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| The children of Jesus Gathering Center School in Watamu, Kenya. |
Jiggers. Of all the times I've tenderly cared for the
piglets attached to so many lovely children's feet, this washing was one of
most sad. These tiny shoeless toes are covered with jiggers (sand fleas).
Jiggers are a parasitic worm that lives in the ground and burrows into the feet
of my lovely shoeless children and multiples. There's a way to remove these
jiggers that requires digging into the toes in a very painful process, but I
have not been trained in this just yet.
According to Wikipedia, "If
the flea is left within the skin, dangerous complications can occur including
secondary infections, loss of nails, and toe deformation. These are relatively
rare, but heavy infestations combined with unsanitary conditions greatly
increases the likelihood of complications." What I hear stories
about is children (and adults) missing church and school because they can't
walk. My little buddy Benja - Pr Tsofa's boy who attached himself to me a few
years ago - has at least a dozen of these unwanted guests.
So, as you think about the
value of sponsoring
a pair of Sensible Shoes and all that goes into serving these children and
praying for their future, please also think about the very practical need for a
pair of shoes to separate their tiny feet from the ground.
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| These are certainly not the best pictures to show the damage, but I couldn't bring myself to photograph every foot. I had all I could do to wash them tenderly and carefully. |
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| Praise God this was not one of my children, but this is what can happen without treatment (and without shoes). |
The other half of the story
goes like this. As I finished teaching about walking in the way of love, washing
the feet of the older children, and praying over their lives, I asked if any of
them would like to wash the feet of the younger children. One young girl was
quick to give voice to her desire to serve. Madalena modeled my way of washing
the feet of these small children and joined with me as we prayed over each one.
As I prophesied over Madalena, I sensed the Lord would be using her in a very
big way to serve him as she grows. Please pray that this girl would sense his
call on her life and walk in it.
Each time I love on these
children with a pair of Sensible Shoes, I'm reminded of the surprise of hope
when someone else steps in to do the same. I never expected that kind of
response to this simple act of worship and love and yet, our Creator knew. Over
and over again, Sharon I can't think you enough for giving me the opportunity
to honor you and serve the Lord by sharing Sensible Shoes.
