said to me. She was my first 'client' at Maureen's Salon. She told me how loved she felt. She also told me that she "never had anyone show her love like this before." Mission Accomplished.
