Shoe Shiners

One of the most amazing experiences i have had in La Paz is with the shoe shiners. Randy, the guy we stayed with there, focuses his ministry with the shoe shiners. Randy works with the Youth for Christ and is from Colorado. All of the shoe shiners cover their face with tobagans so that they cannot be recognized. They cover their face that they are not discriminated against by the wealthier class. If their face is not seen they cannot be looked down on. After spending some time with them, we realized that many of them continue shoe shining because they can make more money in that profession. Even if they had an education is hard to get a good job. Randy reaches out to them by teaching them basketball and taking them on retreats up into the moutains. Many shoe shiners have come to know Christ because of his outreach. Randy has used an interesting approach to teach them the gospel. He teaches them the passage in John 13 when Jesus washes the disciples feet. To know that the Savior washed feet is very important to them and it should be to us as well. It is very powerful for them to hear that the Son of God kneeled down to wash the feet of man. They wash peoples feet daily and they are continually reminded of what Jesus is calling us to do. He wants us to be willing to serve others as he did. These guys have created an image in my heart that is hard to forget. Their job calls them to wash feet, but the followers of Christ take that calling as a way of life and not only a job. As a follower of Christ i am trying to adopt their way of life even though it might look different. I can never forget the time I was able to spend with them.