India- January 2014
HIV Clinic Shoe Distribution
When I was planning the India trip I noticed that we were
going to visit an HIV Clinic- I had received the shoe sizes for most
of the other distribution sites but not for this particular one- When I asked the Indian Missionary about the shoes for
the clinic his response was “Women don’t need shoes” I was shocked. I explained again that it is not always about
the shoes but our act of servant leadership and we want to serve the
ladies- once more I was told
‘Women don’t need shoes”
Finally on my third ask I was told we could bring the ladies
“slippers” (flip-flops)
I must say I was a bit irritated- after all we were giving
nice shoes to the pastors and the children but only flip-flops t the ladies. We did however have a large donation of
new flip flops in the warehouse so I was able to take them what they
requested.
Once in India- the night prior to the distribution I had an
idea! I asked all the team
members to bring any nail polish they had- We were able to gather several bottles- Knowing that we were going to
distribute flip-flops I thought we could make this more of a “spa” experience
and offer a station for the ladies to get their nails painted if they
like.
Once we arrived at the clinic the next day- it was nothing
like I had imagined ( I imagined a somber- sterile dr. office type waiting area- Instead It was the back yard for a church. The ladies were already gathered
sitting on the ground The area
was separated by colorful tarps. They were singing… I soon learned and saw that this was a
very happy place. Most of
theses ladies were considered “untouchables” They told stories how in their own communities
they were not even given a cup of water -
but here at this “clinic” one day a week- they meet to sing- see their friends share a
meal study the Bible and
pray. This was their happy day
and this certainly was a happy place. The med were in a small office – but all other
activities were in this open air courtyard. They gather once a week and receive medicine,
vitamins, , rice and oil- but more importantly they get to connect with friend
and encourage one another in their walk with the Lord
I stood in front of about 100 ladies and began to explain
what we were going to do-
Immediately they began to share their heads “no” explaining that they were
not worthy- and that they should wash our feet- I began again- this time making my talk more
about “me” “I” will be so sad
if “we” cant do this for you..
”we” traveled a long way…
My interpreter then when on and on- I was concerned that he was not saying what I said ! But the ladies finally
consented.
The water was in a well- too far and too precious to wash
feet so we used baby wipes. We also had hotel lotions and we
offered for them to go to another station for their toes to be painted… ALL of
the ladies chose to have their toes painted!
It was such a joy to see theses ladies- as they cried while we prayed for them
and massaged their feet. When the system was up and running
I sat down to serve a couple of ladies. My first two ladies- bowed down and KISSED MY FEET!!! I gave them
flip-flops! they KISSED MY FEET....
This day it was so not about the shoes- This was a day reminding ladies that they are valuable
and that God still has a plan and a purpose for their lives weather they are
an HIV lady with aids in the middle of India- or a homeless man in Atlanta or a child in North Carolina- God has a plan and a purpose for each individual
As we were leaving I asked the Pastor in charge of the
clinic about it’s success. He
replied- Since we began- about 1 year ago we have seen 7 ladies die- However, they all died with a smile on
their face and the knowledge of
Jesus as their savior- it has been
a great success!! And oh how
I agree!!!
