Feet!

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.

How was your trip?

The question of the hour. How was your trip?

My answer? I'm still unpacking it. Literally and figuratively and spiritually and emotionally. All of it.

There was so much to take in. How did I change, how am I different? How do I want to be different? Why am I so blessed? How can I share my blessings? Why am I awake at 3:30 in the morning?!

I saw poverty but pure joy. I saw huts but homes filled with love. I saw pain but praise for Jesus. I saw dirt but I saw smiles too.

So as I prepare for my day, I reflect and think. I'm ready to serve in Kid City today and ready to worship my God. The same God that the wonderful people of Uganda will be worshipping today too.

I miss you Uganda! You are in my heart.

Fourth of July

Four years ago at this time I was preparing to get married the next week. The following fourth of July I was settling in to the fact that my marriage was over. But God works through all our bad, tough stuff to bring glory to him. And He sure has!

Three years ago I spent my first 4th with my family in years! I still needed their support and comfort. 4th of July was the first official holiday since we determined it was over. I still needed to tell my family (my extended family) and that was probably the worst part of it all. Really made you feel like a failure. I relied heavily on God during that time and really truly could not have made it without him.

My mom at the time was not saved and not really a fan of God either. I remember on one of my darkest days my mom said to me, " you know you're going to have to deal with this and not just leave it up to God. You are using Him as a crutch." I don't really know how to respond and then the words just came out. "Crutches are for people who can't walk on their own. And right now I can't. So I need my crutches." That was in February of that year.

When I went up for the 4th of July my mom said she wanted to check out this church that she had tried years before. I told her I'd go with her even though part fo me really wanted to go my friends church. I mean, how could I say no though?

This church is definitely a seekers church, one that reaches out to the community and makes everyone feel welcome and at home. Not a Sunday's finest kind of place. We sat about half way up on the right hand side of the sanctuary. It started off with some really good praise and worship and I liked it. My mom seemed into it as well. Good sign.

Then the sermon started. Being the 4th and all it was about freedom. The freedom that you can only ever have by serving and loving God. As we sat there, I couldn't help but feel like this sermon was written just for my mom. I wondered if she was taking it in. At one point the pastor said (I swear this happened!!) "I feel like I need to be speaking in this direction" and turned toward us. I swear he was looking right at her. I was kinda surreal. And I wondered if she noticed or felt the same way.

Well...she did! We talked afterwards and I didn't want to push her so I just asked what she thought of it all. She too felt like it was just for her! :-). That was three years ago. Since then she's been baptized, she's a member of her church and she is very involved...pretty much in everything!!

This Fourth of July, I am preparing for my trip to Uganda (did I mention I'm going to Uganda?!). My we've come a long ways in three years!

I can't help but look back over the last four years and think of all the wonderful things that came out of my pain. Without those trials I probably won't be as close to Christ as I am now. And surely I wouldn't be going to Uganda with some wonderful people that I met at Hope! And what about my mom?! What a blessing it's been to watch her grow strong in her faith and become a child of God.

Happy Fourth of July, y'all!!!!