International Celebration Association has put footwear on thousands of feet.
Imagine these scenarios…….
#1…………Our team goes into a PRISON carrying duffle bags loaded with flip flops of all sizes, tooth paste and brushes, Bibles and Bible studies. The sound system is set up and then the prisoners begin coming in. We greet each one and tie a bracelet on each arm. Threaded on the leather straps are 5 colored beads representing the plan of salvation. It is a simple way to later explain to them how they can have their sins forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Jesus. The worship time begins with praise songs during which there is more participation than in any church I have ever attended. The men and women are so ready to worship, some seeking and those who are believers, pouring out their hearts to God. There are testimonies from team members and prisons. Next comes a sermon given by one of our Guyanese staff in which the plan of salvation is given clearly. After that, our American and Guyanese team members sit in chairs across from a chair reserved for a prisoner. A bowl of water is in between. As the prisoner sits down, we wash their feet and talk to them privately about what they have heard concerning how even though they are behind bars, they can be free by being forgiven of their sins. The bead bracelets help as we explain, Black bead represents sin that separates us from God. Red bead represents Jesus’ blood that He shed on the cross for us. White bead represents a clean heart knowing that God sees Jesus’ righteousness rather than our sin. Yellow bead stands for Heaven where believers will spend eternity. Green bead stands for growing in faith and learning more through Bible study, prayer and time learning more and serving. Next, we pray with the prisoner if they want to accept Christ or affirm them if they prayed in the service. Afterwards, we give them flip flops, a toothbrush and paste and a Bible. If they request it, they get a Bible study so they can go deeper in their knowledge.
#2…..Now we are taking footwear to distribute to large groups of children. We either meet in churches or community centers. There was one children’s service where the crowd started gathering at 4:30am for a 10:00am program. It showed us how needy these children are. Over the years we have distributed tennis shoes, crocs and flip flops. We currently only use flip flops. At these gatherings, we do fun praise and worship songs with lots of motions and activity. Then we have a Bible story with lots of props and use children as characters in the story. They each received a bead bracelet when they entered so we are able to explain the plan of salvation before we sit with them to talk and wash their feet. Each child receives footwear, hugs and lots of love.
#3…..In 2010, our distributions began in remote river villages. That makes it necessary to take the footwear on small boats to the villages. We gather the children, often in the village schoolhouse, for our program. We have the service as mentioned in scenario #2. Many in the towns and villages have decided to ask Jesus to be their Savior. Local pastors are given a list of those who accepted Christ so they can have follow up.
#4……The forth place footwear is distributed is in remote villages where only our Guyanese team goes. They do Celebration Services in the evenings and invite people to come back the next day to receive flip flops, used clothing and reading glasses. During these daytime events, there is no foot washing but there is a lot of one on one evangelism.
In years past, we have bought our footwear in the US and shipped them to Guyana. Recently, we have begun buying them in Guyana to avoid shipping cost and like helping their economy. If you would like to help buy footwear, we would really appreciate your donations. The flip flops in Guyana cost about $1.50.
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet."
-John 13:14