Lesson 22: Sent to Serve

We’d been studying God’s Word with the group of new believers for five months by the time we got to lesson 22.

The 31-lesson series starts with creation and ends with the resurrection of Christ. With every lesson, we’ve seen God move powerfully in the lives of our friends—four believing couples, all from a large Muslim family.

Lesson 22 is about Jesus gathering with His disciples, breaking bread, and washing their feet (John 13:1–20). We happened to be studying this passage during a week when families and friends were already gathering together for a local holiday.

So my husband, Jacob, and I decided to throw a feast to celebrate our time in the Word together. Everyone dressed in their holiday best, and we gathered in the home of one of the couples.

We broke bread together, sang and prayed, and then listened to the Bible passage.

“Jesus says He didn’t come to be served, but to serve.”

Then the four women and I went to another room to discuss the lesson, just as we normally do. After discussing the significance of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, I brought in a basin of water and a towel.

“Jesus showed His friends how much He loved them through His words and His actions,” I said. “In Matthew 20:28, Jesus says He didn’t come to be served, but to serve. And so we should serve one another. I want to wash your feet just as Jesus did with His friends.”

The room fell quiet. I started with Layla, my dear friend who happened to be sitting closest to me. At first, she hesitated to let me wash her feet. As I finished, I tried praying for her—but I got too choked up for words.

Next was Nasrin, a mother of five and an amazing woman. She works hard, is dirt poor, and has never been to school a day in her life. I once tried teaching her to read, but she has a learning disability and wasn’t making progress. She knows this. I know this. And yet she is growing with godly wisdom.

Nasrin was bawling when I set the basin of water before her. After I finished washing her feet, she hugged and kissed me.

Zahra’s turn was next. She’s kind and is careful to speak slowly so I can best understand her. Earlier this year, Zahra and her husband nearly separated. Jacob and I walked with them through their conflict and prayed with them. Since then, it’s as if something is blossoming in her heart. Like Nasrin, Zahra was already crying when I kneeled before her.

Emel was last. Tears streamed down her face, too, faster than she could wipe them away. She kissed me and prayed for me. Then, before I knew what was happening, all four women were washing my feet, and I was bawling. I love these women dearly and am pleased to call them sisters.

A similar scene played itself out among the men. Jacob brought in a basin of water, and immediately the others started crying. Jacob washed their feet, and then the men washed his and prayed over him.

“I will never forget this lesson,” one man said as they finished.

When we say it’s a blessing to live here, we really mean it. Our lows are low, but our highs can be so very high! God is worth it. He is our hope. He is drawing Muslims to Himself. We’re seeing Him draw men and women into His Kingdom, and He’s transforming their lives.