The "Rice" of Life
On Saturday we met with our church group at the foundation office for worship and communion. We've learned that the best approach to meeting together is to poll everyone via phone and then plan the service based on what suits the most people. In this case, we mostly planned around Lan who is a security guard and has a really tough schedule. It was a nice, relaxed time together, with only serious believers and seekers attending. After our meal together, we read the scriptures from John about communion and foot washing. Because bread is a foreign food and not a staple in Thailand, we use rice, which is eaten daily to symbolize the life that Jesus gives. After the footwashing passage, Tom asked the group how they would like to express servanthood to each other. He explained a few ways that it's been done in the church in the past. After discussing it briefly, the believers decided that they would like to wash feet as well. We got some buckets ready and they shyly washed each other's feet. Feet hold a different significance in Thailand; they are considered unclean, it's not polite to point them at someone or to call attention to feet. So washing someone's feet has an especially humbling connotation. Lan noted that he couldn't remember having his feet washed by anyone. Afterwards, they described their feelings about footwashing saying they felt "delighted" and that they "couldn't explain" the good feeling they had.
Claire and Faa
Tiger and Silas serve water for the meal.
Geat and Dtao
Lan, Por, Tom, Silas
Rice and juice
Lan washing Por's feet. Por wais his hands as a way to receive the blessing and to show respect in return.