Washing Feet/Serving Others

Today was our last day at the Virginia Children's Home.   Tomorrow, Kim and I will be making our journey home.  Harrison is staying with our friend Tom for another week.  Today was a day of service.  In the morning Kim told the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet.  As an example, I said to Rosemary (ACO staff member who oversees the food program and the well being of the children at the Virginia Home): Ninge penda nikuoshe miguu, which means I will wash your feet and then I began to wash her feet in front of the class.  (**Ironically my Texas Twang seems to come in handy when speaking Swahili as I was told several times today I have an awesome Swahili accent when I speak...ha, ha!)  Anyway, the children's eyes lit up and they all stretched to see!  We knew we had their attention!

Then we served them and "American" lunch of sandwiches, fruit, chips (called "crisps") and Oreos.  They LOVED it!  Well, except for the strawberry jam.  They did not like that AT ALL.  They said it was too sweet. We made over 200 sandwiches!!

After a quick run to town for a restroom break (we Americans can't seem to use the "slab" they have at the Virginia Home) we came back and washed the children's feet...all 77 of them!  We had the idea earlier in the week and Harrison of all of us really pressed the idea.  I am so thankful to him for that.  He HATES feet, so this was a big stretch, but we truly wanted to give of ourselves outside of our comfort zone.  We definitely achieved that goal! The children were so taken aback by the gesture.  Some of the kids were embarrassed, but all were humbled.  It will truly be one of the greatest memories of my lifetime.

I feel like it had an impact on the children too.  We may never know how much of an impact, but you could see it in their faces.  

As I said, it was our last day, so after we washed feet, the children sang and danced and then of course took a million photos!  Kim had the experience of a lifetime and it was so neat to see her have so much fun, fall in love with the children and see them fall in love with her.  It was also wonderful to be there with my son, Harrison.  We are all three forever changed!