Day Eight: Beautiful Are the Feet

After our goodbyes to the children we went to Suresh and Christina's home for dinner. After our team ate we asked to serve dinner to the Harvest India staff. After they ate we asked to wash their feet. They were resistant at first, but they allowed us to serve them in this way.

There were more women on our team than female staff members, so Abbie and I paired up to was one woman's feet. This woman works with the younger grades at a school created for children of families who fall below the poverty line in surrounding villages. She, like most of the women, was very shy with us at first but as we started washing her feet she started smiling and then laughing. We were able to pray over her afterward and bless her and her ministry. It was this sweet time of giving back.

After all of the women had their feet washed we realized that both Suresh's wife, Christina, and his oldest daughter, Mercy, had not gotten their feet washed. Lauri washed Christina's feet and I volunteered to wash Mercy's.

I went to find Mercy, she was inside of her house. I told her I wanted to wash her feet and she was super resistant to the idea. She is kind of a shy personality to begin with, so this was something she definitely did not want to do. But I told her I was doing it, and she came outside with me. She let me wash her feet, although I am pretty sure she hated it the whole time. After I washed her feet I asked to pray for her. She understands english and speaks it pretty well, so this was the only time on the trip where I was able to pray for someone and they understood what I was saying.

I was reminded of this passage in Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'" I felt the need to bless Mercy because she is participating in ministry, spreading the good news, at such a young age. I was able to encourage her and let her know that she is doing a great work already. I was able to tell her that her heavenly Father delights in her. She and I both were crying by the end of the prayer.

As I was emptying out the water buckets used to wash the women's feet I felt a pull on my punjabi, and turned around to find Mercy asking to wash my feet. I sat down and both she and her younger sister, Nancy, washed my feet. 

I could learn so much from that girl. At such a young age, her entire life is dedicated to serving Jesus. And she does it so naturally, with such humility. Her servitude to Christ is for no other reason than gratitude for all she has watched Him do.