Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved running around barefoot. Little did I know that going barefoot would play such a big part in my missions journey.
Two years ago, I went on a mission trip with my youth group. One night, my youth pastor brought in a tub of water and a towel. He knelt and picked up my foot. I felt embarrassed by how dirty it was. But as my foot slipped into the water, warmth flooded my heart. Inside me, something clicked. This simple act of service made me realize how deeply loved I was. And I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life serving others on the mission field just as my youth pastor had served me.
Fast forward… Three weeks ago, I boarded a plane for Samoa for my DTS outreach. As a part of this outreach, my team leader, Erica, was teaching in YWAM Samoa’s DTS on Pride and Humility. She asked us to help her lead a ministry time on the last day of her teaching and she told us that it would involve foot washing. I couldn’t wait! All week long, I found myself quietly chanting, “Friday! Friday! Friday!” I couldn’t wait to serve as I had been served!
Seemingly before I could blink, it was Friday. I’d been praying for the two students whose feet I would wash all week. I couldn’t wait to share the words and pictures God had given me with Junior and Sue.
A big goofy grin covered my face as I knelt at Junior’s feet. When I saw his feet, my smile grew 3 sizes. They were even dirtier than mine!
I spent a long time washing both Junior and Sue’s feet and praying for them. I wanted to make sure their feet were super clean. I wanted them to know how special they were and how touched God was by their faithful service to Him.
What I didn’t expect was how much God would touch my own heart that day! Here I was on the other side of the world serving others just as my youth pastor had served me. And as I knelt there washing feet, it felt like Jesus was kneeling beside me. After all, He is the original barefoot servant!
By Patience, student in our Summer Children at Risk DTS
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