John 13:12-14,16: When he ( Jesus) had washed their feet and he put on his outer
garment and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have
done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then,
your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s
feet. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master.
In New Testament times it was the job of the lowest servant to wash the feet of the guests
who entered his master’s home. Travelers and visitors would enter the home with dirty
dusty feet so as an act of hospitality they had their feet washed. Jesus assumed the role of
a servant by washing his disciples’ feet just prior to his being crucified.
Foot hygiene is a constant problem with the homeless, and they frequently suffer from
various foot health issues. Many have sores because of the unavailability of proper foot
hygiene.
God laid it on the heart of Dean, one of the men nearing completion of the ‘recovery
program’ at UGM, to demonstrate God’s love in a very tangible way, by offering to
wash the feet of the homeless. So it was at this Friday Night Outreach. He brought wash
basins, soap, towels, and put it into practice. As he washed the feet of the homeless he
offered a prayer on their behalf. As they left he gave them a pair of clean socks.
One man had a huge sore on his foot which was causing him great discomfort; treatment
was given to help soothe the pain. Others didn’t quite know how to respond, but all were
treated with love and dignity.
Once again I received a lesson in demonstrated love and humility. The question I
ask, “Am I willing to wash another’s feet?” and perhaps even a greater question, “Am I
willing to let someone else wash my feet?”
If you would like to join the group for a taste of Friday Night Outreach and see love in
action, you can call UGM to arrange for an appropriate evening.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Hair, Nails and Hope
Most names have been changed.
Ellen comes out of the improvised hair and nail salon at Friday Night Outreach. Her beautiful flowing hair has been washed and trimmed. She is beaming from ear to ear andher step has a new spring to it. Her husband has been patiently waiting and you can seethe pleased look on his face. Ellen is just one of several women who have had their hairwashed and trimmed this evening. Others have enjoyed having their nails done. Every other Friday night a mother and her daughter come to FNO and help give both men andwomen a new sense of dignity by having their hair cut and washed. The room is filled as we serve over 125 men and women a warm meal and a chance to sitaround a table to eat. Volunteers who come to serve and minister join many of them attables; engage them in conversation, and offer them hope that their lives can be changed. Candy, who formerly lived on the streets and is now leading a productive life for Christ, engages a young woman in conversation for more than twenty minutes. Together theylay out a plan for her to come to the Crisis Shelter and the possibility of going to Anna Ogden Hall. Volunteers in the clothing room often have a chance to engage those living on the streetin conversation as they hand out a blanket, a pair of socks, or a much needed coat, gently nudging them to consider a changed life.About a year ago the Mission started feeding the homeless in an alley near the I-90Freeway. Those who came were at times hostile, only too sure that the real reason theMission came was to ‘jam God” down their throats. Tonight before a time of playing bingo for some ‘life on the streets’ necessities, Dean (his real name) offers a prayerasking God’s blessing on the evening. Most remove their caps and at the end of the prayer and there are many hearty amen’s.“What difference do it make?” that we go each Friday night. Denver Moore, formerlyhomeless, from the book he co-authored by this title raised that question. The difference in my view is a step in the direction of a changed life offered freely to all who come.
Ellen comes out of the improvised hair and nail salon at Friday Night Outreach. Her beautiful flowing hair has been washed and trimmed. She is beaming from ear to ear andher step has a new spring to it. Her husband has been patiently waiting and you can seethe pleased look on his face. Ellen is just one of several women who have had their hairwashed and trimmed this evening. Others have enjoyed having their nails done. Every other Friday night a mother and her daughter come to FNO and help give both men andwomen a new sense of dignity by having their hair cut and washed. The room is filled as we serve over 125 men and women a warm meal and a chance to sitaround a table to eat. Volunteers who come to serve and minister join many of them attables; engage them in conversation, and offer them hope that their lives can be changed. Candy, who formerly lived on the streets and is now leading a productive life for Christ, engages a young woman in conversation for more than twenty minutes. Together theylay out a plan for her to come to the Crisis Shelter and the possibility of going to Anna Ogden Hall. Volunteers in the clothing room often have a chance to engage those living on the streetin conversation as they hand out a blanket, a pair of socks, or a much needed coat, gently nudging them to consider a changed life.About a year ago the Mission started feeding the homeless in an alley near the I-90Freeway. Those who came were at times hostile, only too sure that the real reason theMission came was to ‘jam God” down their throats. Tonight before a time of playing bingo for some ‘life on the streets’ necessities, Dean (his real name) offers a prayerasking God’s blessing on the evening. Most remove their caps and at the end of the prayer and there are many hearty amen’s.“What difference do it make?” that we go each Friday night. Denver Moore, formerlyhomeless, from the book he co-authored by this title raised that question. The difference in my view is a step in the direction of a changed life offered freely to all who come.
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