dirty feet

Let me first say that this week, from the first time I set foot in the village of Tagabati, has given me a COMPLETELY new perspective on the life of Jesus. I must admit that before this week, I really did think I had quite a decent understanding of the Bible, especially the New Testament, but walking the "streets" of the village of Tagabati all week has somehow pulled wool from my eyes that I didn't even know was there.

I'll start with dirty feet!! It's amazing how dirty our feet have gotten this week. The hot temperatures force everyone here to wear flip flops or some sort of sandals. Sand and red clay-like dirt replace the neat lawns and carpeted floors we would see in the states. It is inside every place we've been and follows us everywhere we go. Despite the fact that we swept and mopped multiple times today, there was still a thin layer of dirt on the clinic floor when we left. It's just life in the desert. Our feet our NEVER clean!!

I think I posted a picture earlier of several of our feet after a long day of work. Some of us think we've gotten a great tan only to realize it washes off in the shower (too bad), but our dirty feet have caused me to reflect on the real meaning of Jesus' humble act before his death and resurrection. John 13:5-20 tell the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet; a mineal task in America alone where we wear nice shoes and socks and pay people to paint our toenails. But THIS WEEK; ah, this week I have come to realize how exponentially humiliating such a task would have been in a place like this; a place where people where flip flops or walk barefoot all day along dirt roads, working in dirt fields, and living in dirt-floored homes. How much more meaningful it must have been to the disciples that Jesus, their KING, their MESSIAH, would lower Himself to such a place as to wash the dirtiest part of their bodies.

How thankful I am tonight, that Jesus has washed the dirtiest part of MY body; my heart. I find a calm assurance in Hebrews 10:22-23...

"Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil concience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hop without wavering, for He who promised is faithful!"

I hope and pray that my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ has sprinkled your heart clean by the power of His blood. If not, I sure would LOVE to share with you how easy it is to LET Him him clean you out from your heart to your dirty feet! I have learned this week, that there is NO foot too dirty for Jesus to wash and no heart too filthy for Him to sprinkle clean!!