Side by Side
Two friends came into the booth, both strong in their beliefs about
all religions leading to God, Eastern religion preferred. They sat in
the chairs on either side of the booth, and Maria and I sat side by
side on the ground, engaged in individual conversations. I could hear
the debate heating up next to me as the man Maria witnessed to had a
heart of contention, and I had to force myself to keep focused on my
conversation. The man I spoke with was much more open and eventually
strongly gained "the look." He agreed that God’s fulfilled prophecies
smoked any claim to fame the Eastern religions offered, and began to
listen with an open heart. After a long time, the man Maria had been
talking with had enough and insisted it was time to go. Maria was
disappointed and discouraged, but I saw the hand of the Lord
separating the two men, that the one could be ministered to. Had Maria
not engaged the attention of the hardened man, I never would have
received the focus of the softened one. Still, it was frustrating for
Maria.
I was fidgeting with supplies behind the booth when I heard a man
come in and speak with Maria. I knew instantly "Leave this for Maria"
and I found work to do, carried out the used wash water to the creek
praying the whole time, lingering. Eventually I came back and it was
evident that this man’s heart was broken wide open. Maria had been
ministering with the Holy Spirit and was reaping great success. When
she was done, she boldly gathered his family all around in front of
the booth, we all held hands or linked arms and we prayed over the
whole family. What a sight to the multitudes around us! I believe the
Lord’s timing was clearly at work for the family, but also for His
faithful servant, Maria!
Outside the Booth
Sunday Jean and I had worked side by side as well, this time back
to back as we both washed feet leaning on each other (small booth).
Engaged in my own conversations, I didn’t catch what the Holy Spirit
had been doing at Jean’s foot washings, (nor with Karrie’s later on in
the day) but Jean and I decided to indulge ourselves and take a lunch
break together. Somehow it seemed right, and even there, sitting at a
picnic table with "royalty," God was at work. Jean was talking to me
about fulfilled prophesy and I noticed the woman sitting nearest to us
from her group was being very quiet and ever so slightly leaning
toward Jean, straining an ear. I could only smile and listen, so
blessed at watching God’s hand in everything. Even fetching water was
an opportunity, as there was a woman there and we bonded very quickly,
and she was open in just those few moments to hearing about God. I
smile as I think of two women at the well, one taken, hopefully not
this one left!
Conclusion
There is something so indescribable about sitting on the floor,
oiling and massaging a foot in my lap, the human touch blessed me as I
sat looking up into an unbelievers eyes, sharing God’s love and
watching the Holy Spirit just melt that person’s resistance as they
recognized the truth. There were countless whom I felt were
transplanted from a road of sure destruction to a beginning, to
recognizing that there is a road in front of them to Him. I was filled
with joy and energy through the washings, and each night came home so
tired it hurt to breathe!
Many people have asked me how I could actually wash feet. After
this experience, I can’t imagine how I couldn’t. It was pure privilege
and honor to be used like this, to watch God working, not to mention
the countless blessings I received getting ready for these events.
Various Personal Testimonies
