Jesus washed my feet

Sara was created by God and was born in Jimma, Ethiopia. Her mother, who was addicted to an unhealthy lifestyle at the time of Sara’s birth, knew she could not raise a baby. As is a devastating but common practice, the unwanted baby Sara was abandoned at the edge of the local garbage dump.

A woman noticed Sara at the garbage dump and took her home to raise her along with her own children. But this woman could not love Sara as her own child and burdened her with extra housework and high demands to support the family by selling injera. Nevertheless, the little girl’s heart was made for love and she longed for it. She recalled that the “best day of her life” was “the day my mother kissed me”.

When Sara came to Sports Friends Camp, she was eager to experience the kindness of her coach and the staff. She was very talkative and openly shared her story. During the camp, there was a very special foot washing ceremony where the staff humbly love and honor the young people they serve who are made in the image of God.

When a woman named Hivoth washed Sara’s feet, Sara said to her: “When you washed my feet, I felt that Jesus himself had come to wash my feet. I didn’t know that anyone could love me. I thought I was someone who couldn’t be loved.”

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

After Sara had clearly understood Jesus’ message and his love for her, she still needed some time to decide to accept him as her Savior. She told her team leader that she was ready to repent and believe in him. As part of a Sports Friends team, she is supported by coaches who are committed to her life and a local church that helps her live as a daughter of God no matter where life takes her.

Has Sara’s story touched you?

What if God also wants to use you to love those who feel forgotten?

Discover how sport can become a tool to change lives: www.sportsfriends.ch

A story from SIM International.