Serving
In the fall of 2011, over a dozen years ago, I had a once in a lifetime experience of going to Africa my very first time. I may return but I am sure it will not equal the first trip. The opportunity to go came out of the blue as a coworker challenged me to travel to Benoni, SA to check on the progress of a sizable grant from my employer’s trust to an organization located there.
After considering the opportunity, it seemed unaffordable. I decided that since I was retired, I should stay for more than a few days, maybe a month.
The initial look at the cost of the flight and accommodations for a month was not in my budget. After a few weeks of contemplation, I received an email from an associate in SA informing me of an opportunity to stay at a bed and breakfast for $53 per day, food included! Then a second look at the flight, the rates had dropped considerably. At this point I began thinking there was a purpose greater than just looking at a building being constructed.
What was revealed was that the church affiliated with the organization was sending a group of 35 on a mission to Zimbabwe, some 759 miles north. This was a mission to share Jesus with some who may not know him. Seeing the opportunity to add another stamp on my passport, I signed up!
Now, what started out as an audit, turned into my experiencing genuine love from White South Africans who were only a few years out of Apartheid! I had skepticism of how I would be received and welcomed going into a community that did not look like me.
What I found was total and complete acceptance. I was invited to homes, dinners, weddings, barbecues, and many other activities. I saw love for Black babies as we visited nurseries and schools and soup kitchens in very low-income communities. I should add that we served at most facilities.
The final act of pure love was in Zimbabwe on our last day of eight days there. One of the participants from SA led a closing service. Here is what happened. As we neared the small building where this service was to be held, I observed a long line of Zimbabweans waiting to get inside. My driver informed me that we would need to help the gentleman so he would be finished at a reasonable time. Entering the building, we found the gentleman washing the feet of the many people lined up. So, I was handed a pail of water and a towel. Looking at some of the feet that were not at all well-kept, some were shoeless, some feet were deformed, cracked, missing toes! Yes, I was reluctant, but I recalled Jesus saying in John 13 that we should serve others.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17
Traveling back to SA from Zimbabwe, I sought more information on the gentleman washing the peoples’ feet. I found that he was a prominent attorney in Johannesburg, SA who had participated in this mission trip many times and ended it with the washing of the feet of the weary.
Vera Burton
Community Christian Church
North Canton, Ohio