Having lived in Niger for just over a month, there are parts of life here that remind me of how I picture life would have been for Jesus as he lived and walked on earth . . .
The first similarity is the dusty and sandy roads – paired with sandaled feet. I now understand the practice of foot washing that is written of in the Gospels – as Jesus was welcomed to various homes and during the Last Supper.
As a teenager, I attended a 3-year Leadership Training & Discipleship Program at Gull Lake Bible Camp; and I remember one summer during our training week, our leaders declared a ‘Sandal Day’. We wore sandals all day, down to the beach and back, and through to evening campfire where we had a foot-washing ‘ceremony’. We washed the feet of those next to us (each to the right around the circle) and then partook of communion.
I remember this evening and as I look back, I realize that our feet were not even half as dirty/dusty as mine are these days.
Secondly, I wonder if the landscape was similar. I spend my days walking or driving (granted – that is different!) through flocks of goats, sheep, cows and chickens. I barter in the marketplace and people walk up and down the streets with items to sell out of their baskets. Though the items have changed, I am sure that the system is similar. There are those in my neighbourhood who live in woven mat tents and cook over a campfire.
Yet, the part of life that I wonder the most if it is the same; is the part that breaks my heart. And I wonder if it broke my Saviour’s heart as He walked this similar landscape. For as I walk and drive around, I see many who are crippled and diseased, the poor and hungry. There are lepers here as there were in Biblical times. And I wonder why it is so different here than in Canada or other countries. Is it a lack of proper nutrition, medical care? I don’t know why it seems so much more prevalent here. But I wonder too how Jesus decided whom to help, heal and feed. And how He dealt with the emotions of knowing that He wasn’t here to help, heal and feed – meet the physical needs – of all whom He met.
Aside from the work that my team is doing to meet the physical needs of those here in Niger, I have yet to figure out how to meet the needs of those around me and the presence of those who tug at my heart – from the crazy man who lives in the garbage pile down my street, to the elderly lady always at the gas station begging and crying outside my window in a language I don’t understand, to the crippled man outside the grocery store who always smiles and says hello.
Monday, 24 March 2008
How Jesus Walked
Having lived in Niger for just over a month, there are parts of life here that remind me of how I picture life would have been for Jesus as he lived and walked on earth . . .
The first similarity is the dusty and sandy roads – paired with sandaled feet. I now understand the practice of foot washing that is written of in the Gospels – as Jesus was welcomed to various homes and during the Last Supper.
As a teenager, I attended a 3-year Leadership Training & Discipleship Program at Gull Lake Bible Camp; and I remember one summer during our training week, our leaders declared a ‘Sandal Day’. We wore sandals all day, down to the beach and back, and through to evening campfire where we had a foot-washing ‘ceremony’. We washed the feet of those next to us (each to the right around the circle) and then partook of communion.
I remember this evening and as I look back, I realize that our feet were not even half as dirty/dusty as mine are these days.
Secondly, I wonder if the landscape was similar. I spend my days walking or driving (granted – that is different!) through flocks of goats, sheep, cows and chickens. I barter in the marketplace and people walk up and down the streets with items to sell out of their baskets. Though the items have changed, I am sure that the system is similar. There are those in my neighbourhood who live in woven mat tents and cook over a campfire.
Yet, the part of life that I wonder the most if it is the same; is the part that breaks my heart. And I wonder if it broke my Saviour’s heart as He walked this similar landscape. For as I walk and drive around, I see many who are crippled and diseased, the poor and hungry. There are lepers here as there were in Biblical times. And I wonder why it is so different here than in Canada or other countries. Is it a lack of proper nutrition, medical care? I don’t know why it seems so much more prevalent here. But I wonder too how Jesus decided whom to help, heal and feed. And how He dealt with the emotions of knowing that He wasn’t here to help, heal and feed – meet the physical needs – of all whom He met.
Aside from the work that my team is doing to meet the physical needs of those here in Niger, I have yet to figure out how to meet the needs of those around me and the presence of those who tug at my heart – from the crazy man who lives in the garbage pile down my street, to the elderly lady always at the gas station begging and crying outside my window in a language I don’t understand, to the crippled man outside the grocery store who always smiles and says hello.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Thank you for these reflections Kristi. It must have been extremely heartbreaking for Him as I know it is know for you. We easily forget how good we have it here and worse yet forget that so many others don't.
Love you
Post a Comment